Advice on Canon PRIMES

PikkieChick wrote:

cybersimba wrote:

Keith Z Leonard wrote:

I use 2 prime, Sigma 50 f1.4 ex and Canon 135L I've used the 100L, 85 f1.8, and 85 f1.2L as well. Of all of them the 135L is my favorite lens, no question. Nothing wrong with the 85's either, but the 135 has that mix of great performance AF, sharpness, compression, and fast aperture.

I ABSOLUTELY vote for 135L. That is one prime that will give you photos that none of your current zooms or any other primes would give! 100L would be another great addition for you if you want to do more Macro shots. 35 f2 IS and 85 1.8 would be other two to consider in that range. I think the fact that you have 24-70 2.8 II you shall not need anything in that range unless you have specific need. for e.g. 85 1.8 is outside of 24-70 and is a great portraiture lens so that will serve purpose for you and so will 135L (because its simply awesome and magical IQ of images from that lens will convince you to have one). But again 85 1.8 and 135L are portraiture lenses serving that purpose.

I am actually a little confused about your comment on "landscape, architecture" and your considering 35/50/85/100/135. I would think for landscape, architecture you would probably look at something wider??

Cybersimba

Hi Keith Z Leonard and Cybersimba - Sorry for the confusion, yep you are right I do use my 16-35mm more for landscapes, I guess I was referring more to street photography, candid people shots (more candid people shots than actual posed portraits)

Ive heard that there can be issues hand holding the 135mm re sharpness, any truth to that ? Ive read that people go with the 100mm with IS instead, but is this lens primarily for macro (which I dont do a lot)

If you want to shoot at speeds slower than 1/135 (1/focal length) then yes you will need tripod. If you use camera with high ISO (meaning camera offering great IQ even at higher ISOs like 6D does then handheld with 135L is not an issue. I think IS is sometimes overrated. If you shoot regularly, over time you shall get to understand right speeds, aperture and ISO to use for a given shot and most of the times you will be fine with 135L using it handheld. But yes if you compare it with wider lens then your chances of shooting wider lens handheld are better than a longer lens again per 1/focal length rule.

100L is really a great lens. Its not as fast in focussing as some of the primes like 135L but its fairly good and it doubles up as Macro as well as portrait lens. I would not buy it unless you intend to do macro. What I mean is lenses like 85, 135 or even longer good quality primes will serve you as portrait lenses for you but 100L shines as a Macro. Its IS can help with handheld shots even for Macro. If you are interested in macro then you can consider 100 non L which offers same IQ as 100L (100L might be little more contrasty perhaps but I have seen outstanding images from non L too). non L 100 does not have IS so you have to use tripod when the need be. If you buy 100L that would be for macro though not for its otherwise great IQ, contrast etc. But it wouldn't hurt getting 100L as it would be a generally good lens (with IS, great IQ just slightly lower than 135L and the best Macro) to have. If money is not an issue I would get both 100L and 135L. They both are absolute keepers!

Also the 85mm 1.2 may not be worth the extra money due to bulk especially when the 1.8 performs nearly as well ?

I agree totally. 85 1.8 is a no brainer. Its a a great lens providing exceptional bokeh for the price and works as good portrait lens for indoors and outdoors. 135L gives better "magic", compression and quality of images but you need to stand far behind. so i tighter environments like indoor portrait shoots etc you can benefit from lower focal length of 85. If you want to judge how much bokeh any good lens gives you, simple rule is bokeh % = focal length divided by max aperture. For e.g. 135 / 2 (its max aperture) gives you close ~70% bokeh vs say 85 / 1.8 (its max aperture) = ~50% bokeh. Of course, bokeh effect can vary depending on how far back the background is from the subject. Overall 85 1.8 is fast, great IQ, great build quality.. simply a great portrait lens to have in addition to 135L.

I guess Im venturing into primes wanting to not be lazy with my zooms and after sharpness, IQ, shallower DOF, use in lower light situations. I can get some of these lenses at great prices very soon.

Where do you get your lenses for great prices? I am sure everyone would like to know I do