Should I use my 85mm f1.8 on my 6D or my T4i?

I see this discussion has been held before, but I'm looking for some more opinions based upon my situation. I have some family, pet, and engagement portrait sessions coming up and I'm wondering what lenses I should be using on which camera. I think I like my 85mm (like all my other lenses) more on my FF, but I'm wondering if perhaps the advantage of freeing up the 6D to hold a 50mm or zoom at the same time is worth a tiny compromise. Does that make sense? Why might I like the 85mm better on crop? Also on that note...which of my lenses might I be better served with on my crop if I'm shooting with both bodies?

Here's what I have: 6D, T4i, 17-40L, 40mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8, 24-105L, and 55-250mm 4-5.6 STM.

Thanks for the advice!

why would you need two cameras for a portrait session? Technically, the only lens that would work better on crop would be the 55-250....

Heya,

I would want a wide field of view, and a telephoto field of view on two cameras for these kinds of sessions. Then simply use the field of view that you want based on the moment and look you want, considering the environment you're in.

The 40/50 on the T4i will look a lot like the 85 will on the 6D. So that combination wouldn't be ideal, as you just end up with two fields of view that are nearly the same.

The 85 on the T4i will have a more telephoto field of view, similar to a 135 on the 6D. That allows you to go wider on the 6D, which is easier anyways being full frame. APS-C and wide are harder to achieve without shorter focal lengths, which you lack other than the 17-40 (which is a fine portrait lens if you want depth of field in the composition).

So to me, I see these combinations (but this is based more on my own preference of course):

6D + 85
T4i + 17-40 (shooting around 20mm to 30mm)

That covers wide, normal and telephoto, with options for depth of field and thin depth of field. Shooting wide is not about thin depth of field anyways, so no need to stress a fast prime there.

If you wanted a thin depth of field wide approach, a 35 F2 or 35 F1.4 is where I'd go. But since you have what you have, the 17-40 is the wider and you probably won't want ultrawide for portrait on the 6D, so it turns into a very handy wide to normal field of view on APS-C, and is sharp enough wide open for portrait.

Very best,

Charlie wrote in post #17322489
why would you need two cameras for a portrait session? Technically, the only lens that would work better on crop would be the 55-250....

You're right, most of the time it'd be unnecessary, but I was wondering if there might be some advantage. I'm mostly thinking about dogs/kids running around when I think about using two cameras to quickly change focal lengths without missing a moment or compromising on image quality. I'm planning on having the T4i as a backup whether I use it or not.

MalVeauX wrote in post #17322493
Heya,

I would want a wide field of view, and a telephoto field of view on two cameras for these kinds of sessions. Then simply use the field of view that you want based on the moment and look you want, considering the environment you're in.

The 40/50 on the T4i will look a lot like the 85 will on the 6D. So that combination wouldn't be ideal, as you just end up with two fields of view that are nearly the same.

The 85 on the T4i will have a more telephoto field of view, similar to a 135 on the 6D. That allows you to go wider on the 6D, which is easier anyways being full frame. APS-C and wide are harder to achieve without shorter focal lengths, which you lack other than the 17-40 (which is a fine portrait lens if you want depth of field in the composition).

So to me, I see these combinations (but this is based more on my own preference of course):

6D + 85
T4i + 17-40 (shooting around 20mm to 30mm)

That covers wide, normal and telephoto, with options for depth of field and thin depth of field. Shooting wide is not about thin depth of field anyways, so no need to stress a fast prime there.

If you wanted a thin depth of field wide approach, a 35 F2 or 35 F1.4 is where I'd go. But since you have what you have, the 17-40 is the wider and you probably won't want ultrawide for portrait on the 6D, so it turns into a very handy wide to normal field of view on APS-C, and is sharp enough wide open for portrait.

Very best,

This is exactly the kind of advice I was hoping for, thank you! I guess if I really wanted a thin DOF kinda-wide approach for these given sessions, I would just pop the 40mm f2.8 on the 6D. I've had my eye on a 35m f2 IS, but I don't have the budget for it yet. I like the idea of the 85mm on the crop body and 50mm f1.4 on the FF too (because I think 50mm is probably wide enough for my portrait purposes), but I'd hate to be compromising on the look that the 85mm gives me on FF. That's confusing to think about. Thanks again!

Heya,

With regards to the 85 on the T4i, my only reservation is working distance. It's a fine setup and the look is not very different from full frame if you compose the same. The only difference will be distance, which effects depth of field. But working from a further distance, means you need more room for the same composition options. I tend to side with 85mm for this reason, on full frame, because you can get that telephoto look without needing to stand 30 feet away for a full body composition, but can still get in tight within 3 feet and do a head shot. I find 85mm just to be super versatile as a portrait lens. But on APS-C, it's more like 135 is, in terms of field of view, so to get the same comps, you're further away. Requires more working distance.

Personally I'd take the 85 on the full frame, over 50 on full frame. But that's just preference. I like it either slightly wide, or into the telephoto range for portrait. I find 50, the normal field of view on full frame, to be the most standard and boring. There's just something about 85mm field of view and working distance, on full frame, from down low to the ground.

Anyhow, I shoot with a 5D & T4i with these focal lengths, so here's some examples of field of view and comps.

Full Frame, 85mm, F1.4

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/ouWt​8x

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/oMoR​CQ

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nEUq​F5

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nkWz​dB

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/pzuZ​ek

You're the man! Thanks for all the samples. Yeah I don't think I'd be able to tell which camera took which picture. Those are all beautiful! I'm a new owner of the 6D and the L glass, so I hadn't even had a chance to try them out on my T4i. I just gave the 17-40L a whirl and I was super impressed. It's nice to have that kind of focusing speed on my T4i! I'll probably do exactly what you suggested.