canon 85 1.8 vs canon 50mm 1.4

[Chuck Lee]

I haven't been able to find a copy in stock locally, so I might have to order from B&H. Are they pretty good at taking back lemons?

May I also recommend Adorama. They readily accept returns as well. I have always been very satisfied doing busines with them.


I test my lenses with http://focustestchart.com/chart.html


Lucky me, we have a 17x11 HP 8100 Laser printer at work!

[Cozen]

I'm bumping this thread up because I now have a 5D markii. I'm still debating this choice. It's like a never ending merry-go-round =)





my current lens line up is:





canon 24-105 L


canon 135L


canon 50 1.8


canon 20-35 3.5





I really like the versatility of the 24-105 but it's slow. Also, I was shooting some behind the scenes recently on a dark movie set, and I loved the reach of the 135l, but at f2 and around a minimum of 1/125 shutter speed, it wasn't quite fast enough. I was forced to shoot at 2000-2400 iso and the images suffered a bit from it. For something super fast, which would you choose on a FF?

[Sheiky]

Personally I just bought the Sigma 50mm 1.4 on my 5D2, since now I finally understand why 50mm was the standard focal length for FF. It's awsome! Much better than the Canon version I tried out. But I should say it front-focused originally, but that was solveable with AF-micro-adjustment.


In your case a 50mm makes more sense in the way that you've already got the 135L for head-shots etc. And the 50mm would make a great upgrade over the 1.8 [:P] (I really hated that lens, also hated the 50mm prime on a crop-body)


Jan

[Chuck Lee]

Totally agree with Sheiky.


50 has always been the kit lens on full frame. Why?


Also, the longer the focal the shorter the shutter speed needs to be for handheld. That's why some love the 35mm and 24mm primes.


My vote... 50 1.4...[Y]

[Jon Ruyle]

Also, I was shooting some behind the scenes recently on a dark movie set, and I loved the reach of the 135l, but at f2 and around a minimum of 1/125 shutter speed, it wasn't quite fast enough.

It's just a question of reach vs. hand holdability. The 50 is more hand holdable, the 85 has more reach.


Try your 50 f/1.8 to see if that focal length works for you.