50mm f/1.4 vs 85 f/1.8

[MoliroMan]

Hi Guys!

Out of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 and the EF 85 f/1.8 which one would the the best for portrait taking? I don't really want to buy both.

thx

Dave

[BigBlueDodge]

I'd thought abuot this a while now, and have decided to go with the 85 f/1.8 over the 50 f/1.4. That will be my next lens

[MoliroMan]

how did u come to the decision to buy the 85?

[Sean-Mcr]

I have both and love them both.


I've mainly had the 50 on 20D, and i bought the two lenses on the same day. I'd not not want to leave either out. But the 50mm would be the one i'd always take with me if i had to leave one at home as the 85 can be a little long if you dont have time to move..


My god daughter jessica

First taken with the 85 second with the 50

[rdenney]

Out of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 and the EF 85 f/1.8 which one would the the best for portrait taking? I don't really want to buy both.

A year ago I would have said the 50, because at a little less than twice normal it's an ideal short portrait focal length. But even at 1.4, the depth of field is a little too good, and longer lenses blur the background more. Thus, my current leaning is towards the 85 as a short portrait lens. The longer perspective from the more distant camera positon is still quite effective, but it requires a louder voice. If you will use it in a small studio, get the 50.

Rick "for whom the 85 is on the list" Denney

[CyberDyneSystems]

I love the 85mm ;)

[tucked]

I have had my 85 for a little over a week now. I love it! I am no pro, but having fun with it alot. From what I have read... I would prefer the 85mm 1.8 AND the 50mm 1.8 (not much $.. but handy if you really need a 50mm too)

[Steve Parr]

I've got both the 85mm and the 50mm f/1.8's. I suppose the f/1.4 would be nice to have, although the 50mm 1.8 has served me well thus far.

The 85mm f/1.8 is still the best lens purchase I've made. I absolutely love that thing. Back in the days when I shot film, I used a 135mm for portraits, and I find that the 85mm f/1.8 satisfies me every bit as much.

That being said, the 50mm f/1.8 would give you the 50mm length, without the price of the f/1.4. While there are certainly benefits to the 1.4, I don't think the 1.8 is a bad way to go, and it's less than a hundred bucks.

Hell, throw caution to the wind and get 'em both!

Steve

[schmoelzel]

I too have both and either one is a great portrait lens. FoV from the fifty is obviously wider so composition can be handled a little differently. The 85 is sharp and contrasty and has wonderful colour....almost L quality optics. The 50 is slightly cooler but produces very sharp images even wide open. Here are a couple of my daughter Julia............

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/85F1.8-1D-C.jpg

85 F1.8

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/50f1.4-1D-B.jpg

50 F1.4

[Jon Foster]

I have the 50mm 1.4 and find it a little too long for in door shots if there's more than one or two people in the shot. Now I'm thinking about the 30mm 1.4 for portraits.

Jon.

[Nabil-A]

I too have both and either one is a great portrait lens. FoV from the fifty is obviously wider so composition can be handled a little differently. The 85 is sharp and contrasty and has wonderful colour....almost L quality optics. The 50 is slightly cooler but produces very sharp images even wide open. Here are a couple of my daughter Julia............

Great photos,

do you remember what settings you used with the f1.4?

[AjP]

I do have 50 1.4 and I'm amazed with quality and sharpness even wide open!!!!

[booggerg]

I want to get the 85 1.8 but I dont know if my 70-200 f4 can substitute most of what the 85 will give me (other than the DOF and the faster speed) What do you guys think?

[Joe R]

Indoors, 50/1.4, outdoors 85/1.8. Also depends on what other lenses you have. 50/1.8 and 85/1.8 is may be good option, too.

[grego]

50mm 1.4 is more versatile since you can do both inside and outside. With a 1.6 crop its an 80mm basically.

85mm with a 1.6 crop is a 136mm

Both have good ranges for a portrait lens. It's really up to you. I think you can do more with the 50, especially if you are just starting out with lens.

But eventually, it would be good to have both.