Talk to me... tell me what you think.
Full Version: Lens Suggestions
Looking for recommendations on what to get next. We shoot with a 30d, 40d and 5d, we have a 50 1.4, 24-70 2.8 and a 70-200 2.8. Not sure what would benefit us more, something for some funky artistic style shots with the stubby lens or a fast 85 mm.
Talk to me... tell me what you think.
Talk to me... tell me what you think.
Go for the FUNK. It's what I love best with the 16-35. It's my favorite lens currently.
I have about the same line up as you and shoot with a 5D. I wanted something wider than the 24-70 for group shots and for getting the background for weddings. And for portraits I wanted the funky distortion you can get with the wide (be careful tho, distortion doesn't work for every type). Although I love my 85 1.8 for it's creamyness, it's my least used lens and I have to remind myself to take it out once in a while. I'm an up close and personal shooter so the 85 is a wee bit far for me for portraits. Hope that helps!
I have about the same line up as you and shoot with a 5D. I wanted something wider than the 24-70 for group shots and for getting the background for weddings. And for portraits I wanted the funky distortion you can get with the wide (be careful tho, distortion doesn't work for every type). Although I love my 85 1.8 for it's creamyness, it's my least used lens and I have to remind myself to take it out once in a while. I'm an up close and personal shooter so the 85 is a wee bit far for me for portraits. Hope that helps!
I agree with Rowena. Go for the funk and get the wide. I have a 10-22 and I love it. Sure, it's not great for portraits, but I've been in a lot of tight corners trying to get detail shots and I wouldn't have been able to frame things up without that lens. I think having some sort of wide angle lens in your bag would open up some possibilities for you.
I used to have the 16-35, but I ditched it so I could pick up the 24/1.4. It was either that or the 35/1.4. I would strongly encourage you to take a look at those instead of a zoom, especially if you think you might find yourself zoomed in or out all the way. Think about it. 
I also use the 85 1.8 and I am VERY happy with it. I don't think there is much reason to pick up the 1.2 instead. Just my opinion...were I to own the 1.2 I might sing a different song.
I also use the 85 1.8 and I am VERY happy with it. I don't think there is much reason to pick up the 1.2 instead. Just my opinion...were I to own the 1.2 I might sing a different song.
Cool, thank you everyone for your input. I'd like to just get both. 
QUOTE(Ryan J @ July 16 2008, 01:18 PM) 
I used to have the 16-35, but I ditched it so I could pick up the 24/1.4. It was either that or the 35/1.4. I would strongly encourage you to take a look at those instead of a zoom, especially if you think you might find yourself zoomed in or out all the way. Think about it.
I also use the 85 1.8 and I am VERY happy with it. I don't think there is much reason to pick up the 1.2 instead. Just my opinion...were I to own the 1.2 I might sing a different song.
I also use the 85 1.8 and I am VERY happy with it. I don't think there is much reason to pick up the 1.2 instead. Just my opinion...were I to own the 1.2 I might sing a different song.
My suggestion is to go with the lens plan. First you get the thing that has the potential to change your photography the most. That, in my opinion, would be the 16-35. To save money for the rest of your stuff, you might go with a 17-40L f4, so that you may also pick up the 85 1.8 at the same time. Then, save your pennies for your choice of sweet prime, either the 24 or 35 1.4.
My 2c on your $3000.
My 2c on your $3000.
The 85 1.8 is a killer lens. We've been using it a quite a bit the past few months wide open, and it really produces some beautiful images.
I am going to go with the 24 1.4 as my recommendation, because i can barely get that lens off my 5d. It's wide, but not supper wide. Maybe a 24 1.4, and a 15 fish? Then you get fast wide, and funky wide. That's how i am going to go.
QUOTE(twake @ July 16 2008, 08:20 PM)
I am going to go with the 24 1.4 as my recommendation, because i can barely get that lens off my 5d. It's wide, but not supper wide. Maybe a 24 1.4, and a 15 fish? Then you get fast wide, and funky wide. That's how i am going to go.
I swap my lenses on and off different bodies to take advantage of crop factors. It's FUN!
Right on, thank you for all of the input. I think I'm certainly in need of something to help "funkify" my shots a little bit. 
We are trying to decide what to buy next and these two lenses are the biggest contenders right now, so keep talking guys! I want to know more too.
Lyyn,
Everything I've seen from the 85 1.2 has been nice but not worth the extra thousand bucks over the 85 1.8 for most purposes. I would be more inclined to buy the 50 1.2, especially if you have a cropped sensor in one of your cams. But I would DEFINITELY go with either the 24 1.4 or the 35 1.4 . If you have just 5Ds, I would do the 35, unless you shoot a LOT of REALLY wide stuff. If you have the 24 and can swap it to a cropped body, you essentially have a 35, so that's that. I use the Mark III and the 5D and that's what I get. It's yummy.
Go rent a copy of both and play with them over a gig.
Everything I've seen from the 85 1.2 has been nice but not worth the extra thousand bucks over the 85 1.8 for most purposes. I would be more inclined to buy the 50 1.2, especially if you have a cropped sensor in one of your cams. But I would DEFINITELY go with either the 24 1.4 or the 35 1.4 . If you have just 5Ds, I would do the 35, unless you shoot a LOT of REALLY wide stuff. If you have the 24 and can swap it to a cropped body, you essentially have a 35, so that's that. I use the Mark III and the 5D and that's what I get. It's yummy.
Go rent a copy of both and play with them over a gig.
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