Make a donation

Author Topic: Canon 85mm f/1.8 users - what are your thoughts of this lens?  (Read 2317 times)

Offline Degudodger

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 53
  • -Receive: 86
  • Posts: 1547
    • Flickr
Guys,

Any Canon 85mm f/1.8 users on the forum?

I have been offered a Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens for £175 but I am sure I could get it for £150 which against a new retail price of £300 would be pretty good value. After checking POTN and ebay it would seem the going price for a used lens over 12 months old is anywhere in the region of £200-£250 but these are boxed examples.

The reviews are promising and the sample photos on POTN and Flickr look fantastic, however as my style of photography is more landscape/travel I’m wondering if 85mm is going to be too long for me.

My Lens line up is currently
17-40mm f/4 L series
24-105mm f/4 IS L Series
70-200mm F/4 (Non IS) L Series

I did have a 50mm f/1.8 Mk1 but recently sold it due to it being a non USM and too noisy

I really want a short-mid range prime lens but with a budget of just £300 my choices are somewhat limited.
2016 Mk7 Golf GTD - Reflex Silver with stuff.

VCDS Hex+Can - Will code for beer!

Offline jonm

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 7
  • -Receive: 12
  • Posts: 279
    • Staffs-VW
Re: Canon 85mm f/1.8 users - what are your thoughts of this lens?
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2012, 12:53:21 pm »
20mm f/2.8 would be a perfect prime..

Offline rich83

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 165
  • -Receive: 802
  • Posts: 13444
    • MK5 Golf GTI
  • My Ride: https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=5l909k1sgktqlkj2f7dfjtidcg&/topic,19740.0.html
Re: Canon 85mm f/1.8 users - what are your thoughts of this lens?
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2012, 01:33:34 pm »
20mm f/2.8 would be a perfect prime..

Depends on what you want to do with it.....

Offline jonm

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 7
  • -Receive: 12
  • Posts: 279
    • Staffs-VW
Re: Canon 85mm f/1.8 users - what are your thoughts of this lens?
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2012, 02:28:12 pm »
his style is landscape and travel... so its perfect really...

Offline rich83

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 165
  • -Receive: 802
  • Posts: 13444
    • MK5 Golf GTI
  • My Ride: https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=5l909k1sgktqlkj2f7dfjtidcg&/topic,19740.0.html
Re: Canon 85mm f/1.8 users - what are your thoughts of this lens?
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2012, 07:52:52 pm »
his style is landscape and travel... so its perfect really...

But ant has already got the 17-40 which is a great WA landscape lens, and when shooting landscapes youd never use F2.8 anyway.

Offline Degudodger

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 53
  • -Receive: 86
  • Posts: 1547
    • Flickr
Re: Canon 85mm f/1.8 users - what are your thoughts of this lens?
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2012, 10:31:16 pm »
I really feel the need to have at least one Prime lens that i will actually use. I looked at the 135 f/2 L series but at £899 it's a little out of my price range especially as i just bought the 17-40mm which by the way i love.
2016 Mk7 Golf GTD - Reflex Silver with stuff.

VCDS Hex+Can - Will code for beer!

Offline damoegan

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 7
  • -Receive: 33
  • Posts: 1584
    • Email
Re: Canon 85mm f/1.8 users - what are your thoughts of this lens?
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2012, 10:46:43 pm »
I love my 50mm 1.8 but would love a 35mm 1.8 for landscape  :smiley:

Offline Degudodger

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 53
  • -Receive: 86
  • Posts: 1547
    • Flickr
Re: Canon 85mm f/1.8 users - what are your thoughts of this lens?
« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2012, 11:34:22 pm »
So far i have managed to kill three 50mm f1.8 lenses the most recent of which was a rare Mk1 (built 1988) metal mount which i managed to destroy by getting sand in it. Canon really need to weather seal all their lenses.

A friend has recently bought the 14mm f/2.8 L series which i feel compiled to have a play with. 
2016 Mk7 Golf GTD - Reflex Silver with stuff.

VCDS Hex+Can - Will code for beer!

Offline damoegan

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 7
  • -Receive: 33
  • Posts: 1584
    • Email
Re: Canon 85mm f/1.8 users - what are your thoughts of this lens?
« Reply #8 on: May 11, 2012, 11:43:48 pm »
So far i have managed to kill three 50mm f1.8 lenses the most recent of which was a rare Mk1 (built 1988) metal mount which i managed to destroy by getting sand in it. Canon really need to weather seal all their lenses.

A friend has recently bought the 14mm f/2.8 L series which i feel compiled to have a play with. 

Unlucky matey  :surprised: