Canon 135mm f 2.0L to go with 35mm f1.4 & 85mm 1.8

Wondering what your thoughts on a third prime lens to go with my new Canon 6D. Right now I have the Sigma 35 f1.4 and Canon 85mm f1.8. I was looking at purchasing the Canon 135mm f 2.0L lens. I know that most people use it as a portrait lens, but I though it may also be good for indoor/outdoor events that my kids will be participating in. It might be something that I could also use for landscape/travel photography. Would this compliment the two primes that I currently have or would you suggest something else? Or do you think I should get rid of the 85mm f1.8 and go with the 35/135 combo?

Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated.

I think it'd be a great choice. Your current collection suggests that you're not too fussed about extreme perspectives, so I think a 35/85/135 line-up would be very satisfying. I currently have the 50L and the 135L, and as soon as I have some spare cash I'll be getting the 85 f1.8 to slot in between them.

Opinion of an amateur Canon/Nikon user: Way back when I had a 40D and years later for a brief time, a 5Dmkii, this lens (different copies) worked magic: nice contrast, sharp, etc. I don't take the DXO 135mm L review with a grain of salt but it doesn't totally convince me - I think it's better. I used a 35mm f1.4L (refurbished from Canon Store) and the 135mm f2 L (new from Amazon) - during a Colombian vacation and the pair it covered almost everything well to my amateur liking and I imagine the pair would perform just as well on a 6D. The last time I left my D800 at home and used a 6D w/ EF 50mm f1.4, a low weight, low key combo ( maybe I had a good copy of the 50mm f1.4 ). While  I loved that combo, at times, I really missed the reach of the 135mm L.

As i have said before, for travel you will want a telefoto zoom, rather than primes. IMO the 70-200 f4 with or sans IS would be better for less volume, less weight, less lens changing and less cost.

This is my plan at the moment, Sigma 50 f1.4, 135 f2 and 85 f1.8

I rented the 135 and it was a lot of fun.

I would say it depends on what you like to shoot traveling. I just got back from a trip where I only used two lenses: 28 and 35mm - and I could have done without the 28 if necessary - but I liked it's effect... So for me, 70-200 would be too long for a travel lens - 70-200 is a sports lens for me...

To think of a telephoto Zoom solely as a sports or action lens is to limit one's "eye" and Photography. Here Is an example of a Zoom lens providing Proper framing (70mm), one that would be missed with an 85mm or a 135mm prime. And look, it has nothing to do with sports! TeleFoto is for landscapes, urban or rural, too.

I used to have 16-35L, 35L, 50L, Sigma 85 and 135L.

I got rid of the 50L because of less use compared to the Sigma 85. I also sold the 135L due to lack of use but If you ask, I find the combination of 35/85/135 ideal. For me 35 and 85 is all I need but I wouldn't go 35/135 which seems a too big jump/gap. Keep your 85 in any case. It's a great lens and you wouldn't get much for it anyway if you sell it.

mcbry111 wrote:

Wondering what your thoughts on a third prime lens to go with my new Canon 6D. Right now I have the Sigma 35 f1.4 and Canon 85mm f1.8. I was looking at purchasing the Canon 135mm f 2.0L lens.

Its a great combo. Have been shooting 35L, 85L & 135L for years and they match up almost perfectly.

I know that most people use it as a portrait lens, but I though it may also be good for indoor/outdoor events that my kids will be participating in.

Its an excellent event lens as it allows you to freeze action when a zoom will not do.

A few samples (as always check the original since pictures look really bad here at dpreview). Good luck with your choice!:

mcbry111 wrote:

Wondering what your thoughts on a third prime lens to go with my new Canon 6D. Right now I have the Sigma 35 f1.4 and Canon 85mm f1.8. I was looking at purchasing the Canon 135mm f 2.0L lens. I know that most people use it as a portrait lens, but I though it may also be good for indoor/outdoor events that my kids will be participating in. It might be something that I could also use for landscape/travel photography. Would this compliment the two primes that I currently have or would you suggest something else? Or do you think I should get rid of the 85mm f1.8 and go with the 35/135 combo?

Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated.

I'm in the same boat than you and just bought the 135 which is great in term of IQ but also comfort to use and weight, and I'm in process to sell my 24-105 to buy the 35mm f/2 IS.

Concerning the 85, except if you need the money right now, stand by before get rid of it. Used the 3 lenses together in first and you will see if you need it or not...

enjoy!

Abu Mahendra wrote:

To think of a telephoto Zoom solely as a sports or action lens is to limit one's "eye" and Photography. Here Is an example of a Zoom lens providing Proper framing (70mm), one that would be missed with an 85mm or a 135mm prime. And look, it has nothing to do with sports! TeleFoto is for landscapes, urban or rural, too.

Hi Abu, First let me say that I always enjoy reading your posts. I certainly am always trying to expand my "eye" to see shots that are not readily apparent, and while I think I am pretty good at it, am always learning. Without a doubt yours is an interesting shot, and 70mm looks to be about perfect from your vantage point. Please don't mis-understand that I think my tele zoom is only for sports - I have used it for many other things too. I just find that my interest and style are developing in such a way that sports is where i use my tele zoom the most, and therefore leave it home on most travels. I don't find shooting landscapes to be a primary area of interest for me ...

On this last trip, I took more lenses than I think I should have, but wanted to experiment with what I would use if I at least had them available to me, and the 35 became my primary lens, and the 28 a close second...

maiaibing wrote:

mcbry111 wrote:

Wondering what your thoughts on a third prime lens to go with my new Canon 6D. Right now I have the Sigma 35 f1.4 and Canon 85mm f1.8. I was looking at purchasing the Canon 135mm f 2.0L lens.

Its a great combo. Have been shooting 35L, 85L & 135L for years and they match up almost perfectly.

I know that most people use it as a portrait lens, but I though it may also be good for indoor/outdoor events that my kids will be participating in.

Its an excellent event lens as it allows you to freeze action when a zoom will not do.

A few samples (as always check the original since pictures look really bad here at dpreview). Good luck with your choice!:

Wow, Great series of photos to show how versatile this lens is. Looks like it is next on my list.

Thanks

ktownbill wrote:

mcbry111 wrote:

Wondering what your thoughts on a third prime lens to go with my new Canon 6D. Right now I have the Sigma 35 f1.4 and Canon 85mm f1.8. I was looking at purchasing the Canon 135mm f 2.0L lens. I know that most people use it as a portrait lens, but I though it may also be good for indoor/outdoor events that my kids will be participating in. It might be something that I could also use for landscape/travel photography. Would this compliment the two primes that I currently have or would you suggest something else? Or do you think I should get rid of the 85mm f1.8 and go with the 35/135 combo?

Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated.

A match made in heaven.... the 135L is my favorite lens. I have 50 & 85 primes to compliment it. The IQ and bokeh of the 135L is exquisite.

Great photos. Looks like it is an excellent piece of glass. Thank for the feedback.

I also own 35, 85 and 135
I usually go out with the 35 plus one of the others.
I use the 85 mainly for portraits while the 135 is a better overall tele lens for candid/landscape/sport travel photography.
If you are going to use it mainly for sports i would consider the canon 200 2.8 if the focal length fits better

This is one of the main reasons I got the 85L