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EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

y2nicco
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

Hey All!

Possibly loaded question here but if you had to choose between either pairing the EF 135 f/2 with the EF 85 f/1.4 IS or ditching both and going with the RF 135 on an R8 - what would you do?

Some background - I am a hobbyist, mostly taking photos of my kiddos / life with the occasion portrait / family shoots of friends and family (including OCF w/ backgrounds here and there). I truly love both FL - 85 and 135 - but cannot decide if the RF 135 alone is better than two FL adapted, considering both of the EF lenses are incredible.

I know that it is often impossible to opine as to questions such as this, especially not being in my shoes. However, I can confidently say that I CAN live without an 85 mm lens, as that FL is subsumed by my 70-200 and I can use that lens if 85 is needed. But, the lens truly is remarkable. I do not video work, if that matters.

I currently own all three lenses but need to consolidate. Let’s just say that the two options differ in price by about $500-600, with the RF lens costing about that much more than the pair.

Any thoughts?

PS - Just for fun, here is a shot I took with the 85 mm yesterday, SOOC:

Nov 08, 2023 at 12:16 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

I got the RF 135, kept the EF 85/1.4 and sold the EF 135. For me the two focal lengths are very different, especially for people work. Sometimes I find I can't back up enough to use the 135 comfortably.

RF vs EF 135s, IMO the RF is technically better, especially if mostly used wide open. IS also is very nice to have with 135, particularly with a non-IBIS camera like the R8.

Only feature advantage of the EF is perhaps TC compatibility, but you already have a 70-200 if you need longer.

I guess you could keep just the RF 135 as you suggested, and use the 70-200 for everything else, but 85/2.8 is considerably different than 85/1.4.

Nov 08, 2023 at 01:21 PM

deepbluejh
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

Everyone is going to have a different answer here... for *me* personally, 50mm is my bread and butter fast prime. And in this case, 85mm is too close to 50mm for me to make much use of it.

So for that reason... I've chosen to go with the 50L and 135L setup. While I very much liked the 85L, it just didn't get enough use for me to justify keeping it.

It sounds like you might be a similar situation.

Nov 08, 2023 at 01:37 PM

steamtrain
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

y2nicco wrote:
However, I can confidently say that I CAN live without an 85 mm lens, as that FL is subsumed by my 70-200 and I can use that lens if 85 is needed.

This is strange logic to me, as the same applies to the 135mm focal length, and the f/1.8 aperture of the 135mm prime is closer to f/2.8 than the f/1.4 of the 85mm. At 135mm and f/2.8 there's a lot of subject separation anyway. At 85mm the larger aperture is much more needed.

For light gathering the RF lens is 1/3th of a stop brighter, and there's stellar ILIS as well vs no ILIS at all for the EF f/2.0, while at 135mm ILIS is definitely helpful. The RF lens will likely also have the fastest AF. So if you do primarily compressed night scapes at 1/10th shutter speeds the RF is the best choice, and if you shoot sports as well. For image quality alone I would replace the Canon f/2.0 with the Sigma f/1.8 and keep the 85mm.

You could also sell both and get the 105mm f/1.4 Art. A lot of weight, no ILIS, but AF is fast and the rendering is beautiful.

Nov 08, 2023 at 02:34 PM

TomSchriefer
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

I've had the EF 135, and barely used it because of its specificity. I don't do studio work, and 135 is just too long (for me) to find useful. The only prime I have now is EF 35 IS, and that is primarily because of its size. If find 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8 covers my needs quite well.

Nov 08, 2023 at 04:47 PM

burningheart
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

y2nicco wrote:
Hey All!
If you had to choose between either pairing the EF 135 f/2 with the EF 85 f/1.4 IS or ditching both and going with the RF 135 on an R8 - what would you do?

The RF 135 is incredible. From the first shot I took I knew my 135/2 would sit and gather dust. Never had an EF 85/1.4 but my other 85mm lenses EF or RF sit on the shelf with the 135/2 and I grab the 135/1.8 over them.

I truly love both FL - 85 and 135 - but cannot decide if the RF 135 alone is better than two FL adapted, considering both of the EF lenses are incredible.

However, I can confidently say that I CAN live without an 85 mm lens, as that FL is subsumed by my 70-200 and I can use that lens if 85 is needed. But, the lens truly is remarkable. I do not video work, if that matters.

I currently own all three lenses but need to consolidate.

Any thoughts?

You state you can live without the 85 and you need to consolidate thus you answered your own question. If consolidation is your highest priority then go with the 2 lens system 70-200 and 135/1.8.

PS - Just for fun, here is a shot I took with the 85 mm yesterday, SOOC:

It looks like you are attached to the 85 and are having misgivings when thinking of selling it to get the 135/1.8. I would review the pictures taken with the 85 and see how many were shot at 1.4 through f2.8. If a lot of your shots are in that range then likely you will miss it. If most of your shots are f2.8 and higher then you wouldn't miss it. The other thing you could do is go out and shoot the same scene with both the 85 and 70-200 and then decide will 2.8 be sufficient.

If I was in your shoes based on what I shoot I would likely stay with the 85/1.4 and 135/2 and 70-200/2.8 but that is because I like having the wider apertures available even though they are not necessary for most of my shooting. Realistically I am not in your shoes Though I no longer have a 70-200 and have a 135/1.8 that pairs with the 28-70/2 and I am on an R5. Not an apples to apples comparison but for myself I thought long and hard on the 70-200 and although incredible I didn't use it much so I sold it.

Once you can truthfully decide without regrets on the 85 then I think you will have your answer. Good luck on your decision.

Nov 08, 2023 at 04:57 PM

y2nicco
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

rscheffler wrote:
I got the RF 135, kept the EF 85/1.4 and sold the EF 135. For me the two focal lengths are very different, especially for people work. Sometimes I find I can't back up enough to use the 135 comfortably.

RF vs EF 135s, IMO the RF is technically better, especially if mostly used wide open. IS also is very nice to have with 135, particularly with a non-IBIS camera like the R8.

Only feature advantage of the EF is perhaps TC compatibility, but you already have a 70-200 if you need longer.

I guess you could keep just the RF 135...Show more →

Thank you for the insight! I wish I could keep the RF and the 85, but I need to free up some funds. They definitely are a different, thus the struggle! Lots to think about.

deepbluejh wrote:
Everyone is going to have a different answer here... for *me* personally, 50mm is my bread and butter fast prime. And in this case, 85mm is too close to 50mm for me to make much use of it.

So for that reason... I've chosen to go with the 50L and 135L setup. While I very much liked the 85L, it just didn't get enough use for me to justify keeping it.

It sounds like you might be a similar situation.

I, too, love 50 mm. Now you are planting other ideas in my mind! I may be able to swing the RF 50 and EF 135.... and sell the RF 135 and EF 85. Not a bad idea! Thanks for the input.

steamtrain wrote:
This is strange logic to me, as the same applies to the 135mm focal length, and the f/1.8 aperture of the 135mm prime is closer to f/2.8 than the f/1.4 of the 85mm. At 135mm and f/2.8 there's a lot of subject separation anyway. At 85mm the larger aperture is much more needed.

For light gathering the RF lens is 1/3th of a stop brighter, and there's stellar ILIS as well vs no ILIS at all for the EF f/2.0, while at 135mm ILIS is definitely helpful. The RF lens will likely also have the fastest AF. So if...Show more →

Was not trying to applying logic - was just saying it is included in the focal range of the telephoto - thats it! Thank you for the Sigma recommendations - I will look into it!

Nov 08, 2023 at 05:46 PM

y2nicco
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

burningheart wrote:
The RF 135 is incredible. From the first shot I took I knew my 135/2 would sit and gather dust. Never had an EF 85/1.4 but my other 85mm lenses EF or RF sit on the shelf with the 135/2 and I grab the 135/1.8 over them.

You state you can live without the 85 and you need to consolidate thus you answered your own question. If consolidation is your highest priority then go with the 2 lens system 70-200 and 135/1.8.

It looks like you are attached to the 85 and are having misgivings when thinking of selling it to...Show more →

Thank you for the insight! I only posted the 85 because the RF is still sitting in the box, pending the outcome of my decision. Lots to think about - so thank you again!

Nov 08, 2023 at 05:47 PM

artsupreme
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

This comes down to favorite FL and it's always personal preference. For many years I just carried two DSLR bodies with a fast 35 attached to one and the 135/2 attached to the other. Those two FL's work great for me and the 135/2 being small/compact/lightweight was one of my favorites on DSLRs for travel. With RF that changed as an adapter is now required and since I travel so much I don't use the 135 anymore. I tried the Canon RF 135 but it's too big and heavy for my bag, so I replaced it with the RF 70-200 2.8 as it's nearly the same weight. I shoot the RF 70-200 near 200 for portraits and it's not as magical as the 135 but it's close if your scene has the right depth. My wish is that Canon would make an RF 135 f/2 that's the same size as the EF version but much lighter. I would definitely carry that in the bag.

If I were you I would buy the Sigma 135 and save a lot of money as it seems like you'll be using it around the house and not traveling with it. Maybe that would allow you to keep the 85 1.4, Sigma 135, and 70-200. If you have two bodies I would checkout a fast 35 as they are great for portraits too.

Nov 08, 2023 at 05:52 PM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

y2nicco wrote:
Hey All!

Possibly loaded question here but if you had to choose between either pairing the EF 135 f/2 with the EF 85 f/1.4 IS or ditching both and going with the RF 135 on an R8 - what would you do?

Some background - I am a hobbyist, mostly taking photos of my kiddos / life with the occasion portrait / family shoots of friends and family (including OCF w/ backgrounds here and there). I truly love both FL - 85 and 135 - but cannot decide if the RF 135 alone is better than two FL adapted, considering both of...Show more →

Probably wouldn't sell 85/1.4 & 135/2 that I already had. 85/1.4 is supposed to be excellent, and the 135/2 still is pretty interesting. Both are in my preferred portrait FL.

I'd probably use the 70-200 a lot though since I prefer f/8 for portraits, and the zoom for landscapes

Nov 08, 2023 at 06:08 PM

Kathy White
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

I can't help with the RF 135 but I use the EF 135 on my R5. Here are some recent portraits with it. Based on Burninghearts post who has both, the 135 RF is much better, so the deciding factor is probably going to come down to price. I'd invest in the RF 135 if I did many portraits any more, but I really don't so too much to just pick it up 2 or 3 times a year. I also have the RF 85 f2, It does ok but not nearly as liked by me as my old 135 f2.


	© K White 2023


	© K White 2023


	© K White 2023


	© K White 2023

Nov 08, 2023 at 08:47 PM

tkbslc
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · EF 135 + EF 85 or RF 135?

If you put your camera in 1.6x crop mode, your 85mm f1.4 becomes an effective 135mm f2.2. How big do you actually print? You may never notice the resolution drop in the real world and the 85mm f1.4 is already as sharp as anyone needs.

At the very least use it for a while to see how much you love 135mm. It's always a focal length that needs much more working room than I remember.

But just in general terms, I cannot see how anyone can need more image quality than an EF 135mm L provides. I'm not saying it's perfect, but it's still more than good enough for serious pro work. The difference between the old and new 135mm L is definitely not enough to warrant dropping an amazing lens like the 85mm f1.4.

Nov 09, 2023 at 11:30 AM


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