Deciding between the two 85mm 1.8 vs. Sigma 50mm 1.4..

I currently own the Canon 85mm 1.8 lens because I read reviews on here it was the must have lens for portraits, but lately I've been scouting out the Sigma 50mm 1.4 lens and the bokeh on the lens is superb or in my opinion it is. Should I part with my 85mm and save the rest for the Sigmalux instead? What would you do...I really do love taking pictures of people. Please don't suggest the L lens as I'm no professional and I'm still learning about photography plus the $$$ is over budget.

Are you on crop or FF body?

DavidR wrote in post #10966620
Are you on crop or FF body?

+1. We need to know to help you decide.

You could also rent both or buy both used and sell the one you don't like. When it comes to these lenses, it's really a preference over FL more than aperture.

Oh I'm sorry guys I'm on a crop body, I've been trying to utilize my camera and the lenses too it more because I don't plan to upgrade the body anytime soon at all.

@Marloon: I was wanting to rent the Sigmalux but I couldn't find a place to rent it from in my city so I was just kinda SOL.

Vixen89 wrote in post #10966665
Oh I'm sorry guys I'm on a crop body, I've been trying to utilize my camera and the lenses too it more because I don't plan to upgrade the body anytime soon at all.

@Marloon: I was wanting to rent the Sigmalux but I couldn't find a place to rent it from in my city so I was just kinda SOL.

LensRentals has it in stock.
http://www.lensrentals​.com …a-50mm-f1.4-hsm-for-canon

Vixen89 wrote in post #10966665
Oh I'm sorry guys I'm on a crop body, I've been trying to utilize my camera and the lenses too it more because I don't plan to upgrade the body anytime soon at all.

@Marloon: I was wanting to rent the Sigmalux but I couldn't find a place to rent it from in my city so I was just kinda SOL.

Consider other lenses like the Sigma 28mm f1.8, Sigma 30mm f1.4 (for crops), Canon 28mm f1.8, and Canon 35mm f2.0. These lenses will give you a 44.8-56mm FOV in 35mm equiv.

After reading reviews, I'd highly recommend the Sigma 30mm f1.4. The 50mm FOV is my favorite portrait FL.

DavidR wrote in post #10966725
LensRentals has it in stock.
http://www.lensrentals​.com …a-50mm-f1.4-hsm-for-canon

eee I'm debating it; I'm really looking into purchasing lenses rather than renting them. My job sometimes doesn't let me get down time to play with my equipment to maybe 1-2 weeks later..

Marloon wrote in post #10966748
Consider other lenses like the Sigma 28mm f1.8, Sigma 30mm f1.4 (for crops), Canon 28mm f1.8, and Canon 35mm f2.0. These lenses will give you a 44.8-56mm FOV in 35mm equiv.

After reading reviews, I'd highly recommend the Sigma 30mm f1.4. The 50mm FOV is my favorite portrait FL.

Are you saying the Sigma 50mm FOV is your favorite? I'm reading up on the Sigma 30mm 1.4 now ..I just heard saw photos on the Sigma 50mm 1.4 and I was blown away. lol

Vixen89 wrote in post #10966771
Are you saying the Sigma 50mm FOV is your favorite? I'm reading up on the Sigma 30mm 1.4 now ..I just heard saw photos on the Sigma 50mm 1.4 and I was blown away. lol

No... I am happy with the 50mm FOV in 35mm equiv. If you want to compare full frame cameras and crop cameras in Field of view, you must do some calculations to match them up.

The formula to do this is Focal length (FL) * Crop sensor = FL in 35mm equiv. So for example, The FOV of a sigma 30mm f1.4 on a crop sensor like the 7D is equivalent to a 50mm lens on a full frame sensor like the 5D mark II.

5D Mark II + Sigma 50mm f1.4
50mm * 1.0 (FF) = 50mm

7D + Sigma 30mm f1.4
30mm * 1.6 = 50mm

Though FOV will be similar, the DOF will be different because of (a) the crop factor and (b) the distance between you and your subject. Someone else can explain this better.

I have the 30 and the 85 right now. I use the 30 on my crop a lot more. I've been debating swapping the 85 for a Sigma 50 myself. That or waiting for the Sigma 85 to come out, though it will be a few more bucks. I'm still tempted to pick up a Sigma 50 and see which I use more. I like all 3 focal lengths on crop a lot.

Vixen89 wrote in post #10966590
I currently own the Canon 85mm 1.8 lens because I read reviews on here it was the must have lens for portraits, but lately I've been scouting out the Sigma 50mm 1.4 lens and the bokeh on the lens is superb or in my opinion it is. Should I part with my 85mm and save the rest for the Sigmalux instead? What would you do...I really do love taking pictures of people. Please don't suggest the L lens as I'm no professional and I'm still learning about photography plus the $$$ is over budget.

Have used your 85/1.8 for portrait? Are the results no good?

I would keep the 85/1.8. 85mm is a much better focal length for portrait than 50mm.

On crop? I'm in a similar situation, and would like to get a 28-30mm Prime as well as either a 50mm or 85mm for portraits. Anyone find the 85mm 1.8 too long for general use/indoors sometimes?

I have both on a 1.3x crop and used them on a 40d before that, as well as the sigma 30mm. For general shots, the 30mm is more than enogh. For a 1.6 crop, the 50mm which becomes a 80mm is nicer for loose portraits. For tight framing like headshots the 85mm turned 136mm is better, but a bit hard to use indoors beyond that.

Marloon wrote in post #10966811
No... I am happy with the 50mm FOV in 35mm equiv. If you want to compare full frame cameras and crop cameras in Field of view, you must do some calculations to match them up.

The formula to do this is Focal length (FL) * Crop sensor = FL in 35mm equiv. So for example, The FOV of a sigma 30mm f1.4 on a crop sensor like the 7D is equivalent to a 50mm lens on a full frame sensor like the 5D mark II.

5D Mark II + Sigma 50mm f1.4
50mm * 1.0 (FF) = 50mm

7D + Sigma 30mm f1.4
30mm * 1.6 = 50mm

Though FOV will be similar, the DOF will be different because of (a) the crop factor and (b) the distance between you and your subject. Someone else can explain this better.

I understand what you are saying which sounds smarter to get the Sigma 30mm 1.4..

randy98mtu wrote in post #10966888
I have the 30 and the 85 right now. I use the 30 on my crop a lot more. I've been debating swapping the 85 for a Sigma 50 myself. That or waiting for the Sigma 85 to come out, though it will be a few more bucks. I'm still tempted to pick up a Sigma 50 and see which I use more. I like all 3 focal lengths on crop a lot.

You should try renting the lens then! I just never considered the Sigma 30mm at first but now I can't decide between the two. lol

amobnaij wrote in post #10966938
Have used your 85/1.8 for portrait? Are the results no good?

I would keep the 85/1.8. 85mm is a much better focal length for portrait than 50mm.

I have used the 85mm 1.8 as my portrait lens for now but I'm also trying out the 100mm 2.8 as well (maybe I'm doing it wrong). The results are good but I think the clarity could come out better which started my hunt for the Sigma lenses. <<;

Chrisku13 wrote in post #10968673
On crop? I'm in a similar situation, and would like to get a 28-30mm Prime as well as either a 50mm or 85mm for portraits. Anyone find the 85mm 1.8 too long for general use/indoors sometimes?

+1 It is too much sometimes.

asamimasa wrote in post #10968807
I have both on a 1.3x crop and used them on a 40d before that, as well as the sigma 30mm. For general shots, the 30mm is more than enogh. For a 1.6 crop, the 50mm which becomes a 80mm is nicer for loose portraits. For tight framing like headshots the 85mm turned 136mm is better, but a bit hard to use indoors beyond that.

Sounds like I should get both ..lol

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is awesome on crop. I just sold mine because I got a 5D and now want the same FOV so I'm trying to find a Sigma 50. But on crop, I've had 2 copies of the 50 1.8 and did not care for the FL. I love my 85mm, it was really nice on crop.

35+85mm on crop is a winning combo.

Marloon wrote in post #10966811
No... I am happy with the 50mm FOV in 35mm equiv. If you want to compare full frame cameras and crop cameras in Field of view, you must do some calculations to match them up.

The formula to do this is Focal length (FL) * Crop sensor = FL in 35mm equiv. So for example, The FOV of a sigma 30mm f1.4 on a crop sensor like the 7D is equivalent to a 50mm lens on a full frame sensor like the 5D mark II.

5D Mark II + Sigma 50mm f1.4
50mm * 1.0 (FF) = 50mm

7D + Sigma 30mm f1.4
30mm * 1.6 = 50mm

Though FOV will be similar, the DOF will be different because of (a) the crop factor and (b) the distance between you and your subject. Someone else can explain this better.

People need to understand that a 50mm is a 50mm on both a crop and FF. The object will be just as far on a crop as on a FF, only you have a bigger frame surrounding the object on FF.