100mm or 85mm

[Hippo_MC]

I have a 40D and already have the 50mm 1.4. Was considering getting the 85mm as an additional portrait lens but also would like to get the 100mm Macro lens.

With the 85mm you get f1.8

With the 100mm, the aperture is f2.8, but if I get the IS version I can gain a few stops, plus it also doubles as a dedicated macro as well.

There is about £400 difference between the 2 lenses

In people's experience would the 100mm be a bit long on a 1.6x for general indoor portraits and therefore would I be better off getting the 85mm and and maybe a Raynox?

Cant decide :bonk:

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[amtaylor]

The 100mm will give you head shots at about a 1.5 metres away and waist portraits at 3 metres. The IS is a gorgeous lens. But equally you could get the non is and the 85mm for about the same price. However I went with the L IS and am very please. I have a crop and a full frame so its pretty versatile for me.

 

[MatBin]

I have the non Is 100 2.8 macro and the 85 1.8. The 100 is just a little bulkier than the 85, the 85 with tubes is a fabulous macro lens.
If I had to choose just one, it would be the 100 as I think the macro facility is worth keeping one over the other. You wont be using 1.8/2.8 in macro mode anyway
IS? For macro? Not sure, like most IS its probably something you would miss if you didnt have it and I wouldnt get the 100 and the 85 instaed of the 100 with IS, but IS came out after I bought my 100 macro.

Matt

 

[33L]

I had an non L macro and swapped it for an 85mm 1.8, very rarely used the macro function and i have a 135mm as well so the 85 1.8 plus tubes to go on the 135 and i am a happy man.