Which Canon $300 prime?

I've ordered my 24-105L f4.0 IS. I want a good prime for better portriats and low light stuff, but just cannot decide!!!

I've blown my budget for the 24-105 so can't afford an L prime. Another $300 isn't such a big deal.

1. Replace my 50 f1.8 with a 50 f1.4 ($320) because the bokeh and occassional missed focus bugs me (otherwise its a very sharp copy). I like the 50mm length. Added advantage: I get the $60 back from selling my f1.8 and no longer suffer occassional dissatisfaction. Disadvantage - no new length choices.

2. Get the 85 f1.8 ($340). Real nice bokeh, USM, etc. and nice length for slightly more distant situations. Images comparable to the 50 f1.4, just longer.

3. 35mm f2.0. This is a mystery for me. I don't know if (similar to the 50mm f1.8) it just gets good reports because it's so cheap, or if it really does compare with the other two.

If you wanted to fill a yearning for a medium to short prime, to supplement a 24-105 f4.0L IS, what would you get (for the 3 - 400 $ range)?


Note: Lately; I've been using the 50mm about 1/3rd of the time and find the length well suited to my 20D. The rest is my very sharp Tamron 28-75 f2.8. The 24-105 will become the new primary choice, saving the Tamron for low light situations.

Keep the 50 f1.8, add the 85 f1.8. Your new 24-105 will complement them well.

Replace the 50mm f/1.8 with the f/1.4. It's a whole different beast and a great lens in all ways.

i say go with the 85 1.8. I love mine. but, if you think you'll be using the 50mm range more, go with the 1.4 50.

As of now I'd say go with the 85mm and keep the 50mm. But when my 50mm 1.4 arrives and I spend sometime with it, I may have a different opinion. The 85mm is a great lens. Why not have both the 85mm and the 50mm 1.8. They would compliment each other.

Got for the 50mm f/1.4. It's a great sharp lens. And it's a 80 mm with the crop factor of 1.6. rgds, hef

I also say go for the 50 f/1.4. I find that the 85mm is too long for portraits with a 1.6x. Not saying that you take portraits, but its something to keep in mind.

He's already got a 50 folks, get the 85. Add the 50 f1.4 down the road.

I think... get the 85mm. I have the f/1.4 and love it, but if I had the f/1.8 I'd rather add the 85mm than replace the focal length I have already. Not ever having an f/1.8 I can't speak for it's quality but I've seen some pretty convincing photos taken with it.

Another vote here for the 85mm f/1.8. Has to be one of the best value for money lenses Canon makes.

Regards,

Had this one briefly.

I was annoyed with it for two reasons. It handles and feels very similarly to the 50/1.8, yet is close to $250. I also kept wanting a stop or two more speed.

So I put the money towards the 10-22 instead.

Since you already have a 50/1.8, you should add the 85/1.8.

Thanks for the responses. Everyone's points are well taken and well made.

On a whim, I added the 50 f1.4 to my BH order this morning (3 hours ago) so if it's shipped, then changing now is sort of mute, however "order status" still shows "Processing".

Twice I started to call and remove it from the order and hung up. Some voice up there wanted me to have the better 50mm. I just couldn't decide.

The 85 f1.8 happened to be Backordered or I would have added that instead (truely making this a whim).

I'm happy to hear that some people agree that the 50 f1.4 is a worthwhile upgrade. Makes me feel less remorseful about my earlier clicks.

Conclusion: I've decided to let it ride and sell my 50 f1.8. I'm not a pro so can carry a bigger lense gap. When I use the 50mm I'm usually looking for background blur - otherwise I mount my equally sharp zoom. That's the one weak point of the 50 f1.8 (pentagrams). f1.8 DOF is adequate for me, but f1.4 will be fun to experiment with too.

I'm just the sort that would rather have less of the quality lenses than just adequate but more choices. As a practical matter, I simply wouldn't pack the 50 f1.8 in the same bag as the 85 f1.8 for an outing. The 50 f1.4 and 85 f1.8 maybe. If I ever get the 5D I think the 85 will be tacked onto that purchase.

You won't regret your decision. It's a fantastic prime Canon lens.

Thanks for the heads up. The photo looked like the same poor build quality. I'd heard about good image results, but a different wide prime will probably suit me better. Probably something fairly wide, and maybe even non-AF (like a CZ). Good AF would seem much less critical in the under 18mm range.