Which Lens Canon 85mm 1.8 or 135 L

[CarlTN]

I have both of these lenses and sometimes use both as portrait lenses in the same photoshoot on my 5D3. What I find is that I use the 85 1.8 a lot more than the 135L.

They both create nice bokeh, it just depends on how far away you are going to be from your subject and how much of the person you want in the frame.

Here's an outdoor portrait I did a few days ago with the 85 at F/2.0:

If I had used the 135, I would have had to stand too far away from the model.

I need to date this cliff dwelling nymph...

 

[ablearcher]

Situation is I have a tight studio, reach on the 135 might be tight, but the optics are probably superior.
Want an 85 1.2 but can't really afford it. The 1.8 might be a good compromise based on price, smaller reach for tighter spaces, I kind of think 440 might be much when the 50 1.8 is $100.

If you've got a tight studio, I'd strongly suggest don't get either the 135 or an 85. Both good lenses, but you need some flexibility. If money is tight, seriously consider a pre-owned 70-200 f/4 non-IS. Make no mistake. This is class-glass. The flexibility a zoom brings to the table cannot be underestimated. Especially one as optically strong as any of Canon's 70-200 offerings.

-pw

I agree with the above. Zooms for studio work. My studio space is tight and i use 24-105 most of the time. With lights you stop down anyway. I would go nuts with just a prime when working several hours in studio (and I love primes). Too limiting... For outdoors - thats a different story. I have 85/1.8 and 135L and i use both. 85 more of a casual lens (or clients with kids) and 135 is when I work for a client (beauty, fashion, portraiture, etc) and location allows this focal length. Both lenses on FF produce great results, but 135 always feels a bit special.