50mm f1.4 or 85mm f1.8???

[evilorgi]

i am not a frequent portrait shooter, however i tend to shoot indoor events occasionally. events such as car shows or perhaps a friend's party.

i am using a 450d, with the likely hood of getting either a 17-40L or 17-55 IS in the near future and 70-200 f4L IS and a FF in the not so near future.

was considering a few portrait lenses and came down to this 2 choices. in your view, which is better and which is more suitable for the above set up i have?

considering the 1.6 crop factor i have, will 85mm be too tight for portraits? i am rather worried by 50mm will be too wide on a FF too..

[charlesleong]

if you're indoors and space is limited, definitely get the 50 first and the 85 later.

50 on a 1.6x crop is fairly ok for indoor party events etc, but 85 might be very tight.

50 on a FF is normal eye view (WYSIWYG).

[Headshotzx]

You can't go wrong with either one. I bought my 50mm f/1.8 last time and loved it to bits. Then I decided to get something longer, so I bought the 85mm f/1.8, which I'm now in love with. To me, the most important aspect of a lens is the focal length, followed by max aperture. The 85mm fits what I shoot.

For indoor work, 50mm f/1.8 is good for portraits, but if you have some space, 85mm is good too. Both focal lengths are lovely on 1.6 crop to FF sensors.

[evilorgi]

Originally Posted by charlesleong if you're indoors and space is limited, definitely get the 50 first and the 85 later. 50 on a 1.6x crop is fairly ok for indoor party events etc, but 85 might be very tight. 50 on a FF is normal eye view (WYSIWYG).

perhaps standing around 1-3m away from the subject, is this considered limited?

the main concern i have here is that 50mm will be too wide once i change to FF.

[evilorgi]

Originally Posted by Headshotzx You can't go wrong with either one. I bought my 50mm f/1.8 last time and loved it to bits. Then I decided to get something longer, so I bought the 85mm f/1.8, which I'm now in love with. To me, the most important aspect of a lens is the focal length, followed by max aperture. The 85mm fits what I shoot. For indoor work, 50mm f/1.8 is good for portraits, but if you have some space, 85mm is good too. Both focal lengths are lovely on 1.6 crop to FF sensors.

for example if you go to a car show, normally you will be standing ard 1-3m away from the cars/models right? which lens do you use in this case?

i am still waiting to try 17-55 this weekend as mentioned in the other thread. if i decide to get 17-55 then perhaps 50mm will be out the question. if i get a 17-40L then it will be different again. what a dilemma...

[Headshotzx]

Originally Posted by evilorgi for example if you go to a car show, normally you will be standing ard 1-3m away from the cars/models right? which lens do you use in this case? i am still waiting to try 17-55 this weekend as mentioned in the other thread. if i decide to get 17-55 then perhaps 50mm will be out the question. if i get a 17-40L then it will be different again. what a dilemma...

For me, close-up event = Normal Zoom + Flash; which is the 17-40L + 580EXII (With velcro'd Bounce "Card"). You just don't have the time to stand back, and if you do, people will block your view.

For your case, I'd say 35mm would do nicely for a upper-body shot. 50mm can only see face + neck. 85mm can only see face.

[ahpan]

in terms of bokeh, which one performs better? Or is it the same since both are f/1.8 ?

[ferrai]

I was in the same dilemma as you and i chose to get the 50 1.4... never regretted it. the lens is on my cam like... 95% of the time.

[m3lv1nh0]

Get both...

[Scandiacus]

Btw other than the built quality, price and USM, does the 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.8 really have much difference?

[cereal]

I skip 50mm and went for 85mm, no regrets..

depends on wat you shoot bah

[Headshotzx]

Originally Posted by Scandiacus Btw other than the built quality, price and USM, does the 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.8 really have much difference?

Bokeh quality and 'sharpness'. Sharpness has quotation marks because what I mean is that the 50mm f/1.4 at f/1.8 is sharper than f/1.8 on 50mm f/1.8II just because it's stopped down. Still, it doesn't exactly make sense to buy a 1.4 if you just intend to shoot at 1.8..

[calebk]

Originally Posted by ahpan in terms of bokeh, which one performs better? Or is it the same since both are f/1.8 ?

The 85mm offers more compressed bokeh, simply due to the longer focal length. With the 50mm, I find bokeh to be pleasing nonetheless, sometimes bordering harsh, but that is largely dependent on the background as well. Bokeh is a very subjective matter in photography.

Here are some of my latest shots with the 85mm. I'm not afraid to shoot at f/2 or f/2.2 with this lens. It's a great lens, as many users before me have already discovered.

In terms of the enjoyment factor, I enjoy shooting more with the 85mm, also due to the nice compression that it has.

Originally Posted by Scandiacus Btw other than the built quality, price and USM, does the 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.8 really have much difference?

If you wanna be particular, lens construction (elements and arrangements), aperture construction (blade count, blade shape) is also different.

[prodigic]

Calebk, wat beast did u use to shoot tat 85mm? Cropped or FF?

I'm more leaning towards the 85mm f1.8 too. But I'm afraid it'll be too long (135mm) on my 40D.

[calebk]

Originally Posted by prodigic Calebk, wat beast did u use to shoot tat 85mm? Cropped or FF? I'm more leaning towards the 85mm f1.8 too. But I'm afraid it'll be too long (135mm) on my 40D.

I use it on a 1DII (1.3x crop). I've used it on a 30D too and found it a very nice range...but sometimes a little long for half-body. It's perfect for headshots.

[Headshotzx]

Originally Posted by calebk I use it on a 1DII (1.3x crop). I've used it on a 30D too and found it a very nice range...but sometimes a little long for half-body. It's perfect for headshots.

Yes, it's also perfect for headshot (me)

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Headshotzx Yes, it's also perfect for headshot (me)

Oh....






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