xxskagirlxx's Full Review: EF 85mm f/1.8 USM for All Canon EOS series SLR cam...
Last October I was granted permission from my husband to finally upgrade my Rebel XT to a Canon 30d. Since Canon was running a double rebate program, I also decided to pick up a new lens so I could score a little more money off the camera body (spend more to save...a little. It made sense in my head!).
I currently had the Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 and Canon 50mm 1.8 in my bag but I wanted something new. I had a host of family graduations coming up, so I knew I'd need a lens that was fast (so it would operate in low light conditions without needing a flash) and longer than my 50mm 1.8. However, I still wanted it to have a focal length that would be practical for the subjects that I photograph, normally indoors in my house.
During my research, I kept hearing raves about the Canon 85mm 1.8 lens. What really caught my eye were the reviews where people gushed about the crisp subjects and "buttery bokeh" (term referring to out-of-focus areas in an image). I'm a sucker for images where the subject jumps out of the frame while the background remains softly blurred. My Canon 50mm 1.8 was giving me great images, but the bokeh tended to be jilted and sharp. I knew then that I had to have the Canon 85mm 1.8 in my collection. I paid around $300 for the lens after the double rebates.
The Canon 85mm 1.8 is a surprisingly heavy and compact lens. It feels solid, not cheap and overly plastic like the Canon 50mm 1.8.
The first few photos I snapped with this lens blew me away. Gus, my Boston Terrier (and always a willing subject) lept out of the photo while the background remained nice and soft. It was a big difference from the 50mm 1.8.
However, I had some trouble getting used to the length. With the 50mm 1.8, I could easily snap portraits/headshots within my tiny house. The 85mm 1.8 required me to sit in the kitchen to snap pictures of subjects in the dining room (yes, it IS a tiny house!).
I was excited to use the lens for my brother-in-law's high school graduation and the results did not disappoint. The graduation was held in a small gymnasium that was incredibly dark. Using my flash was futile because I had nothing to bounce it off. With this lens, I was able to catch excellent shots using only the light coming in through the skylights.
A few months later I had another chance to use my 85mm 1.8 when I was requested to do headshots of my co-workers at work for an article in our local paper. This lens is perfect for headshots because it beautifully captures the subject but at the same time you're not hovering right in their face with the camera, which can be intimidating to the subject.
I've also used this lens around the house, taking action snaps of my dogs outdoors, and have been pleased with the results.
I enjoy using this lens because I feel that the subject is consistently sharp, even sharper than the Canon 50mm 1.4" (which I upgraded to after breaking my 1.8). It's also fast when focusing so I don't miss any shots (which is important when you have as many dogs as I do!). The USM motor keeps the focusing almost silent, so there is no loud grinding noises. The photos that come out of this lens have great color/contrast. Most of the outdoor shots I take require very little post-processing.
Overall, the Canon 85mm 1.8 USM Lens is an excellent lens for those who might want to explore the world of portrait photography while having a lens that will also allow them to get those action/low-light shots. The 85mm 1.8 doesn't make it out of my bag nearly as often as the 50mm 1.4 due to it's longer focal length, but I do feel that it's easier to get a better shot of of this lens due to it's sharpness and fast focusing. And excellent all-around prime lens!
f/1.8 USM 35mm equivalent focal length: 136mm,large maximum aperture for better low-light photography,compatible with all Canon EOS SLR camerasMore at Crutchfield
The 85mm f/1.8 is an exceptionally bright, short telephoto lens which is appropriate for both general photography and portraits. Its exceptionally la...More at cameraworld.com
The 85mm f/1.8 is an exceptionally bright, short telephoto lens which is appropriate for both general photography and portraits. Its exceptionally la...More at RitzCamera.com
PMI Digital 888-212-6686 845-371-9221 ITEM INCLUDES Canon EF 85mm 1.8 USM Lens Front Lens Cap Rear Lens Cap Canon USA Warranty 1 Year parts and labor ...More at eBay
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