17-40 f4 L or the 85 1.8?? -- Canon Lenses in photography-on-the.net forums

Hatchling

1 post
Joined Dec 2005
Location: Hangzhou, China

More info

Dec 26, 2005 21:20 as a reply to @ post 1026458 | #16

newfly5 wrote:
thank you all i got some thinking to do. I am looking for an all around lens in some tight places. Plenty indoors, and without breaking the budget for now. Does anyone have any ideas on other lenses other than these two?? Or is it time to sit and save for some big L lens?? Thanks
Ben

How about 50mm 1.4 or 50mm 1.8? The focal length of 85mm may be too long for indoor portrait if you are using DSLR like 20D or Digital Rebel XT.

LIKES 0

Jetmech1

Goldmember

1,198 posts
Joined Dec 2004
Location: Charlotte, NC

More info

Dec 26, 2005 21:40 | #17

I own both. I would take the 85mm 1.8 over the 17-40 any day. But they are 2 totally different lenses. Both are excellent. Another lens that I use a lot is the 50mm 1.4. It is in the same league as the 85mm. The 85mm is sometimes too long for indoor portraits. The 50mm maybe a better choice.

Canon Rebel XT (350D) W/Generic Grip - Canon 17-40mm L - Canon 75-300mm IS lens - Canon 85mm 1.8 Prime - Olympus SP-570UZ (Point & Shoot)

LIKES 0

toddb

Senior Member

792 posts
Joined Jul 2003
Location: Seattle Washington

More info

Dec 27, 2005 04:35 | #18

Though I have no doubt that the 85 is sharper, but I decided to go for the 17-40L because I shoot my kids indoors allot and I don't have allot of room. An 85mm on my 1.6x crop is too tight. (thought it's second on my list after one of the 70-200) Even with my 50mm 1.4, I need to use my 550EX flash indoors allot because I have the 10D which is not as good at the higher ISO values like the newer bodies.

Of all my limited lens that I have, I actually have my 17-40L on by default. Thought I shoot with my 50mm for portraits, I found that sometimes (in my limited space) I find my self switching to the 17-40L. For example, here is a shot at 22mm.

[IMAGE TOO SMALL, NOT RENDERED INLINE]

You may or may not relate the indoor crampness but this is just my two cents. I think both of these lens are pretty easy to get good shots from just like everyone said, depends on where and how you use it. I actually got this lens to do landscape but found it to be useful just about everywhere else as well. Plus, it's a real tank of a lens being an L series. Sorry I didn't man to go on, probalby should have stopped at, "ya, the 85 is sharper".

10D, EF17-40L, EF50F1.4, EF28-135IS, 550EX [AlienBees 2xB800 and 1xB400 with large softbox and reversible umbrella] Sekonic L-358

LIKES 0

Jump to forum... • Rules • Forums • New posts • RTAT • 'Best of' • Gallery • Gear • Reviews • Member list • Polls • Image rules • Search • Password reset • Home

Not a member yet?

Registered members may log in to forums and access all the features: full search, image upload, follow forums, own gear list and ratings, likes, more forums, private messaging, thread follow, notifications, own gallery, all settings, view hosted photos, own reviews, see more and do more... and all is free. Don't be a stranger - register now and start posting!

COOKIES DISCLAIMER: This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and to our privacy policy.
Privacy policy and cookie usage info.

THEME: Paper White | Darker
MARGINS: (this page: defaults)

Latest registered member was a spammer, and banned as such!
2000 guests, 126 members online
Simultaneous users record so far is 15,144, that happened on Nov 22, 2018

Photography-on-the.net Digital Photography Forums is the website for photographers and all who love great photos, camera and post processing techniques, gear talk, discussion and sharing. Professionals, hobbyists, newbies and those who don't even own a camera -- all are welcome regardless of skill, favourite brand, gear, gender or age. Registering and usage is free.

	x 1600
	y 1600