if 85 1.8 and 100 2 are nearly identical, then why is the 85 so much more popular?

Thread title says it all. Given that the 85 1.8 and the 100 2 are "siblings" in terms of build, IQ etc, one would think that they would also be fairly close in popularity. However, the 85 1.8 seems to be much more popular. Foe example, the 85 1.8 Flickr group has 2,091 members, while The Flickr 100 2 group has 112. There has to be some reason for the discrepancy here.

I'd imagine it's the 1/3 of a stop of aperture, and the fact that the 100 f/2 is so close to the 100 macro and the 135L which are two of the best (and best value) lenses ever made.

My theory is that most people have or are thinking of getting the 100 macro lens and cannot imagine having 2 different 100mm lenses, so the 85 wins.

I think the 100 is also slightly more expensive.

85 on a crop works better for me indoors than a 100 would. On the 5D, the 100, or better yet, for me, the 135 works better.

100/135 are also closer than 85/135 if you want both.

bohdank wrote in post #8199734
I think the 100 is also slightly more expensive.

85 on a crop works better for me indoors than a 100 would. On the 5D, the 100, or better yet, for me, the 135 works better.

100/135 are also closer than 85/135 if you want both.

Spot on for me... i bought the 85mm for those first two reasons. Quite a bit cheaper in the UK and 100mm always seems a little long on a 1.6x crop. Its a great little lens.

bohdank wrote in post #8199734
100/135 are also closer than 85/135 if you want both.

OTOH, the 100 works as a compromise between 85 and the 135 so you won't have to get both. It's certainly much more affordable than the 135.

i considered the twins a while back. dismissed the 100mm due to working focal length and price.

I think it's also got to do with the reputation. I'd never heard of the 100 until I researched myself but I'd already known of the 85 and its popularity by then.

I have all 3... the 85 was last to arrive
I do use the 100 more often than the 85
the 135 about the same

Good question. I chose the 100mm 2.0 over the 85 as I wanted the extra reach. I also like my portraits done at 100mm. I prefer the bokeh from that lens, although the 85mm is very nice as well. Its a great lens and its amazing how much more popular the 85mm is. That's ok... Kenny G has more fans than John Coltrane and I can't explain that either.

Sorry to equate the excellent 85mm 1.8 with the wretched Kenny G. !!!

I believe it is because there is an 85L, but no 100L.

Price is one point, experience with an earlier FD version, in my case led me to believe that the EOS version would be as good or better. It is.

It just fits nicer between the 50 and the 135.

picturecrazy wrote in post #8200127
It just fits nicer between the 50 and the 135.

I never understood that logic...
the 85 is as far from the 50 as the 100 is from the 135

I bought my 85 f1.8 when the store clerk steered me to it because they didn't have the 135 f2 that I wanted in stock.

I was reluctant to make the switch at the time but, after about five years, I'm glad I bought it. I now have the 135 but still find the 85 to be one of my most used lenses.

I think the main reason it outsells the 100 f2 is because people are buying for wide aperture to use in low light, and the 85 f1.8 comes up as wider.