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Archive 2020 · What Trinity of Primes?

erjennin
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · What Trinity of Primes?

About to pick up a 6D Mark II. I like to shoot primes to keep the kit small. I typically shoot 24/50/85 with the 24mm being used for vlogging. What EF lenses do you recommend keeping price in mind.... for example, I know the 85L lens is amazing but that’s too expensive for me. Fast aperture, sharpness, and contrast considered.

Jan 21, 2020 at 10:04 PM

mdvaden
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · What Trinity of Primes?

It's a small surprise that you may ask the question, partly because this topic has a huge breadcrumb trail of similar posts at several forums / Youtube has quite a few videos about it too. Besides the new body, if you could give a few reasons you want suggestions, that may help. Otherwise, if it wasn't an accident you ended up using the primes mentioned, maybe that's what to stick with.

Or did I misinterpret your post, and what you mean is the 24 / 50 / 85 is exactly what you want, but you're trying to figure out which brands and models? Is that what you meant?

Jan 21, 2020 at 11:19 PM

erjennin
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · What Trinity of Primes?

mdvaden wrote:
It's a small surprise that you may ask the question, partly because this topic has a huge breadcrumb trail of similar posts at several forums / Youtube has quite a few videos about it too. Besides the new body, if you could give a few reasons you want suggestions, that may help. Otherwise, if it wasn't an accident you ended up using the primes mentioned, maybe that's what to stick with.

Or did I misinterpret your post, and what you mean is the 24 / 50 / 85 is exactly what you want, but you're trying to figure out which brands...Show more →

I think you misunderstood. I’m looking for recommendations in those general focal lengths... best bang for the buck.

For example, would people recommend (for the 24mm) focal length:

Canon 24mm USM f/2.8
Canon 28mm f/1.8
Sigma ART 24mm
Tamron... etc...

Jan 22, 2020 at 12:38 AM

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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · What Trinity of Primes?

Old threads are fine but since new gear gets released all the time, it won't hurt to update the list every now and then.

I have 2/3 of one such trinity, in the form of the Canon 24/1.4L and the Tamron 45/1.8; down the road I also hope to get the Tamron 85/1.8. I can wholeheartedly recommend the 45, and the Sigma 24 Art looks like a better option than the Canon for most metrics. The Tamron 85 got a very favourable review at OpticalLimits.com (formerly called Photozone), and this is the site both known for very strict testing and scoring, and the one I find a supremely reliable source.
So:
Sigma 24/1.4
Tamron 45/1.8
Tamron 85/1.8

Jan 22, 2020 at 01:24 AM

erjennin
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · What Trinity of Primes?

Thank you ! This is very helpful

Snopchenko wrote:
Old threads are fine but since new gear gets released all the time, it won't hurt to update the list every now and then.

Jan 22, 2020 at 06:37 AM

maxx9photo
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · What Trinity of Primes?

For me 35/85/135.

Jan 22, 2020 at 12:33 PM

pasblues
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · What Trinity of Primes?

This is such an individual decision! It really depends on what you are shooting and how you *see* etc.

In Canon, it's lens specific - the quality of the particular primes.

For me, I like the 50 f1.2, 85 f1.2. I don't shoot wide fast prime often enough to justify a 24 f1.4 prime but that is probably what I would get if I did. If I want 24mm, I have a 24-105 f4 IS. I use it for groups, which I would never shoot at an aperture wider than f4.

Arguably or not - the 85mm f1.4 IS is supposed to be "better" than the f1.2 II. I know that's probably the case in a lot of categories.

Strangely, the 135 f2 has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Back in the early 2000s when I owned it, it was a red-headed stepchild. I'm surprised to see the surge since it's not an IS lens. But, then, the Sony 135GM isn't IS either. Kinda cracks me up seeing these short primes with IS while the 135's don't have it.

Jan 22, 2020 at 01:11 PM

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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · What Trinity of Primes?

All of the Sony lenses are kinda IS as they benefit from IBIS, although it's not included in all of their bodies.

The problem with the 24/50(45)/85(90) trinity is the lack of a moderately priced but fast option at 24. There used to be a Sigma 24/1.8 but it's not a patch on the newer units either optically or mechanically. But it could be probably had for peanuts, and it has a maximum magnification of 1:2.7, which is nifty.

Edited by Guest on Jan 23, 2020 at 11:42 AM · View previous versions

Jan 22, 2020 at 02:20 PM

amacal1
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · What Trinity of Primes?

pasblues wrote:
Strangely, the 135 f2 has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Back in the early 2000s when I owned it, it was a red-headed stepchild. I'm surprised to see the surge since it's not an IS lens. But, then, the Sony 135GM isn't IS either. Kinda cracks me up seeing these short primes with IS while the 135's don't have it.

People keep saying this. It's likely due to the increase in both resolution and autofocus capabilities of modern bodies, especially mirrorless. Under a certain resolution threshold and with spotty AF capabilities, there's no real advantage to this lens over a zoom and a high chance of missed focus. Now that you can easily shoot at f/2 with this FL, attain sharp focus, and appreciate the resolving power of the lens across the frame it becomes a fun, affordable way to make stunning photos.

Jan 22, 2020 at 02:27 PM

kezeka
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · What Trinity of Primes?

There is no love in this world like my love for 35 II AND 85 II, each on a full frame camera handing on both sides of my body.

As for a third lens, I could never see the world in 135mm. I’d honestly vote zeiss 21mm depending on your purposes. Usually I end up just bringing a 70-200 to cover the long end but that is no prime.

Jan 22, 2020 at 05:57 PM

RottenTheCat
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · What Trinity of Primes?

My own would be 20, 35, 100ish (or 105ish).

Depends on what you're used to, how you're used to shooting.

For most of my own, 35 does it. Occasionally a very wide, so the 20. Occasionally a head n shoulders, hence the 100ish. Don't like 85 for portraits... prefer longer.

Jan 22, 2020 at 06:29 PM

Jeff Nolten
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · What Trinity of Primes?

I'd say 24 IS, 35 IS, and 100 IS. Mainly because I like IS and those are the primes I have. Though I also have a Voightlander 20mm prime (not IS) that I really like but that breaks the triad.

Jan 22, 2020 at 07:47 PM

imxkal
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · What Trinity of Primes?

For me its 35/50/85. After owning nikon, canon, and sigma art variants, I would recommend sigmas.

Jan 23, 2020 at 11:33 AM

Rivermist
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · What Trinity of Primes?

You may want to widen your scope a bit, the EF 100 f:2 is a nice substitute for the 85, giving an extra stretch. The 100 IS L blows the smaller / older lenses out of the water but it is quite large, and you mention compactness as a criteria. I briefly owned the EF 28mm (before there was an IS version), it was an interesting focal length but the old lens was sub-par. With the more recent 28 mm IS, you could go for 28 - 85 - 135 or 28 - 50 -100 or 28 -50 - 135 which is IMO make for a more interesting spread of focal lengths (and you can put a 1.4x extender on the 135).

Jan 23, 2020 at 12:28 PM

Robin Smith
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · What Trinity of Primes?

I would go 24 or 28mm f2.8 IS, 50/1.4 EF or Sigma 50 mm ART, 85mm Canon IS f1.4. On the other hand, I would probably just get the 24-70 EF f2.8 II plus a 50mm STM, if you need something smaller and with an extra stop. These two would probably weigh less and cost less and give pretty well equivalent quality and would be easier to use.

Edited on Jan 24, 2020 at 11:15 AM · View previous versions

Jan 23, 2020 at 12:57 PM

RexGig0
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · What Trinity of Primes?

I can do almost everything with my EF 35/2 IS and EF 100/2.8L Macro IS, if we factor-out birds and distant wildlife. An EF 28/2.8 IS is high on my shopping list. 85mm never seemed to be my cup of tea, until recently, for landscapes, of all things, and I could certainly live without an 85mm lens.

If 24mm is necessary for v-logging, well, substitute the EF 24/2.8 IS, for a 28mm or 35mm. Done.

If limited to only three lenses, 50mm would not be one of them.

Another short telephoto I love is the EF 135/2L, but in a three-lens kit, two short telephoto lenses may be difficult to justify.

The pre-IS 24/2.8 and 28/2.8 EF lenses did not impress me, when I was starting, on a restricted budget, a decade ago. The 24mm was worse than the 28mm. I soon parted with both of them.

Jan 23, 2020 at 01:49 PM

mdvaden
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · What Trinity of Primes?

amacal1 wrote:
Strangely, the 135 f2 has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. ... SNIP ... Under a certain resolution threshold and with spotty AF capabilities, there's no real advantage to this lens over a zoom and a high chance of missed focus. Now that you can easily shoot at f/2 with this FL, attain sharp focus, and appreciate the resolving power of the lens across the frame it becomes a fun, affordable way to make stunning photos.

Nothing strange here.

I've got the Zeiss 135mm manual focus and recently got a like new copy of Canon 135mm for $350. I'm switching from 35 / 50 / 85 at weddings, to mostly 35 / 50 / 85 / 135 with the 85mm being stored in an extra bag. Over the years, I found the 135mm to have a low chance of missed photos, with exceptionally fast auto focus.

For the OP, I think the Tamron 45mm and 85mm suggested by one other person are a good option.

Too bad the OP's budget is so small and limited to EF. The new RF 28-70mm 2.0 could practically replace 3 lenses. Otherwise, some of the best bang for the buck are the Tamron primes.

Jan 23, 2020 at 07:12 PM

Gochugogi
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · What Trinity of Primes?

If you're looking for buck bangers, I'd look into the EF 24 2.8 IS USM, EF 50 1.8 STM and EF 85 1.8 USM, all refurbs with extra 20% coupons at CanonDirect. I own the first two and they're wonderful walk around lenses and backups during travel. The 50 STM is also nice for video: smooth pulls and decent defocused backgrounds. The EF 40 2.8 STM is also a nice buck banger and yields smooth movie servo.

I loved the EF 85 1.8 USM when I was into portraits but found it pretty useless for general photography.

Jan 23, 2020 at 08:58 PM

Mar73
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · What Trinity of Primes?

I owned a budget trinity of primes until about a year ago. I sold the Canon 85 f1.8 and the Canon 50 f1.8 and kept my 35 f2 IS. The 50 and 85 I had were great lenses at the price point but I was specifically trying to trim my kit down and get rid of lenses I did not use often. It turns out I kind of miss not having the 50 and will replace it when Canon releases the RF version since I moved to the RP. If the 24 IS is anything like the 35 IS you will love it.

Jan 23, 2020 at 09:06 PM

Mar73
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · What Trinity of Primes?

One more thing. I liked the 85 on a crop body more than I did on full frame. If I ever decide to go back with a trinity of primes it will be 35/50/135.

Jan 23, 2020 at 09:11 PM

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