50 or 85

I rented the 85 this weekend and it is really sweet but I do need about 4 feet or more to compose a shot (to my liking). Have never used a 50, what is everyone's thoughts?

Which 85mm are you refering to? Do need 4 feet back from your subject or 4 feet closer? I have both the 85f1.8 and the 50f1.4. Both really nice lenses with superb sharpness, contrast, and colour. It also depends on your camera because of the FoV crop.....my 1D has a 1.3 X crop so you can multiply the focal length by 1.3 to get a more realistic actual focal length of the lens. The 50F1.8 II seems to be a must-have because of the quality optics and the cheap price......I found I never used mine because it felt 'cheap'.......no inspiration to take shots! The 50f1.4 is a much better built lens and to me is sharper than it's cheaper cousin (I know many here will disagree!)

Rent the 50? You can't really go wrong with either optically, but what do you really want to do with the lens? 85mm is pretty standard for portriats, but the 50 will do just a nice of a job.

Having both lenses, I'll say this... the 85mm f/1.8 is almost always on my 20D. I switch to the 50mm f/1.4 when I need the extra stops or when I move in for a close portrait, particularly indoors. Outdoors, I stay with the 85mm. Either way, love both of them. They do different things, but optically, outstanding quality.

In order to provide a reasonable answer to your question, one would need to know your intended subject matter, locations, etc.

That said, for portraits of individuals the "standard" choice would be a 50mm lens with your 20D camera. This is equivalent to approximately a 80mm lens on a full-frame 35mm camera, and provides a very nice perspective for portrait work.

If your needs are other than a conventional portrait, let us know what your plans are and folks on the forum can provide truly useful information. Just asking what other folks use for lenses - without knowing what they use them for - means virtually nothing.

I looked at your signature block again.... You can experiment with your zooms to find what focal length would be optimum for you to get in fast prime lenses.

Thanks guys. I am using it this weekend to take portraits of the family. Rented backdrop, lights, softbox, etc.

My test shots came out beautfifully!!!

But I am backing up to get a full body shot. I may pickup a 50 1.4 today and test them both. But you are right, with the 1.6 of the 20D, the 50 may be the better choice for indoor portraits in my limited space.

but....85 1.8 is nice

I know the answer, buy both....

The speed difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8 is a fraction of a stop. I should think that considerations of optimal focal length would outweigh such a minor speed difference.

But perhaps your specific photographic needs are such that every half of a stop is crucial, and focal length is only a secondary concern. I guess I've heard stranger things.

I would agree that obtaining the best focal length takes priority. Having not owned or used the 50 f/1.8, I can't honestly answer as to whether or not there is a big difference between the two... I would assume there is a difference in the glass (therein lying the $200 price difference). I purchased the 50 f/1.4 based on user's experience with this lens. In my experience with it, I have found it to be a great lens... and it is nice to have in low-light situations. I think my comment was drawn upon the fact that in that type of situation, it is nice to have the ability to grab all the available light you can. Have I screwed up a shot because the DOF was off... yup! But I also have gotten great keepers that I probably would not have gotten with a zoom f/3.5 or higher. That was more or less the intent of my post.

In low-light, the f/1.4 has performed quite well. I know going in that I need to pay particular attention to where I am in relation to my subject to obtain the proper image and exposure. But that is half the fun..... unless that is, you want to take snapshots in which case any point-and-shoot with a built in flash will suffice just fine.
-GSL

I think you can do portraits with both, if you have a 1.6 cam... But my choice would be 85 probably... I use it more often doing portraits.

i would get the 85 1.8 and the 50 1.8 cause seriously if you can swing the 85 then 80 more bucks wont kill you too bad right???

i use the 50 indoor in studio but my new 85 is almost always on outdoors

For portraits, I assume that you would also consider bokeh to be pretty important ... take a look at this threadas well regarding the 50/1.8 and 50/1.4!

Best regards,
Andy

I have the 50 f1.4. I chose it over the f.18 d/t low light, great galss for the money and the bokeh is a knock out of the park.