CANON 85 f/1.8 vs. CANON 100 f/2.8 Macro

Hi guys,

do any of you have both? Speed aside, how do they compare for portraits? I know both are super sharp, but how are the colors, focus speed, bokeh @ F/2.8 down? Both of them are on my "to buy" list because I like micro and also I wouldn't mind having a fast portrait prime. If the quality b/n the two is about the same, I'd probably end up with just the 100 Micro.

I've had both.

Focusing speed: 85mm f/1.8 by a wide, wide, wide, wide, WIDE margin. The 100mm is an awesome lens, but focuses at the speed of January molasses, even with the focus limiter in place.

Bokeh: At 2.8 the 100mm may get the nod, but the 85mm at f/2.0 is awesome. For portraits, the 85mm is a better choice for bokeh.

Colors: Both are pretty spectacular.

In reality, you can't go wrong with either. The 85mm is an AMAZING low-light prime for the money, and the 100mm macro is an awesome macro lens. I think it really comes down to which you like more: Faster max aperture or macro capabilities.

On the other hand, the 85 would be useless for macro, but if you're not doing macro, then definitely the 85 - especially for the money.

If you need and want to mess around with macro shots, get the 100mm. 1:1 macro shots you won't get with the 85.

Otherwise if your main focus is portraits and low light photography--get that 85mm sucker!

I dont own the 85...But the 100 macro, sharp, Fast enoufgh (f-stop/for now) but slow focus!

And heaven forbid you try and use it in low light...If that sucker misses focus and starts to hunt, well you may as well switch to manuel focus as wait for it to come back around!

Low light ...if you got time
Low light action...no sir!

My vote goes to the 100 macro. It makes a great portrait lens and does wonders with macro photography. The 85 is awesome with portraits but just doesn't play the macro game well

If any of you who own the 100 macro have some portrait shots that you're especially proud of, would you please share? I've seen some examples of the 100 Macro around here, but not that many portrait shots with it.

I wouldn't consider this a great portrait...more of a snapshot of my Dad but it was taken with the 100 macro....

That shot looks good, Jason. Sharp, nice colors!

sadatk wrote in post #4839703
If you need and want to mess around with macro shots, get the 100mm. 1:1 macro shots you won't get with the 85.

Otherwise if your main focus is portraits and low light photography--get that 85mm sucker!

Agreed. Both are super sharp.

AirBrontosaurus wrote in post #4839685
I've had both.

Focusing speed: 85mm f/1.8 by a wide, wide, wide, wide, WIDE margin. The 100mm is an awesome lens, but focuses at the speed of January molasses, even with the focus limiter in place.

Perhaps you're talking about the old 100mm Macro. In my experience I find this to be untrue. With focus limiter set to .48mm I found the AF on the 100 Macro USM to be every bit as quick as the 85 1.8 with static and slow moving subjects. I never tried tracking highspeed objects with the 100 Macro, so I don't know how it performs in that regard.

I sold the 85 1.8 because I just never used it. I had the 50 1.4 for low light and the 100 for length. It's a very good lens though.

The 100 Macro is great wide open

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I agree on the 100 mm F2.8 USM macro focus speed, it's pretty good. Not as quick as the 85 1.8, but fine for people who aren't moving much. At macro lengths you sometimes have to MF.

AirBrontosaurus wrote in post #4839685
I've had both.

Focusing speed: 85mm f/1.8 by a wide, wide, wide, wide, WIDE margin. The 100mm is an awesome lens, but focuses at the speed of January molasses, even with the focus limiter in place.

Hmm...you must have a bad 100f2.8. Mine focus REALLY...I mean REALLY fast. I tested it last week in AI mode and 5fps mode on a moving car. (from stationary to about 20mph) and it never missed a frame. All in focus and VERY sharp -- Did I mention SHARP...

My 100mm macro focuses fast. I don't have the 85mm f1.8, but do have the 1.2 version, and the macro focuses considerably faster.

Here are a couple with the 100 macro handheld.

F2.8 ISO400 1/160 with 580 EX II

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