100 f/2 vs 85/1.8 - why the overwhelming preference for 85?

[Lightstream]

Just curious - I'm sure of you probably have walked this path before. Why is the 85 so much more popular than the 100? In fact, I usually work at 100, not 85, on my zooms.

I'm thinking of which one to get. Helps that the 85 is a little cheaper and has better resale value in case I don't like it, because of its larger market. Just wondering why the 100/2 seems to have hidden in the shadows, especially since it has slightly better resolution and CA control (Photozone: http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_100_2/index.htm)

[Cadwell]

I suspect it is because the 85mm is a more useful length for most people on a 1.6x crop body. I have both and prefer the 100mm (although in reality there isn't much in it) but then I use a 1.3x crop most of the time.

They both focus quickly, have nearly identical build and excellent optics. The 85mm has a purple fringing issue around areas of extreme contrast it's not really classical CA as such; that is really the lens' only fault. The 100mm has it too but to a much lesser extent.

Both are excellent.

[René Damkot]

I have the 100/2.0 because I preferred that FL at my EOS 1n. On a 1.3 crop body I find it a bit too long.

[aliflack]

For me I bought the 85 'cos I knew I was going to get the 100mm F2.8 macro at some point, so didn't see the point of duplicating the field length for a half-stop (?) aperture gain...

[jesusdelallata]

I've owned both lenses and I found the 100mm f2 too long for me on the 1.6 crop camera that i use 99% of the time.

I had a very hard time giving up the 100. I loved the lens. I just picked up the 85 1.8 and I love it too. I think at the end it's all about focal length.

[Cadwell]

For me I bought the 85 'cos I knew I was going to get the 100mm F2.8 macro at some point, so didn't see the point of duplicating the field length for a half-stop (?) aperture gain...

1 stop.

Full stops are at f/1, f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22, f/32...

[Lightstream]

Some very good points. I plan to use the 85 on a crop as a semi-long-tele (cheap alternative to 135/2, I somehow find it difficult to plow lots of $$ into a prime that I may not use often). 100 on 1.3X is a near perfect match too, 130mm.. the extra 5mm is too close to call, so I understand why you'd go that approach. I have a 1D as well.

I'm thinking for me, might be better to go wide and crop if needed.. you can essentially crop it to a 100mm equivalent without losing too many pixels, but you can't go wide in software later.

[JimAskew]

I suspect it is because the 85mm is a more useful length for most people on a 1.6x crop body. I have both and prefer the 100mm (although in reality there isn't much in it) but then I use a 1.3x crop most of the time.

They both focus quickly, have nearly identical build and excellent optics. The 85mm has a purple fringing issue around areas of extreme contrast it's not really classical CA as such; that is really the lens' only fault. The 100mm has it too but to a much lesser extent.

Both are excellent.

Cadwell has sumed it nicely. I have both, use both, and really can't not experess a preference of one over the other on my 30D as both are great performers. I really bought the 100MM f/2.8 as a Macro lens and discovered that it takes great portraits as well :)

[4x4rock]

Another factor is $$$, the 100/f2 is more expensive than the 85/f1.8.

Focal length is a factor but when I compare them with my zoom, there's not really that much difference between 85mm and 100mm, there is but not much (at least to me).

If you know you'll use this mostly outdoor, the 100/f2 would be fine as you have room to back up.

I could have been happy with either, but it's harder to find the 100/f2 on used market so I bought the 85. :)

[WildWolf]

I looked at both and to be hones, I found so many stunning 85 1.8 images. In contrast most of the 100 images were "blah". This could be that more people have the 85 but I have never heard anything negative about this lens. I am happy as a clam with mine.

[cdifoto]

I got my 85 1.8 because the 85 1.2L is priced like nuts. That and I might need the 1.8 over the 2.0 someday.

[kidpower]

I own both and use both on a XT. Almost identical lenses except for length. They are excellent in every respect. I really can't find any fault with either, except for maybe the minor ones listed above.

They are outstanding low-light, movement, sports lenses, not to mention fantastic portrait type lenses. I also use them for just general photography of all kinds. They fit right in with my photo style and length.

[cdifoto]

I'm curious why OP started 2 threads about these lenses.

[Lightstream]

CDI: Second thread is more about 85 + 350D's AF accuracy and performance (perhaps I should have titled it better!) This one's more about "which lens to get". If the mods prefer they can be combined, no worries. Just wondering about experiences from folks who have both. Might go for the 85..

[liza]

I own both and while the 85 is a great basketball lens, I tend to get more keepers with the 100. The DOF is so thin with the 85, I often have misfocused images with it. Both are great lenses with comparable image quality. It really boils down to your preference in focal length.

[cdifoto]

CDI: Second thread is more about 85 + 350D's AF accuracy and performance (perhaps I should have titled it better!) This one's more about "which lens to get". If the mods prefer they can be combined, no worries. Just wondering about experiences from folks who have both. Might go for the 85..

Ah ok. No major deal. I just wasn't sure really since they start to sound the same after awhile.

[cjm]

100 f/2 vs 85/1.8 - why the overwhelming preference for 85? Its the 1.8 over the 2. Any fstop that starts with a one has a magic ability to the lens that a f2 just can not compete with, in this case it has to be a total of like 1/4 a stop or something. WOWzers that lets in so much more light.

I personally would just buy the 100 f2.8 if I was buying one because the 2.8 is great and because it is macro you can take really really close up portraits :)

[Lightstream]

I own both and while the 85 is a great basketball lens, I tend to get more keepers with the 100. The DOF is so thin with the 85, I often have misfocused images with it. Both are great lenses with comparable image quality. It really boils down to your preference in focal length.

Cool, thanks for the tip. I'll definitely have to watch my DOF at this aperture. Hmm.. another vote for the 100..

Its the 1.8 over the 2. Any fstop that starts with a one has a magic ability to the lens that a f2 just can not compete with, in this case it has to be a total of like 1/4 a stop or something. WOWzers that lets in so much more light.

I personally would just buy the 100 f2.8 if I was buying one because the 2.8 is great and because it is macro you can take really really close up portraits :)


:D

I actually might exchange my 60 macro for the 100 macro in the near future, so that's another minus for the 100mm focal length (that I will have two lenses with just one stop in between them), or perhaps a plus as I then don't need to worry about it..

Currently my setup is largely based on f/4 zooms so a f/2 or 1.8 would be nice. I think the 1.8-to-2 difference is a third of a stop.. as you said not that critical. 85 might win a place in my gearlist because of less overlap - but so will the 100 macro.

[liza]

While the focal length may be the same, they're too very different lenses in terms of focusing speed and image quality. The f/2 is much faster than the macro, but the macro has the edge with IQ. I own it, too. :)

[Lightstream]

While the focal length may be the same, they're too very different lenses in terms of focusing speed and image quality. The f/2 is much faster than the macro, but the macro has the edge with IQ. I own it, too. :)


Excellent info! Thanks for sharing.. this is the insight I needed from people who own some, or all of the applicable lenses. Macro IQ (from true macro lenses, not the "macro" thing third party mfgs put on their lenses) generally tends to be unrivalled.. my little 60 macro makes all the L glass stay up at night and worry (while I don't, I know it will deliver ;) ).