to 85 or not to 85mm

Muzzieman

Muzzieman

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Hi guys I am toying with idea of adding an 85mm to my arsenal. now which way do i go? all are in budget but the choice is difficult, do i go for the canon 1.2, sigma art 1.4 or take a gamble on the new Samyang 1.2. Just to throw a curveball theres also the 2.8 100mm macro or just buy the much cheaper 85mm 1.8 from canon? any real world experience with the above mentioned greatly appreciated.
 
I'd add the old non Art Sigma to your list of possibilities, I thought the one I had was excellent.
 
Get the Sigma Art is best bang for buck.

Canon 85 1.2 however does have something magical about it but slower to focus (understatement).

I do love mine though.

FYI, I also have the 100L and had the 85/1.8 but the 1.2 is my go to lens for that focal length.

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I got rid of my 85 as I found I wasnt using it in favour of the 100 f2.8 or 50 f1.4 depending on my situation. But it's horses for courses and depending on what your shooting.
 
I have the 50 1.4 it works in some situations but doesn't flatter in most. I have the 70-200 2.8 but 1.4 or 1.2 is just that little bit more special. But to contradict myself I like headshots that I've seen taken with the 100mm macro.
 
For portraits the 85 1.2 produces very special results and I really enjoy shooting with mine. But it's expensive and slow to autofocus so needs practice to track accurately wide open. The 85 1.8 is much faster autofocus and a heck of a lot cheaper, and results also very good. Depends what you are shooting and the results you need whether this is the right focal length and which lens beat suits.
 
I love my 85 1:2 and when you get it right it's something special.
 
Muzzieman said:
Hi guys I am toying with idea of adding an 85mm to my arsenal. now which way do i go? all are in budget but the choice is difficult, do i go for the canon 1.2, sigma art 1.4 or take a gamble on the new Samyang 1.2. Just to throw a curveball theres also the 2.8 100mm macro or just buy the much cheaper 85mm 1.8 from canon? any real world experience with the above mentioned greatly appreciated.
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depends what you're going to use it for
Portraits mainly? - get the Canon 1.2 version. Focusses as slow me in the morning after a good night out, and you'll get lost of misses, but if you're shooting stationary portraits you'll get as many goes at it as you need. The only other use I ever used it for was selective landscape shots e.g. couple of leaves in focus with the rest bluury. You buy this lens to use wide open all the time -- if you're going to use it stopped down then get the 1.8 version which has the same IQ once you're in the f5.6 range, focusses MUCH faster (it's fast by any standards) and is MUCH cheaper.Obviously if you're doing macro get the macro
 
I do wonder about head/half body shots at 85mm and f1.2 as the DoF is going to be minimal and arguably of limited use other than to show the capabilities of the lens. Does anyone really want a close portrait at f1.2? Not me. YMMV. Shots at longer distances may be a different story.
 
woof woof said:
I do wonder about head/half body shots at 85mm and f1.2 as the DoF is going to be minimal and arguably of limited use other than to show the capabilities of the lens. Does anyone really want a close portrait at f1.2? Not me. YMMV. Shots at longer distances may be a different story.
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I do!
 
i think it may well be the sigma 1.4 art unless i can get a canon 1.2 used for the right price.
 
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