85mm 1.2 or ? for studio dance photography

[jgruner]

I am trying to find the right lens to shoot studio dancers. I would also like to shoot in a theater setting. I am thinking of the 85mm 1.2, 50mm 1.2, or 135mm 2.0. Anyone have any thoughts and suggestions?

[Photo-John]

What camera are you using? The 85mm f/1.2 lens is awesome. But the crop factor on a digital SLR can be a problem in tight environments. I would suggest the 50mm f/1.8 first. It's a great lens and a very low cost investment. If it doesn't do the job, it will tell you what you need to know and you can buy something else.

For a theater, you'll likely need a longer lens. I've used my 70-200 f/2.8. Unless you can be right in front of the stage, I'm not sure if the lenses you've listed will have enough reach. There's always the 200mm f/1.8, if money is no object.

[Lionheart]

There's always the 200mm f/1.8, if money is no object.

Yeah...have seen what these extinct beasties are going for on ebay? I wish I had the cash for one of these, but then I'd have a hard time trying to decide if I'd rather have the 300 f2.8L, or the 400 f2.8L....or all of them
btw, just for the sake of offering my two cents, my favorite studio prime is my 135 f2L. It's a bit of a stretch getting far enough back in our studio with it mounted on a 1D Mk II (1.3 crop factor), but NOTHING beats this lens for a portrait lens. Because shooting distance is a wee bit of a problem in our studio, I usually shoot with the 85 f1.8 as my usual prime lens (the 85 f1.2 is WAY over priced, the f1.8 is a close match at a mere fraction of the cost) in the studio.
My favorite studio zoom used to be my 70-200 f2.8L, but now I use the 24-105 f4 more, but only when I'm too lazy to zoom with my feet

[jgruner]

Thanks for your input!! Right now I have the Rebel XT, I am going to be upgrading to the 5D soon. I will check out both of those lenses. Thanks