Canon 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.8?

Hola - new here, hoping someone can help. Looking to upgrade from the kit on my Rebel XSI, for portrait and walk-around shots. Price range = under $500. My head might fall off if I read one more review. I've been a little OCD doing this research and of course I keep changing my mind. CDP Forum looks like the right place to ask this question. Thanks, Marisa.

Without knowing what you are going to shoot and how close you will be to the subject. I would opt for the 50 on the XSI. On a FF, it would be the 85.

There are many other options if you are looking for a good, low priced zoom option. Maybe the 28-75 Tamron?

My first lense after a basic zoom was the 85 mm 1.8. It was an easy lense for me to learn how to get the most out of a prime. For me, the focal length makes for a great walk around lense, mainly because I like to be a bit further from my subjects (mostly my kids) than most. I have never owned the 50 -- so I can't speak about the pros and cons of that one. The 85 though is fast to focus and produces nice sharp pictures.

I think both are great for portraits, but are too long for walk-around shots on a 1.6x body like your XSI.

What other lenses do you have?

Just the kit.

I finally have some money to throw around. Want something was great bokeh.

I have and use both on crop and ff and find the 85/1.8 to be amazing. The 50/1.4 is useless wide open, will not even focus in live view at 10x it is so unsharp at 1.4. That said, the 50 is quite good from 2.8 on down but not really suitable as a low light/fast lens. The 85 is sharp wide open and great for low light and shallow DOF.
It does come down to focal length though, they are qute different. You will find the 85 a bit long on a crop for indoor shooting, were as the 50 is quite usefull indoors.

You should start by asking yourself what you don't like about the kit lens (assuming its the 18-55), what the limitations are of that lens for you.

If you are on a budget and just starting out you should get the 50 1.8 to find out what a wide aperture does and how to handle the shallow dof. The nifty fifty is a good lens that is very sharp when stopped down a bit, and it can be used for portraits; plus its very cheap. After that you will still have enough in your budget for a walkaround lens like the Tamron 28-75 which I have and love and use all the time.

I have the 50 and loved it. Great for weddings, shallow DOF, etc. For volleyball on my 40d, it didn't focus very fast, and I got a lot of out of focus shots. I bought the 85 1.8 and my shots got better instantly. It focuses faster.
Nothing wrong with either lens.they are both in my wedding bag, and I use them both, though with my 5d I probably use my 50 more now.

MiaKai wrote in post #11004313
Hola - new here, hoping someone can help. Looking to upgrade from the kit on my Rebel XSI, for portrait and walk-around shots. Price range = under $500. My head might fall off if I read one more review. I've been a little OCD doing this research and of course I keep changing my mind. CDP Forum looks like the right place to ask this question. Thanks, Marisa.

85mm. Only disadvantage is slightly long for indoor shots.

50mm is poor wide open. AF can sometimes be off when wide open. USM is not so good.

The 85mm is a better lens in every way unless you need a wider angle. I had both. Hardly ever use the 50mm. The 85/1.8 was my favorite lens until I got a 135l.

If its not too long, go 85mm.

for the XSi, get the nifty fifty (canon 50mm 1.8), its only $100, cheaper if you buy it used here. the 1.6 factor of the XSi makes it an ideal focal length for portraits (50mm X 1.6=80mm)

OR you can get the nifty fifty, AND get the 85 1.8, now youre not torn in the middle!

i do have both the Sigma 50 and the Canon 85mm 1.8, though i just got the Sigma 50 about 4 hours ago so field test, and controlled indoor test are in order.

just a warning, any other lens that you are going to buy will get you into the lens addiction. i am still lusting for the 70-200 2.8 IS II but im controlling myself not to get it.....for now.

your best bet would be go to a camera shop and play with the Canon 50 1.4, nifty fifty and the Canon 85 1.8 and see which focal length you want most.

if youre looking for a walkaround lens that embodies what you need, which is portrait and walk-around, i would suggest getting a 17-40L. just watch the sell section here and you could score one for a little bit over $500.

actually, if you head over the sell section right now, you will find the 17-40L, 85 1.8 and 50 1.4

or you can go with Canon 15-85mm. just throwing out option you could try out.

hope you get the lens that you want and need!