85 1.8 or 50 1.4

I own the 85 1.8. I have barely used it. When I bought it had a front focusing issue so I sent to Canon they confirmed this issue, calabrated it and sent it back to me. The focus is spot on now. I am just finding it a bit long on my 40D but it is a wonderful lens.

I mostly do portraiture and family photos mostly. I actually have been using my 60mm macro a lot because of its focal length. I have the 50 1.8 but it isn't a great copy so I really don't use it... but it had previously prevented me from considering the 50 1.4.

The 85 is such a beautiful lens but I am in favor of switching if the 50 1.4 will meet my needs better. Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.

I tried the 50mm f/1.4 and own the 85mm f/1.8 as well. The 85mm is a better lens - true USM, faster AF, sharp wide open. The 50mm I tried was not as sharp wide open but it is good lens nonetheless. If the 50mm FL fits you better, by all means, buy it! A lens is no good just sitting in your bag. However, let me suggest a 30/35mm to go with your 85mm. I own the Sigma 30mm, 50mm 1.8, and 85mm 1.8 and my 50 never sees time on my camera. The 30 is actually used more than even my L zooms - it is that good. 30mm for indoor & wider shots while the 85mm provides excellent portraits outdoors.

Again, if the 50mm is comfortable for you, I'd go for it - its a solid lens.

heiu - thanks for your input as someone who has used both lenses. I need to just stick my 85 on my camera and use it for a bit to see if the focal length is problematic or if it is usable enough to keep it. Thanks for the info on the sigma too... maybe the would be a good choice for me since I don't have a wide angle.

I love the 50mm f1.4 and its damn sharp.. But sold it to to fund something else (non camera gear).. Just last week ordered 85 f1.8 and it should arrive today Cant wait to use it.

I reckon you just need to use the 85mm more.

I have both and my 50 1.4 has to be stopped down to 2.0 to get sharpness near my 85 @ 1.8. My 85 is a better lens in every respect except CA. It suffers CA bad in high contrast areas.

I had a 85 1.8 on a 50D and I always felt it was too long and the MFD used to bug me as well. I would go after a 24L mkII or 30 1.4 if you don't have money laying all over the place.
I love 35 on FF and could adapt to 50 if I had to.

hieu1004 wrote in post #11290608
I tried the 50mm f/1.4 and own the 85mm f/1.8 as well. The 85mm is a better lens - true USM, faster AF, sharp wide open. The 50mm I tried was not as sharp wide open but it is good lens nonetheless. If the 50mm FL fits you better, by all means, buy it! A lens is no good just sitting in your bag. However, let me suggest a 30/35mm to go with your 85mm. I own the Sigma 30mm, 50mm 1.8, and 85mm 1.8 and my 50 never sees time on my camera. The 30 is actually used more than even my L zooms - it is that good. 30mm for indoor & wider shots while the 85mm provides excellent portraits outdoors.

Again, if the 50mm is comfortable for you, I'd go for it - its a solid lens.

david lacey wrote in post #11292006
I had a 85 1.8 on a 50D and I always felt it was too long and the MFD used to bug me as well. I would go after a 24L mkII or 30 1.4 if you don't have money laying all over the place.

QFT. I find the 85 to be too long to be practical as well. Even when I'm at the park with my daughter its usually too long for the play structures. I've gotten some good pis from it but the ratio is way lower than my 11/16 and 17/55. But my vote would be to keep it and save up for a 28, 30 or 35.

in my experience.. for crop sensor... 50mm is great for portrait. The 85 is good if you have full frame....which is almost like a 50mm in a crop sensor. So since you have 40D I would recommend the 50 F/1.4... I shoot one with a 7D and its sharp like a knife.

47.
Since you had your lens calibrated to "spot on" I would keep it and start saving for a different focal length.

just another vote for keeping your 85/1.8 and adding either a Sigma 30/1.4 or Canon 28/1.8 to go with it. imho it's a great combo for portraits/candids and yes, 60mm/2.8 sits nicely in the middle

I have both and find the 50 f/1.4 being the 'go-to' portrait lens because of the shorter shooting distance. Love the 85, but it's a head and shoulders lens at about 10 feet!

dave