Canon 135mmF2 usability with a Canon 7D?

As a very new contributor, but regular reader of these pages I would appreciate any discussion on the usability of the Canon 135mm F2 with a crop body. I know the quality of the lens and what it can produce, but people that own the lens will have relevant comments on day to day usage.


I have read threads about the 85L verses the 135L and just wonder what users have found if they have both, which one they reach for first? I know it totally depends on what you are shooting that day, but as an example urban style shooting at a festival, market and so on. I have a 70-200mm 2.8 but it always tends to stay in the bag when I am in a crowded situation.


I have a 24-70 and then splurged on a 24mm 1.4 and that is my favourite lens. I love the vibrancy and saturation of the 24L prime and it is discreet.


I suppose I am working and saving towards a trinity of primes. Possible combinations could be listed below, but my next purchase will be either the 85 or the 135mm.


24mm, 50mm and 135mm or,


24mm, 50mm and 85mm.


At this stage no plans to FF until there is an update on the 5DMK2.


Looking forward to any feedback from experience with these combinations.


Thanks,


Steve

What works well for others might not work best for you. If you plan on dropping a sizeable amount of cash on your next lens purchase (as it seems you are), I'd suggest first renting both the 135L and 85L and seeing which one fits your needs best. That way you'll be certain to choose the right lens to add to your gear bag. :-)

Thanks for the quick response Sean, I will rent them.


I have looked at your images on Flickr, they are good. Real good. There is a palpable sense of presence and immmediacey with your shots, feel drawn in as though I am looking through a doorway at what you are shooting. Great stuff.

If your 70 to 200 stays in the bag and you love your 24 I would think you should go with the 85. I agree with Sean though, rent one and see how it works for you.


Mark

Nice pics the pretty girl is truly separated from the blurry, creamy background.


Thanks,


Steve

Thank you Mark, I organised to rent a 50 next weekend and after that I have booked an 85 for a week. That should give me some serious practice time.


There appears to be some pretty big fans of the 85L on this site.


Cheers,


Steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve U

Thank you Mark, I organised to rent a 50 next weekend and after that I have booked an 85 for a week. That should give me some serious practice time.


There appears to be some pretty big fans of the 85L on this site.


Cheers,


Steve
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There is a lot of love for both lenses here on the forum.


You can not go wrong either way.


Mark

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve U

usability of the Canon 135mm F2 with a crop body

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I'm sure it's very usable on a crop body, though I've only used it on full frame.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve U

if they have both, which one they reach for first?

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It depends on the type of shot you're going for. Indoor headshots? 85mm. Outdoor ECUs? 135mm. Another factor to consider is that when framed the same, it's more difficult to nail focus on the 85mm than it is for the 135mm if both are wide open. But the 85mm can pull in more background and blur it, potentially making the composition more interesting than the smaller and more diffuse background of the 135.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve U

I have a 24-70 and then splurged on a 24mm 1.4 and that is my favourite lens.

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Welcome to the club. That's my favorite lens too. (Although I have to say that using it on a crop camera makes my heart break.)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve U

I suppose I am working and saving towards a trinity of primes.

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On crop I would go for the 85. On full frame, the 135.

This is the type of feedback I hoped for Daniel, thank you.


I think after reading different evaluations on the 50L and the 85L some of the bad press is more technique related. I know hand held wide open with my 24mm not everything ends up looking as good as first glance on the back panel as when they are viewed on the monitor. So it