Canon 85mm 1.8 anyone here have it?

0utpost31

I'm interested in getting this lens, read some good reviews, but I need some down to earth info on it! Would like to have a lens that would allow me to take bokeh-licious portrait photos.

Can get it for ~280 on ebay, is it worth it? Can ye post some sample pics if possible? thanks

el_loco_blanco

Hi there,

I have that lens and I absolutely love it. It is on my camera most of the time. I can get a really good DOF from it. It is pretty good for portraits too but the 105mm is better I believe. I bought mine in January in B&H in NY and the man behind the counter recommended it over the 105mm because it is more of a general lens and will suit more scenarios.

thebaz

i have one , that i will keep , but still prefer the wider angle 50 , better value IMO -- i probably regret selling my 30 now , might see about getting a 1.8 instead

King Eric

I have it. I love it.

Tis just gorgeous, the end of it is like looking thru a pint glass.

AFAIK Conns have one for 300 ish 2nd hand. Tis worth taking for a spin if nothing else.

Ricky91t

http://flickr.com/search/?q=canon%2085%20f%2F1.8&w=all
Have no test pics but thats a flickr search

0utpost31

Thanks I've already searched flickr and POTN but I need some humans to tell me what the craic is, in real time! The pictures do look great though. 85mm 1.2 looks sharper but the price tag is a bit too high at the moment...

@ thebaz, why do you prefer the 50mm?

Bui

Not the 1.8 but I have the 85mm 1.4, and I absolutely love it. A tad more expensive, but worth every penny of it, by far my favourite lens. Its very fast, amazing for low light stuff and the bokeh is just sexy. It depends on what you're shooting though and your personal taste, some people find it too long. What kind of stuff are you looking at it for? I find for portraits and gigs its by far my favourite. You might find this helpful:

Taken with a 50mm f1.8




taken with 85mm at f1.8



So there's your comparison. Here are a few others taken with the 85mm 1.4

thebaz

0utpost31 wrote: »

@ thebaz, why do you prefer the 50mm?

i find it a bit restrictive , great for portraits (though i find the 50 as good !) , and for "relative" close up at concerts -- but the 50 gives you more options , i don't like switching lenses out and about -- all that dust

Borderfox

the 85mm would be my most used lens, its very fast to focus and good and sharp from about f2.8 up. Suffers from purple fringing when shooting high contrast subjects wide open

0utpost31

Borderfox I thought you had the 1.2 version?

stcstc

i had the 85 1.8, although its a great lens i found myself not using it that much

was a bit long for portraits and not quite long enough for other things

RCNPhotos

Like the look of the 85mm 1.8/1.4.

What kind of prices would we be talking here folks?

0utpost31

The 85mm 1.4 is Nikon only I think.

The 1.8 can be found on ebay for less than 300e which is really good. RCN have a look at this thread I found over at POTN for the 85mm 1.8 it's packed to the gills with some great sample shots. Think there are a few gig shots in there too.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=140371

Am I allowed link to POTN?

mikeanywhere

I have the 1.2 version and I love it!!!! The 1.8 is a cracking lens for the price too and a lot lighter too

Here are a couple of examples using the 1.2

0utpost31

Ah shtop don't talk to me about the 1.2 tis a savage lens.

melekalikimaka

i find it a little too tight as a lens, suppose be nice for further stuff, but it was made for portraits afaik, but due to crop factor the 50mm is closer to that sweet spot, 1.4 is the way to go for bokeh but its some premium ya pay

Bui

I shoot nikon so I'm not sure if Canon do an 85mm 1.4. Picked it up for about 700e on ebay brand new, best money I ever spent. Was a little apprehensive before I got it but as soon as I got it on my camera, it rarely comes off. I'm not sure Canon do a 1.4, I think they only do 85mm 1.2 or 1.8. Whatever you decide to go with, it's absolutely worth the money, I can't stress it enough! As regards it being too long, just move yourself around a bit!

City-Exile

Bui, that last pic is fabulous!
Really like it!

Mike, your first pic is great too!

I have to cover a wedding next July, so I'm watching all the movement on the serious lens threads.

melekalikimaka

Bui wrote: »

As regards it being too long, just move yourself around a bit!

well i'd purchase it personally for the extra light it'll allow, for gig photography... a type of photography where moving back isn't an option... maybe a teleconverter put on backwards

Bui

Hehe well sure you know thats why I bought it! Yep if you're doing any low-light work, especially gig photography, its invaluable and the bokeh is just creamy. Think the highest ISO I had to go up to that night was about 500 most of the time.

Cheers city-exile. I was shooting a wedding last July which turned out to be an indoor affair due to rain, and a general lighting nightmare, even with flash. I found this lens came in handy, was really invaluable for a lot of the shots especially where you didn't want to use flash indoors. You can check some of them out here to get an idea if it's any help, really came in handy in the evening for first dance etc too.

Borderfox

0utpost31 wrote: »

Borderfox I thought you had the 1.2 version?

I have both

Borderfox

City-Exile wrote: »

Bui, that last pic is fabulous!
Really like it!

Mike, your first pic is great too!

I have to cover a wedding next July, so I'm watching all the movement on the serious lens threads.

Peadar, for weddings there is only one lens that I would choose if I had to and thats the 85 f1.2..

Bui

Borderfox wrote: »

Peadar, for weddings there is only one lens that I would choose if I had to and thats the 85 f1.2..

Unfortunately Nikon don't make an 85mm 1.2 but speaking for the 1.4, I totally agree!