85mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.4

[ReSpawN]

Hi All,

Would like to know whether the 50mm f/1.4 or the 85mm f/1.8 is better for portrait and wedding photography?

Which one produce better bokeh?
Does anyone have any photos for comparison?

Regards
ReSpawN

[NILOLIGIST]

I have both...Well I have the 85L f/1.2 and the 50 f/1.4, I would say hands down it is the 85 f/1.2.

I would guess the 85 f/1.8 would also be the better choice.

Photo taken with the 85L f/1.2
http://www.pbase.com/image/29565429.jpg

NiL,

[timmyquest]

I would imagine the 85mm would be better as longer focal lengths generally produce a much smaller DOP thus producing that nice creamy bokeh.

[ReSpawN]

I have both...Well I have the 85L f/1.2 and the 50 f/1.4, I would say hands down it is the 85 f/1.2.

I would guess the 85 f/1.8 would also be the better choice.

Photo taken with the 85L f/1.2
http://www.pbase.com/image/29565429.jpg

NiL,

If i'm getting 17-40 f/4 and 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, do u think i should still get the 85mm? Sounds quite silly to do that?

[timmyquest]

To me it sounds a little overboard but that all depends on what you intend on doing. The difference in DOF between f/1.8 and f/2.8 is rather large and does not allow you to do some things, example:

f/1.8
http://www.antiwall.com/april2004/images/zDisconnect.jpg

f/2.8
http://www.antiwall.com/May2004/images/coke.jpg

[ReSpawN]

To me it sounds a little overboard but that all depends on what you intend on doing. The difference in DOF between f/1.8 and f/2.8 is rather large and does not allow you to do some things, example:



Er... Sorry i dun quite understand what u meant by overboard. Do you think you can elaborate??

Thanks

[timmyquest]

adv 1: to extremes; "he went overboard to please his in-laws" 2: from on board a vessel into the water; "they dropped their garabge overboard"


Perhaps a little...unnesessary