Where did all the 85mm 1.8's go?

[steibeldj]

I have been on the fence about a fast candid lens that will help with my low light experiments. I thought I'd lookup pricing on the 85mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4 just to help me decide when I noticed that B&H and some others (B&H preferred) don't have them in stock.

It there some sort of critical lens shortage out there for this model?

Also, for those of you who have the 85mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4, which do you use most for a mix of candids and indoor school auditorium type shooting?

Also, if there isn't enough light for my 28-135mm to get sharp images, will either of these lenses help if my DOF is so small?

[schmoelzel]

I have both and use both a lot.......not much for candids even though either would work great in this regard. They are both excellent lenses with superb sharpness, colour, and contrast. Either one will probably optically outdo your 28-135.........here are a couple of examples.......


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

50 F1.4


http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/Julia-85f1.8-A.jpg

85 F1.8

[Mac]

I feel your pain on the wait. I had decided last week that I was going to go with the 85 and cannot find them anywhere...well, I can snag one at a shop not too far from me, but I can wait since the price difference is WAY up there.

Schmoelzel, it is shots like those that have pulled me to the 85...I just wish I could pull them off that well...nice pictures...:D

[formula4speed]

KEH has them in stock, I bought my last couple toys from them prices are usually in line with BH. My parents ordered me one from normancamera.com and while I had never heard of them resellerratings.com seems to indicate they are a ligit company.

[warrick]

I think Canon must have a back log on some of their lenses
I purchased the 20D Enthusiast Kit in Oz but so far have been waiting 4 weeks
They have the Body in stock but are having trouble getting the lens
So I am still waiting, am getting a little impatient but am looking forward to it finally arriving

Warrick

[Pb2Au]

I have both and find the 50 1.4 much more versitile and a little sharper than the 85 1.8 on a 20D. With 8mp to crop from, the 50 produces sweet images every time. The 85 would get more use if I liked people.. which I don't. ;)

[schmoelzel]

I have both and find the 50 1.4 much more versitile and a little sharper than the 85 1.8 on a 20D. With 8mp to crop from, the 50 produces sweet images every time. The 85 would get more use if I liked people.. which I don't. ;)

Great last line.........must have been what Ansel Adams often said!!:lol: I think that both are equally sharp even though for portraits, the 85 is probably the preferred focal length for a lot of pro photographers.

mac.......thanks for the compliment. Don't worry, these two were the best of literally hundreds of shots!! I am just a hobbiest who likes to take pictures of his new daughter......hope she doesn't hate me later in life!!:lol: