50 1.4 or 85 1.8 for concerts (with 40D)

[Coppatop85]

Hey everyone, I'm fixin' to get a concert lens, and am looking for a fast prime to round things out. I have decided on eithor a 50 1.4, or an 85 1.8. My budget is 500 or less, so if anyone else has other suggestions I may have not considered, please feel free to enlighten me!

First priority is focus accuracy and speed, second is sharpness. I have heard a LOT of good things about the 85 1.8, and some mixed views on the 50 1.4. Would you mind sharing your experiences with these lenses?

Thanks kindly!

[shannyD]

if you are close to the stage i would suggest a sigma 30mm 1.4 its fast and gives a nice range if you are right at the stage.. i find that 50 and 85 are far too long.

[narlus]

yep, 85 on a cropper is only good for tight head shots if you are really close at a small club.

2nd the sigma 30 f/1.4 recomendation...if you want the 50mm at a bargain price, look @ the f/1.8 version as it does ok.

edit - oops, i see you already have it.

[Coppatop85]

The focus is not fast enough I don't think, I would like a USM version.

[shannyD]

then sell your crrent one and upgrade to the 1.4

[shannyD]

ohh yeah im not too impressed with the focus on the 50 1.4 either which is why i enjoy the sigma.. its faster. and sharper. IMO

[narlus]

ohh yeah im not too impressed with the focus on the 50 1.4 either which is why i enjoy the sigma.. its faster. and sharper. IMO


she speaks the truth.

i am tempted to sell my canon 50 and try the sigma 50

[shannyD]

she speaks the truth.

i am tempted to sell my canon 50 and try the sigma 50

man i woul love to get me a nice copy of that lens.. would sell mine in a heart beat.. but im currently broke from that 1400 dollar purchase just made. lol.

[MilesR]

+1 on the sigma 30mm. easily gets the most use of anything in my bag when doing concerts. even in clubs where there's enough light for me to shoot at 2.8, i hardly ever bother with the 24-70L, unless i REALLY need the reach. probably about 90% of my live shots are done with the 30

[Nouks]

When I still had just a 20D (x1.6 same as your 40D) I really loved my 85mm. Sharp, reliable, extremely fast in focusing. Has been my favourite for a very long time.

Since I've got a 1D mk II aswell, I think the 85mm did become a little bit too "wide" for what I did with it earlier. But I still use it really often, wonderful lens.