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 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...
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?
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!
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.
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!
