5d mark+85mm1.4 vs 5dmark2+50mm1.4

hi potners .im getting 5dmark2. i dont want to buy 24-70 yet. so i want to buy either 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.8 as my first lens with 5d mark2 . which one do you guys recommend?

Your title says 85 1.4, but your post says 85 1.8. Which one is it?!
But it really depends on what you shoot the most. If the 50 or 85 would be your ONLY lens right when you get the 5DII, then I'd say get the 50. However, if you are going to get the 24-70 soon, then I'd say get the 85.

[QUOTE=danny819;119487​93]Your title says 85 1.4, but your post says 85 1.8. Which one is it?

lol sry i mean 85mm 1.8

I think 50mm 1.4 would be better for you, depending on what you shoot. But looks like you have no lenses longer than 55mm so get 85 1.8

If you don't buy 24-70 yet because of the price is too high, I suggest you to buy tamron 28-75 instead

I have both on a 5d and there are my quick observations.

Build quality: 85mm is build way better than the 50mm

Focus accuracy/speed/noise: 50 1.4 makes more noise when focusing and not as snappy as the 85 1.8. They are both fairly accurate with a high rate of keepers.

Wide open image quality: 50 1.4 fairly hazy wide open but tack sharp at 2.0. The 85 1.8 is much more usable wide open.

Stopped down image quality: 50 1.4 @ 2.0 = 85mm 1.8 @ 2.8 in terms of sharpness. I mostly pin my 50 at 2.0 and 85 at 2.8 whenever I can get away with it. I feel that those combinations are the perfect balance of sharpness and blurred out backgrounds.

Focal length: Your preference can only be your own. I prefer the 50 fl over the 85 but I consider 85 a much better lens and and up using it more often.

It depends on what you want to shoot. The 50 is a tad wide for portraits on a 5D if you frame tightly at all, but its a lot more versatile than the 85 would be. But the 85 is a fine portrait lens.

One FF camera, one EF lens (400 USD budget)?

Tamron 28-75.

I say go with the 85mm on the 5DmkII

the 50 will give you the same field of view as your Sigma 30 & your T1i.

mix it up

EDIT - some would also say the 85 is a superior lens overall, sharpness, bokeh, ect...

How do you like your Sigma 30 on your crop body? It will give about the same FOV as a 50mm would on a FF camera. If you want longer, go with the 85mm.

The 85 is built a bit better and has a much better AF system than the 50, if that's a concern for you. I own both and the 85 is a much better lens in my opinion. But that's not to say that the 50 is bad.

In the end, I'd make the decision more on FL than anything else. If this will be your only FF lens for a long time, the 50 might be more versatile. But, if you're going to pair it with something wider at some point, I'd definitely go with the 85.

Of the lenes mentioned, I have the Tamron 28-75 and the 85/1.8

Although I like and use them both, if I had to give up one, it would be the 85/1.8. The Tamron is very very good (never tempted to get the Canon 24-70) and far more versatile, if that is what you are looking for.

I never liked 40-55, or so, on a FF, but that just reflects what I shoot and how I like to shoot it.

I have the sigma 50mm on my 5d2 and it's fantastic. Seriously suggest that as an alternative.

Luxury wrote in post #11949362
I have the sigma 50mm on my 5d2 and it's fantastic. Seriously suggest that as an alternative.

you don't think this is a little redundant

sigma 30 + T1i
and
sigma 50 + 5dmkii

??

Well, bbq1211, are you keeping the T1i or replacing it with the 5DII? I suggest the 85mm either way and save up for the 24-70 later. Or if you sell off your T1i, your 17-55, and the 30mm, you'd have enough for the 85mm and the 24-70.

If you're not shooting for profit, you probably don't need 2 bodies anyway.

my recommendation:

50 1.8 + 85 1.8