35L or 50L

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Chris S
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I fancy a dabble in 'L' primes.

Either will be used with a 40D, and I plan on going full frame some time next year.

Now I currently own a Nifty Fifty. I like the focal length, although occasionally find it a bit long. I'll be buying second hand so if I were to get a 50mm 1.2 it's possible it'd have the back focusing problem. Would this be a reason for not buying one?

Second hand prices are similar, so I'd like peoples opinions on what they prefer. Sharpness, colour saturation etc.

Thanks!
 
If you like the 50mm focal length on a 1.6 crop, then neither lens will match on FF. The 50mm L is not that much of a step up in IQ or focus speed from the 1.4, IMO. It does have weather sealing, though. Plenty of people have complained about the focus issues with the 50 1.2. I know that I've had my fair share of failures, although that could well have more to do with alcohol consumption, though.
 
35L!

If you find the nifty fifty a bit long, the 50L isn't going to change much. The additional low light could be handy, but the 35L would be immense :)
 
I'd say the 35L is a bit wide on full frame. On a crop 50mm is equivalent FOV to an 80mm. I'd say if you're looking mostly at full frame get a zoom and try it at about 24mm and 35mm on your crop and see which you prefer.

As far as image quality of both lenses go I'd say they're much the same.
 
Back in my film days I exclusively used a 50mm f/1.7 so I'm familiar with the focal length on full frame.

I am swaying more towards the 35L and then maybe getting a 50mm f/1.4 in the future.
 
I'd consider the 135L to be too long a prime on a 1.6 crop. It's a dead cert if/when I go FF though.

That's a good suggestion by the way, thanks for that.
 
I'd say there's a lot more available in the prime area for 50mm than 35mm, so in that respect the 35L would be a good choice.
 
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