Can't decide which lens: 28 1.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.8, or 100 2.0

Hey everyone,

I've been torn between these four pieces of glass... It will mainly be used for portraitures, low light concerts, and weddings... I've read through hundreds of threads (pros, cons, likes, & dislikes) and looked at hundreds of photos... I think I'm overloaded with information which is blurring my decision... I've got roughly $1,100 to spend and would like to acquire two of the four I mentioned:

Canon 28mm f/1.8
Canon 50mm f/1.4
Canon 85mm f/1.8
Canon 100mm f/2.0

My initial instinct was getting the 50mm & 80mm combo, but like I said, all the readings and sample pictures blur my decision making... It will mounted on a 1.6x cropped body (Canon XTi)... I already have the "thrifty-fifty", but I need something better overall (hence the 50 1.4)... So what two pieces of glass would you vote for? Or is my initial decision good enough for the shots I'm going to use it for? Thanks for your input!!

- airbutchie

PS. My sig shows what I currently have...

The 85 is the pretty standard focal length for portraits, and everyone really seems to love the 1.8, so that seems like a good choice. That eliminates the 100, which is probably too long on an APS-C body. You've already got a 50, so you should be able to figure which is more important - a slightly faster 50, or a fast wide prime like the 28. Do you need something that wide, or will 50mm do it? I don't think we can answer all the questions for you.

Based on your current gear and your usage I would say the 28 and 85 would be your best bet although I have read that the 28 was not great with concert photography.

50 and 85 are very close, I would pick one, not both.
If you pick the 50, a 100 would be a nice addition.
100mm to long for portraits on 1.6 crop? Bullocks
If you start out with the 85 I would suggest a 28 or 35 to build a set and keep the 50 you allready have.

If I were in your shoe, I would sell your kit lens, your nifty fifty and your tammy.
Get the 85mm and a 24-70L.

That would be sweeeeeeeeeeeett!

85 1.8 for sure.

I'd just get the 85mm 1.8.

I'd vote for the 28 and 85.

I have a 20D and I bought the 50, 85 and Sigma 30; in that order. Once I got the 30, I found that I used the 50 very little. However, on the rare occasion that I shoot formal portraits, the 50 is my first choice followed by the 85. If I had to choose two of the three, I think I'd go with the 30 and the 85.

Okay.. Okay... Thanks for the input... Now I'm leaning towards the 28 and 85 combo... Oh crap crap crap... Anyone else wanna add their two cents to this delimma?! Thanks a bunch!!

- airbutchie

condyk wrote in post #4346987
I'd just get the 85mm 1.8.

second here...

Let me throw this into the mix... Should I save up a bit more and get one of the following glass:

Canon 35mm f/1.4L
Canon 50mm f/1.2L
Canon 85mm f/1.2L

Just something I'm contemplating... Hhhehehehhe...

- airbutchie

airbutchie wrote in post #4346765
Hey everyone,

I've been torn between these four pieces of glass... It will mainly be used for portraitures, low light concerts, and weddings... I've read through hundreds of threads (pros, cons, likes, & dislikes) and looked at hundreds of photos... I think I'm overloaded with information which is blurring my decision... I've got roughly $1,100 to spend and would like to acquire two of the four I mentioned:

Canon 28mm f/1.8
Canon 50mm f/1.4
Canon 85mm f/1.8
Canon 100mm f/2.0

My initial instinct was getting the 50mm & 80mm combo, but like I said, all the readings and sample pictures blur my decision making... It will mounted on a 1.6x cropped body (Canon XTi)... I already have the "thrifty-fifty", but I need something better overall (hence the 50 1.4)... So what two pieces of glass would you vote for? Or is my initial decision good enough for the shots I'm going to use it for? Thanks for your input!!

- airbutchie

PS. My sig shows what I currently have...

i've owned all four. for a 1.6 crop i'd definitely get the 28 and 85. for my 5d i own the 50 and 100.

ed rader

On my cropper I use the 28 and 85, the 50 is a dust magnet...

The 100mm f/2 lens is fantastic to have for weddings with and APS-C format body. It is far, far lighter and more compact than a 70-200mm f/2.8 that is best left on the sports field. And it is a whole f/stop faster. Add a Kenko 1.4x teleconvertor and you have 140mm f/2.8 lens that is still far, far lighter and more compact than a 70-200mm f/2.8 and with the same max aperture.