Lens swap 85mm 1.8 for 50mm 1.4

We're visiting family and friends in Portland, Oregon and I got a chance to hang out with a friend who has a new 5DmkIII and a 50mm 1.4. We were both shooting our kids and I lobbed the request to swap lenses as $$$ wise it's a fair trade. She was happy as she had wanted to give the 85mm a try and I only brought one lens and have been itching for the 50mm 1.4. So far so good and wish I had more friends who would be willing to swap equipment as I feel like I just got a new toy without spending any $$$.

IMO the 50mm is less sharp wide open and at f/1.8, slower to AF, and is built worse. As long as you are happy though and it is a better focal length for you, that is all that matters. Enjoy your new lens.

After shooting this afternoon agree that the AF is slightly slower on the 50mm vs. the 85mm. I know it's not sharp wide open but having the ability to shoot at 1.4 when needed has been fun.

The 85mm is slightly more valuable, especially with the sale going on now.

However, being able to acquire a known-good 50mm f/1.4 is valuable in itself since you can easily get a bad copy new.

On your 1D the 85mm is probably too long, no?

uOpt wrote in post #15415061
The 85mm is slightly more valuable, especially with the sale going on now.

However, being able to acquire a known-good 50mm f/1.4 is valuable in itself since you can easily get a bad copy new.

On your 1D the 85mm is probably too long, no?

Yes, indoors it's long but outdoors it's great.

Brand new 85 mm is about 50 bucks more than 50mm. You got the better end of the trade there . also i hear that lots of 50mm f1.4 have autofocusing issue after a while. I am thinking of switching mine to 85mm as well. Let me know how's yours is going.