50mm f/1.4 vs. 85mm f/1.8 I'm debating between the two lenses... the 85mm is a bit more expensive, I'm just wondering if anyone with some experience with both has any comments to make?
1346883
I have the 50mm f1.8 and love everything about it. My only problem is the focusing speed. I don't mind spending $340 for the 1.4 but I read alot of people had problem with it and have to send it in for repair. This made me very nervous. Anybody familiar with this problem? One more thing, if you want to choose between the 50mm or 85mm, check the crop on your camera first. Ex. T3i have a 1.6 vs 5D have a 1.0 meaning a 50mm on a T3i is equal to a 80mm on a 5D.
1346884
The 50mm f/1.4 doesn't offer enough of an image quality boost over the 50mm f/1.8 to justify buying it. The 85mm f/1.8 offers faster ring type USM focusing, the 50mm f/1.8 does not. The 85mm f/1.8 has a rich and creamy bokeh that is as good or better than the 50mm f/1.4. While still being a great traditional portrait lens, the extra reach of the 85m f/1.8, makes it great for concerts, plays, and gymnasium sports. I like to say the 85mm f/1.8 is the lens that every parent should own (and anyone who wants to sell photos to parents too).
1346885
Yes, I have to agree with Henry. The 50mm f1.4 is more versatile in the long run. The single most useful point being that, depending on your camera model, you have in effect anything from a 65mm f1.4 to an 80mm f1.4. This falls ideally into the portrait lens range. It's a lens that I still use frequently, especially when using a film body. Both are first rate lenses with excellent sharpness & contrast, but I think that you'd find that the 50mm f1.4 would be used more often..
1346886
I don't know anything about the 85mm lens, but I own the 50mm f/1.4 USM. That lens was great for about the first 4 months. It took very crisp shots, performed well in low light, and gave beautiful bokeh. However, after 4 months, the USM motor started to not function properly, and my lens would no longer autofocus correctly. I just sent it back for repair under warranty. Hopefully they will be able to fix it permanently, but I have recently read many reviews that have noticed the same problem. Therefore, I would not recommend the 50mm f/1.4 USM. I wish I had bought the 50mm f/1.8 instead. I don't know anything about the 85mm lens, but I own the 50mm f/1.4 USM. That lens was great for about the first 4 months. It took very crisp shots, performed well in low light, and gave beautiful bokeh. However, after 4 months, the USM motor started to not function properly, and my lens would no longer autofocus correctly. I just sent it back for repair under warranty. Hopefully they will be able to fix it permanently, but I have recently read many reviews that have noticed the same problem. Therefore, I would not recommend the 50mm f/1.4 USM. I wish I had bought the 50mm f/1.8 instead.
1346887
I have the 85mm 1.8 and a digital rebel. With a crop sensor camera, the 85mm is really tough indoors - you have to stand across the room and then you likely will only get a little more than a face in the frame. I don't own the 1.4, but I'd guess it would be better for a lot of tight indoor shooting over the 85mm 1.8 on a crop camera.
1346888
Would like some one to jump in here At this time Considering the 1.4 Read,The 1.4 has a motor made from plastic,cant be a good thing...Is the 1.8 usm made the same??? Love sum help here...Paul Flynn
1346889
I use the 50mm f/1.4 for almost everything. Although it is harder to get objects from far away, it is amazing what you can get out of it. The shallow depth of field is just top notch.
1346890
These are 2 different focal lengths and on a crop camera it makes a big difference. I have both, and find the 50 f1.4 works best for indoors, portraits, etc. I use the 85 outside but must admit the 50 is a lot more used. Both wonderful--probably should get the 50 first.
1346891
i have both, i prefer the image quiality of the 85 F1.4, the 50mm is a little bit overexposed.Both have similar construction quality and USM autofocus system, but after 4 year of normal use the barrel system of the autofocus mechanims in the 50mm got deformed and stop to work.
352996
85mm is amazing lens, crisp images. Great for portrait shoots. The problem is it is a manual focus lens. It takes time to get good using it but its worth the price.
1966952
Did you make a decision? I am currently debating the same two lenses. I am leaning towards the Canon since it seems there are quite a few quality/AF issues with the Sigma. Any advice is appreciated.
1474695
Not that this will be of much help, but I'm with you. Ordered a 24mm 1.4 (later returned) expecting the same jaw-dropping results I get from the 85mm 1.4 and it's just not there that I can see. As far as your suggestion of getting closer to your subject for pop - sure, a wide angle lens will really exaggerate the perceived depth of a shot. That's how I'd roll with it for the most part; 2' from the subject (more for DX frame), avoiding top and bottom when shooting vertical (unless you want that edge distortion; maybe not so bad on DX). The sharpness you're looking for also won't exist until you get close enough to your subject to give eyelashes and things of that nature some pixels to work with. At 85mm, it pulls these details in and paints them across, say, 5% of the frame or more. With the 24mm you may be talking about less than 1% of the pixels dedicated to what you're looking for details in. I've seen some REALLY spectacular night landscape images that were made with this lens. Also, the bokeh that lens produces is right on par with the 85mm. The issues I had with the 24mm (and the reasons I returned it) were failure to find focus at 1.4 no matter how much I helped it along and a general lack of spectacular sharpness at 1.4. At this end of the price spectrum, this has to be gold. It's real close, and quite nice at 2.8, but so are lots of lenses at 2.8. That said, I've still got this lens on my mind. If it were a 20mm 1.4 I'd just suck it up and do it. At 24 there are some other close options out there.
1922080
I love my 35 but my 50mm 1.4 was what I started with and I still love it.:)
32352
If money is a concern, try the "fantastic plastic" or sometimes called the "nifty fifty". That's the Canon EOS 50mm f/1.8. Great lens. Best optics per dollar, for sure. Only complaint people have had has been about the quality of background blur when shooting wide open. I haven't had an issue personally, it's acceptable for the price. It IS rather ugly compared to the quality of bokeh on the f/1.2L .. But you can buy 15 of the 1.8s for the price of the 1.2, so that's to be expected.The 1.4 has had some great reviews as well.
1008810
The 50mm f/1.8 will be able to gather more light than the 35mm f/2.4 and will provide a "nicer" bokeh so it is better suited for portrait photography (indoor or outdoor). It's main drawback compared with the 35mm with be the field of view (50mm becomes a 75mm whereas 35mm becomes approximately a 52mm on pentax DSLR). What it means is that in a close and restricted environment you won't be able to put everyone in the frame. Outside, the 50mm is better, inside, it depends. For kids sporting events you might want to use longer focal length (at least 100mm or higher) and fast lenses if the event is indoor (at least f/2 or lower). I wouldn't recommend any of the ones you talked for this. I have both a 50mm and a 35mm. I love both, and use them both during family gatherings or things like this. I also use my 35mm for landscape photography. Honestly it's a matter of taste.
1773126
Nikon 85mm f/18.G is really a great lens . I really enjoy , specially in low light condition . It gives so much details . In this price its really good. I'd say its one of the best lens of Nikon if we consider Quality:price .
2000789
Mindy,For kids couples etc, I love shooting with my 85mm not my 35 mm. 35 is great when traveling and might need a bit of a wider angle but the 85 is the best to get you a little closer than you would usually shoot and get great results.
1249481
Yeah, Diverhank nailed it - two very different lenses. Important to note that the 50mm 1.4 is NOT a macro lens and that was something you mentioned in your initial post. I used the 50mm on my T2i and absolutely loved it, though I eventually upgraded (and much preferred) the Sigma 30mm 1.4 for the "normal" focal length on the crop-sensor. I now shoot a full frame and primarily use the 50mm but will likely get the 100mm shortly. Be sure to take a look at the Sigma 30mm before buying the 50mm Canon but if Macro is what you're looking for, you can't go wrong with the 100mm L.
597331
Why would one choose the 15-85 over the 24-105? Despite the relative ratio differences it seems as though the 24-105 is so much more of lens for not much more money. Any thoughts?
2054212
The 85mm is more zoomed in than the 50. You may want to look into getting a 35mm lens.
1456961
I've owned both lenses and the 50 1.4 has a better build quality, the larger aperture will also give you shallower DOF which might help with portraits, and it should focus faster. Unless you plan on doing a lot of macro photography with your lens I'd go with the 50 1.4.
8522
Hardy,Thanks for the info about getting better lenses. I just "bit the bullet" and bought the 24-105mm L lens. I have heard this same wise advice from other photographers, and I am looking forward to getting sharper photos with the new lens, and I will try to get only L lenses from now on. In the end, you truly get what you pay for.
597334
thanks tom. took your advise bought the 15-85. all i can say the image the quality is superb for a non l lense. thank you for recommending this lens.
916481
I have been very happy with the 18-200mm. It was my first lens and remains a workhorse. I have since acquired a 28-135mm as part of a used setup and have yet to try it - there's been no need as the 18-200mm exceeds it in range.
713052
Not apples to apples. L lenses are designed for serious photographers who understand that they will need 4 or more lenses. That is why they have such a short range. The 15-85 is wider and still has twice the zoom. I would rather have one lens that is very good quality, that a bag full of pro lenses sitting at home. In other words, in my opinion, the 15-85 is one of the best walk around lenses out there (and I have gone through a bunch.) If you are a pixel peeper and have no regard for money, go with a couple of L lenses. Also look at the 24-105mm L. That is more of fair comparison. Value wise the 15-85 is hard to beat.