Should I add the 85mm 1.8?

Gear list in my sig. My long-term goal depending on budget is to replace my zooms with the 2.8 versions, and then maybe add some L primes. But that's far off in the horizon, and for now I'm very happy with my lenses, especially the zooms, as I find F4 to be sufficient in low-light with my 6D and/or flash.

In the interim, the only "cheap" lens I've been debating is the 85mm 1.8. I definitely don't NEED this focal length as it is duplicated twice with my 2 zoom lenses. My 50mm 1.8 also gives me the 1.8 for low light.

Shallow DOF is a consideration, but I am very happy with the DOF I can generate with the long end of my 70-200, or the 50 1.8.

So I guess I don't NEED the 85mm 1.8, but at the same time it's a much praised lens and seems to be a great value esp with the rebate running now, so I wanted to hear others' opinions on this.

The 50mm 1.8 isn't even in the same league as the 85. If you think you'll use the focal length, by all means get it, if not, don't.

buy it if you need this focal length otherwise skip it.

but all i can say is that the 85mm on FF is great for portraits
but also, the 85mm on a crop camera like the EOSm and SL1 is great for street shooting

Buy it.

85 1.8 on a 6d makes a great combo.

Buy it. Way better than the 50 in my eyes

For traditional portraiture on a full frame body the 50 1.8 is a bit wide, susceptible to perspective distortion. The 85 1.8 is a better choice if you want to use a prime for shallow DOF. Since your zooms in this focal length are F4 it would make sense to get the fast prime.

i have

17-40 f/4
24-70 f/2.8 v1

just ordered 70-200 f/4 IS

and got 85 1.8 today, i compared it to the 50 1.4 and went for the 85

such a fantastic portrait lens

Got 85 1.8 back for the third time last week (had the 85 1.2L also in past) so it's that good

this lens and the 50 f/1.4
so many people sold them and bought them again
the size and the weight plus great images helps for that

Since it seems relevant here, I'll ask, sorry to hijack!

I currently have the 6D and the Canon 50 1.4 (as it was my only non-crop lens that made the jump).

I am debating between adding the 85 1.8 or the 24-105 4 next. Or something else under $800?

Hows your 24-105 been for portraiture OP? That is my main focus. Family portraits, kids, newborn (daughter is due 11/12/13!) and just general shooting.

I am leaning towards the 24-105 just for the versatility, though I could grab an 85 and 35 2 IS for about the same price.... too many decisions!

Again sorry for the hijack but it seems on topic.

chubbyone wrote in post #16427417
Since it seems relevant here, I'll ask, sorry to hijack!

I currently have the 6D and the Canon 50 1.4 (as it was my only non-crop lens that made the jump).

I am debating between adding the 85 1.8 or the 24-105 4 next. Or something else under $800?

Hows your 24-105 been for portraiture OP? That is my main focus. Family portraits, kids, newborn (daughter is due 11/12/13!) and just general shooting.

I am leaning towards the 24-105 just for the versatility, though I could grab an 85 and 35 2 IS for about the same price.... too many decisions!

Again sorry for the hijack but it seems on topic.

Well I don't shoot studio portraits, I'm more into just random family shots, candids, etc. I use the 24-105 a fair amount (especially at the 80-105 end). I much prefer the 70-200 for "people shots", but the 24-105 is no slouch.

People make a big deal that it's only f/4, but I have absolutely no issues using my 24-105 in low light. It's sharp enough wide open, and the high ISO capability of the 6D helps me out as well. Plus for static objects, the IS works very nicely.

compared to what you have now, it's a pretty high end lens. While the zooms you have are ok zooms, they're not great at anything. The 85 1.8 is a pretty good lens comparatively.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #16427442
Well I don't shoot studio portraits, I'm more into just random family shots, candids, etc. I use the 24-105 a fair amount (especially at the 80-105 end). I much prefer the 70-200 for "people shots", but the 24-105 is no slouch.

People make a big deal that it's only f/4, but I have absolutely no issues using my 24-105 in low light. It's sharp enough wide open, and the high ISO capability of the 6D helps me out as well. Plus for static objects, the IS works very nicely.

I wouldn't be doing much studio style stuff, only for the newborn. I got all the fabrics and baskets and wraps and posers and whatnot because that's what the wife wanted. Hard to say no when she wants to buy camera related things!

I like a more candid style of shooting people too, and am right now only doing shoots for friends and family as I learn, though I do hope to make a few extra dollars eventually just to invest back into this hobby (and saltwater reef tanks!).

I have found I'm shooting my 50 at around f/4 anyways for the family shots to get all the eyes in focus. Though I do open it up for the creative stuff, but then I still have this lens for that

I had the lens but sold it to fund a differnt lens. It's a great lens albeit long on a crop but I put it thru the paces for shooting my boys swim lessons and outdoors and the AF worked great.