Lens decision 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.8

[Toogy]

What should my next lens be? I have a wedding coming up where I will not be able to use flash during the ceremony, so I want something fast.
I already have the 50mm 1.8, but I am not that impressed with it's build quality and focusing speed at all.
So the plans are as follows.

1. Sell my 50mm and buy a 50mm 1.4
2. Keep my 50mm and buy a 85mm

So basically I will have more options covered with #2, but I won't have the fast 1.4 50mm.

What would you do?

[tim]

I was trying to make the same decision a while back, then noticed B&H are out of stock on the 85mm and have been for quite a while, so the choice was pretty easy for me. They're pretty close in focal length really, so i'd probably get the 50mm F1.4 for the extra speed.

[montreal]

I'm with Tim on this. Plus you already have the 70-200L so you're covered for the 85mm focal lenght (albeit at a lower speed).

I heard so many nice comments about the 50 1.4

I want one.

[Eric DeCastro]

get the 85mm

[boomerang]

for a wedding, indoors may get tight- I think the 85 is going to be a problem. I would get the 50 and gain the speed.

[Mohawk]

Where will you be "allowed" to shoot from in the church? Are you going to be stuck 10 pews back? or are you going to be allowed right up front? You might want to find out, as that should be your deciding factor.

Mike

[Homer]

I've had the 85 1.8 for a number of years and have loved its speed and sharpness. I recently used it at a wedding which was small and it was too long (using it with a 20D) because of the small spaces. To remedy this I just recently purchased the 50 1.4 and am pretty impressed with it so far. Not quite as sharp as the 85 but way way better than the 50 1.8.
I would agree with mohawk that the deciding factor should be the shooting environment. Go with the 85 if space isn't an issue, if it is than go for the 50

[blue_max]

Somebody should say buy them both! If you are getting paid, then there's no real decision to be made.

Graham
(I have one and am getting the other)

[Andy_T]

Get the 85/1.8 ...

... now

... wait some time ...

... and then sell your 50/1.8 and get the 50/1.4 as well :lol:

Best regards,
Andy

[Carzee]

I think the release of the 300D and the 350 - an explosion of Canonians really - has dried up 85mm stock. Its high on every Canonian's 'must have' list - and they're making 10,000 DSLRs a month or something like that.

I have looked around for one. Amazon has 1 they say, but only CONUSA. Kcamera.com has stock at $380, $50 over the mark. etc

[Sean-Mcr]

I bought both on the same day and would not part with them. The 50 is the one i use most, but i have no real problems using the 85 indoors most of the time. But then i'm not doing it for money, if i was i'd sure as hell have them both.

Which i do:)

[ducdubbq]

why sell the 50 1.8? its real sharp at 5.6 -11, and most of all its cheap. theres not much of a resell value and its a everyday lens. taking it on a walk in the woods, walking around the city, going someplace you wouldn't want to ruin a 50 1.4 the 1.8 is more than suitable.

that said the 85 is too long in small places, i used it as a candid portrait lens and shot between people to get pics of people at other tables. something like the 28 1.8 might be better to look into. its fast (though not as sharp) but it comes out to around 50mm on the 20d.


so to answer your question as you posted - get the 50 (but really in the end get both)

[cactusclay]

I think the 85 is built better and with the 35 mm length advantage has better bokeh. As far as 1.4 vs 1.8 goes, well of the four copies of the 50 I tried, only one was really sharp at 1.4, so if you are buying from bee and H, then it might take you several tries to get a good one. My 85 is definately sharper than my 50.

[Toogy]

Think I am going to try and get the 85mm, but it looks like I might have problems finding one in stock.

[cactusclay]

I forgot to add that my 85 doesn't really get sharp till around 2.2 and I think I've read that other peoples are simular, but I think with all lenses there is going to be some sample variation.

[Carzee]

re 85mm 1.8 glass availability. further up the thread I mentioned stock had nearly dried up.

I have just seen an ebay store with 10 lens available at US$449

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30077&item=7516268605&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

They are either

a. way over priced, wrongly priced... or
b. have just got a new batch of stock at a new higher Canon price.

Anyone heard that the price has gone up $100+ ??

[fatrat]

I think the 50mm on a 20D is plenty i think 85mm is to much, you will be forever stepping backwards to get people in the frame

[Andy_T]

I have just seen an ebay store with 10 lens available at US$449
They are either

a. way over priced, wrongly priced... or
b. have just got a new batch of stock at a new higher Canon price.

Anyone heard that the price has gone up $100+ ??

Well, at least over here in Germany, that's the MSRP (Canon suggested retail price).
Of course, every shop over here used to sell it in the 350-380$ range, despite the 'theoretical' MSRP, but if they are scarce and this shop does have them ... how can you blame them for wanting to make a quick buck?

As to 'Which lens is more usable' ... that very much depends on your shooting style. Find out with your 70-200 and your 50/1.8 which focal length you prefer to use...

I also have the 50/1.8, but find my manual focus M42 85/2.0 lens to be such a versatile focal length that the 'real' 85/1.8 will be my next acquisition. Something more for you to look at... (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70983)

Best regards,
Andy