SHOULD I DITCH MY 85mm 1.8

I recently purchased the 85mm f1.8 and am finding the focal length quiet restricting, infact I just don't use it.

I find myself going back to my 28-90mm ultrasonic [not sure if it is a kit lense or not, it came with my pre-loved 10d]

I also have a nifty fifty and the 70-300mm

I have noticed when searching the forum that the Tamron 28-75 2.8 takes a nice sharp shot and am concidering selling my 85mm and ordering one.

What are your thoughts on this?... or any other suggestions [I am looking for input to help me make up my mind]

I mainly photograph newborns, children, family portraits etc. also sporting groups

All input appreciated

firstly, yes, the ef 28-90mm is the kit lens from the film days. and i would never choose that over the ef 85mm cause it pales so much in comparison.

erm, if you shoot family portraits, children and newborns, i don't see why this lens shouldn't have its place as a great portrait lens. you say that it's restricting, then you've just got to learn how to use your legs to recompose the shot. a new experience but everyone's gotta start somewhere.

and regarding that tamron 28-75mm, i also have one and i love it - i find it great for as a portrait zoom lens. and i would keep both cause there are times where that f/1.8 would help you to get that shot over the f/2.8.

in short, different lenses for different purposes. i would keep it. i love it.

If you dont use it, whats the point in keeping it, regardless what anyone says it should do for you.

I find the 85mm too long on a 1.6x camera for what I do. There is no one set of lenses that works for everyone. Take a looka t your exif on previous shots and see what focal length you use most. maybe the 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 would work for you instead of the 85mm. This would allow you to still have a low-light performer.

You asked about replacing the 85 with the 28-75. This lense would be replacing your 28-90, not the 85mm. Once you have it, you wont go back to your 28-90. Are you unhappy with your 28-90? What is it about it that you dont like? Replacing it just because the 28-75 is better isnt a good way to go. If the lense works for you, and you dont have any problems with it, then there is no reason to replace it unless you just like spending money.

Often I find there just isn't enough room to keep those legs movin.. not through lack of trying..
I usually shoot at private homes and find myself in less than ideal situations
Thanks for your input

As others have said: its a great lens, but if you don't use it, why keep it? (Since its a great lens, you should get a good price for it.)

What are you using now for indoor work - portraits etc? Do you rely on flash or find that you have enough light without it? What you're giving up in selling the 85/1.8 is the ability to shoot in low light (without flash) and/or use wide apertures. If you're not making use of either of these features, then your plans probably make sense. On the other hand, if its just the focal length that's a problem, and you do want to experiment with wide aperture (shallow depth of field, blurry backgrounds) or low-light shooting without flash, then you might get something similar for around the same cost, with a different length: Sigma 30/1.4, Canon 50/1.4, Canon 100/2. I suspect the only one of these that might make sense for you is the 30/1.4 - the others are still pretty close to your 85.

The 85mm is beautifully sharp but if I am not using it , I could spend the money elsewere [every woman likes to spend money]

I am not totally unhappy with the kit lense, it has served me well but i am looking for a sharper / crisper result

This is one I already had uploaded to show you what I mean
I see so many images on here that are soooo sharp..thats my reason for wanting to upgrade

for the same range, yes - the tamron fits the bill.

and i guess then maybe the others are right in that you should be after a wider prime if you need a large aperture lens.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=145586

i just saw this for the tamron 28-75mm. don't know if you've seen this yet.

So is the Tamron no good in low light?
At the moment most of my shots are taken using availible light but I am finding that it isn't always enough.
I do have the 580ex but thats all at this stage [LIghting is also on my list!!!]
And as for using a wide apeture, my 50mm 1.8 is working for me.

At some point you have to do the right thing financially if that is important to you. I have the 85 1.2 and just don't use it on my 1.6 crop bodies but it sure is nice on a FF. I totally understand what you mean when you say you find it limiting. There is so much more excellent glass out there that you could get that you might get alot more use out of. Someone raised the Tamron 28-75, it is an excellent little lense and you would have money left over afte buying that. I wish you luck.

Yeah, I just had a look earlier, now i am a little concerned about a good or bad copy of this lense. Is it just pot luck? Can anyone shed some light on this?

Gee I am a slow typer, by the time I get back to my thread you guys are overtaking me

Well, consider this: If you decide to sell it, you probably won't have a hard time finding a buyer.

I don't use my 85mm all the time, but it's the best lens in my bag...

I sold mine. I wasn't using it because I had a 135L.

The 85mm 1.8 sounds like it would be ideal for you, but you are right to question still having it if you don't use it.

You could probably get a 50mm 1.4 for a similar amount of money. That would give you even greater low light ability and an easier focal length to use in confined spaces (but still a little telephoto for those babies).

All the zooms tend to be f2.8 or higher. I am thinking a 24-70 of any flavour would be a great lens for you. They can be quite sensibly priced for the third party ones, maybe not much more than the sale of the 85.

Graham

I know most think the 85mm is a great length for what i am doing, thats why i bought it, after posing the question of wich lense i need on this forum, but i will admit i like to be quiet close to my subject..
24-70 in comparison to the tamron 28-75?
who makes the 24-70 ? [Sorry if it is a stupid question]

For low light and closeness, Sigma's 30 1.4 gives you a good combo lens.