50mm or 85mm

[zannella1108]

Hi everyone,

I am ready to buy a new lens for my Canon t3i and cannot decide between the 50mm f1.4 or the 85mm f1.8. I know the bokeh will be amazing on either but doing a google search to see which mm is best is tough. I do mostly kids and close ups but occasionally I really love to take scenic photos of oceans, trees, etc.. any thoughts??

Thanks!
Kristen

[dugarner]

Well, I would usually recommend not using any stop lower than 2.5 on portraiture. Many, many people go all the way out to 1.4 or 1.8 and then get the nose or one eye in focus, and wonder why. For tack-sharp portraits, 2.5 is a good starting point. You're working with a focal depth of a little more than an inch at 1.4. So I don't think that the aperture should be what makes the decision necessarily, meaning, you can get as wide as 2.5 with either lens.

I am under the impression the 85mm is a higher-quality lens. It's quite a bit more expensive and typically, with Canon prime lenses, the more $$ the higher quality the lens. **Usually.**

However. If you're also interested in using the lens for other things like scenery, it depends on whether or not you typically do wide-angle with scenery or more of a telephoto feel. There is a big difference between the 50mm and the 85mm as far as focal length. Do you have another acceptable wide-angle lens for when you need it? It might be good to try a telephoto lens that goes at least to 85mm (at a mall or a large store) so you can see how much zoom there is.

I definitely don't think you need the 1.4. You probably don't need that extra aperture stop unless you do a lot of close-up, artsy-interpretive kind of pseudo-macro photography. It's a couple hundred dollars more for that one stop. I personally would be happy with my 50mm if it started at 2.8.

I get unbelievably gorgeous bokeh at 5.6 with my 250mm and my 400mm. Keep in mind the distance to your subject, and the subject's distance from the background affect bokeh as well.

So, to summarize. I have two good zoom lenses and a decent wide-angle lens right now. If I had money to buy another prime, I'd buy the 85mm 1.8.

Didn't help much, did it?

[anke]

I just got the 85mm for my Nikon and I absolutely love it! The bokeh is incredible!!! I can blur out ugly backgrounds and since my house is pretty dark, I do use the large aperature quite a bit, although Sarah is completely right about everything she said!

[Standifg]

Kristen ... I recently went through the same process of "which" lens to buy. I have a 200mm f2.8 L series that I absolutely love and a 60mm f2.8 macro that I love just as much (wish it was the 100mm though :-). But I wanted to replace my 18-55mm kit lens something fierce. After a lot of searching, reading, reviewing and trying to be realistic about how much I should spend on a pleasure not a necessity, I decided on the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8. I LOVE IT. Gives me a wide angle for landscape type shots along with a decent zoom option all in one package .. it stays on my camera 90% of the time. I also have the 55-250mm that I use for some outdoor shooting but since I got the 200mm and 28-75mm, it stays at home most of the time. Good luck .. it can be a daunting task to decide what to buy .. with each good review there seems to be two bad ones.

[zannella1108]

Yes very helpful - but it's not the bokeh that I was concerned about - cause I'm thinking I would hardly go down to f1.4 so the real question is the 85mm or 50mm. And the only other lens that I have the kit lens; i thought I read that the 85mm is best for further away and the 50mm for up close - is that true?? And the 85mm f1.8 wasn't that much more - I found one for $399 - or was I dreaming?!

So - I'm guessing you ladies would prefer the 85mm over the 50mm???

Thanks!
Kristen

[dugarner]

Originally Posted by zannella1108

Yes very helpful - but it's not the bokeh that I was concerned about - cause I'm thinking I would hardly go down to f1.4 so the real question is the 85mm or 50mm. And the only other lens that I have the kit lens; i thought I read that the 85mm is best for further away and the 50mm for up close - is that true?? And the 85mm f1.8 wasn't that much more - I found one for $399 - or was I dreaming?!

So - I'm guessing you ladies would prefer the 85mm over the 50mm???

Thanks!
Kristen

If it's between the 50mm and the 85mm, I'd go with the 85mm. I think it overall does better portraiture.

[Jen D]

I was really frustrated with the 85mm... I felt like I had to keep backing up too far away from my subjects. I wanted the low aperture for indoor lighting but found that I just couldn't get the shot in. I love my 50 The lens I use for portraiture is the 24-70mm 2.8. That lens rarely comes off my camera!

[tylertooo]

You guys are making me want to get another lens. I have been wanting a macro, and also have been wanting the big daddy - 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, but every time I get ready to buy it, I decide to spend it on something more necessary. I'm loving this thread.

[KimR+]

Everyone has basically said my thoughts!! If you do close ups mostly, it's going to be tricky with both of them if you are using a large aperture! I'd pick the 50 first! It's a little but if a wider angel and it's cheaper! You can always get another lens later! I'm like Jen, 95% of the time I have my 17-55 2.8 on my camera! Good luck with your decision!

[zannella1108]

I just looked up the 17-55mm 2.8 and it's a $1000 - not quite in my range yet! I do make money off of my photos but not enough to justify that yet.. the 85mm was about $400 give or take and the 50mm was $369 on B&H Photo but only about $200 on amazon.

Can't believe how tough this is! I still need a flash, reflector and umbrella so I may go with the 50mm for right now and then upgrade when I book more shoots.

You all have been so helpful; it's interesting to see what people like and dislike

Kristen

[zannella1108]

I need to buy it soon so I will let you ladies know!

[dugarner]

Originally Posted by zannella1108

I just looked up the 17-55mm 2.8 and it's a $1000 - not quite in my range yet! I do make money off of my photos but not enough to justify that yet.. the 85mm was about $400 give or take and the 50mm was $369 on B&H Photo but only about $200 on amazon.

Can't believe how tough this is! I still need a flash, reflector and umbrella so I may go with the 50mm for right now and then upgrade when I book more shoots.

You all have been so helpful; it's interesting to see what people like and dislike

Kristen

I didn't even think about it, but if you mostly shoot indoors, the 50mm would be better. Like Anke said, I still find myself backing up and I only have the 50mm. And the rooms in my house are small, so it's often hard to get a good angle.

Good luck!

[zannella1108]

Actually most of shots are outdoors but yes there are times when I am inside.. hmm...

[georgeinci]

I own both lenses (well my 50mm is 1.8f rather than the 1.4). My 85mm is my most recent buy and I have to say my 50mm is still on my camera 90% of the time. The 85mm is just too much of a squeeze indoors - I find myself backing way up. On the picture quality side the bokeh is slightly better on the 85mm but not enough to make that much of a difference to me. Another big plus for me is the 50mm is lighter (I am a bit of a weakling though!!!).
Let us know what you decide on... x

[home in ottawa]

Reading this with interest. Consider renting one of the lenses and playing with it. If it isn't love at first sight, then you will be able to afford the one that you really love! Enjoy!

[Myra]

Originally Posted by Jen D

I was really frustrated with the 85mm... I felt like I had to keep backing up too far away from my subjects. I wanted the low aperture for indoor lighting but found that I just couldn't get the shot in. I love my 50 The lens I use for portraiture is the 24-70mm 2.8. That lens rarely comes off my camera!

Except for the 85 mm part, it's a lens I don't own, I could have written this post myself.

[zannella1108]

Ok ladies - I did it! I just purchased the 50mm 1.4f Canon lens! I have added the 24-70mm 2.8f to my wish list! I also purchased a 5 in 1 reflector.. now I am so excited to get it in the mail and practice with it!

Thank you all so so much for your input!

[georgeinci]

Wow - you will have so much fun and I mean sooooo much fun! Enjoy - I can't wait to see your photographs, they will be incredible! x

[Amson]

Sounds exciting! Look forward to seeing your photos.

[zannella1108]

Thanks ladies!

[anxela]

My 50mm f/1.4 (Canon version by Sigma) is an amazing lens. It's practically glued to my camera.

I'm thinking about upgrading to a full frame body, and I would probably want the 85 mm then...