I currently have a 50mm 2.5 Macro and the 24-70 2.8. I shoot on a 40D and was seriously looking at up-buying one of these primes. The question is I dont know which one. I have L quality glass from 16-200mm @ 2.8 and want to know which one would be the best bang for the buck for my wedding work.

Id love to hear what the team has to say.

Thanks in advance.

50mm f1.2

+1

Is that it? Is it that straight forward? No compelling reason to look at the 85mm? WOW! Ill wait to see if this thread becomes provocative or not.

So guys, do I sell my 2.5 then or keep it for the macro function?

heh, 35 1.4L on a crop sensor it goes to a 56 on a 1.6 crop and that's a pretty darn good standard lens. I have the f/2 and am saving for the 1.4 (have rented it though). The focus is pretty darn quick and the bokeh is like butter. It really depends on what fits your style though. For me 35 is perfect.

Pretty much. The pros/cons of various lenses have been discuss on OSP numerous times. And of course, every shooter has their own preferences and budget. But for me... the 50MM F1.2 is the lens I use about 80% of the time on the wedding day up to the reception.

Makes sense....and my existing 50 is more like the 85...

I have the 50 1.4 and love it. love love love. When I had asked a few friends about the 50 1.2 (and I was worried about how much it cost, cause I didn't have a ton of money at the time), one said that she uses the 1.4 and she told me I didn't need the 1.2. "Trust me" she said. I've read a bunch of reviews and a many I read said that the difference isn't that noticable-- That was about 6 months ago, so do some Googling and see if there are any new opinions.
(This is not to say that the 1.2 is not a good lens).

I can't say anything about the 85 1.2. Haven't had any experience with it.

I actually like my 85 1.8 better then the 1.2 because of the faster shutter. Personal preference. I would go with the 50 1.2, just gorgeous, although the 50 1.4 is also pretty darn close.

We have the 50 1.2 and the 85 1.2. We love both, but if you can only get one, I would go with the 50 1.2...or the 1.4 if budget is an issue. Like Tami, I use the 50 1.2 for about 75% of my shots on the wedding day. The 85 1.2 is a specialty lens--good for getting ready and close-up portraits of the couple, but it's not practical to keep on all day long.

I realized it was the 1.4 I mentioned but I should have typed the 1.2. That said, I think Ill have to order the 50 1.2. This post has helped a lot.

Thanks a million guys. Didnt realize it would have been that unanimous.

yes if its between the 50 and the 85 1.2, go 50...

that being said however...
85mm makes a better portrait lens

Siecn I bought the 85mm 1.2 I havent used my nifty fifty at all!!

On your cropped sensor, go 50 for sure.

Good point, forgot about that!!

Cropped sensor, I say the 50, also. I like my 85 better overall than the 50, but it's just too long on cropped sensors.

go with the 50mm 1.2 L (my fav)... I have the 85mm 1.2 L (first gen) and the focus is painfully slow I understand the newer lens has improved this issue. We call the 85mm 1.2 L the heartbreaker because on the camera screen it looks like your nailed the shot but in fact the focus is not there.

I'm also a big fan of the 35mm 1.4 L, the 28mm 1.8 USM... looking into the 24mm 1.4L next.

We also have a 135mm F2 L also its great in the right light no hand holding under 200.

I guess to sum it up my least fav is the 85mm 1.2 L