Canon 50mm vs 85mm
Jan 31, 2016 09:56:50 #
I have 5 Canon L zooms covering from 16mm to 400mm, so, coverage isn't an issue. I also have both a full frame 6D and an APS-C 7DII, so my lens usage would cover both formats. I have 1 prime, an EF 35mm f/1.4 L, which I really like in certain circumstances.
I started looking at 50mm primes and then thought about 85mm. I wouldn't mind going with the L versions, if the benefits justify the cost, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.8 both get high marks for IQ, but the 50 seems to have reliability problems. I shoot a bit of everything and my zooms have served me well, but I want to start learning more about primes. Anyone have experience with these lenses? BTW, I'm a Canon guy and prefer to stay Canon but might consider a Sigma or Tamron.
I started looking at 50mm primes and then thought about 85mm. I wouldn't mind going with the L versions, if the benefits justify the cost, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.8 both get high marks for IQ, but the 50 seems to have reliability problems. I shoot a bit of everything and my zooms have served me well, but I want to start learning more about primes. Anyone have experience with these lenses? BTW, I'm a Canon guy and prefer to stay Canon but might consider a Sigma or Tamron.
Jan 31, 2016 10:03:50 #
LFingar wrote:
I have 5 Canon L zooms covering from 16mm to 400mm... (show quote)
What are your priorities? Sharpness? If so, at what aperture? Bokeh ? Size, Weight ? .....
Jan 31, 2016 10:17:53 #
LFingar wrote:
I have 5 Canon L zooms covering from 16mm to 400mm... (show quote)
I'm a Canon guy and I own a 50 but not an 85. My 50 performs very well every time I use it and I've had mine for a few years not. It seems very reliable to me.
Jan 31, 2016 10:40:09 #
I have a similar set of Kit. Your 35mm prime has a f/1.4 and you did not disclose your L zooms f-stops.
I have both a 50mm f/1.4 and an 85mm f/1.8. The 85 has what is described as a dreamy Bokeh that makes my photos look great! So I would reccomend at least more review of that lens.
I have both a 50mm f/1.4 and an 85mm f/1.8. The 85 has what is described as a dreamy Bokeh that makes my photos look great! So I would reccomend at least more review of that lens.
Jan 31, 2016 10:48:04 #
imagemeister wrote:
What are your priorities? Sharpness? If so, at what aperture? Bokeh ? Size, Weight ? .....
Sharpness? Yes, that would be handy! :-D As far as aperture, I would probably use these most indoors (such as the NYC International Car Show that I will be attending in a few months) so the larger apertures, 2.8 and larger, will get a work out. I also do some informal portraits for family members, which is why I started looking at the 85mm. So, bokeh would definitely be a factor. Size and weight are not issues. Primarily, I think I am most concerned about which lens I will get the most use out of. I shoot some indoor sports under less then optimal lighting. I've used my 7DII and 70-200 f/2.8 L II with less then impressive results because of the poor lighting. (fluorescent, and not much of that) The faster 85mm might help there, since the focal length works well in that size venue. (indoor soccer) But, I would like a 50mm if reliability is not an issue.
Jan 31, 2016 10:49:02 #
jimmya wrote:
I'm a Canon guy and I own a 50 but not an 85. My 50 performs very well every time I use it and I've had mine for a few years not. It seems very reliable to me.
Thank You! Good to know!
Jan 31, 2016 10:57:24 #
Curtis_Lowe wrote:
I have a similar set of Kit. Your 35mm prime has a f/1.4 and you did not disclose your L zooms f-stops.
I have both a 50mm f/1.4 and an 85mm f/1.8. The 85 has what is described as a dreamy Bokeh that makes my photos look great! So I would reccomend at least more review of that lens.
I have both a 50mm f/1.4 and an 85mm f/1.8. The 85 has what is described as a dreamy Bokeh that makes my photos look great! So I would reccomend at least more review of that lens.
My 16-35, 24-70, and 24-105 are f/4. My 70-200 is f/2.8 and my 100-400 is f/4.5-5.6
The 100-400 L II actually does some nice portrait work, but I keep hearing about how nice the 85mm is for that. I guess I just want some new toys to play with, and rather then buying a 50mm L or 85mm L I might just get both of these non-L lenses. Compared to what I am used to spending on gear these are actually rather inexpensive. My concern has been the build quality of the 50mm and the usefulness of the 85mm for things other then portraits. Such as indoor sports, for example.
Jan 31, 2016 11:03:01 #
I have used my non L 85mm for indoor BB games to good results, I was impressed with the build on the 85mm.
Jan 31, 2016 11:53:41 #
I own both, 50mm f1.4 and the 85mm f1.8, lenses and they are good.
Reliability hasn't been a problem, although they do not get a lot of use.
Be sure to budget for the lens hoods.
Reliability hasn't been a problem, although they do not get a lot of use.
Be sure to budget for the lens hoods.
Jan 31, 2016 11:56:03 #
LFingar wrote:
I have 5 Canon L zooms covering from 16mm to 400mm... (show quote)
You should go mirrorless that way you can still use your great Canon lenses but they will focus faster and jump even higher using an adaptor!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
SS
Jan 31, 2016 14:28:51 #
SharpShooter wrote:
You should go mirrorless that way you can still use your great Canon lenses but they will focus faster and jump even higher using an adaptor!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
SS
SS
Call me hard headed (my wife does!), but I just have no interest in mirrorless. I just enjoy playing around with DSLR's.
Jan 31, 2016 14:29:47 #
Curtis_Lowe wrote:
I have used my non L 85mm for indoor BB games to good results, I was impressed with the build on the 85mm.
Is that with a full frame or APS-C?
Jan 31, 2016 14:30:34 #
RichardTaylor wrote:
I own both, 50mm f1.4 and the 85mm f1.8, lenses and they are good.
Reliability hasn't been a problem, although they do not get a lot of use.
Be sure to budget for the lens hoods.
Reliability hasn't been a problem, although they do not get a lot of use.
Be sure to budget for the lens hoods.
Good to know. Thank You!
Jan 31, 2016 14:38:39 #
My two cents is that if you're just getting into primes then go with the 50mm. The 85mm is somewhat of a specialty lens and you may find it restrictive. If you're shooting portraits at some point then just throw the 50mm on your APS-C and, voila! Perfect portrait lens. I own a 50mm prime (or equivalent) for every camera I own. They are fast, versatile, and usually inexpensive.
Jan 31, 2016 14:45:47 #
LFinga, you know I am a Canon guy and that I love great glass. I go from 14mm-300mm. I have three primes, 14mm Korean, 50mm VR2 & 85mm Canon f/1.8. The 50 was a gift and was the second lens that I had behind the two cheap kit lenses, which by the way are sharp as hell.
For many pro-shooter the 1.2L is standard in the bag. But I have found that the affordable f/1.8 is a great alternative at a amazing price. If you need weatherization L is a go. If you need fast L is a go to. Most shots can be captured with these combo's. I have been told that if I am not using max aperture at least much of the time I am doing something wrong. The 85mm @ f/1.8 has a very Shallow Depth of Field. I find that when I amusing it that way I need to use manual focus. Alternative to Canon would be the Sig art. For me out of price range.
J. R.
For many pro-shooter the 1.2L is standard in the bag. But I have found that the affordable f/1.8 is a great alternative at a amazing price. If you need weatherization L is a go. If you need fast L is a go to. Most shots can be captured with these combo's. I have been told that if I am not using max aperture at least much of the time I am doing something wrong. The 85mm @ f/1.8 has a very Shallow Depth of Field. I find that when I amusing it that way I need to use manual focus. Alternative to Canon would be the Sig art. For me out of price range.
J. R.
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