Canon 85mm f1.8 USM

[AcadieLibre]

I am looking to add two more prime lenses to my equipment, this is the one I am considering now because I want a 50mm prime also but going to wait it out and see what Sigma puts on when their 50mm is released. I have seen the Canon 85mm used for around $375.00 a few places now and seriously thinking of picking one up, what is the build like and how do those who have one think of it?

[tegan]

Just to provide some information that you may or may not be aware of:

At one time primes were better in sharpness and overall quality than zoom lenses, but the technology has caught up according to Popular Photography and current zoom lenses are equal to or better than most primes.

Anyone would tend to switch primes more often than zooms which in turn lets more dust into the sensor area degrading picture quality.

A zoom with a 35mm equivalent of 28mm to 75mm at 2.8 with macro is likely to spend more time on your camera (less time being changed) and be more flexible than a 85mm 1.8 prime.

I would only consider an 85mm 1.8 prime if I was only doing studio portrait work and then it would be on the Canon Mark III.

Tegan

[AcadieLibre]

I am reconsidering this lens, have heard the build is not the best so will go looking at it. It would be for a portrait lens. I am finding with Canon a lot of their lesser priced lenses are very poorly built so I need to go see one and have actually heard from another forum that this lens is ok but not as good I had read in some reviews. I would like a good portrait lens that is a prime but may see what my options are. I rather pay more money and wait then get a lens that is of questionable build quality. I also would like some faster glass is another reason for wanting something around 70-85mm with an F1.8 or better. Going to reconsider what I need and may wait and get something of a better quality build. The reviews I read on this lens by Photo magazines and sites rave but when I have talked to actual users the quality of the build seems to be a big issue and to me that is very important. I have several lenses that take me from 10mm to 500mm and all are very good quality but I need some glass faster than the 2.8 that they are. I have a 30mm 1.4 prime and love it for shooting low light and why I would like another one or two lenses in that f range and for other various reasons why I would like to add a 50mm and something near the 80mm range. For not any decision is on hold until I can go and see them and do more research.

[Marko]

Some quick webreviews of your model suggest it is a very good value, though i have never used that lens.


I can tell you that i have seen the F 1.2 L version of this lens in action....and it is a SUPERB portrait lens. Of course the pricetag at about 1800.00 is insane unless you are already making a good living in photography...or just have loads of extra cash lying around. But the quality of the results are amazing.

It's funny I never learned the word 'bokeh' until 10 years AFTER I went to photo school. (From wikipedia - Bokeh (from the Japanese "blur") is a photographic term referring to the appearance of out-of-focus areas in an image produced by a camera lens. )

But that 1.2 L lens has KILLER bokeh!

[AcadieLibre]

Well I am considering now, not for sure is getting the 50mm 1.2 USM L canon lens this year and work on the 85 1.2 L for next year. I think I may just put this on hold, make a few bucks then work on those two. I have no issue spending the money, just bought a new truck cash and all my current camera gear in the last 2 months so leaving my cash flow a bit deleted at the moment lol. I have good lens in the 2.8 range and the 1.4 30mm and most likely will wait and get one great lens one at a time. I heard good things about the 85mm 1.8 since the post from users but in no rush and really , really want to 50mm 1.2 and the 85mm 1.2 seems to be something I am willing to wait for then spend money and now and wish I would have waited. I will have to wait a month to three to get the 50mm 1.2 and figure if I can wait until next spring I can scrape the money together for the 85mm. At some point going full frame so good glass is always good glass and want to keep with lenses that will move up with me. I can wait have some decent glass now so I think I may have been jumping the gun if I buy now and starting to think I will regret not waiting. 3 of my current lenses are in the price range of the 85mm 1.2 and 50mm 1.2 so not like I am unwilling to spend the money to get what I really want. If I knew then what I know now may have postponed getting my 500mm lens but would have wanted it anyway at some point. Just need to start being far more picky on what I buy and making sure I am getting what I really want.

[Mandrake]

I've a canon 85mm f1.8 USM lens been testing it and have used it for a while, so far I'm quite satisfied with its speed and sharpness.

[AcadieLibre]

Thanks, I hear it is a good lens from most, how do you find the build quality in it?