authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

I currently have a 24mm 2.8 STM on the 80D for general use. I am looking for another lens for when I go to events. My choices are:

1: Canon 50mm 1.8 STM

2: Canon 60mm 2.8 Ultrasonic

3: Canon 85mm 1.8 Ultrsonic

If anyone have experience with any of these lens, comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The only one of the three that I have had recent experience with would be the EF 85mm. (Had the EF-s 60mm years ago.) The EF 85mm f/1.8 is an excellent, very sharp lens for the price, or for any price actually.
Depending on what events you are going to the following lens, which covers all 3 focal lengths that you list, might be a better choice:
https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/lenses/ef/standard-zoom/ef-s-18-135mm-f-3-5-5-6-is-usm
If it is in your price range and an f/3.5-5.6 will work for whatever lighting you anticipate then you may find it more useful. Since my last EF-s lens was the 60mm I have never used this one but I have read a good deal of praise for it from those who have it.
We could advise you better if you gave us an idea of your budget and the conditions under which you plan tto use the lens.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The 60mm is a macro lens. It's amazingly sharp, but also a bit heavier. Your 80D has a 1.6 crop factor, giving longer equivalent focal lengths. You may find even the 50 is a bit 'too long' where is shoots like an 80mm lens on your body. All three lenses are amazingly sharp, particularly the 60 and 85. When I'm shooting events and working within the crowd, I prefer to work with a 35mm or 50mm on a full frame camera. Your EF-S 24 is that '35mm solution' after the cropping factor. You might look at the EF 35mm f/2 IS for the 50mm perspective, along with the IS support. If you mean shooting toward people on a stage or similar distance, the EF 85 f/1.8 may be your choice, giving a field of view close to a 135. The EF 100 f/2 might be even better, again depending on the event and your distance or closeness.

BTW, when referencing Canon lenses, the EF vs EF-S designation and the focal length are the key identifiers, more so than the aperture and AF motor.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

The 50mm lens produces nice sharp images in low light. However I only use it with my full frame camera to avoid the crop factor of 80mm. I would rather use the 24-70mm f2.8 or even the 24-105mm f4.0 for more range. I always take the 50mm on trips because it is very light and great in low light.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I bought the 50mm lens a few years ago to throw into my camera bag for the times indoor light was too low for my 2.8 lenses. I didn't think it would be a very good lens at $125.00, but it surprised me. It is very sharp and very good in low light. If I were choosing a lens for events I would go with a 24-70. But given the choices you have listed I would opt for the 50 because it is the widest of the three.

MURRAY BASS

I am a press photographer and after many years of carrying cameras slung over my shoulder along with a pouch full of lenses, I now found the perfect combo for the job. I use the Canon 80D with a Tamron 18-400 lens. There is no situation that this combo cannot handle. Once you learn the settings, no flash necessary Try it out

miked46 Loc: Winter Springs, Florida

18-135mm, USM

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

Thanks everyone for all the replies ..............

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

They are ALL very excellent lenses - what focal length matters most to you ?? I think if I were you, I would go for the 60mm 2.8 for the versatilities - you can crop your way to 85mm quite well if need be.
.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

For wide angle zoom, on a Canon crop sensor. Recommend a 10-18mm.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

What "events" are you going to be photographing?

The answer to that question would guide what lens(es) you should choose.

If you are going to be photographing people indoors in low light without flash, it would call for one type of lens... perhaps the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM or EF 50mm f/1.4 USM.

But if it's a sporting "event", indoors the 85mm f/1.8 might be a good choice, but at times will be too short.... and would almost certainly be way too short for most outdoor sports.

If it's a wedding "event" that you'll be paid to shoot, you might want to invest in the considerably more expensive 50mm and 85mm f/1.2 lenses for the unique, dreamy effects they can produce.

I find some of the previous responses very interesting. One person says they ONLY use 50mm lenses on full frame cameras and advise against using them on an 80D. I do almost exactly the opposite... I find 50mm lenses on full frame downright boring. Rarely used them with film cameras and hardly ever put one on a full frame DSLR now. I got a good deal on a used Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM years ago when I was shooting film, though I didn't use it much. But once I got crop sensor DSLRs (like your 80D), where it serves as a fast, short telephoto and an excellent portrait lens, I found it far more useful.

Similarly, there was a strong recommendation to get a "do-everything" zoom like the Tamron 18-400mm.... Which is something I would never do personally. The problem with lenses like that is that there are a lot of things they can't do or compromise doing. They're lousy in lower light situations. They probably aren't particularly fast focusing. And when you make it your only lens, you're stuck always carrying a camera with a relatively large lens. The Tamron 18-400mmm, for example, is a whole heck of a lot bigger and more than 5X the weight of the EF-S 24mm f/2.8 "pancake" lens you've chosen and are using now.

Maybe the 18-400mm is "perfect" for the person recommending it, but would be the worst possible choice for you. Or maybe it would be a good option for you too. We can't really say one way or the other, because we don't have a clue what type of "events" you'll be shooting. We just have a list of lenses you've considered, but no idea why you're considering them.

It's pretty hard to give you advice without more information. Tell us what you'll be shooting, plus any other pertinent info such as whether you'll be using flash, etc.... and you'll get better feedback.

dick ranez

I would opt for the 50mm. Not only is it the least expensive, but with the crop factor accounted for it would give you approximately a 35-85 combination with a 1.8 alternative. Many photographers would consider that combination all you need for most general photography. If you're willing to invest a little more, the canon 18-135 is also an excellent EFS lens that will give you more possibilities.

Harry13

The 85 is a nice lens but so is the 50, I have both. For "events" I guess that I would prefer the 85 but depending on what else you shoot, the 50 might be a better choice. Of course, for me the 24 would be somewhat wide for a walkaround, I would prefer the 50 for that or perhaps a 35 or 40 but certainly not a 24. YMMV - I mean if you like the 24....