I really like the 35 f/1.4. One of my favorite primes.


the 50 f/1.2 was a wonderful lens, but it drove me crazy with the backfocus issues when not wide open. Given the choice, I'd actually lean towards the 50 1.4, just because it focuses reliably at all apertures.


2.8 zoom might be okay if you crank the ISO... But for night shots without a flash, i really like to stay in the f/1.4 to f/2 range most of the time. Depth of field is shallow, yes, so you have to be selective about your compositions. If you really want everybody in the shot, line them up and use a flash, but that's not all that candid, is it? Not saying you can't get good pictures with a flash, I just prefer not to draw attention to myself with massive bursts of light if I can avoid it. I also lack experience with flash. I like the look of off camera flash, but to get it to look good, I need to take a picture, then adjust, then take again, then adjust...


So, if you put a 24-70 on a 5Dmk2 (really good high ISO performance with full frame light collection and field of view), I think that'd be okay, though I wouldn't write off the prime idea still. If your body is a 1.6x variety, you might consider the 17-55 f/2.8 IS instead. IS won't freeze action, but some people will stand still, or at least not move too quickly.


But, I still like the look of available light with a fast prime, if it's good available light, and you don't have Sean Setters following you around with a dynamic strobe kit :P