85mm f/1.8...should I keep my 50mm?

[luvmyfamily]

I am looking at this lens:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-85mm-Medium-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B00007GQLU/ref=pd_rhf_cr_p_t_1

I don't see the point of keeping my 50mm f/1.8 if I have this? Should I sell my 50mm, or keep it in addition to this? Thoughts...help?

 

[tmjjk]

I am trying to decide on a 50mm 1.4 vs 85mm 1.4 for crop sensor camera... so I'm hopping on board to here everyone's responses

 

[Robin Usagani]

Have both. You will have a hard time shooting babies in a small room already with 50mm and crop sensor. I cant imagine using 85.

 

[irfan.in.tx]

Do keep the 50 mm. While the 85 mm is an excellent lens, on a crop camera it is too tight in many situations, definitely indoors. The 85/1.8 and 50/1.8 is a good combination.

 

[luvmyfamily]

Have both. You will have a hard time shooting babies in a small room already with 50mm and crop sensor. I cant imagine using 85.

So you can't get as close with the 85mm as the 50, right?

 

[cgipson1]

I am trying to decide on a 50mm 1.4 vs 85mm 1.4 for crop sensor camera... so I'm hopping on board to here everyone's responses

85 is difficult to use indoors with a crop sensor body, but great outdoors! 50 is much better indoors, and still good outdoors!

The Sigma 50 1.4 is a great lens, btw!

 

[Dao]

Have both. You will have a hard time shooting babies in a small room already with 50mm and crop sensor. I cant imagine using 85.

So you can't get as close with the 85mm as the 50, right?

Do you have a lens that cover the 85mm focal length such as a telephoto zoom lens that you can set the lens focal length to 85mm? If yes, try it yourself and see.

 

[luvmyfamily]

I am trying to decide on a 50mm 1.4 vs 85mm 1.4 for crop sensor camera... so I'm hopping on board to here everyone's responses

85 is difficult to use indoors with a crop sensor body, but great outdoors! 50 is much better indoors, and still good outdoors!

The Sigma 50 1.4 is a great lens, btw!

Thanks, I am trying to get it sharper without having to get closer. I am glad I know to keep both but in this example, I think he would have looked sharper with the 85mm standing farther away.

 

[luvmyfamily]

Have both. You will have a hard time shooting babies in a small room already with 50mm and crop sensor. I cant imagine using 85.

So you can't get as close with the 85mm as the 50, right?

Do you have a lens that cover the 85mm focal length such as a telephoto zoom lens that you can set the lens focal length to 85mm? If yes, try it yourself and see.

I don't, all I have is 18-55mm and a 50mm f/1.8. You could still use the 85mm indoors though like in a larger area like an elementary school gym?

 

[Steve5D]

I have the 85mm f/1.8, and I've been considering a 50mm f/1.4. They're simply different lenses, and they do different things...

 

[jaomul]

I have both the 50 f1.8 and 85 f1.8 and a crop sensor. The 85mm is great outdoors at a distance and obviously in a large indoor area. It is very fast and can help with great portraits at a distance. Many use this lens for indoor sports events also, I have read its a popular lens for basketball, only mentioning this to say it is flexible in low light. If you can afford it I think it is worthwhile to have both

 

[luvmyfamily]

I have both the 50 f1.8 and 85 f1.8 and a crop sensor. The 85mm is great outdoors at a distance and obviously in a large indoor area. It is very fast and can help with great portraits at a distance. Many use this lens for indoor sports events also, I have read its a popular lens for basketball, only mentioning this to say it is flexible in low light. If you can afford it I think it is worthwhile to have both

That is what I was thinking. My son skipped little league football this year and is holding out for basketball. This lens would be good for a small gym. I'm keeping my 50mm, but thinking I'm sold on the 85....

 

[joaopsr]

by all means, keep them both!
Those two are by far the best low-cost portrait lenses. And one does not replace the other: they produce fairly different angle of view.

 

[Josh66]

I have the 85mm f/1.8, and I've been considering a 50mm f/1.4. They're simply different lenses, and they do different things...

Exactly. Keep your 50.

I have both, and use both frequently.

If you have to sell the 50 to afford the 85 - just wait longer.

 

[jake337]

I am trying to decide on a 50mm 1.4 vs 85mm 1.4 for crop sensor camera... so I'm hopping on board to here everyone's responses

85 is difficult to use indoors with a crop sensor body, but great outdoors! 50 is much better indoors, and still good outdoors!The Sigma 50 1.4 is a great lens, btw!

Thanks, I am trying to get it sharper without having to get closer. I am glad I know to keep both but in this example, I think he would have looked sharper with the 85mm standing farther away.

What do you mean by sharper? With a longer focal length(85+) you will get less distortion and more magnification. Not sure how it would make that photo "sharper".