Lens Choice

[lennon33x]

Ok, so I think I have a problem. Or I don't have a problem, but my brain is saying that there is.

I'm upgrading my gear. Am going from Rebel T3 to 5Dc (will be here Tuesday). In the process, I'm selling my old setup to a friend. With the cash, I'm upgrading my lens. I have a 50mm 1.8 (love it, and frankly don't want to do the upgrade to the 1.4 right now because I'd rather have different focal lengths). I'm also getting the Rokinon 85mm 1.4. Here's my dilemma (and justifications):

I want the 35mm 1.4 by Rokinon. Why? Because that thing is effing ridiculously sharp. The caveat is that it is manual focus. But, at a store in here my town, they have one for $350, which isn't terrible, as most of the ones on the net are >$400.

That being said, KEH has some good deals on some zoom lenses. The reason I say zoom is that at some point, someone other than me will be operating my camera with minimal-to-none manual camera focus experience. So here's my question: the likelihood that I'll use the zoom lens is much greater than the opportunities that would present themselves to really utilize the 35 1.4. Do I just get something like the 28-135/28-105? They cover the 35 focal range, tend to be pretty sharp, and are AF in the event my wife needs to operate it.

Do I really have a problem or did I just answer my own question (happy wife, happy life)?

 

[cconner]

Have you considered the EF 40mm STM f2.8, it is pretty wicked and has AF/MF for $139 on Amazon. I had a Rokinon 85mm and sent it back, it was sharp but it was a pain to work with manually for photography. Now for a videographer it is amazing.

 

[lennon33x]

Did you not like not having AF?

 

[cconner]

It was too hit or miss at f1.4 for me, there is no focus confirmation either as there is not a chip on the lens. I opted for the Canon 1.8 which I feel like I get way more keepers and better IQ anyways.

 

[robbins.photo]

Ok, so I think I have a problem. Or I don't have a problem, but my brain is saying that there is.

Do what I did. Get in touch with your inner child, coax him out using candy - then throttle him to death. No more of it's incessant whining.

I'm upgrading my gear. Am going from Rebel T3 to 5Dc (will be here Tuesday). In the process, I'm selling my old setup to a friend. With the cash, I'm upgrading my lens. I have a 50mm 1.8 (love it, and frankly don't want to do the upgrade to the 1.4 right now because I'd rather have different focal lengths). I'm also getting the Rokinon 85mm 1.4. Here's my dilemma (and justifications):

I want the 35mm 1.4 by Rokinon. Why? Because that thing is effing ridiculously sharp. The caveat is that it is manual focus. But, at a store in here my town, they have one for $350, which isn't terrible, as most of the ones on the net are >$400.

That being said, KEH has some good deals on some zoom lenses. The reason I say zoom is that at some point, someone other than me will be operating my camera with minimal-to-none manual camera focus experience. So here's my question: the likelihood that I'll use the zoom lens is much greater than the opportunities that would present themselves to really utilize the 35 1.4. Do I just get something like the 28-135/28-105? They cover the 35 focal range, tend to be pretty sharp, and are AF in the event my wife needs to operate it.

Do I really have a problem or did I just answer my own question (happy wife, happy life)?

Yup.. think that answers your question nicely - you can always get the 1.4 later on of course.