Which lens?

James Thomas 75

James Thomas 75

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Hi everyone.

I've been experimenting with my 70-200 around the 85 and 135 focal lengths as I'm considering either the 85 1.8 or 135 f2 - mainly (but not only) for portraits.

I realise there is a significant price difference between the 2 but I'm not too worried about this as they're both within my current budget.

Seems as I can't make my mind between which focal length I want yet :) I would appreciate any feedback towards other attributes of the 2 lenses ie Bokeh,Image Quality and focusing speed etc...

Any help much appreciated.
 
How about the 105 Micro VR, has the benefits of macro, has VR and is a nice length for portraits....

I just ordered the 85 1.8G myself as im a little too poor to get the 105 and i hate having money burning a hole in my pocket :)

Long Crendon....why do i know that place...Oh yes, near Brill isn't it. Keep meaning to go up and take a picture of that windmill !
 
Tizer said:
How about the 105 Micro VR, has the benefits of macro, has VR and is a nice length for portraits....

I just ordered the 85 1.8G myself as im a little too poor to get the 105 and i hate having money burning a hole in my pocket :)

Long Crendon....why do i know that place...Oh yes, near Brill isn't it. Keep meaning to go up and take a picture of that windmill !
Click to expand...

He shoots canon ..... so no 105 micro VR .........
 
oh yeah, doh, didn't spot that :d my bad!
 
Get both! 85 & 135 are amazing focal lengths for photography! ;-)

And with a full frame and crop body, your 85 becomes something of a 135 and the 135 becomes a 200/2
 
vulcan2912 said:
Hi James

Why not update your F2.8 to the Mk2 version. Lots of people "reportedly" let the primes around those focal lengths go after using the Mk2.

Gary
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply Gary,

I have considered doing that in the past but I have no idea how much I'd get for it (and consequently needing to put towards the Mk 2!) as I can't remember off hand how old it is?

I've had it a couple of years and the previous owner had it a while too before selling up to Nikon gear...
 
Tizer said:
How about the 105 Micro VR, has the benefits of macro, has VR and is a nice length for portraits....

I just ordered the 85 1.8G myself as im a little too poor to get the 105 and i hate having money burning a hole in my pocket :)

Long Crendon....why do i know that place...Oh yes, near Brill isn't it. Keep meaning to go up and take a picture of that windmill !
Click to expand...

Yeah Brill's not too far from me Tizer.

I've only driven past the Mill in the last year or so and there's a lot of unkempt bush in the best vantage points nowadays unfortunately since I took shots of it a few years ago :(
 
sultanofswing said:
Get both! 85 & 135 are amazing focal lengths for photography! ;-)

And with a full frame and crop body, your 85 becomes something of a 135 and the 135 becomes a 200/2
Click to expand...

Can't tell from my iPhone but I obviously haven't updated my gear list on here going by your post?

I only have a 5DIII nowadays :)
 
I was saying that for your 5DIII, you should get both 85 and 135mm lenses...

And if you get a crop body camera like a 7D as backup, the crop factor would allow you greater reach with the same lenses. 85 becoming 135 (85x1.6) and 135 something of a 216/f2 !
 
Ah right OK.

Just that I had a 5DII and 7D before buying this in March and thought maybe I'd forgotten to change my equipment in the profile!

I'm kind of leaning towards the 135 from what I've read elsewhere and also the photos I took with my 70-200 at that FL - although I expect I will have both eventually ;)

Regarding the 2 price wise. Would you all say the 135 is 3 times better (like the price) than the 85 to reflect the fact it's that much more expensive?
 
Last edited:
Just bit the bullet on a 135.
Hopefully I've made the right choice of the 2 and I'll be very happy with it :)

Many thanks for the help everyone who posted.
 
Interesting thread.
I am thinking of something similar here.

As now I have 35mm, and need something longer.

I had canon 85mm F/1.8 for a short time and I was amazed from the results. Lovely photos, fast and accurate AF.

I am considering almost like your dilemma at the moment.

But to make things even worse, there is a lot of talk about Canon 100mm F/2.8L in this area of interest...

Too many different opinions between Canon 100mm F/2.8L macro VS Canon 135mm F2 which one is better.
Just an option to think about it.

I still did not consider what to get, but it will be L lens, between the last two.
 
photosample said:
Interesting thread.
I am thinking of something similar here.

As now I have 35mm, and need something longer.

I had canon 85mm F/1.8 for a short time and I was amazed from the results. Lovely photos, fast and accurate AF.

I am considering almost like your dilemma at the moment.

But to make things even worse, there is a lot of talk about Canon 100mm F/2.8L in this area of interest...

Too many different opinions between Canon 100mm F/2.8L macro VS Canon 135mm F2 which one is better.
Just an option to think about it.

I still did not consider what to get, but it will be L lens, between the last two.
Click to expand...

Hi photosample,

Since asking the OP I've seen threads on other forums asking the same question as I have here comparing the 2 lenses.
Many people mentioned the 100mm f2 as another option,but I already have the 100 Macro IS so it wasn't really one I'd consider.

You mention you only had the 85 1.8 for a short time.
Do you mind me asking why?
 
James Thomas 75 said:
...
Many people mentioned the 100mm f2 as another option,but I already have the 100 Macro IS so it wasn't really one I'd consider.

You mention you only had the 85 1.8 for a short time.
Do you mind me asking why?
Click to expand...

It was stolen, unfortunately.
But lovely lens.
The good point about Canon 85mm F/1.8 was very fast AF, even in low light situation.
Also very light, so when you go around it will be much easier.

I can not say much about 135mm, as I did not try it by myself yet.

Regards,
Kalin
 
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