Help!! Can't decide ...50 f/1.4 or 85 f/1.8

Please help me decide, I keep going back and forth..

Looking at a good large aperture low/Natural indoor light lens to help compliment a wedding kit and for general useability.

Have decided on the 50 f/1.4 but have just noticed the popularity of the 85 f/1.8.. Have looked at the sample threads and may be leaning slightly towards the 85...Want to make the most of the shallow DOF so I want as sharp as possible wide open....

What do you think..Can't afford both...

Steve From NZ

i have both but will always go for the 85mm if i can , its well made and feels right on the camera - mk3 , but the FL is quite long on a 1/3 crop so that may be the deciding factor for you more than anything else .
if you put your 15.30 on the 1.6crop at 30mm =48mm and your 70/200 at 70mm =91mm
that will give you an ider of field of view ?
Rob.

My 85 1.8 is much sharper than my 50 1.4 was wide open... and that's true of the two copies I've shot of both. I use a 50mm much more often than an 85mm though - I like the focal length better for general usage.

The 85mm is the better lens. Sharper wide open and much better bokeh.
But keep in mind: it's quite a different focal length.

I also find the 85 sharper wide open. I much prefer it over the 50.

J-B wrote in post #8574517
The 85mm is the better lens. Sharper wide open and much better bokeh.
But keep in mind: it's quite a different focal length.

Yes I just thought about the Bokeh, So the 85mm wins there.

My main reason for wanting either is to use for wedding shoots. I like the shallow DOF these wide aperture lens give and can see them giving me some nice portraits of the bride indoors. Also the useability in low light which will be useful in churches etc.

Steve From NZ

The 85mm will also be a nice lens for indoor sports, if the need ever arises.

I'm a little confused. Are you saying the equipment in your signature is a "wedding kit?"

I prefer the 85 1.8 on my FF but for a crop I'd opt for the 50 1.4, which is still a great lens. The 85 (I've had three) is very sharp wide open. How about a Sigma 50 1.4?

Technically with the same framing, the 50 @ 1.4 will have less DOF than the 85 @ 1.8, but the 85 will have more BG blur. People often confuse the two, but they are not the same. Both will be able to melt away the backgrounds nicely, though, so that is probably not an issue. I would choose based on focal length. For tighter portraits or more working room, the 85 is better, for more general shooting, the 50 would be better.

Looking at your gear list, you lack any coverage in the 30-60mm range, which is honestly, my most used range. I would think getting a lens to fit in that gap might be more appropriate. I'd go 50. If you do go 85, using the 85 on your 1D will just give you about the same thing you have with your 60 on the 40D.

gasrocks wrote in post #8576359
I'm a little confused. Are you saying the equipment in your signature is a "wedding kit?"

Sorry I have not been bothered to update my signature. I have other lens' but nothing with a wider aperture than f/4 for my 1D MkII

Steve From NZ

I'd say 85 1.8 and the ultra-cheap 50 1.8 if you want both focal lengths.

+1 Vote for the Canon 85 f/1.8 lens.

I've been using my 50 for indoor action, not sure if that'll make any difference for you. I've had both but sold the 85. I do miss the bokeh of the 85 tho.

I'm saving for the 85mm