I have decided that I "need" a 1.2 or 1.4 L glass lens! I can only but one at the moment. Which should I buy? Please help me decide.
I have a Canon 5D mk11 and a 24-105 OK for outside and a workhorse, a 70-200 -supersharp and with IS, a 17-40 that mostly gets used at 24-35, a 50 f1.8 that should be replace with a 1.4 at least. Also a 85 f1.8 that focuses fast and has good bokeh.
So which one? I like the 85 1.2 but the slow focus and shallow dof seem to hadicap it in a fast moving wedding. The 50 1.2 seems to ahve a mixed reception -the infamous back focus complaints and difficulty in focusing in poor light which is exactly what I want. The 35L is wide and I could cut out images to get a 50 angle and I love the creamy bokeh pictures that it can give.

What should I do?

What you will see is that everyone has their own preferences and that all three lenses are EPIC. You can't really go wrong with any of them. The best answer is that you should rent each and see what fits your shooting style best.

If you can only get one of those three, I'd go for the 35.

The 85 and 50 are among the slowest focusing of all the canon lenses. I'd say that the 35 is sharper than the 50, but the 85 is likely sharper than the 35, but only when you nail it (especially if we're talking f/1.2). 85 length is covered by your 70-200 and 85/1.8. The 35 will be sharper and faster than your 24-105 or 17-40.

you answered your own question... get 35L!!
seriously, i love my 35L even though my 85LII apears a little sharper..
to me, more possibilities with 35L than with 85L.
I get lotz of oof shots with 85L when objects are moving...i think it has more to do with large aperature than slow focusing..(85L II focusing isn't so slow)
canon 50 1.4 isn't the best one out there... i just hated it wide open.. I sold it without using it so much...

My vote is for the 35L

Bokeh is sexy and the baby is fast

yukisani wrote: ...I like the 85 1.2 but the slow focus and shallow dof seem to hadicap it in a fast moving wedding.

The 50 1.2 seems to ahve a mixed reception -the infamous back focus complaints and difficulty in focusing in poor light which is exactly what I want.

The 35L is wide and I could cut out images to get a 50 angle and I love the creamy bokeh pictures that it can give.

What should I do?

You seem to have answered your own question.

You have the focal-lengths range covered well in your other lenses, so it seems that one very fast lens that you can love is what you need. The 35L fits the bill.

On a so-called full-frame camera, 35mm isn't a classic "portrait" length, but can be good for group shots and is great for many reception shots, "getting ready" shots, and so on.

Don't overlook the 85L, though, maybe to add later down the road. It's a great portrait lens.

----- Edit -----

Wow, lot's of other responses while I was typing! I swear, there wasn't a single one when I started. I need to learn to type faster. Mavis Beacon, where are you?

They donīt rent where I live!

Thanks, all of you seem to confirm my suspicions as to what I need! Cropping can "give" me a 50 and the 85 1.8 is light and fast and already a favourite!

35L for sure. You already have the 85 1.8 which is already quite good. 50L is not something I would consider, I'd go 35L, 135L, 85L (in that order).

Tony Schreiber wrote:
If you can only get one of those three, I'd go for the 35.

50 are among the slowest focusing of all the canon lenses.


LIES! 50 is crazy fast. 85 IS indeed slow as heck.

(85L II focusing isn't so slow)

On a 5dII, it's basically manual focus only...

Sam Hassas wrote:
Tony Schreiber wrote:
If you can only get one of those three, I'd go for the 35.

50 are among the slowest focusing of all the canon lenses.


LIES! 50 is crazy fast. 85 IS indeed slow as heck.

Ok wise guy, what prime or L zoom lenses focus SLOWER than the 50/1.2 or 85/1.2? Excluding macro and manual-only of course.

Can't name one, can you?

Sam Hassas wrote:
LIES! 50 is crazy fast. 85 IS indeed slow as heck.

The 50 is super fast... just like I'm super short.

Tony Hoffer wrote:
Sam Hassas wrote:
LIES! 50 is crazy fast. 85 IS indeed slow as heck.

The 50 is super fast... just like I'm super short.

35L is still my bread and butter lens for everything from weddings to male erotica*.


*Hassas portraits

35L is always a good answer...

50L is fast. I know not what you noobs speak of. It's equally as fast as the 24L. I don't own a 35L so I can't speak on it. I will say however that I have the focus assist on most of the day. Suck a great tool.

Carry on.

Suck a great tool.

Little slip there; Dr. Freud?

Agreed; the 50L is a fast focuser...

Buy Sigma 50mm 1.4, more than half the price, super fast, super sharp! With all the extra money left save for the 24 1.4. In my Canon days I had the 24 and it was fantastic!

35 doode.

35L without a doubt!