Switching from a 50 1.8 to an 85 1.8

Familyphotog · May 23, 2011

I am thinking about upgrading my prime lens to an 85mm 1.8. I currently use a 50 mm 1.8 which has been great but I would love to see what the 85 is like. For those of you that have it, is it much different than the 50? I do mostly portrait work.

Thanks!

Trever1t · May 23, 2011

35mm.

Keep the 50 and add the 85 to your equipment. The 85 is a commonly used lens for portraiture.

Robin Usagani · May 23, 2011

Thats not an upgrade. That is just another lens. Keep both.

Familyphotog · May 23, 2011

Thanks. I thought the 85 was a better lens? It is obviously a different focal length, but also seems like it has better reviews.

Robin Usagani · May 23, 2011

I just assume you are shooting with a cropped sensor. 85mm will give you trouble trying to put the whole baby in the frame with you standing up and baby is on the floor. I can barely do that with 50mm and full frame.

Derrel · May 23, 2011

You need BOTH focal lengths in your kit. Neither one is an "upgrade"--just different tools. When you buy a fork, you do not get rid of all the spoons...

mwcfarms · May 23, 2011

Its great for a longer range but its just another tool. Both are comparable I think in regards to image quality. The 85mm has been reported to have a more solid build, it has 6 elements and 9 blades compared to the 5 and 7 of the 50mm so you will notice a different in the appearance of bokeh it will produce. I would still keep your 50mm. I think having a 35, 50 and 85 are all useful for different reasons.

Familyphotog · May 23, 2011

I have a D90. So if I were to get the 35 or 85 then, which would you suggest? I shoot natural light only, mainly outdoors. I will use OCF and reflectors for fill if necessary.

mwcfarms · May 23, 2011

It all depends on what you want to shoot or shoot mostly. Both lenses are good but for different things and what lenses you currently own. I should also mention that these focal lengths are different on a crop factor like your D90 than a full frame. So you can times each one by 1.5 to see what the length will be on your D90.

KmH · May 23, 2011

mwcfarms said:
The 85mm has been reported to have a more solid build, it has 6 elements and 9 blades compared to the 5 and 7 of the 50mm so you will notice a different in the appearance of bokeh it will produce..

The bokeh the 85 mm produces will be somewhat smooth, or creamy-er looking than what the 50 delivers. The bokeh star is Nikon's 85 mm f/1.4. It is nicknamed "The Cream Machine" because of it's super smooth and creamy bokeh.

CNWPhoto · May 23, 2011

I would definitely keep the 50mm lens. The price on those is like $120 right now so its not really worth selling, plus it's a great lens. You'll get more bokeh with the 85 since its a longer length and it will be a great addition to your kit for portrait work. Enjoy the new lens! I use a 105 macro sometimes that is awesome, but I guess that's kind of a different genre.....

MWG · May 23, 2011

Schwettylens said:
I just assume you are shooting with a cropped sensor. 85mm will give you trouble trying to put the whole baby in the frame with you standing up and baby is on the floor. I can barely do that with 50mm and full frame.

This times 10. I already went through this exact same scenario. I ended up returning it to amazon and going with the 50 1.8. it really is a great lens though, lovely bokeh.

The biggest difference between the two lenses is the AF, the 85 is much quicker since its usm.

It's a great bargain for the price if you asked me.

KmH · May 24, 2011

Familyphotog said:
I have a D90.

Nikon doesn't do USM, they do SWM.

GreatPhotoRace · May 24, 2011

Keep both, as they are really different lenses. What is considered better or worse is subject to the goal of shooting. I still have a polaroid camera that I use just for nostalgic reasons.

-GPR