which lens? 50mm or 85mm?

[prodrive13]

Hi all, noob here..i know there has been tons of posting on these lenses but after searching i still cant find my answer.

i am going to invest in a fast lens but not sure which to choose, between 50mm f1.4 & 85mm f1.8.
i am looking to use the lens for portraits and some events shoot.
Will 50mm be sufficient to shoot events like motorshow, where sometimes alot of people are squeezing together.
In terms of picture quality is there any significant difference between the two?

i am shooting with a 400D. thanks

[Russ]

If it is between those 2, based on your usage, I would go for the 50mm. Even the 50 might be too long for you in crowded situations like motor shows, so the 85 will be difficult.

[dongtheng]

Perhaps you could do a test yourself...

I believe you should have a zoom lens with you at the moment. Set that lens to the 'fixed' focal point of 50mm and use it for a day (no zooming). Work out from there if that focal length is right for you...

[Gunbucker]

For 1.6x crop body, go with the 50mm. In terms of sheer speed though, I suspect the full-sized USM on the 85mm would out perform the micro USM on the 50mm.

[mjmyap]

The 85/1.8 is constructed better, is sharper wide-open, and focuses more accurately and quickly. Except for the focal length which is too long for a crop camera, it's a better lens than the 50/1.4 in every respect (I have both).

[flipfreak]

u gonna shoot cars at car shows or models at car shows? if cars then get a wide lens. if models then u gotta go tele with the crowd.

at the last car show, i was almost using my longest focal all the way to shoot the models. but then i usually shoot waist up shots.

[art2d3d]

EF-S 60mm F2.8 Macro 1:1.
very Sharp lens, serves 2 purposes. Portrait and Macro.
Can consider.

[ferrai]

Take the 50, the 85 will be too long

[justanut]

Not sure if everyone who has been saying the 85 is too long has actually used it before cos I don't think 85 is too long. I've used it on my 40D in my grandparent's 2-room flat with varying success and find the longer focal length helps limit the FOV in the background of the subject, which really helps isolate the subject even when you can't use the lens wide open due to unavailable light.

If you're going for headshots, i think this is a nice lens even in crowded situations. I've gotten shots that look paparazzi like But of course if you're right up front with the carshow models then you might not have space seeing that you need at least 85cm (usually i stand >2m away to get the head and shoulders in) to be able to focus with the 85/1.8...

If you want to be able to shoot up close (<2m) then the 50/1.4 is a very good choice. Plus, alot of ppl are upgrading to the 50/1.4 right now so you can get a nice 2nd hand one for a reasonable price

[coolsigg]

if u r going for one prime, go for the 50F1.4 first. it will be more versatile for your needs as well as a walkabout lens.

[nakashimamika]

Originally Posted by ferrai Take the 50, the 85 will be too long

Depends on yr usage, TS.
I personally find 85mm very good for my 40D for outdoor model shoots.

[flipfreak]

Originally Posted by nakashimamika Depends on yr usage, TS. I personally find 85mm very good for my 40D for outdoor model shoots.

u already say outdoor liao lor. btw, your shoot quite good.

but honestly, most of the time shooting at car shows, tele is anytime better than mid range lens. if not, u won't see ppl lugging 70-200 around.

[justanut]

Originally Posted by flipfreak u already say outdoor liao lor. btw, your shoot quite good. but honestly, most of the time shooting at car shows, tele is anytime better than mid range lens. if not, u won't see ppl lugging 70-200 around.

I think price is a factor TS is considering which is why he only highlighted the 50mm and 85mm? Believe he has done his homework and zoomed in to these 2. I would also love to have a 70-200/2.8 IS, but it'll be a long time before i save up enough

[flipfreak]

Originally Posted by justanut I think price is a factor TS is considering which is why he only highlighted the 50mm and 85mm? Believe he has done his homework and zoomed in to these 2. I would also love to have a 70-200/2.8 IS, but it'll be a long time before i save up enough

u only got 2 primes right now. u shld get a zoom for general shooting unless u master the art of changing lens in 1 sec.

[coolsigg]

Originally Posted by nakashimamika Depends on yr usage, TS. I personally find 85mm very good for my 40D for outdoor model shoots.

85F1.2 lagi better...BBB calling u liaos...:P

[coolsigg]

Originally Posted by flipfreak u already say outdoor liao lor. btw, your shoot quite good. but honestly, most of the time shooting at car shows, tele is anytime better than mid range lens. if not, u won't see ppl lugging 70-200 around.

Is it becos they use the 70-200 for candids, headshots and better bokeh?

[flipfreak]

everyone loves a good BKL lens (BKL = Bao Ka Liao)

[justanut]

Originally Posted by flipfreak u only got 2 primes right now. u shld get a zoom for general shooting unless u master the art of changing lens in 1 sec.

Yeah just sold my trusty 17-85 la... So far am surviving mostly on the 85. Forces me to reconsider composition and angle But for walkabout the 28 is ok...

But of course will eventually get the 17-55 or 24-105L as my general lens

[sprewell]

50mm f1.8 is a good lens for noob. At your stage, i think it is good enough.

I have a 50mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 and i'm loving em.

[flipfreak]

Originally Posted by justanut Yeah just sold my trusty 17-85 la... So far am surviving mostly on the 85. Forces me to reconsider composition and angle But for walkabout the 28 is ok... But of course will eventually get the 17-55 or 24-105L as my general lens

u shld look at it soon. dont get caught in the situation where u need the focal lengths in a hurry.