100mm F2.0 or 85mm F1.8?

[noobie]

I am going to get my next lens, it will be for taking portraits. Any input/POV/comment btw these 2 canon prime lens 100mm F2.0 and 85mm F1.8? Will only buy one of these. TIA.

[kelccm]

I would go for the 85mm f/1.8

[FilterFunk]

85mm without a doubt.
do try around that focal length 1st though. not everyone likes the 'long-ish' focal length.

[noobie]

thanks for the inputs. What about the build of both of these lenses? Heard that the 100mm F2.0 is better built.

[FilterFunk]

construction wise i think both are quite similar, only that the focal length is different.
you can only judge it for yourself when you test them at the shop itself.

got to mention that the 100mm f2 is quite uncommon (considering there is a 100mm f2.8 macro) compared to the 85mm.

buy what you need and not what is perceived as 'trendy', 'good', 'want'

[Russ]

I considered both and decided on the 85mm.
No regrets - easily the sharpest lens, beating my 17-40L in that respect.

[Virgo]

Go for the 85 f/1.8. I'm sure you'll have no regrets.

However, you need to get use to the 'tele' side of the lens. Just a few rounds with it and you'll be OK. The results you can get out of this lens is just incredible.

[Deadpoet]

I found 85 to be the easiest focal length to get use to if you are shooting FF.

If not, it essentially becomes a 136, which is still very usable for portraits. On the other hand, the 100 will become a 160, which is too long really for day to day portrait works.

[Virgo]

Originally Posted by Deadpoet I found 85 to be the easiest focal length to get use to if you are shooting FF. If not, it essentially becomes a 136, which is still very usable for portraits. On the other hand, the 100 will become a 160, which is too long really for day to day portrait works.

I'm not on FF, but it's still pretty easy to get used to. That is provided the user practise it often, shouting at the model from far for full body shots.

[miniUltraman]

I own both 50f1.4 and 85f1.8... after awhile I realise I use less of 85. Find it too long (esp indoor) for my usage due to my 1.6x. Now I left my 50mm...

[FilterFunk]

Originally Posted by miniUltraman I own both 50f1.4 and 85f1.8... after awhile I realise I use less of 85. Find it too long (esp indoor) for my usage due to my 1.6x. Now I left my 50mm...

there are some friends of mine (regardless of brand) told me about 50 & 85..
if you like 1, its rare that you will like the other. most of the time you will use 1 more often than the other..

it also applies to other primes too. (28mm, 35mm, etc)

[Virgo]

Originally Posted by FilterFunk there are some friends of mine (regardless of brand) told me about 50 & 85.. if you like 1, its rare that you will like the other. most of the time you will use 1 more often than the other.. it also applies to other primes too. (28mm, 35mm, etc)

It depends bro. For outdoor, I tend to use more on the 85mm, but indoor, the 50mm. This is due to the space needed for 85mm, and also the 85mm is very nice in bokeh.

[Deadpoet]

My 3 favourite lenses, and also 3 that accounts for over 95% of all pictures I shot, are in order of preference and use, 85, 35 and 50.

There is simply no better focal length for portraiture than the 85, the the right amount of compression adn superb bokeh.

For enviromental portraiture, and shooting portraits in confined spaces, the 35 is amazingly versatile.

[Virgo]

Originally Posted by Deadpoet My 3 favourite lenses, and also 3 that accounts for over 95% of all pictures I shot, are in order of preference and use, 85, 35 and 50. There is simply no better focal length for portraiture than the 85, the the right amount of compression adn superb bokeh. For enviromental portraiture, and shooting portraits in confined spaces, the 35 is amazingly versatile.

Great info on the 35mm. Yes, the 85 is very good for outdoors, be they 85mm (FF) or 50mm (1.6x, which comes up to 80mm).

[user111]

85 f1.2L

[jesbert]

85mm f1.8 unless always shot indoor ..