Prime lenses you currently own or on your wishlist.

[K-amps]

I currently have (FF):
35mm f2 (indors)
50mm f1.4 (outdors and portrait)

Wish I had 80mm f1.2  and a macro prime (no matter the focal distance)

If funds are an issue... get the non-L 100f2.8 Macro. It is as sharp as the L, I still miss mine. A good MINT copy can be had on ebay for about $460, which is a bargain, when you consider, it takes nice portraits too.

[KarelP]

Hi there, new kid (from the Netherlands) on the block. 

Used to have film Minolta AF (the original 7000AF), got back in photography thru Sony 717, Minolta 5d and 7d (how appropriate!). Two years ago I got a 50D, now looking at getting a used 5D Classic and contemplating eventually to maybe buy a used 7D.

I have for primes an EF 50 1.4 and an EF 85 1.8, and I lust after the 135L and would love a TS24 and 100 macro.
Apart from the primes I also own a few zooms:  a 17-40, a 24-105 and the first incarnation of the 70-200.

Regards,

Karel

[dppaskewitz]

Only one prime, the TS 24 (Mk1).  All else is zoom (24-105, 70-200 4 IS, 100-400 --- and a 28-135 that I need to sell).  I shoot on both FF and crop (5D classic and its little brother, the 30D)

My current modest wish list:

50 1.4
100 L Macro

I could easily add to that list, but funds are always a consideration.

[ejenner]

I must admit I didn't think I would become a prime fan, but after getting the sig 85 1.4, my next 3 planned purchases are all primes.

Samyang 14mm (because its just so much sharper than the 17-40L in the corners, wider and I don't need AF in a 14mm landscape lens.  Manual aperture is also actually a benefit to me in a landscape lens.)
135L.  I have been toying with the idea of the 70-200 IS II because of the reviews, but have to keep reminding myself why I didn't get the Mk I in the first place - basically weight.  I have a hard time believing it would actually be as nice as the 135L, but the size and weight are the killers.
17mm TS-E.  OK, more of a dream, but maybe I can convince myself.  Naa.  Not going to make money out of this hobby, I can't see it happening.  Maybe a Zeiss 18mm instead, perhaps even before the 135L if the Samyang works out.

Unlike some, I do  like having all the focal lengths I can.  Zooming with my feet is not an option because it changes perspective.  I imagine the result I want, choose my point of view and perspective and then choose the focal length to get the framing I want (or a bit more with a view to cropping slightly).

[Caps18]

50mm F/1.2
17mm TS-E

I need to borrow the one 50mm f/1.2 we have at work to see how it does on my 5Dm2 compared to what I have (16-35 & 85mm f/1.8 ).  I've only used it on the 50D .

And I would buy the 50mm f/1.2 used from a co-worker.  But, I will probably get the 17mm TS-E first.

[photophreek]

Axilrod:

No I haven't rented the 50L yet.  I've only read countless reviews about the lens and your comment about inconsistant focus has me a little gun shy about the lens.  I can rent both, the 50L and the Zeiss 50 1.4 which I am planning to do.  This happened to me when I was contemplating purchasing the 16-35 II.  Many reviews said that the lens was a little soft wide open.  I rented the lens for a weekend and my results were different than all the reviews I read.  I eventually bought the lens.

I know what you mean about the 85 II.  Mine is sharp (and then some) all the time.  I want the same results from the 50L which might be an issue.  Once I rent it for a weekend, I'll know better.

[jcns]

28mm 1.8
50mm 1.4
35mm L 1.4

[dr croubie]

Currently have:
- Samyang 35/1.4 (a lot of the time glued to my camera when the 70-300L isn't. I could live off those two alone).
- Nifty Fifty EF 50/1.8 II (first prime for €100).
- EF 85/1.8 (just got it off ebay a month ago specifically for taking portraits)
- Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 50/1.4 (in the mail from ebay, should be here soon. Faster than niftyfifty, allegedly better IQ than EF 50/1.4 in trade off for Manual Focus, which I prefer anyway)

Medium Format Primes (with a EF-P6 tilt-adapter):
- Zeiss 50/4 Flektogon, 80/2.8 Biometar, 180/2.8 Sonnar in Pentacon Six mount.
- Arsenal Zodiak 30/3.5 Fisheye, 65/3.5 Mir-38, 90/2.8 Vega-12, 250/3.5 Jupiter-36 in either P6 or Kiev-88 mount with P-6 adapter.

- And some 300/5.6 Paragon M42 lens I put a minimum $10 bid on and had to buy and have barely ever used.
- Technically Pinhole is a prime, i've got an f/177 Skink Pinhole set too.
- Lensbaby is also a 50/2.0 prime.


Next?
135/2L if I ever go FF and get a job shooting portraits, or low-light short-range sports.
14/2.8L, TS-E 17, TS-E 24 II If I ever get a job for architecture (and don't get a Tokina 11-16 or Sigma 8-16 first).
EFs 11/2 if they ever build one.
EF 400/2.8 or 600/4 if i win the lottery (although it'd probably be the 200-400x1.4/4 first if I did).
But nothing in the forseeable future...

[willrobb]

I currently have:

50mm f1.2L:Great for portraits, whether it be individual, couples or group. I use it a lot at wedding receptions, corporate events and editorial shoots when I have to walk about and capture the action. I really debated about buying it or going for the f1.4 50mm I had before, but I am extremely happy with what I get with it. For portraits the bokeh is brilliant.

100mm f2.8L macro HIS: Obviously great for macro work  I bought it for a product shoot last year, but it's become a lens I have in my bag on most of my shoots now. At weddings/events it's great for close ups of details on many small objects (wedding rings, corporate gifts in tables) and I use it a lot for portraits when I can put a good bit of distance between me and my subjects. Also, when traveling it's nice and light. To be honest I didn't think I'd get so much use out of it, but it's becoming one of my favourite lenses.

Wish list (and sure things)

Next (next month actually) I'm getting:
TS-E 24mm f3.5LII: Going to be used for landscapes (travels with this, the 50mm f1.2L and 100mm macro f2.8L, interiors for bar reviews and general architecture. Also, looking forward to using it for group portraits at weddings and some creative portraits with lots of tilt and shift in them. I've been putting away some cash every month into the TS-E fund for the last 3 months, usually I just go out and buy but I'm being sensible as I am moving country (and continent) soon.

This time next year (as long as the moving gamble pays off):
135mm f2L: Really want this for portraits, also for a walk about lens at weddings/events. I've heard so much good stuff about this lens, I can envision this being used a lot more than my 70-200mm f2.8L at indoor events, lighter, nicer bokeh. Looking forward to that, even half considered getting it before the TS-E 24mm f3.5LII. If any unexpected jobs come up before Xmas I may just treat myself....

Finally (no time frame as yet)
85mm f1.2L: The quintessential portrait lens indeed. Already having the 50mm f1.2L and the 100mm f2.8L macro HIS I already have a a lot of portrait bases covered, the 85mm will be much better than the 100mm macro I am sure, but at the moment it isn't an essential purchase for me.

[259IzNaj]

Regarding the 24mm, which body are you using?  FF or APS-C?  On a FF the 24mm can be tricky when taking people picture as if you are too close it can create some effect (distort a bit the face feature for example) that you may or may not want.  This is why I went for a 35mm on my FF 5D.

However if you have an APS-C body like a 7D or 60D, then I would pick the 24 for that purpose for sure over the 35mm...

Hi JR,

I am currently using a 5d mk 2. I see, i have read reviews about using 24mm as portrait lens and distortion can be seen. I think i need to read up more on 35mm as well or maybe do some trials with it.

To all who replied to this forum, thanks! 

I have read the reviews and wishlist and it really helps me understand more especially from your personal experiences. Truthfully, i owned a 100mm f2.8L before and regretted selling it... it was an excellent lens but i had to let go to upgrade to a full frame... easiest choice to sell from a selection of lenses i had back then but i surely miss it...

[RC]

Currently I own only 1 prime:

100 Macro 2.8 L IS - obviously for macro work and I'll use it for tight portrait when I get a FF.  I'm amazed at how sharp this lens is.


My current wish shopping list in order:

1.  24-105 f4 L - need to get this zoom first to compliment my 16-35 so I have a wider focal range
2.  35 1.4 L - Excellent "normal" lens for my 7D.  Plan to use it for portrait (full body, group).  Besides, I need a fast low-light lens.  However, I'm dragging my feet.  This is an old lens (1998) which needs updated optics (soft edges wide open), plus weather sealing.  I'm hoping this updated in 2012
3.  50 1.4 or 1.2 L - need to do more research -  for tighter portraits.  This one is driving me nuts.  Would like the 1.2 for build, speed, and bokeh but I can't ignore all the negative comments for such a high price.
4.  Once I get a FF (5D3), I plan to get 85 f1.?
5.  TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II - I love architectural photography

[Chicorob]

Primes:
85 f1.8
50 f1.4
100 f2.8L IS macro

The only other prime I REALLY want is the 85 f1.2L but wouldn't mind picking up the 15mm fisheye before they go away completely.

[tron]

I started back in 1987 with an EOS 620 and I slowly gathered some lenses:


50mm 1.8 (version 1)
28mm f/2.8
24mm f/2.8
20mm f/2.8
50mm 1.4 (that was stolen)
100mm f/2.8 Macro (the first, non-USM, non-L version)
300mm f/4L non-IS

Then the
85mm f/1.8
135mm f/2L
TS-E 24mm version II
Zeiss 21mm f2.8 ZE

These lenses have been used for prints, slides and b/w.

When I was involved with b/w and was printing photos with sizes between A4 and A3
I remember that I was disappointed with the performance of my 28-70/2.8L

So I switched to the primes (by that time I used mainly 24mm, 28mm, 50mm) and I was very satisfied.

It is inevitable to not use all the lenses all the time.

Some time in the past I got the  16-35/f2.8 L (version 1), the 24-70mm f/2.8 L and the 70-200mm f/2.8 L (non-IS) zooms
which I liked a lot (Unfortunatelly the last 2 were stolen too) so I had stopped using many fixed lenses.

Right now some prime lenses are not being used but some prove very useful:

My 100mm Macro is sharp.
It is very interesting that this supposedly "lowly" non-USM, non-L slow focusing lens
excelled in photographing a flower
in the same distance where my 70-200 f/4L IS failed  miserably to focus
(In some photos it looked like it was back-focusing and in some everything was not focused)
In addition you do not need a hood  since the first element is very recessed.

Same for my trusty 300mm. It is very sharp wide open.
I have photographed many sunsets, landscapes in general and a total eclipse. (with an EF2x II teleconverter)
Also it has been used at wetlands with a 5DmkII successfully.
This lens stays no matter it has no IS.

I admit that I have questions about the 85mm (on the other hand I have not used it a lot)
I love the 135mm wide open ( very impressive between 2.0 and 2.8 )

The 21mm Zeiss is sharp edge to edge a feature I missed on my 16-35mm zoom.
Also it is very nice for Astrophotography since the infinite position is indeed ... infinite.

Finally with the TS-E 24mm II no more converging verticals in pictures of buildings and ancient temples.

Right now I try hardly not to think TS-E 17mm since it seems that 24mm is not wide enough

[Zuuyi]

Currently/Previously owned
50/1.8

In the plans for soon
Sigma 30/1.4
Replacement 50/1.8
85/1.8

Hopefully in the next two years (after going Full Frame)
35L
85L
135L

[MazV-L]

Prime lenses I currently own are: 85L 1.2ii. Love, love, love this lens!!! This is the best portrait lens I have, I love the shallow DOF & colour rendition,  the only other lens I own that comes close is a zoom(70-200L 2.8 I.S. ii)
                                                     50 1.8- I only use this lens if I'm taking portraits in confined places it is nice and sharp, but the colours come out dull and subdued, don't much like this focal length for portraits personally.

                                                     100L 2.8 is macro. Love this lens, find the hybrid I.S. very useful, also like to use this lens for portraits too, love how this lens translates colour as well. Another bonus is it doesn't weigh much.
                                                     lensbaby composer- Like this lens, because can achieve some very creative and different effects with it.


                                                    Would love to be able to get a 500 f4 because I love bird photography, but unfortunately my budget won't stretch that far Considering compromising with a 300 f4 & 400 f5.6. I think they would be better than the Sigma zoom I currently have to cover those focal lengths.