50L AND 85L

This thread is for people that own both lenses, just wondering which one you use most, does the slow AF of the 85L make you pick the 50L, i was thinking of buying it, would like to get some feedback, thanks !

i use the 50L and 24LII the most out of my lenses. For quick walk-around shooting in the city, I tend to go out with those two quite regularly, and occasionally, with the 85LII as well.

TBH I don't really use either of them a lot but when I do they have different purposes.

My home studio it is very tight so I need to use the 50 for full length shots as I can't stand far enough back with the 85. Head and shoulders and the 85 is perfect as you don't have to get too close to the subject.

When I am going out to take some pictures of the kids it is a bit of a random choice really as you get excellent results with either.

Looking at your website I think the 50L would suit your style. It has a very distinctive look to it with quite a strong vignette wide open and beautiful colour rendering. Bokeh is stunning as you know

If I had to pick only 1 of them to keep it wold be the 85 as it is super sharp whereas the 50 is a bit soft in comparison.

Sorry I haven't really been much help here but I think you will just have to decide if the 50mm focal length works for you. Maybe pick up a nifty fifty and try the focal length for a few days. If you like it sell the nifty and get the L. You will only lose a few ££ in the trade and it could save you wasting a lot on the L

Good luck with your dilemma

50L I use alot more, more for the wider FOV rather then the AF.

When I had both I preferred the 85L. I like the length on a full frame. I love the razor thin DOF of both, but I prefer the bokeh of the 85L.

If you choose either you will be happy and rapt.

Shooting full frame, the 85L is a great lens. I would say the focus hunting talk is a bit overrated, tbh. Rare is the point where it puts me in a bind. Plus there's manual focus *gasp* -- I mean sheesh it's a prime, half your work is done. I find it very useful for event photography and great for portraits. I definitely love the images it creates over the 50mm.

That beig said, for walk around use, the 50 L might be more versatile. I tend to pull it out, as someone mentioned above, when there is less room to use. Not only smaller rooms, but crowded areas where the space you can shoot in can be crossed or impeded by bystanders (ie. getting a shot of a child at a farm fair petting the animal without getting the 20 other kids or their crowding parents stepping into your shot). So the throw room you have around you when you shoot may make a difference. I still prefer the 85L IQ personally, but for having a more situation-ready lens, the 50L can get in tighter spots and still get a somewhat landscape shot without walking 100ft back.

I've had both and ended up selling the 85L and keeping the 50L simply because the 85 didn't get as much use (I've got a 70-200 2.8 II). I love my 50L and the photos it puts out.

I use the 85 on singles and couples for three quarter and tighter portraits. I use the 50 for full length portraits and tighter group shots. On full frame. Both are excellent lenses. When I had 5D's I noticed the 85's focus speed was slow (like early Nikon screw-drive focussing). After converting to 1 series bodies it's not an issue.

i had both, rarely used either. I don't think my 85L has been out of the drawer in over a year. I'd sell it but it was a gift. On a FF body, the 85 was the one I liked best, so the 50 found another home.

50L of course. My walk around lens .

50L for me ... I found 85L too long for me to use at family dinner/ interior setting, its autofocus is also slow compare to the 50L.

I still keep 50L but sold 85L while ago. It is also a best midrange prime lens for walk-around.

For portrait, the 85 is the gold standard. However, for "everyday" walk around, the 50 focal length would probably fit needs better. The 85 is sharper, the 50 focuses faster. Pick your poison.

i love my 85L,its my most used lens since i shoot portraits, i just didn't want it to sit in my bag once i get the 50L, thanks for all the feedback everyone, feel free to add more.

Neil B wrote in post #14697828
i love my 85L,its my most used lens since i shoot portraits, i just didn't want it to sit in my bag once i get the 50L, thanks for all the feedback everyone, feel free to add more.

It wont. Trust me. Both will be used, chances are because you will be really excited at first with the 50L, you will use it more, but otherwise once you get used to it you may use the 85 more .


Unless you get a sharp 50L, it WILL be soft at 1.2 unlike the 85L @ 1.2 and that might turn you off, making you sell the 50, but it really depends. If you like the 50mm length on FF you will probably love the 50L.

Basically the 50 is better for closer portraits or if you need a bit wider, but for DOF you will find yourself reaching for the 85 if you are going to be a bit far from the subject.. really depends in all honesty.

If you get that 50L I doubt you will be unsatisfied

Here are two examples both on FF, obviously they're very different images but to give a bit of an idea as to what the bokeh will look like with the 50 1.2 v. 85 1.2.
50

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