Nifty-Fifty Woes replace it with an 85 1.8?

The 50 1.8 is drving me nuts, when it's in focus its sharp as can be but sometimes its just completely off!

This hit and miss is becoming intolerable, just can't see how I can rely on this lens when I really need the pictures to count...

So question is, for those of you who own the 85 1.8, is the focusing MUCH MUCH more reliable and is it as sharp as the nifty fifty when it does get the picture dead on?

I can't afford the 1.2 on either of these lenses, and need a good indoor lens (for museums, churches, old english castles...).

So what's your experience with the 85 1.8?

why not just go with the 50 1.4 instead

I was thinking of the 50 1.4 but decided that I wanted a little more reach and for around the same price the 85 1.8 looked a little more enticing...

Do you think the 50 1.4 is a sharper lens than the 85 in low light?

no i actually don't. i think that the 85 1.8 is the better lens but it is slower (aperture wise, focus is very fast) and it might be a bit long for most indoor uses.

My 50 and 85 are both too long for the majority of my shots indoors, IMO. Both are good lenses though. 85 focuses faster, 50 has aperture advantage.

blonde wrote in post #2118242
no i actually don't. i think that the 85 1.8 is the better lens but it is slower (aperture wise, focus is very fast) and it might be a bit long for most indoor uses.

better in what way? I would have to say, respectfully, sir, that I disagree!:p

But do both the 50 1.4 and 85 1.8 have consistent sharp AF as compared to the 50 1.8?

My main concern is to make sure whichever lens I get, that it doesn't have the problems that I'm experiencing with the 50 1.8 ... Have any of you also found that it has very inconsitent focusing issues?

Yes, my 50mm 1.8 was a bit horrible sometimes with its focus Both the 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.8 have more accurate focus than the 50mm 1.8.

8 months ago I did just what you are thinking about with only one regret. For an AP-S sensor I would have first bought the 50 1.4 as, though the sharpest lens in my kit, I find the focal length of the 85 a bit too long in many situations where there is no room to back up more.

Even once I get the 50 1.4 the only way you would pry the 85 1.8 outta my hands would be to replace it with the 85 1.2 L.

You won't go far wrong with the 0f1.4 or the 85 f1.8

Dante King wrote in post #2118364
better in what way? I would have to say, respectfully, sir, that I disagree!:p

better in focus speed and sharpness wide open. the 50 1.4 is fantastic though..

my 85 focus' fast and sharp. Sharper than my 50

Is the QC on the 50mm f/1.8 suffering? or is the inexpensive build what makes the n-if-ty f-if-ty so iffy?

I see tons of people raving about it and showing pictures that are crisp and beautiful and then I see and head about issues with slow focus, hunting, not focusing, etc.

I am contemplating getting this lens and obviously it has to do with cost, as the 50mm f/1.4 is considerably more expensive.

Aside from the f/1.4 being a faster lens, is the lens superior in other areas? Does it perform well? Is the f/1.8 worth getting and you just have to make sure you have a good one? Is the return/exchange rate on the f/1.8 higher than other lenses?

I am concerned because I not only want a 50mm for doing portraits but I love it as a walkaround lens for everyday shooting.

While I do plan on getting the 50 1.4 I believe the 50 1.8 to be an awesome value.

The negatives of the 1.8 to me are;
I. Not so nice bokeh
2. Really cheaply built, scared to break it

The positives are;
1. Cost
2. Great IQ
3. Focus is fairly fast
4. I own it

TMR Design wrote in post #2119283
Is the QC on the 50mm f/1.8 suffering? or is the inexpensive build what makes the n-if-ty f-if-ty so iffy?

I see tons of people raving about it and showing pictures that are crisp and beautiful and then I see and head about issues with slow focus, hunting, not focusing, etc.

I am contemplating getting this lens and obviously it has to do with cost, as the 50mm f/1.4 is considerably more expensive.

Aside from the f/1.4 being a faster lens, is the lens superior in other areas? Does it perform well? Is the f/1.8 worth getting and you just have to make sure you have a good one? Is the return/exchange rate on the f/1.8 higher than other lenses?

I am concerned because I not only want a 50mm for doing portraits but I love it as a walkaround lens for everyday shooting.

It's not bad if you can stop down to about f/2.8 where it sharpens up, can shrug off any and every shot that misses focus without giving it a second thought, and don't have any money.