35mm f2 or 85mm f1.8?

Wanting to take sharper portrait images. Right now I have a nifty 50 1.8. Looking to upgrade.

Nick

Both

Mick_I wrote in post #11179481
Both

I wouldnt mind both, but which would you get first?

What camera do you have? If crop I would get 35/2 first.
I have both btw =)

winters19 wrote in post #11179476
Wanting to take sharper portrait images. Right now I have a nifty 50 1.8. Looking to upgrade.

Nick

Well what do you need? You own the 50mm lens. Do you need something longer or shorter? Only you can answer you're question.

85 f/1.8 hands down

drummerhc wrote in post #11179501
What camera do you have? If crop I would get 35/2 first.
I have both btw =)

I have the t2i

85mm is little sharper and creates better bokeh. But if you are getting both eventually, I think 35mm should come first. The focal length will be more friendly to shoot with your t2i.

35mm is a bit wide for portraits, especially head shots. But for all uses other than portraits, you might find the 35mm more versatile. For portraits, the 85mm is the better choice.

Get the 85mm first since the 30mm wouldn't be too dramatic with your nifty fifty still in the bag; I'm selling mines. :P

You are getting lots of mixed opinions.

You want sharper images. So how is your lighting? How is your camera settings? How well do you control camera shake? What are you doing for PP?

The answer you are seeking is easy. The 85mm is sharper. But imo I would select the lens based on the focal length you feel you would utilize the most based on your workspace and your style of photography. Both lenses in the hands of the right photographer under the right settings will produce sharp images. When you are looking through the VF with your 50mm mounted do you ever wish your focal length was shorter or longer?

I have both. I'd get the 35f2 first, and then the 85f1.8. I use the 35f2 more on my T2i, but the 85 is nice for candids outside at street events, etc.

rjx wrote in post #11180387
You are getting lots of mixed opinions.

You want sharper images. So how is your lighting? How is your camera settings? How well do you control camera shake? What are you doing for PP?

The answer you are seeking is easy. The 85mm is sharper. But imo I would select the lens based on the focal length you feel you would utilize the most based on your workspace and your style of photography. Both lenses in the hands of the right photographer under the right settings will produce sharp images. When you are looking through the VF with your 50mm mounted do you ever wish your focal length was shorter or longer?

I love the 50, just don't like how far away I have to be from the subject at times. I prefer to be less than 10ft away at times. I use LightRoom 3 and CS5 for PP. I'm just learning how to bump up the ISO to get the shutter speed up for sharper images.

85mm is longer than 50, so you would have to be farther away to shoot the same subjects than you are now. That points to the 35mm as the more appropriate lens.

tkbslc wrote in post #11185437
85mm is longer than 50, so you would have to be farther away to shoot the same subjects than you are now. That points to the 35mm as the more appropriate lens.

The 35mm is next then!