Thoughts on primes

[Loswr]

I will say this - focus confirmation on TS lenses is way overrated

Thanks for the reminder about that, Edwin - I don't think I've ever even noticed that (between back-button AF and mostly shooting the TS-E in Live View.

...couldn't resist using it wide open, but finding my focus was a tad off when close up...

At f/2 and close up, DoF will be extremely thin and any AF error will be obvious. If your body offers AF microadjustment, that may help (fast primes are the lenses that benefit most from AFMA).

 

[Haydn1971]

So having had the f2.0 135mm for a few weeks, I've really fell head over heals on the quality of images I'm getting from it on my trusty old 450D. There is a certain something about the photos that I can't put my finger on, the colour rendition maybe ? But I'm hooked and have a real desire to get a similar image quality from my other focal lengths.

Could I request a few suggestions from users of the f2.0 135mm on other lenses, thinking primarily about the 70-200mm L series and the 24-xx L series, but also the other classic primes. Budget ? I've not set one, it's more an upgrade plan over the next few years, my current lenses are listed in my signature. I also have no current plans to upgrade my camera just yet, maybe in a couple of years perhaps, but obviously currently working with a crop body.

 

[Loswr]

So having had the f2.0 135mm for a few weeks, I've really fell head over heals on the quality of images I'm getting from it on my trusty old 450D. There is a certain something about the photos that I can't put my finger on, the colour rendition maybe ? But I'm hooked and have a real desire to get a similar image quality from my other focal lengths.

Could I request a few suggestions from users of the f2.0 135mm on other lenses, thinking primarily about the 70-200mm L series and the 24-xx L series, but also the other classic primes. Budget ? I've not set one, it's more an upgrade plan over the next few years, my current lenses are listed in my signature. I also have no current plans to upgrade my camera just yet, maybe in a couple of years perhaps, but obviously currently working with a crop body.

Hmmm...so you started this "Thoughts on Primes" thread, but now you want thoughts on zooms and primes?

I really love the 135mm f/2L, especially for outdoor portraits (a bit long for indoor portraits on crop, but great for that on FF). Honestly, though - for most typical uses, the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II does as well, with more versatility and IS as well (provided you can handle the additional weight and cost of the lens). I will say that personally, I found the 70-200mm focal range to be a bit awkward on APS-C - it was a little long for typical indoor use, but still too short (compared to my 100-400mm) when I needed reach. I like the 70-200mm much better on FF. The 135L is great for action shooting in poor light (school plays, dande recitals, high school basketball, etc.).

From an IQ standpoint, the 70-200 II is quite similar to the 135L - both are excellent and deliver rich, contrasty colors. The 24-70mm does as well; I find the performance of the 24-105mm f/4L IS to be a little less than the others just mentioned from an IQ standpoint, but I use it a lot because it's a great focal range and has IS. On APS-C, I'd really recommend the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, but you have the 15-85mm already, which is in the same class (17-55 is analogous to 24-70, while 15-85 is analogous to 24-105, in terms of utility and IQ).

Which 70-300mm do you have? If it's the new L zoom, that may serve you just as well as the 70-200/2.8 II if you don't need the wide aperture. If it's the non-L version, the L zooms will offer a big IQ boost.

One lens I'd consider is the 35mm f/1.4L - it would be a fast 'normal' prime on APS-C, and also delivers optical performance close to the 135L (less sharp in the corners, but similar color/contrast). On FF, it's a wonderful lens for shooting in dimmer light - I like it as an outdoor nighttime walkaround lens.

Hope some of that rambling helps...

 

[Haydn1971]

Rambling helps a lot ;-)

I was pleased with the 15-85mm, but not in the same giddy way I am with the 135mm... I found myself taking pictures of bins, traffic signs, step over sea walls today, a few weeks ago, random pictures of friends at a gathering. The 70-200mm range does concern me on the crop body and when I've played with the comparable 44-125mm range on my crop, I can see why the 70-200mm is the popular choice on a FF.

I've the non L 70-300mm, which I would chop in should I get a 70-200, as I find the 200-300mm so indifferent, I'd not miss it. I could always add a 5.6 400mm with an extender to feed my long distance ship photo urges, but that's a very long way off right now. I was considering the 28mm, but deep down, know I'd be selling myself short not getting the 1.4 35mm, same with the lesser 70-200mm options... Damn, I wish I'd taken up paper folding as a hobby now ;-)

Alternatively, I could just sit and moan about the lack of a EF-S L lenses... f2.8 40-130mm IS, f2.0 15-40mm IS, f2.8 150-300mm IS, plus some crop versions of L classic primes ! Although, if Canon made these lenses, I'm sure we would be moaning about vignetting or dust or price ! I'll just have to sell my soul and get the f2.8 70-200mm IS !

One question... Does the L bug ever go away ?

 

[Loswr]

One question... Does the L bug ever go away ?

LOL. No. Like any addiction, it starts small. Perhaps, with a $1K or under 'gateway lens' (like the 135L, or in my case the 100L IS Macro). The you get a second one, not because you have to, of course. Then a setback (non-L prime), after which you vow to never buy another non-L lens for which there's an L equivalent. After a few more acquisitions, you begin to find that the 'basic' L lenses - UWA and standard zooms, normal and short tele primes, etc. - become less 'satisfying'. You start in on more exotic 'fixes' like TS-E lenses. Eventually, you end up seriously considering the Mk II supertele primes.

But, I can stop any time I want.

Really.