50mm upgrade or 85mm coverage?

[elflord]

Having FF with 35L, 50 1.5 and 135L, I'm thinking in:
1) selling the 50mm 1.4 and buy the 50L
2) buying the Sigma 85 1.4
3) buying 85L (more difficult due to the money involved)

Anyone had a similar debate?

I was in a similar boat and I went with (2). That's my lineup now -- 35L, 50mm f/1.4, Sigma 85mm and the 135L. Haven't looked back (though I daydream about the 200mm f/2L every now and then)

 

[RLPhoto]

I have found the 85L a strange focal length for me. It's not quite normal but not quite tele. It will melt the background but still leave some information.

Overall, I'd probably never own an 85L since my 135L is just so good. My 24, 50, and 135 kit are all good, separated, and unique focal lengths.

I'd recommend just to continue to use the 135L.

 

[mingyuansung]

35mm -> 85mm -> 135mm. I would recommend 85mm. Many people would recommend also to rent one for a weekend and see what you like. It depends on what you are shooting. Japanese yeh would go weak all the way till mid 2013. Do not know how much it would impact the lens price. Wait till then if you can. Or buy when you have to. A used Canon 85L maybe? Thanks.

 

[codewizpt]

Bringing back my question, I still debate upgrading my 50mm f.14, but now there is a Sigma 1.4 that may surprise...

 

[hawaiisunsetphoto]

Bringing back my question, I still debate upgrading my 50mm f.14, but now there is a Sigma 1.4 that may surprise...

The new Sigma 50 and the 50L are going to be comparable in price, both would be good choices. The 85L is beautiful, and the Sigma 85 would be a great alternative to that at less than half the price. Another alternative to consider, not mentioned yet, would be the new version 24-70mm f/2.8L II. It's tack sharp, great bokeh, and would cover the wide end as well as some coverage between 50 and 135. About the same price as the 85L. Just a thought.

 

[RGomezPhotos]

The new Sigma 50mm is supposed to be rockin'. And it's about $300 less than the Canon 50mm f1.2.

But I don't think I've seen you or anyone ask 'What do you shoot?' or "Which lens do you use most often?"

I LOVE my Zeiss 50mm and it's the pick up truck of lenses. Very utilitarian focal length. As long as you don't get too close for portraits, those types of shots are very pleasing.

But 85mm is the defacto portrait lens. But it's not so great for street and landscape photography.

I say, if you use one of your lenses much more than the others, upgrade that to the best you can. But if you currently use all your lenses about the same amount of time, then maybe the 85mm would be the next lens.

 

[wickidwombat]

Having FF with 35L, 50 1.5 and 135L, I'm thinking in:
1) selling the 50mm 1.4 and buy the 50L
2) buying the Sigma 85 1.4
3) buying 85L (more difficult due to the money involved)

Anyone had a similar debate?

the current 50mm options with AF are all crap IMO

i use the sigma 35 1.4 and 85 1.4 they partner each other really well

i am waiting for the next generation of 50's to come like a sigma 50 art or the rumoured canon 50mm f1.8 IS
IS and a compact size is gonna be critical for me on the new 50 because i'd use it mainly for travel

 

[bholliman]

Having 1.3x with the same lenses and question some time ago.
I owned 85/1.8 and upgraded to S 85/1.4. (C1.8 = too much violet fringing and inconsistent AF)

I've heard differing opinions on the Sigma 85 1.4. How is the AF performance (speed and accuracy)? I have the Canon 85 1.8 and find the AF to be pretty good overall. How about the Bokeh?

 

[mackguyver]

I have found the 85L a strange focal length for me. It's not quite normal but not quite tele. It will melt the background but still leave some information.

Overall, I'd probably never own an 85L since my 135L is just so good. My 24, 50, and 135 kit are all good, separated, and unique focal lengths.

I'd recommend just to continue to use the 135L.

Interesting...that's my take on the 35mm, as in it's not wide enough, and not normal enough. I bought the 85mm after the 24, 50, and 135 because I found the 50 less than flattering for headshots and the 135 was often too long to use indoors. After buying it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the 85L was great for all of my portrait work other than environmental shots.

To the OP, I'd recommend getting your hands on a 85mm lens (borrow or rent) to try it out for a couple of days. Most shooters (like RL & I) find certain lengths preferable to others and it's a very personal thing. If the 85mm FL melts your heart, then you can decide 85 Sigma or L, and if not, then you can wait for 50 Sigma or buy L.

 

[MLfan3]

I can't wait to see a new 85mm f1.8 ISUSM, I think f1.8 is fast enough for most of apps considering the high ISO performance of the 6D ,the 5D3 and the 1DX.
I also want to see a new 135mm f1.8LIS USM.

 

[RavePixel]

Having FF with 35L, 50 1.5 and 135L, I'm thinking in:
1) selling the 50mm 1.4 and buy the 50L
2) buying the Sigma 85 1.4
3) buying 85L (more difficult due to the money involved)

Anyone had a similar debate?

Well, the 50mm f/1.2L will provide superior results to the 1.4, is built far better, and has bokeh to die for @ 1.2. It does require some skill to shoot with as it has some limitations at close range, but once you learn the lens the results are outstanding.

But, you don't have an 85 at all. I am thinking you are better off getting a 85L, and maybe down the road upgrade to the 50L. Because, you'd probably benefit from the 85mm coverage for portraits if you don't have one, and the 85L is a killer lens.

Only thing is, there are no specials right now so you are going to pay a lot more than when rebate season is around in the fall.

 

[wickidwombat]

Having 1.3x with the same lenses and question some time ago.
I owned 85/1.8 and upgraded to S 85/1.4. (C1.8 = too much violet fringing and inconsistent AF)

I've heard differing opinions on the Sigma 85 1.4. How is the AF performance (speed and accuracy)? I have the Canon 85 1.8 and find the AF to be pretty good overall. How about the Bokeh?

Here is the sigma 85 on 5D3 wide open iso 3200

AF is good not suited to action but still faster than the 85 1.2
IMO Bokeh on the canon 1.2 is better but the lens is 3x the price

if you want the best bokeh you can get and dont care about price or fast AF get the canon there is nothing that can touch it, the sigma gets damn close though at 1/3rd the price has faster AF and is smaller

 

[wickidwombat]

I have found the 85L a strange focal length for me. It's not quite normal but not quite tele. It will melt the background but still leave some information.

Overall, I'd probably never own an 85L since my 135L is just so good. My 24, 50, and 135 kit are all good, separated, and unique focal lengths.

I'd recommend just to continue to use the 135L.

Interesting...that's my take on the 35mm, as in it's not wide enough, and not normal enough. I bought the 85mm after the 24, 50, and 135 because I found the 50 less than flattering for headshots and the 135 was often too long to use indoors. After buying it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the 85L was great for all of my portrait work other than environmental shots.

To the OP, I'd recommend getting your hands on a 85mm lens (borrow or rent) to try it out for a couple of days. Most shooters (like RL & I) find certain lengths preferable to others and it's a very personal thing. If the 85mm FL melts your heart, then you can decide 85 Sigma or L, and if not, then you can wait for 50 Sigma or buy L.

I'm the same I LOVE the 135 but indoors its too tight but outdoors I love it and have been using it alot on the EOS-M actually! the 85 is my goto lens for portraits indoors

 

[TexasBadger]

I would recommend the 85 f1.8. It can be had for ~$400 and it has the fastest focus of all of my lenses. Great for portraits and action photography.