Canon 85mm f1.8

50/1.4 vs 85 f1.8

I would always choose the 85/1.8 because:

a) it is a much better lense with only a marginally worse aperture

b) you can buy a 50/1.8 for so little money to cover that focal length, that it seems like a sin not to have one! The 50/1.8 is also so light, that you can always carry it along. Unless you really need to shoot at 1/4, why pay the extra over the 50/1.8?

c) I find that I nearly always want a longer focal length than 50, even on a 1.6 factor camera, unless I'm doing group photos or landscapes.

John

I'd go for the 85mm f4/1.8, it's an absolutely superb lens, and I'd be tempted to get one if I didn't have the range covered by the also superb 70-200 f/4L.

griff even though you have it covered by the F4L i'd get it anyway, the F1.8 is indespensible

BTW i picked mine up today, its great

It's a great lens, and an essential one for any Canon DSLR shooter. It's one of the better non-L primes.

Lou

I have the 50mm 1.4 & 50mm 1.8(havent had a chance to sell it yet)

I am intrested in the 85mm- but I shoot alot of family functions and portraits and find it hard to fit people in the frame or I am to close to shoot a head shot with the 50mm sometimes- this is why I bought the 17-40 for alittle more versatility.

My question is the- the 85mm in my guess would be tough to shoot candids or portraits compared to the 50.

What does the average 85mm user shoot?

"What does the average 85mm user shoot?"

I take pictures of my kids playing indoor sports and use it for low light situations.