Keep or sell the EF 85mm 1.8?

First of all, Happy Holidays to all of you.

This is around the time of year I like to review my gear and maybe cull stuff I'm not using too much. I checked my pictures from this past year, and I was surprised to find I only used the 85mm 1.8 on 2 occasions. One one an anime convention. I remember having to back up a lot to get the framing I want on my 6D, but the image I did get were lovely.

The other time I put it on my SL1 for a little more reach while shooting an indoor sports event and I liked the images I got there as well.

But otherwise, it's been spending a lot of time in my bag. Most of my lenses have been neglected since I got my 24-70 f/2.8 ii, which has become the main workhorse lens for me.

So lack of usage would be the main reason I'd consider selling it, but it's also fairly inexpensive (so not a lot of resale value) so that might argue towards just keeping it in my bag for the rare occasions I do use it.

What say you?

Do you need $300 more than you need the lens? Your measurements of a lens usefulness is missing one critical metric. Could you have gotten the shots you did use it for without the 85 1.8?

Heya,

Depends on what you shoot. Having 1 and 1/3rd stop advantage of light over the F2.8L II zoom you have, it's only saving you ISO and giving you a little more isolation if needed. So if you're already at ISO 6400~12,800 in a setting with the F2.8, then the 85mm F1.8 does save you that 1 stop and gets you the image. But if you're not doing that, then it doesn't matter. And frankly the main appeal of the 85mm is the speed of focus with it's fast aperture for gobbling light, making it a great lens for action too. But it's short for action at events on a full frame perhaps, depending on what you're doing. Again though, what you do is what matters. Frankly the 6D can handle the ISO, so unless you're already at the ceiling with ISO, then you probably don't need the 1 stop advantage.

I had three 85mm's at one time. Ultimately I let my EF 85mm F1.8 go. Great lens. Loved it. So good. Yea, not a lot of resale value. But it's also a lens that you can buy again if you need it for $250 and sell it again for that at any point. So it's not like you're without. You can get again. I ultimately kept my 90mm F2.8 VC, I didn't miss the 1 and a third stop advantage, lost some focus speed, gained macro ability and VC and slightly better optics. And my main 85mm is a F1.4 manual lens, so AF is not an option there, so all that matters is the optics and focus throw, which is great, so I keep it (and it's even cheaper than the 85 F1.8). There are times I think of the 85mm and think I might want it again. But ultimately, that 1 stop doesn't matter enough. And that's probably why I'm not using an 85L because really I'm just fine with 85 F1.4, and that partial stop advantage isn't enough for me to care.

You're not using it.
Sell it.
Get a new toy.
Regret it?
Sell that toy.
Buy 85 again.

No loss.

Very best,

I think the bigger question is if you'd do anything different with the money. I've got a couple of lenses in the sub 200$ range that I use infrequently, but I'd rather keep around "to have the option" than I would rather have the cash in hand to go buy something else.

sounds like you want to swap the 85 for 135.... it's a great pairing btw, 24-70 f2.8 + 135 f2

I have a 100mm F2.0 that I have gone back and forth on as well. But every time I use it I remember why I kept it.

I have a couple of "almost never use" lenses in my bags, Canon 50mm 1.4 and Sigma 15mm f2.8 diagonal fisheye. The reason I keep them is because of the "almost" - sometimes I want/need them and they're just there. The resale value isn't enough to pay for (or even take a large dent out of) anything equivalent so I've justified keeping them. Just a thought, which may also apply to you.

Ironically, I'm interested in getting an 85mm, and I know that I will almost never use it, but when I want/need... yadda yadda

Happy Holidays!

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17833431
First of all, Happy Holidays to all of you.

This is around the time of year I like to review my gear and maybe cull stuff I'm not using too much. I checked my pictures from this past year, and I was surprised to find I only used the 85mm 1.8 on 2 occasions. One one an anime convention. I remember having to back up a lot to get the framing I want on my 6D, but the image I did get were lovely.

The other time I put it on my SL1 for a little more reach while shooting an indoor sports event and I liked the images I got there as well.

But otherwise, it's been spending a lot of time in my bag. Most of my lenses have been neglected since I got my 24-70 f/2.8 ii, which has become the main workhorse lens for me.

So lack of usage would be the main reason I'd consider selling it, but it's also fairly inexpensive (so not a lot of resale value) so that might argue towards just keeping it in my bag for the rare occasions I do use it.

What say you?

IF you don't hate it just keep it. I love 85mm lenses but nothing like f1.8. The f1.2L original or II are great ones and also the Sigma f1.4 which works flawlessly on 5D/6D giving me sharp images and creamy back grounds.

I had the 85 1.8 twice and re-sold it, hated the purple fringing and it doesn't have the portrait magic of the 85 1.2L or 135 2L.

In your situation, it might be helpful to keep the lens. Its fast aperture might come in hand from time to time. I think you have to look at your use of this lens versus your 50mm f/1.8 II. If you find your 50mm covers your needs, then sell the 85mm f/1.8. If you think you need the longer focal length, keep it.

I bought this lens only in the past year. I've found it somewhat useful for portaits, although it certainly has not replaced my 50mm f/1.4 for that purpose. The two are actually very similar in capability. Both are excellent.

bigVinnie wrote in post #17833974
I have a 100mm F2.0 that I have gone back and forth on as well. But every time I use it I remember why I kept it.

Yes, the 100mm f/2 is a great lens. Next best thing to the 135mm f/2.

I don't use my 85 f/1.8 very much, but I've taken some of my favorite photos with it. Logical as I may be, I've an emotional attachment to it, so it stays. I choose to use it for a specific look. I have that focal length covered (or nearly so) by multiple lenses. There are a few times when only the 85 will do. Lightroom shows I've taken 430 photos with it. The 24-70 f/2.8 shows over 13,000 while the 24-105 f/4 shows over 21,000. Even the 70-200 f/4 shows over 16,000 shots. My 85 stays.

If you've never taken a favorite photo with your 85mm, dump it. If you have however, keep it and use it whenever inspiration strikes, even if there are long stretches in between use.

The 85 1.8 is the one lens in my bag that hasn't been upgraded or swapped out. I think about it now and then, but I just can't get rid of it. I use it for portraits any time that I don't have enough room to use the 135L. I've considered upgrading it, but the focusing is so damn fast that I figure I'll miss that when I'm photographing something fast, like dogs. The fringing doesn't bother me because I'm usually shooting groups at f3.2 or greater.