Nikon 85mm f/1.8 or 50mm f1.4?

[rushnp774]

My D90 came in about a week ago and I only have the kit lens for it (18-105 VR). It's fine as an all-around lens, and I like having some extra on the wide end over my old lens as well. Just got done with a photo shoot today in an old warehouse (and am planning on doing much more there) and REALLY missed a prime like the 50mm f/1.8 on my Dad's Rebel XT. It's funny that the cheapest lens on this planet was the one I've taken my best photos with.

I'm debating between the 85mm f/1.8 & the 50mm f/1.4, primarily for portraits (usually in a controlled studio setting or outside with plenty of space to move around) and maybe a few general shots. I love primes because they force you to actually move to compose the picture and I personally spend too much time trying to zoom.

Don't think I'd actually need the extra f-stop @1.4, so maybe the 85mm would be better. Does it all really come down to which focal length you like better? One of the guys I shot with today has an 85mm for his 40D said he thinks it's a little long for him, but I'm not sure.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[StewartR]

Does it all really come down to which focal length you like better?

Yes.

And welcome to TP, by the way.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Easy way to find out - spend a day shooting at 50mm and 85mm with the lens you have and see which suits you best.....oh and to TP

 

[rushnp774]

First off, thanks for the welcomes I don't know why I didn't think about leaving my lens at one of those two focal lengths and snapping a bunch of pictures. As I said earlier, if I have a lens that can zoom, I tend to spend too much time fiddling with it. I'll try that.