Prime lenses you currently own or on your wishlist.

[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. ;D


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.

 

[TexPhoto]

Own:
17mm tilt shift
24mm tilt shift II
50mm f1.8
50mm f1.4 Sigma
100mm Macro IS
300mm f4 IS
400mm f2.8 IS

Wishlist:
24mm f1.4 II
35mm f1.4
85mm f1.2
200mm f2 IS
1200mm f5.6 (a man can dream can't he)
and all the others.... Seriously, I love lenses. Someone stop me.

 

[pwp]

Other than the 300 f/2.8is and a 100 f/2.8 macro, I've mostly been a zooms guy.
17-40 f/4, 24-70 f/2.8, 24-105 f/4is and the 70-200 f/2.8isII.

But the exquisite 24 f/1.4II blew the Mr Zoom position right out of the water. What a cool, utterly unique lens.

Next was the Sigma 50 f/1.4. It's a little erratic but stellar when it nails it.

A 135 f/2L is next in line, thankfully readily and widely available. Brilliant low light performance of the MkIV has changed the way I shoot, a lot more jobs being shot AL, frequently at or close to wide open. I'm leaving the lighting kit at home or in the car far more often. This shift in working methods means more fast primes.

And on the wish list is the lens that doesn't exist...an L 17mm f/2 or f/1.8 prime. For years we have all been banging on Canon's door for a good wide L prime. I guess we'll be waiting a while yet.

Paul Wright

 

[Axilrod]

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.

Ok cool that what I figured. I really think you'll love the 50L, when you nail the shot it's absolutely beautiful. I would say it is very much like a shorter version of the 85L, they are both top notch lenses and I wouldn't say they are pretty close in IQ.

I played with the Zeiss 35 1.4, 21mm 2.8, and the 100 Macro, and damn those things are pretty awesome. All of them are around $1850, which is pretty pricey considering they are manual focus only, but they are built like a brick. I was blown away by the 21mm, incredibly sharp at the edges and the bokeh was beautiful on all of them. Still not sure if I'll be able to part with my L glass for them though.

 

[illogict]

I currently own (with a crop body):

• Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM,
• Lensbaby Composer Pro with Double Glass Optic,

and wish to buy:

• Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM,
• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM.

I know it's strange to get a Lensbaby as a second lens (not counting kit 18-55 and 55-250), but I was really intrigued by the look and feel of it, and thought it would be a great lens for parties. Unfortunately, when you've got some quantity of alcohol in the blood you can't be bothered to manual focus: I took one photo, thought it was unmanageable, and quickly swapped it for my love, the 28 1.8 — wish it had IS though, for that kind of parties =)
However, the Lensbaby is really nice for street photography or candid portraits =)

 

[infared]

15mm F/1.8 Fisheye, 21mm f/2.8 Zeiss, 50mm f/1.4 Sigma, 85mm f/1.2L, 100mm 2.8L II Macro. (lensbaby composer and all attachments...does that even count? ...LOL)....I have a bunch of L zooms to fill in the holes.....Oh..I use everything on a 5D Mark II..Its all about fullframe for me...so I am kind of like...hmmmm....I don't really want any other primes. I would buy a 135mm f/2L perhaps if it had IS. I would love to have a 400mm f/2.8L IS II...but I will most likely not be spending $12000 on a lens any time soon, LOL. Although...it is Christmas time...so I can wish...right? (here that Santa).
Would I like to have the 14mmL, 24mmL and the 35mmL..yeah..but I am gettin old and I just can't cart all of that around..it gets crazy...but I bet all of those lenses are hot. I have the 16mm-35mm f/2.8L to cover most of that...(I know...I know....prime junkies...I know..I hear the snickers)...I do wish that lens had the "kick" of the NIkon wide zoom...Now that is something that really disappoints me...especially when I look at what I get with my Zeiss (Cosina..I know...I know).... Why can't Canon blow the doors off Nikon with a fast full-frame WA zoom...ya know..like they did with the 70-200mm 2.8L IS II ????? That is what I would really like to see!!!!!!
..but it is all fun.

 

[ecka]

My prime lens wishlist:
EF-S 28mm f/1.4 USM
EF 35mm f/1.2L USM
EF 50mm f/2L USM Macro (?IS?)
and maybe EF 85mm f/1.4L USM , for those who do not need/want the f/1.2L for it's size, weight, price or electronic focusing.

 

[briansquibb]

My primes

canon TSE-24L II
canon 50 1.4
canon 50 1.8
canon 85 1.8
canon 135 f/2
canon 180 macro
canon 200 f/2.8
canon 400 f/2.8 IS

Wish list:

canon 200 f/2
canon 300 f/2.8
canon 600 f/4

Always shoot faster than 1/125 so not interested in updating lens with IS. I just dont get people that hate non IS lens <200mm - even saw one that was moaning that his 24mm needed IS!! Only exception is macro which needs the DOF so need a slower shutter speed than normal and cant use a tripod

 

[Halfrack]

Have:
35/2, 50/1.4,85/1.2

Want:
24/1.4, 35/1.4, 135/2, replacement 200/2.8 (sold it and hated myself), 300/2.8

Dream:
I'd love a >200/2.8 non-IS - paired with a 7D it makes for the ideal sports shooter.

 

[RobertG.]

Hi,
I have the TS-E 24mm II, EF 35L, EF 35 f2, EF 85 1.8, EF-S 60 and an old Helios 44-2 58mm f2.0.
I really love the Canon primes except for the EF 35 f2, which isn't much better than my EF-S 17-55.

The Helios I got at eBay in a perfect condition for almost nothing (8€, the M42 converter did cost twice as much). The build quality is awesome and it is suprisingly sharp. But the colors and contrast could be better. I got it more out of curiousity than any practical reasons. The focal length is almost the same as my EF-S 60mm. The EF-S 60 is really great and the most used prime lens for me (but also my oldest, the TS-E 24mm II & EF 35L I got just within the last weeks).

On my wishlist is the 85L and 135L, albeit I seldom shoot portraits and hardly use the 85 1.8 at all.

 

[Haydn1971]

Currently have the 50mm 1.4 and 135mm 2.0....

I'm looking at a wide prime and something longer, but the options aren't to my liking, the L wider primes are just too much, the 400mm 5.6 just doesn't feel right without IS

So my wish list would be a 400mm 4.0 IS (without DO), perhaps ideally an EF-S lightweight 400mm 4.0 IS, then a range of EF-S primes, 14mm 2.8, 24mm 2.0, 35mm 1.8....

Back to real primes, 24mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8 and a 300/400mm is on my wish list with a 1.4x extender,

Not a prime, but I'd love a crop version of the 70-200mm, so an EF-S 40-150mm both to a higher quality not quite L standard as the 10-22, 17-55 & 15-85.