For the last year or so, I have been shooting a “set” of L series primes (24L II, 35L, 50L, 85LII, 135L and now 200 1.8L and EF Extender 1.4x II). I had the 17 TS-E lens for a while, but I sold it to fund my 200 1.8L. I am shooting 5DII with EG-S screen and don’t plan to upgrade to the 5DIII. The main reason I kept the “set” of primes was due to renting them out to a few local cinematographers. One of my main renters is moving away and I am less inclined to keep the complete set now. I also lost access to my Leica 60 macro Elmarit, so I am looking at adding a macro lens. The Zeiss ZE 100 Makro Planar is the lens I am thinking about the most right now, but I would need to sell one or more lenses to get it (probably the 85LII and/or possibly the 135L). I am considering my options for re-arranging my lens kit. Any combination of current lenses and new purchases are welcome. Please use the following used sale price (these numbers are accurate in my market) if you are suggesting, selling any current lenses. I would likely buy replacement lenses used if possible (adorama, CL, FM forum etc).
24 F/1.4L II $1500
35 F/1.4L $1200
50 F/1.2L $1400 (most used lens)
85 F1.2L II $1900
135 F2L $950
200 F1.8L $3000 (current favorite lens.. also most recent purchase )
EF Ext 1.4x II $250
Shooting Habits:
I tend to just take my 50 when I am out walking around and I would say that this is my most used lens.
I use the 85, but not a ton and I tend to shoot it stopped down for portraits around 2.8
I shoot landscape, comedy shows (dark), bands (dark), night street (dark) and a lot of stuff at dusk.
I tend to like the look of shoots wide open or 1 stop down vs. your typical F5.6-F8 (I like vignetting)
Biases:
I wouldn’t want to switch to all zooms
I wouldn’t switch to all Zeiss because the only Zeiss lenses that interest me at the 21 2.8, 35 f2 (or 1.4), 50 f2 makro planar and the 100 f2 makro planar (very interested).
Intriguing Lenses:
Zeiss 100 F2 Makro Planar
Canon 24 TS-E II
Leica R Summilux E60
Canon 100L IS Macro
Canon 50 Macro
Samyang 14 2.8
Canon 85 1.8
Any help would be appreciated (this includes “shut up and shoot what you have” posts).
Aside from getting another macro lens (both 100/2.8 L and 100/2 are superb, also consider the Voigtlander 125/2.5 macro) I was unable to understand why you find your current set lacking and what you hope to achieve by changing it.
I know what you mean about the Leica R 60 Macro, I love that lens. But I also love the Canon 50/2.5 macro and 100L Macro -- you could buy all three of these lenses for the cost of the Zeiss 100 Macro! Come on, think about it! I own these three right now, and I don't think I'd trade the 100L with its IS for the Zeiss 100 on a straight swap. I know others will disagree.
IQ is important to me, more than speed. I consider the Canon macro and TS-E lenses to be without compare. If I didn't like zooms so well, I could probably be completely happy with "only" these lenses: 17 TS-E, 24 TS-E, 45 TS-E, 50 macro, 60 macro (APS-C), 90 TS-E, 100L macro and 180L macro. That would be a hell of a line-up!
Yakim Peled wrote:
Aside from getting another macro lens (both 100/2.8 L and 100/2 are superb, also consider the Voigtlander 125/2.5 macro) I was unable to understand why you find your current set lacking and what you hope to achieve by changing it.
Happy shooting,
Yakim.
I totally get what you are saying. I don't really need anything. I have my dream line up. I figured that people would post some crazy perfect lineups like 16-35 II + 50L +70-200 2.8L IS II or. 24 TS-E II + Leica Summilux E60 + 200 1.8L or some other "magic" combo that equals my total budget. I sometimes wish I had a zoom (when I travel). Anyway, if I had to choose I would sell the 135L and buy the 100 makro planar. The 85L may be replaced by the 85 1.8 later. IDK I could always just add 100 macro non L, but I don't think so.
Yakim Peled wrote:
Aside from getting another macro lens (both 100/2.8 L and 100/2 are superb, also consider the Voigtlander 125/2.5 macro) I was unable to understand why you find your current set lacking and what you hope to achieve by changing it.
Happy shooting,
Yakim.
You do realize that the Voigtländer 125 is a collectors item? It's an rather old and discontinued lens that cost 5 times as much today (used) as it did when it was new. Like the Canon 50/1,0.
A great lens but not really anything that one would recommend to somebody that is changing the lens line up. (IMO)
Gunzorro wrote:
I know what you mean about the Leica R 60 Macro, I love that lens. But I also love the Canon 50/2.5 macro and 100L Macro -- you could buy all three of these lenses for the cost of the Zeiss 100 Macro! Come on, think about it! I own these three right now, and I don't think I'd trade the 100L with its IS for the Zeiss 100 on a straight swap. I know others will disagree.
IQ is important to me, more than speed. I consider the Canon macro and TS-E lenses to be without compare. If I didn't like zooms so well, I could probably be completely happy with "only" these lenses: 17 TS-E, 24 TS-E, 45 TS-E, 50 macro, 60 macro (APS-C), 90 TS-E, 100L macro and 180L macro. That would be a hell of a line-up! ...Show more →
Great advice about the Canon macros and TS lenses. I had the 17 and it was wicked sharp. I will buy that again for sure. I just got all riled up looking at Peter's 200 1.8 images and had to get one. You can't buy everything at once and most of my kit was bought too recently to be considered as "spread out". I will add more lenses over the next year or two for sure. I also want to move to a 1 series body at some point. Just want one with super precision matte focusing screen for sure.
Dave Jr wrote:
Interesting, I am quite happy with:
16-35 II + 24 TS-E II + 50/1.4 + 85/1.8 + 100L + 135/2 + 70-200 II.
Also have 24-105L, mostly use that one when traveling.
Interesting list for sure! Do you find too much overlap with the 85, 100, 135 and 70-200? Seems like this range could be covered with 2 lenses (but that is the. crux of my question).
Lars Johnsson wrote:
You do realize that the Voigtländer 125 is a collectors item? It's an rather old and discontinued lens that cost 5 times as much today (used) as it did when it was new. Like the Canon 50/1,0.
A great lens but not really anything that one would recommend to somebody that is changing the lens line up. (IMO)
I know that 125 is a collectors item, I have seen a lot of images over on the alt board (looks great). If they re-release it someday I am in!
garydavidjones wrote:
Your selling prices are approximately the same as
new with rebates & free shipping.
Why not consider the Canon 70-200 L II?
Has superb IQ.
Here in Washington we have sales tax around 10%. Now that the rebates are over all the lenses are back to their normal prices on BH, Adorama and any local camera shops there are not a ton of options. I would say that a big percentage of locals buy stuff like this online to avoid tax unless they are full time pros and plan on writing it off. I try to buy local where appropriate/possible. I watch CL daily and have bought and sold many a lens there and L series primes go for 80-90% of the best current BH price very consistantly. Every market is different, but that is ours.
I am very interested in the 70-200 2.8L II for sure. I would love to have one, just not willing to give up my 200 1.8L to get it. It may be worth selling my 85L II for though.
With the fast lenses you already have it looks like you're just getting interested in Macro work but still want your fast lenses. Instead of adding a fix macro lens what would be wrong with getting a set of Macro Extension tubes and using them mix and match with all of your existing lens line up? I use tubes with 15-85 IS, 70-200 f2.8 IS II and 100-400 IS now and I'm getting the new Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VC lens. I'm very happy with the extension tubes and air doesn't effect the IQ at all.
Hmm... 24 TSE, manual focus lens, takes a bit more time to setup when using with tilt and shift, coupled with loving to shoot a lot of stuff at dusk.
Doable, but maybe not my first choice.
dsr1 wrote:
With the fast lenses you already have it looks like you're just getting interested in Macro work but still want your fast lenses. Instead of adding a fix macro lens what would be wrong with getting a set of Macro Extension tubes and using them mix and match with all of your existing lens line up? I use tubes with 15-85 IS, 70-200 f2.8 IS II and 100-400 IS now and I'm getting the new Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VC lens. I'm very happy with the extension tubes and air doesn't effect the IQ at all.
DonR
That is a great idea Don! I was reading the 135L does nice things with tubes. I wonder how the 200 1.8L would do?
schlotz wrote:
Hmm... 24 TSE, manual focus lens, takes a bit more time to setup when using with tilt and shift, coupled with loving to shoot a lot of stuff at dusk.
Doable, but maybe not my first choice.
I loved my 17 TS-E and by most accounts the 24 is even better. Point taken though.
saneproduction wrote:
That is a great idea Don! I was reading the 135L does nice things with tubes. I wonder how the 200 1.8L would do?
The 200 1.8L should be a dream with tubes. In fact any lens in your lineup should work perfectly and give distinct bokeh. Bet you'd have a blast with the selection you have.
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