50mm f1.4 & 85mm f1.8

Garion · 14th July 2005

Just wondering, how many of you folks out there own both? Which one do u use more? I already have a 50mm f1.8 II, is the 50mm f1.4 a significant step-up in terns of sharpness/contrast, AF speed, bokeh etc? Or would a 85mm f1.8 be a better choice?

I intend to use this lens for events, portraits, and candid shots in low light situations.

TIA!

jeff49er · 14th July 2005

I used to have a combo of 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.8.

Now I have the 50mm and 135mm L.

50 mm great for portraits and family pic. 135mm is good for portraits and bokeh is superb.

My avatar - was taken using the 135mm. Sharp and has good bokeh

xl1 · 14th July 2005

im using 50mm f/1.4 for daily street photograph, always mount in my cam, small compact and easy to bring and don't care to bang2 a bit

, if got special event then i use 85mm or 135mm

Garion · 14th July 2005

Originally Posted by xl1

im using 50mm f/1.4 for daily street photograph, always mount in my cam, small compact and easy to bring and don't care to bang2 a bit , if got special event then i use 85mm or 135mm

Thanks....so which lens is your most used amongst the three?

BTW yours is 85mm f1.2L rite?

kayaro888 · 14th July 2005

Garion
I have the 85/1.8 and it is the very good lens compare to my other Ls .....worth the $ u paid....... but now I'm playing with my 100M .....

xl1
Love your 85/1.2L....... but need to save for the 600......

sehsuan · 14th July 2005

from what i know, the 85/1.8 is pretty close to an L if you stop it down a little

NorthernLights · 14th July 2005

Originally Posted by Garion

Just wondering, how many of you folks out there own both? Which one do u use more? I already have a 50mm f1.8 II, is the 50mm f1.4 a significant step-up in terns of sharpness/contrast, AF speed, bokeh etc? Or would a 85mm f1.8 be a better choice?

I intend to use this lens for events, portraits, and candid shots in low light situations.

TIA!

I prefer the 50 f1.8. I do not see any improvement in the 50 f1.4 over the 1.8 (of course bokeh wins, AF slightly faster but it is micro USM not ring). Not worth the money in my opinion at $620 - $650.

Also 85 f1.8 AF is very fast. But it is not sharp at f1.8, probably at f4 and above...maybe f2.8...but at $650, add $700, you will get the 135f2 L. Better build, one of the fastest AF in Canon's EF lens series. Bokeh is only second to 85f1.2L and produces ultra sharp, contrasty colours. Light, unobstrusive. A little long indoors though.

+evenstar · 14th July 2005

Shot this with the 85mm f1.8 at f4...sharpness is

David · 15th July 2005

I've both the 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.8. One description: Both are top notch.

Some compare with 135 f/2L but I don't see the relation. The 135mm is heavier and longer. The 85mm is so much more compact and costs less of course. It's fantastic for portraits. HOwever, that's my main grip.. I hardly do portraits these days, and for a prime 85mm whether on a film or DSLR body, it has limited use to me. Wide open is useable but not excellent. f/2.8 and above, fantastic.

The 50mm f/1.4 is much better in build quality and focusing than the f/1.8. If u can afford the f/1.4 and have it, the f/1.8 feels craps.. like a toy. But heck, we just want good images right?

Wide open at f/1.4, it's rather soft.

Conclusion is get the 50mm f/1.4 if u're into low light work or have $ to burn on more solid build and focusing. Else I think the much cheaper f/1.8 will do great.

Anyway, these days, I think Canon has built solid zooms, so I'm moving away from primes actually... I'm not a low light person. Primes can be such a pain to use when u need convenience and speed.

benny · 15th July 2005

Originally Posted by Garion

Just wondering, how many of you folks out there own both? Which one do u use more? I already have a 50mm f1.8 II, is the 50mm f1.4 a significant step-up in terns of sharpness/contrast, AF speed, bokeh etc? Or would a 85mm f1.8 be a better choice?

Well, I can't speak for the 50 mm 1.4 yet as I don't own anything in that range currently, but the EF 85 F1.8 is really good. You are most welcome to take mine for a spin if you like.

Cheers,

ST1100 · 15th July 2005

Originally Posted by Garion

Just wondering, how many of you folks out there own both? Which one do u use more? I already have a 50mm f1.8 II, is the 50mm f1.4 a significant step-up in terns of sharpness/contrast, AF speed, bokeh etc? Or would a 85mm f1.8 be a better choice?

I intend to use this lens for events, portraits, and candid shots in low light situations.

TIA!

i have both and to answer the question directly, the 85/1.8 gets far more use.

Optically they are both top notch, but the 85 sees most of the action bcoz the AF motor is much faster.

If you already have a 50/1.8, why get another 50/1.4? The 85 seems to make more sense.

i don't know which body you're using now, but on a 1.6x, the 85 has an EFL of 136mm. Long primes are a special breed of their own, esp when it comes to candids and events. You need to 'see' in that focal length to use it well.

shinken · 15th July 2005

Just to clarify... you seem to be comparing 50 1.8 and 50 1.4 right? As you mentioned 1.8 "feels like crap" and being "much cheaper"...

I compared to two, both quite well built, in fact personally, I felt 85mm's build to be better. As for price, they are only about $15 apart?

Originally Posted by David

I've both the 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.8. One description: Both are top notch.

Some compare with 135 f/2L but I don't see the relation. The 135mm is heavier and longer. The 85mm is so much more compact and costs less of course. It's fantastic for portraits. HOwever, that's my main grip.. I hardly do portraits these days, and for a prime 85mm whether on a film or DSLR body, it has limited use to me. Wide open is useable but not excellent. f/2.8 and above, fantastic.

The 50mm f/1.4 is much better in build quality and focusing than the f/1.8. If u can afford the f/1.4 and have it, the f/1.8 feels craps.. like a toy. But heck, we just want good images right? Wide open at f/1.4, it's rather soft.

Conclusion is get the 50mm f/1.4 if u're into low light work or have $ to burn on more solid build and focusing. Else I think the much cheaper f/1.8 will do great.

Anyway, these days, I think Canon has built solid zooms, so I'm moving away from primes actually... I'm not a low light person. Primes can be such a pain to use when u need convenience and speed.

GitS · 15th July 2005

have both. since u have the 50 1.8, doent make sense to upgrade to the 1.4 just for the sake of it (although build quality, resistence to flare and bokeh are superior for the 1.4 - chek it out on the web). the 85 provides that extra reach and intimacy if you need it. also have the 100 2.0 and by far my favorite of the three, the amount of glass inside the barrel is unbelievable...hehehehehe.

GitS · 15th July 2005

Originally Posted by jeff49er

I used to have a combo of 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.8.

Now I have the 50mm and 135mm L.

50 mm great for portraits and family pic. 135mm is good for portraits and bokeh is superb.

My avatar - was taken using the 135mm. Sharp and has good bokeh

wah brudder, u got the 50mm 1.0L ?

xl1 · 15th July 2005

Originally Posted by Garion

Thanks....so which lens is your most used amongst the three? BTW yours is 85mm f1.2L rite?

50mm is most used, easily put in to my bag

ya im using f/1.2

Originally Posted by kayaro888

xl1
Love your 85/1.2L....... but need to save for the 600......

halooo...longtime no see...ya you love it because there's a picture taken of yours ah? hahaha
let me know if you buy the 600......been trying last time and its.W

W

Originally Posted by NorthernLights

I prefer the 50 f1.8. I do not see any improvement in the 50 f1.4 over the 1.8 (of course bokeh wins, AF slightly faster but it is micro USM not ring). Not worth the money in my opinion at $620 - $650.

at f/1.4 you step down to f/1.8 then the picture is better, from f/1.8 you step down to f/2.5 to get the better picture, well... i choose stepdown to 1.8 to get the bokeh, thats why i choose f/1.4, but when i go traveling, then just bring f/1.8 is ok

trucatus · 15th July 2005

For me I will go for the 100mm Macro since it can do macro as well...byt more ex lah...

agape01 · 15th July 2005

Two different lenses for different purposes.

One lens for each purpose is how I would go about using it.

Just my two cents...

jeff49er · 15th July 2005

Originally Posted by GitS

wah brudder, u got the 50mm 1.0L ?

I got the 50mm f1.4. usm

I wish there is a 50mm f1.4 L

agape01 · 15th July 2005

Originally Posted by jeff49er

I got the 50mm f1.4. usm

I wish there is a 50mm f1.4 L

Does it matter at that range?

Wai · 15th July 2005

I have both

when shooting both at wide open, 85mm is sharper than 50mm...even sharper than my 28-70L and 70-200L. The details that it can resolve is amazing (esp after stopped down), i use it for portraits & product shots 80% of the time. unless due to space constrain, then i will use the 50mm or 28-70

however, i got to keep the 50/1.4 because 85mm is still too long after 1.3x FLM.

Used to have a 50/1.8, i will say it is more value for $$ but i just love USM and the metal mount of the 1.4

14th July 2005	#1
Garion Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: West side of S'pore Posts: 5,581	50mm f1.4 & 85mm f1.8 Just wondering, how many of you folks out there own both? Which one do u use more? I already have a 50mm f1.8 II, is the 50mm f1.4 a significant step-up in terns of sharpness/contrast, AF speed, bokeh etc? Or would a 85mm f1.8 be a better choice? I intend to use this lens for events, portraits, and candid shots in low light situations. TIA! __________________ [ deviantart selections \| Photoblog ]

14th July 2005	#3
xl1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Under the Son Posts: 2,621	im using 50mm f/1.4 for daily street photograph, always mount in my cam, small compact and easy to bring and don't care to bang2 a bit , if got special event then i use 85mm or 135mm __________________ www.ubans.com

14th July 2005	#8
+evenstar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore / United Kingdom Posts: 5,462	Shot this with the 85mm f1.8 at f4...sharpness is __________________ the SEARCH FUNCTION is there for a reason. USE IT!

15th July 2005	#16
trucatus Advertiser Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,649	For me I will go for the 100mm Macro since it can do macro as well...byt more ex lah... __________________ www.camwerkz.com

15th July 2005	#20
Wai Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Pole with Penguin Posts: 5,185	I have both when shooting both at wide open, 85mm is sharper than 50mm...even sharper than my 28-70L and 70-200L. The details that it can resolve is amazing (esp after stopped down), i use it for portraits & product shots 80% of the time. unless due to space constrain, then i will use the 50mm or 28-70 however, i got to keep the 50/1.4 because 85mm is still too long after 1.3x FLM. Used to have a 50/1.8, i will say it is more value for $$ but i just love USM and the metal mount of the 1.4 __________________ We are HDD of PC & FT are MB add to storage; so PC never hangs with enormous storage capacity - LKY Last edited by Wai; 15th July 2005 at 03:44 PM.

14th July 2005	#2
jeff49er Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Punggol Park Posts: 2,021	I used to have a combo of 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.8. Now I have the 50mm and 135mm L. 50 mm great for portraits and family pic. 135mm is good for portraits and bokeh is superb. My avatar - was taken using the 135mm. Sharp and has good bokeh

14th July 2005	#5
kayaro888 Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North SG Posts: 862	Garion I have the 85/1.8 and it is the very good lens compare to my other Ls .....worth the $ u paid....... but now I'm playing with my 100M ..... xl1 Love your 85/1.2L....... but need to save for the 600......

14th July 2005	#6
sehsuan Deregistered Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 6,674	from what i know, the 85/1.8 is pretty close to an L if you stop it down a little

15th July 2005	#9
David Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,160	I've both the 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.8. One description: Both are top notch. Some compare with 135 f/2L but I don't see the relation. The 135mm is heavier and longer. The 85mm is so much more compact and costs less of course. It's fantastic for portraits. HOwever, that's my main grip.. I hardly do portraits these days, and for a prime 85mm whether on a film or DSLR body, it has limited use to me. Wide open is useable but not excellent. f/2.8 and above, fantastic. The 50mm f/1.4 is much better in build quality and focusing than the f/1.8. If u can afford the f/1.4 and have it, the f/1.8 feels craps.. like a toy. But heck, we just want good images right? Wide open at f/1.4, it's rather soft. Conclusion is get the 50mm f/1.4 if u're into low light work or have $ to burn on more solid build and focusing. Else I think the much cheaper f/1.8 will do great. Anyway, these days, I think Canon has built solid zooms, so I'm moving away from primes actually... I'm not a low light person. Primes can be such a pain to use when u need convenience and speed.

15th July 2005	#13
GitS Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 784	have both. since u have the 50 1.8, doent make sense to upgrade to the 1.4 just for the sake of it (although build quality, resistence to flare and bokeh are superior for the 1.4 - chek it out on the web). the 85 provides that extra reach and intimacy if you need it. also have the 100 2.0 and by far my favorite of the three, the amount of glass inside the barrel is unbelievable...hehehehehe.

15th July 2005	#17
agape01 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Somewhere Out There Posts: 2,314	Two different lenses for different purposes. One lens for each purpose is how I would go about using it. Just my two cents...