Canon 24-70L vs primes (24L, 35L etc)

[Random Orbits]

There's no big center sharpness difference between 35L & 24-70 @f4, at f2.8 it's small. I'll shoot portraits & maybe events/weddings with the lens. Thus my question is: How often do you really use the f1.4 to f2.8 range on the 35L, or do you have it mainly for the stellar iq?

I use the f/1.4 to f/2.8 range most of the time I'm using the 35L, which is mostly used indoors.  I switched from a cropy body to FF recently and sold my 17-55.  I did not replace the 17-55 with a FF mid-range zoom, so now I'm using primes (35 and 50).  Outside, I tend to use the 50 more often because there is more space and it gives a longer working distance.

I'm tempted to see how well the 24-70L II performs.  With 35 and 50 primes, I gain low light capability that I won't have with the 24-70L II and the IQ should be similar, so I don't need a midrange zoom anymore.

[NormanBates]

I use all primes, my only zoom is the kit lens that came with the T2i, and I use it as an 18mm f/3.5 prime

the 24-70 f/2.8L is a very nice lens, not far from primes in its range, but still...

even the 24mm f/2.8 (a tiny $360 lens) can beat the 24-70:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=101&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=246&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

you already know about the 50mm f/1.4:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=101&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=0&LensComp=115&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=4

and on the long end the 85mm f/1.8 will give it some fight too:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=101&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=0&LensComp=106&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=2

the only downside (of course, apart from having to carry lots of lenses around, and taking time to change them) is that bokeh on these cheap primes is not great
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/528-canon2470f28ff?start=1
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/419-canon_85_18_5d?start=1



edit:

and of course, not all cheap primes are any good!! some of them are terribly soft, but those 3 I mentioned are among the best budget Canon lenses
more about them here: http://www.similaar.com/foto/equipment/us_lensc.html#prime

[Marsu42]

the only downside (of course, apart from having to carry lots of lenses around, and taking time to change them) is that bokeh on these cheap primes is not great

... and to me, this is a big problem - I ditched my 50/1.8 for this reason, tried the 50/1.4 and its boekeh imho is still rather terrible. I don't want a prime just for fixing my sensor's problems at high iso or for lacking IS, but for more photographic possibilities - and bokeh is important in this case.

[Cptn Rigo]

I everyone!!

I currently own a 7D, 24-70L, 50 1.4 and 135L, I really like mi 24-70L, its super sharp and love the IQ...

The 135L is the new member of the family  , after used it I'm shocked with the IQ of the Prime L lens... my question is:

It is noticeable the IQ "jump" from a 24-70L zoom to a 24LII prime, keep my 50... and maybe an 85L???

Someone has been in this situation??

(Btw: You guys have a really nice community here    have been around a long time without been a member)

BTW I ended up with the 35L, 50 f/1.4, Sigma 85mm f/1.4 and the 135L (with a full frame body). I've found this works really nicely, though the 24L would make more sense for someone shooting a lot of landscapes.

You've got the same set up as me! Although the 50 1.4 just got upgraded to the 1.2. The set up does work nicely indeed!

How about the 50 1.2 vs 50 1.4???  It is worthy?? $$$$

[Cptn Rigo]

I use all primes, my only zoom is the kit lens that came with the T2i, and I use it as an 18mm f/3.5 prime

the 24-70 f/2.8L is a very nice lens, not far from primes in its range, but still...

even the 24mm f/2.8 (a tiny $360 lens) can beat the 24-70:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=101&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=246&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

you already know about the 50mm f/1.4:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=101&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=0&LensComp=115&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=4

and on the long end the 85mm f/1.8 will give it some fight too:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=101&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=0&LensComp=106&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=2

the only downside (of course, apart from having to carry lots of lenses around, and taking time to change them) is that bokeh on these cheap primes is not great
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/528-canon2470f28ff?start=1
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/419-canon_85_18_5d?start=1



edit:

and of course, not all cheap primes are any good!! some of them are terribly soft, but those 3 I mentioned are among the best budget Canon lenses
more about them here: http://www.similaar.com/foto/equipment/us_lensc.html#prime

thank you for the extensive answer 

[dirtcastle]

If you have time to change lenses... use primes.

If you don't have time to change lenses... use a zoom.