Canon 85 1.8 vs 50 1.8

On an APS-C, I found the 85mm to be a less useful focal length for anything other than a dedicated outdoor portrait lens. If thats what you want it for - then it is leagues ahead of the 50 1.8 for focus and build quality. However if you want something a bit more versatile, but still a strong portrait lens on your crop, I would stick with the 50mm FL.

My 85 1.8 was not very sharp wide open, and displayed some CA in the OOF areas (cant remember what that is called), but sharpened up very nicely when stopped down even a little.

See here for an idea of the compression. Scroll down a bit and you have both 50mm and 85mm portrait.
http://blog.sigmaphoto​.com …st-have-by-lindsay-adler/

As you can see, the 85mm is a lot more flattering for the subject. Also you will get more bokeh with the 85mm.

I had a 50 1.8 and was pleased with it, gave me good IQ for the price, but as soon as I tried a 50 1.4 I knew the 1.8 had to go. The 50 1.4 is miles better than the 1.8 in build quality, AF performance and sharpness, and when I put it on my 60D I loved the photos from it.

I decided to get an 85 1.8 for my 5D3 to see if that was as good as the 50 1.4 on a crop and I'm pleased to say it was. The 85 1.8 is miles better than the 50 1.8 and gives me IQ similar to the 50 1.4 even wide open. I now use my 50 1.4 and 85 1.8 on both my 5D3 and 7D and they are excellent as I can get a focal length equivalent to 50-136 between bodies and still get the IQ of primes.

Agree with other comments... would also add that 50 1.4 is more similar to the 85 vs the 50 1.8.

the 85 1.8 is in a different league : the build quality, AF speed and noise, contrast and colors. The only setback is the strong CA at wide apertures. for its price, it's a no-brainer.

85mm f/1.8 is in a totally different class from the 50mm f/1.4, much less the 50mm f/1.8. Many of my best photos were with the 85mm f/1.8. I have no doubt that it is way better than the 50mm f/1.8.

Riff Raff wrote in post #15333510
85mm f/1.8 is in a totally different class from the 50mm f/1.4, much less the 50mm f/1.8. Many of my best photos were with the 85mm f/1.8. I have no doubt that it is way better than the 50mm f/1.8.

i rented an 85mm one one summer for a week and i had to have it ever since.

Glad to hear lots of good things about the 85 1.8, thanks for that link showing the difference between the compression too. I know that even with my 50 on my crop body that it can give you a bobble head effect if you're too close, perspective does not change crop or not.

rick_reno wrote in post #15331886
Nifty 50 is a very good value, the 85 is a very good lens. Big difference.

Let me play/build on Rick's description of these two lenses.

The 50 is a good lens with a very good price, while the 85 is a very good lens for a good price.

The 85 is just not quite L in everything. The 50 is no where near an L in anything (except on some copies sharpness).

jimewall wrote in post #15333706
Let me play/build on Rick's description of these two lenses.

The 50 is a good lens with a very good price, while the 85 is a very good lens for a good price.

The 85 is just not quite L in everything. The 50 is no where near an L in anything (except on some copies sharpness).

Some people even think that the 85 1.8 is better than the 85 1.2L. I've seen a few video reviews showing the AF differences and the 85 1.8 focuses faster than the 85 1.2L.

My 50mm sat on my shelf gathering dust for the last 4 years. My 85mm 1.8 is used in every portrait session I shoot. The 50mm I had was noisy, hard to focus lock, cheaply built, and although it was supposed to be sharp mine really wasn't that impressive. The 85mm is well built, fast to focus lock, and is sharp. It is the only non L lens in my bag and I have no plans to change that.

No comparison.

The only thing I dislike with the 85 f/1.8 is the way the hood is mounted.

agedbriar wrote in post #15335157
The only thing I dislike with the 85 f/1.8 is the way the hood is mounted.

And the purple fringing and long MFD?

Long MFD? It is better than the 85L MFD, for one.

Purple fringing I find not be a problem. Only happens if its blown out and high contrast. Generally I am using this lens in low light, so that is not a big deal.

Sovern wrote in post #15333853
Some people even think that the 85 1.8 is better than the 85 1.2L. I've seen a few video reviews showing the AF differences and the 85 1.8 focuses faster than the 85 1.2L.

It focuses faster, after that to most people the 85L wins all else (except price). That said, the 85mm f/1.8 IQ performance is quite good and the price difference is to the L huge. I have the 1.8, but would love the 1.2.

So again to the original poster, the 85mm f/1.8 trumps the 50mm f/1.8 by far.