Canon 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.8 ?

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daveb99

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I've recently been buying/selling a few lenses to update my kit, and though I have a decent range covered with my 17-40, 24-105 and 70-200, I'm debating whether to replace my 50mm 1.8 with either the 1.4 version, or the 85mm 1.8. I think I'll benefit from the USM, which means I'll use it far more than I do my 50mm 1.8.

Both are similarly priced, but I'm unsure which to go for. I've read reports of flaring on the 50mm 1.4, but it's probably slightly more use to me than the 85 1.8, as it is a great all rounder on full frame. Having said that - from my research, the 85mm 1.8 is a cracker of a lens in every way - perfect for portraits etc.

I think I'd get more outdoor use with the 1.4 - it makes for a very lightweight all round walkaround solution, but the 1.8 is tempting me as well.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated - particularly if you've had both, but ended up using one more than the other etc.
 
I went for 85mm simply because it is much better built and sharper wide open than 50mm (that is the most repaired Canon lens). I have no regrets, although I'd be interested if canon refreshes 50mm line.
Sigma 50mm is probably a better alternative if you can find a good copy
 
I have both the Canon 50mm f1.4 and the Canon 85mm f1.8 and the 85mm on a 5DMK2 is excellent (the 50mm is not too shabby either) but i do prefer the 85mm at the moment :)
 
I keep reading about Sigma quality problems, front / back focus etc and all I can say is that I must have been lucky.

I had a 28-300mm but sold it (and regretted it ever since) and I currently have 12-24mm, 20mm f1.8, 30mm f1.4, 50mm f1.4 and 150mm f2.8, with no focus issues what so ever.
 
I went through the same decision making process last year and bought the 85mm. I've never run a comparison between the two, but have read that the 85mm has faster AF and is more consistently good close to wide open, whereas the 50mm F1.4 is noted for not being great until stopped down to F2.0.

Since buying the 85mm, it's certainly seen plenty of action and has left me wanting to buy more primes.
 
Thanks for your help everyone - I've taken the plunge this afternoon and bought the 85mm 1.8 which Scottduffy is selling on the forum. It has a small mark on the glass inside which doesn't show up in photos so hopefully it will be a great lens for me.
 
Hi daveb99 :wave:

I see that you live in Leicestershire. If you’re not too far away or are willing to travel and want to try the 85mm 1.8 out send me a PM. Mine is NOT for sale btw – I love it far too much!

No experience of the 50mm 1.4 so can’t comment.
 
The ONLY decision is the focal length when buying primes. If it's not the right FL, then there is no meaningfull comparison. Obviously you buy the best you can afford among the variants.

Both are excellent lenses (I had them both), but once I had the 135L, I got used to walking backwards :D

Just don't buy one with flecks of paint inside*.

Graham





*only kidding. Great buy!
 
I've got both and both a good lenses, for portraits the 85mm is simply stunning, how do you find the focal length on your nifty though, if you find it too long you may not want either, especially the 85mm.
 
Hi,

I have owned both and much preferred the colours, contrast and detail that the 50mm F1.4 gave over the 85mm, I hated the purple fringing from the 85mm, which as everyone will tell you disappears by F4 or so, oh great so I bought an 85mm F4.0 lens :D . The thing I dislike about lens' like the 85mm is it falls into the same look that it gives an image, eg: the 18-55 kit lens, the 17-85mm IS lens the 85mm F1.8 etc all show a similar coloured image if you know what I mean, the skin tones were better on the 50mm too, 50mm F1.4 gave L like colours and contrast.

Now I'm not saying the 85mm isn't a good lens, but to me the image isn't just about sharpness ( which I think is a word too often banded about ) it's about the overall look and colour of the image, put it this way I thought the Sigma 17-70 lens gave better colours and contrast than the 85mm I owned. I sold the 85mm and bought a used 100mm F2.8 macro instead which IS sharp wide open and gives a beautiful image and no fringing ;)

No doubt cause a bit of grief with my comments, but it was just how I saw them.

Mike.
 
Well I have the 50 f1.4 and I mainly use it wide open and if used correctly you can get some exceptional results...

This shot is a 100% crop of the original image!

4039774535_9834923667_o.jpg
 
I had both, the 85mm was sharper and a better fit for a FF camera (I had the 1DsII at the time)

If I was buying one now for a FF body I would consider the 100mm f2 as well as many say that it is even sharper than the 85mm 1.8
 
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