Time to start collecting primes.

[Sam]

I am going to start buying prime lenses and I am running into a common problem with me... I want everything now! I recently had a little shopping spree so I need to take it easy but the first two on my list are neck and neck.

I am planning to replace my 50 1.8 with a 50 1.4 and I also want to buy an 85 1.8. I have been looking at the 85 1.2, but for the price I just don't see the justification for paying three times as much as the 1.8 version.

I am very happy with my zooms and they serve their purpose nicely. I am not even thinking of selling them. Maybe in the future I will consider upgrading my 70-200 for the 2.8 version but I doubt it since I haven't had a lot of need to go past f4. I plan to use them mainly when I leave the "studio" environment.

I am interested to hear what anyone has to say about these two lenses in relation to what I have listed in my signature. I am not completely unhappy with the 50 1.8 but the bokeh could be better... I have been looking at the 85mm for a while now since I take a lot of portrait type pictures it makes sense. I've read and heard that at f2.8 the quiality of pictures on this lense is outstanding. I have not heard enough to convince me the 1.2 version is 3x the lens.

After these two I am going to be looking to pick up some wider primes and then maybe the 135 later on.

Thank you in advance for your input.

[pfogle]

What do you shoot? I do fashion/portrait and I'm in a similar position. I use a 1Dm2, so I've got a bit more leeway at the wide end than you, so my first prime is gonna be the 85/1.8 - I should be getting a used one tomorrow, if it checks out OK.

After that, the 28/1.8 USM for a 'normal', and a 50/1.4 for head and shoulders.
The longest I'd get would be the 135/2L - a dream long lens for me!

[DigiDi]

I have always been happy with the performance of the 50mm 1.4 lens, although I've gotten flack from people who don't own it and say it's a waste of money and the 1.8 works just as well.

[soupdragon]

If you have primes? keep them.
Regardless of popular myth primes will ALWAYS give better results.
As with ying and yang there is a downside (well about three I can think of)

[PetKal]

Primes have their important place in many folks' vision of photography. They also tend to complement the zooms, rather then replace them.

In addition to the common traits like IQ/$, size-weight, etc., primes keep teaching us something about IMAGE COMPOSITION. They force upon us a special little way of looking at our photo subjects. (Incidentally, therein resides the reason why I seldom if ever do image cropping.....that kind of places pressure on me to concentrate more on image taking as opposed to image post processing/fixing.)

And, like anything else in life, there are obviously liabilities with primes. A simple example: the other day while on a Monarch hunt with EF-S 60 I saw that robust red tailed hawk perched on top of a transmission pole by the roadside, beautifully lit by bright sunlight. I could have bagged it reasonably well even if I had something on me as unremarkably long as 105 mm, but not with 60 mm. However, if I had my 70-200 zoom with me.....

[SilentBob]

Cant go wrong with that 85 f/1.8 (http://www.pbase.com/carltibbitts/canon_85mm_f18_photos). Since purchasing it a few months ago it has barely left my camera. My copy is very sharp all the way to 1.8 but yes by 2.8 its just in a whole nuther league when compared to my other lenses. Of course I dont have a bag full of L zooms to compare to....but I think you will love it anyway.

Regards,

[blue_max]

As you already have a 50mm, I would grab an 85mm 1.8. It's a fine lens and will serve you well and not lose much if you choose to sell. You know the focal length of the 50 and may find you don't use it much if you get the 85 (only you know your shooting style). I have 50/85/135 and I would walk five hundred miles and I would walk five hundred more (are you singing it yet?) to use the 135mm.

So, maybe skip the 50 1.4, 85 1.8 and grab the 135mm and see if it doesn't make you smile.

I would also say that I got all mine second hand, so unless you are flush, look around and grab them as they become available.

All three are excellent and focal length is the only real factor to worry about.

Graham

[grego]

I think you should go with replacing the 50 1.8 with the 1.4. And also pick up the 85 1.8. You will only spend about 600-700 dollars. But then you have a great combo of primes. Since you are dealing with the 1.6 crop, the 50 will act like an 80 and the 85 will act like a 136. And for a shorter prime, try picking up the 35 1.4 for your full body portraits.

I think 35, 50, 85 would be a good start. And then you can add on the 135 or 200 later on.

[sam0329]

I grad both 50 1.8 and 85 1.8 couple days ago, and I m telling you, I m in love with the both prime, very sharp however, can very soft when wide open which is very nice for portrait! I love it!

[Sam]

If you have primes? keep them.
Regardless of popular myth primes will ALWAYS give better results.
As with ying and yang there is a downside (well about three I can think of)

My 50 1.8 is the only prime I currently have for my DSLR, I do not plan on letting go of my zooms but for what I shoot I really want primes.

I too like to think about composition before I press the shutter and I often find myself moving my legs before I move the zoom ring for most shots so I don't see switching to primes would be much of a learning curve for me.

Out of the replies this thread has so far no one has tried to talk me into the 1.2 versoin of the 85mm so that reinforces my opinion on that decision.

The biggest thing keeping me on the fence is that I know how to use 50mm and I would like to get better bokeh, but honestly I am pretty confidant that I would be able to get used to the 85mm focal length.

I mainly shoot people. After this lens I would be looking at a wider prime for 3/4 and full length shots. I plan on placing an order Monday so I have the weekend to decide :)

I am taking pictures for people I really don't know that well this weekend so I figure I'll get a workout and be able to have a better idea of what the limitations/benefits of the two lenses in question would be. I know I’ll be using my 50mm for the hands and feet pictures but since I am going to be indoors my 70-200 will be the main lens for this outing I think. I plan on trying to keep it at 85mm to get a better feel of what I would be in for at that length.

On a semi related note... It is nice to have somewhere to talk about things like this and get an opinion other than "sounds good to me honey". My wife is great but offers nothing up in the way of photography, although she is a good model ;)

Thank you for all the input! Feel free to add your opinion if you have not already

[grego]

My 50 1.8 is the only prime I currently have for my DSLR, I do not plan on letting go of my zooms but for what I shoot I really want primes.

I too like to think about composition before I press the shutter and I often find myself moving my legs before I move the zoom ring for most shots so I don't see switching to primes would be much of a learning curve for me.

Out of the replies this thread has so far no one has tried to talk me into the 1.2 versoin of the 85mm so that reinforces my opinion on that decision.

The biggest thing keeping me on the fence is that I know how to use 50mm and I would like to get better bokeh, but honestly I am pretty confidant that I would be able to get used to the 85mm focal length.

I mainly shoot people. After this lens I would be looking at a wider prime for 3/4 and full length shots. I plan on placing an order Monday so I have the weekend to decide :)

I am taking pictures for people I really don't know that well this weekend so I figure I'll get a workout and be able to have a better idea of what the limitations/benefits of the two lenses in question would be. I know I’ll be using my 50mm for the hands and feet pictures but since I am going to be indoors my 70-200 will be the main lens for this outing I think. I plan on trying to keep it at 85mm to get a better feel of what I would be in for at that length.

On a semi related note... It is nice to have somewhere to talk about things like this and get an opinion other than "sounds good to me honey". My wife is great but offers nothing up in the way of photography, although she is a good model ;)

Thank you for all the input! Feel free to add your opinion if you have not already

Well, I can try convincing you. :lol: I'd say if you are getting paid for photographing people, go for the 1.2, but if you aren't, go with the 1.8. But even then if you decide to upgrade, you can sell your 1.8 for a decent amount and probably get back close to what you paid for it.

Yeah, I think 35 1.4, 50 1.4, and 85 1.8( or 1.2 :p ) would be the ultimate setup for you.

[Sam]

Well, I can try convincing you. :lol: I'd say if you are getting paid for photographing people, go for the 1.2, but if you aren't, go with the 1.8. But even then if you decide to upgrade, you can sell your 1.8 for a decent amount and probably get back close to what you paid for it.

Yeah, I think 35 1.4, 50 1.4, and 85 1.8( or 1.2 :p ) would be the ultimate setup for you.

I do get paid from time to time for my pictures, but it isn't what pays the bills. Mostly to pay for this insane hobby! I would love to take pictures full time but two things stop me.

1. I'm not sure taking something I love to do and making it something I have to do would be a smart move.

2. There is a lot of talent out there. I have a ways to go before I could even think about selling my work full time.

[Aschlaman@comcast.net]

Go for the 35mm f1.4L. It is a fantastic lens. This focal length can be used as a normal lens. It is super sharp with a short depth of field. I use this lens most. If you can find one get it you won't be sorry.

Art Schlaman
Downers Grove, Illinois
Canon 20D, 35mm f 1.4L, 50mm F1.4. 85mm F1.8,85mm f1.2L, 135mm f2.0L 18-85mm IS, 17-40MM f4L, 135mm soft focus
300mm IS F4L, 70-200MM f2.8L IS, 100-400mm IS L, 75-300mm IS,
Tamron 28mm-75mm f 2.8, Tamron 180mm f2.8 macro, 580 EX flash, EOS3
Canon G6, EOS3
Hasselblad Xpan w/ 30mm and 45mm
Contax G2, w/35-70mm, 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 45mm, 90mm
Contax Aria, 21mm, 25mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm
Fuji GA645i, GA670III
Epson RD-1 with Zeiss ZM 35mm f 2 and lots of Leica's
Epson P2000 storage device

[grego]

Norman camera has the 35 in stock. I wonder why its so limited, especially if its that popular.

http://www.normancamera.com/shop/SearchResults.asp?ProdStock=2512a002

[Sam]

Your order was received by B&H and is currently being processed.

I ordered the 85mm 1.8. I felt I had too, everyone else seems to be doing it :) To tell the truth I took a lot of pictures today with my 50mm 1.8 and had no complaints. Makes more sense to me to add a new focal length prime to my bag. I can always pick up the 50 1.4 later on.

Thank you to everyone that helped make this decision. Without you I may have ordered both lol.

[EDIT] I did some reading about the 35 1.4 L and I think this may be the next lens I buy. Although, it looks like I'll be waiting until next year for that one.

[pfogle]

What do you shoot? I do fashion/portrait and I'm in a similar position. I use a 1Dm2, so I've got a bit more leeway at the wide end than you, so my first prime is gonna be the 85/1.8 - I should be getting a used one tomorrow, if it checks out OK

Yippee! Got the 85/1.8, and love what it does! I think I'll be playing with this for a while before I get anything else. Pics to follow shortly :D

[schmoelzel]

Ok....since you want someone to try and convince you of the value of the 85f1.2.......I too HAD the f1,8 version and while it was/is a great optic, the f1,2 is in a class by itself!! There is no way that the f1,8 version can begin to have the colour and contrast that the f1,2 exhibits. I agree that the price seems to be ridiculously high but once you see the output from the lens, I always get more of the WOW factor than I had with the f1,8 version. The nice thing about the fact that Canon offers both of these lenses is that you can buy the f1,8 and see if you like the FoV that 85mm provides on your particular body. If portraits are your thing and you want the BEST, the Canon 85f1,2 L is it...........BTW, the 35L is almost as good!!

[Jetmech1]

I do get paid from time to time for my pictures, but it isn't what pays the bills. Mostly to pay for this insane hobby! I would love to take pictures full time but two things stop me.

1. I'm not sure taking something I love to do and making it something I have to do would be a smart move.

2. There is a lot of talent out there. I have a ways to go before I could even think about selling my work full time.

I agree with you here. My hobbies are photography and computers. I have a lot of money in both, but would not want to do either to PAY THE BILLS. It would take the joy out of it for me.

BTW I have the 85mm and it is a great lens. You will be happy with it. Mine gets a lot of use.

[buze]

Yeah, primes are the way to go, I even now use my zoom lens as a "bunch of primes" when I use them; instead of "zooming in and out" I move myself as with a prime and then zoom/in out to get the *proportions* I want, not the magnification. Magnification is just one (simplistic, I happend to think) view on how to use a lens, the proportions I will get out of the shot are a lot more important to me.

I have about 40+ prime lens :D