Canon 85mm f1.8 What do you recon?

AndyWest

AndyWest

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Thinking of getting this lens. I have seen many many images shot using this lens and i'm uttely smitten! SO in the real world....what do you owners recon on it? It will be used for general walk about and family pics when out and about.

Thnx
 
I don't think you can go far wrong with that lens Andy. Personally I really like that focal length, it's a little bit long for a general walkabout lens but if you stick a 50mm in your pocket as well it makes for a lightweight setup for a day out with the family.

IQ wise it's superb, probably 90% + of the 85 f/1.2 at maybe 20% of the price, and it focuses faster! I know... I've got a 1.2. You're likely to get all the comments of it not being as versatile as a zoom and so on, which is perfectly true of course. Yes, you will miss shots because it's too long or too short, but the shots that you do get are worth it. Anyway... I'm not trying to get into a prime versus zoom argument as that's been done to death many times over. On the purely financial aspect, you're unlikely to lose much even if you decided it wasn't for you.

I'd say go for it!

Cheers
 
I have the 1.8 and I utterly adore it! I look for just about every opportunity to use it. I'm full frame so the focal length is a little different but it's honestly about the best £250 (ish) quid you can spend :)
 
I've not used mine as much as I would like but when I do use it I'm never disappointed. Excellent for candid portrait pics.
 
AndyWest said:
It will be used for general walk about and family pics when out and about.
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Might be a bit long on crop depending on your style. I use one on FF and it's my favourite lens for exactly those purposes though, particularly as it's quite small.
 
This is shaping up well!

I was originally going to go for a 50mm f1.4 as i had seen some superb images from it but also some not so good (probably down to the photogropher) and there have been a few who have had them let go which is a little worrying. I have a 50mm f1.8 which is great but i have never seen such a huge amount of stunning images taken with the 85mm. Out of all the 'sets' of images i have seen from different lenses (including 'L') the 85mm comes out with consistant WOW's from me when looking.

It's gotta be done me thinks! :D
 
I love mine, its sharp, well built and focuses very quickly!
 
Interest in this lens seems to be picking up - been quite a few posts on it recently. Not so many in the for sale section though!
 
My only real niggle with it is that the minimum focus distance is a bit long. I haven't checked this at all but my old Minolta 85/1.4 seemed to let me get tighter, but maybe that's just a rose-tinted memory. I tried the Nikon 85/1.4 recently and it too seemed to have a long MFD.

But as you know, the 85/1.4 can pull off some lovely images. Try it and see. You can always move it on without losing much.
 
I've put my 70-200 at 85mm quite a few times just to see if I could use this FL a lot.

It's on my wish list :)
 
kennysarmy said:
I bagged one ;)
picking up from mr royal mail tonight...
very excited...
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I live just round the corner from the sorting office - I kindly offer to collect it on your behalf. :nuts:

On a more serious note, I hope to be getting one of these between now and Christmas :naughty: I haven't had one on my 400d, but I have tried 50mm and 60mm lenses on it, but they just do not get close enough for my style of portraiture.

And I agree - the pics posted with it certainly do sell the lens well.
 
There really is not down side of having a 85mm in terms of build, quality, value for money, Speed, AF, bokeh...etc. The only complaint (if it qualifies) is that they are not comfortable with its focal length, but that is a personal opinion rather than a short fall of the lens.
 
AndyWest said:
This is shaping up well!

I was originally going to go for a 50mm f1.4 as i had seen some superb images from it but also some not so good (probably down to the photogropher) and there have been a few who have had them let go which is a little worrying. I have a 50mm f1.8 which is great but i have never seen such a huge amount of stunning images taken with the 85mm. Out of all the 'sets' of images i have seen from different lenses (including 'L') the 85mm comes out with consistant WOW's from me when looking.

It's gotta be done me thinks! :D
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I would now take the Sigma 50mm 1.4 over the Canon everytime. Very contrasty, sharp, with a 77mm front to help light drop off in the corners if you migrate to full frame + it looks great and unlike the Canon lens it does not fall to pieces when in use !!!
 
I have a canon 28-135 lens that i'm going to play with at 85mm just to make sure. If i find it's too long i'll probably sell the Nifty and get either the canon 50mm f1.4 or the sigma 50mm f1.4. Depends on if the others have as good IQ as the 85mm.
 
I absolutely lovds mine, however I found myself wanting longer and longer so sold it and put the cash towards a 70-200 2.7 and 100-400
 
its a superb lens and so is the 50f1.4,and I have never heard of the 50f1.4 falling to pieces?seen plenty of the 50 1.8's fall apart.
 
Hi,

I hated mine for one reason - purple fringing :gag: sold it for a slight loss about 2 weeks later, ended up with a 100mm F2.8 macro instead :thumbs:

Ok I know the macro is slower on the AF but it so much sharper and the colours and contrast are superb, and best of all no purple fringing. It might just be me being susceptible to seeing it but I have gotten rid of 3 lenses that I have owned over the last couple of years because of it, I know people will say it be got rid of with PP but I prefer that it isn't there in the first place.

The 50mm F1.4, colour and contrast wise a better lens than the 85mm it is however a little short and can be slow to AF in poor light, have you thought of the 100mm F2.0, which is almost the same price.

Mike.
 
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