A highly practical medium telephoto lens with superb delineation and portability. Images are sharp and clear at all apertures. Through computer simulations, the lens has been designed to give beautiful background Blur. Since the front lens group does not rotate during focusing, special filter effects are not affected.
Absolutely wonderful portrait lens, Monday, 29 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
This lens is great for taking portraits outdoors - one, two, three people. The 1.8 here is awesome and this lens has beautiful bokeh.
Also for low-light at performances, I prefer taking medium distance shots with this versus a zoom with IS. The lens is crystal clear. If you crop the shot, you still have a lot of information. Couple that with some nice noise reduction software and you can get great shots of indoor performances.
Many of my best shots have come from this lens.
Because it is small for an 85mm (approx 135mm on cropped sensor cameras), it doesn't freak people out when you are using it and pointing it in their direction so it can be very nice for candid or, at least, "comfortable" shots. They don't realize how close you are.
Frequently I take a Tamron 17-50mm and this lens with me as a two-lens combination.
You will not be able to use it for everything because it is a narrow field of view - especially on a cropped sensor. But what it does do, it does like magic.
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
I love, love, love this lens. Beautiful lens. Be, Sunday, 28 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I love, love, love this lens. Beautiful lens. Beautiful shots. I have a 50mm 1.4. I'm going to sell it and move up to the 1.2, and with this lens, I will have my portrait lens needs wrapped up. Great lens. I absolutely love the shots I am getting with this lens, it focucses fast and the DOF is great. I am enjoying learning what I can capture with it. Was recommended by JD, Jasmine Star's husband, and he was so right. It is hard not to just stick to it -- but oh, by 50mm is hard to not feel like I am cheating on with this baby.
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
One of the best lenses I've owned, Saturday, 27 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
The title says it all. It was the most consistent lens I ever owned and I regret to this day selling it. I wish I had the money to buy another one. If I couldn't find another 85 in stock, I'd definately buy the 100mm f/2 instead. Both are phenominal lenses for the price.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8, Wednesday, 03 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
3.3
Sharpness
2.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
4.0
I brought this lens for my trip to India. I wanted to get some closeups and portraits. This is not the best lens for either.
Even though it has a f stop of 1.8, it is not fast enough. Its focus range is around or more than 3ft and hence you cannot really use this lens for real closeup. Lots of reviews says its good macro, but its really hard to get real close to the objects.
I also own Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 which is much faster lens then this and gets you really close.
85mm gives you good portraits in good lighting condition. However, I would prefer my 50mm, which gives me better softness in places where I want. I have used both the lenses on my canon 40D.
85mm is not what I expected.
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Love this lens!, Monday, 11 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
I am an amateur photographer, turning professional.
I use this lens for portraits (although I have used it for landscape too), and it is fantastic! The images are crystal clear and sharp, focus is exactly where you want it to be. Color, image quality, Contrast, etc. are all great!
This lens is one of the best portrait lens that money can buy!
My only con is the minimum focusing distance of almost 3 feet. If you're in tight spaces you'll need something with a closer focusing distance, but if you do portrait work and want to let your clients feel more relaxed (without you in their face) this lens will help!
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 Lens, Friday, 08 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
This is absolutely the best lens I have ever purchased. I don't know what I did without it. It was a little hard getting use to not having a zoom but once you see the final product you'll forget all about not having that zoom. I do have other lenses that have the zoom but if you are looking for a portrait lens you've got to have this one. Pictures are absolutely stunning! GREAT PRODUCT and YES I would HIGHLY recommend this lens.
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
$422 is not a great price, Sunday, 03 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
Just fyi, this price is not a good deal. Samy's Camera and Simon's Camera have the regular retail price as $355 for the same lens. So even though Amazon says you are saving over a hundred dollars...that is based on an old retail price. The lens value has gone down. As of May 2009
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Great lens for indoor sports, Friday, 24 April 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
Got this lens for high school indoor volleyball and basketball games. I love it so far. The focus is fast, f1.8 is great for some of the poorly lit gyms we play in, and the 85mm length is just right for taking pictures from the stands. The only con I can think of is that working with a prime lens takes some getting used to - You have to think ahead about where to position yourself for different types of shots since you can't just zoom in and out. Also as others have noted on this and other lenses the focus can be a little soft when it's wide open at f1.8. At f2.0 and f2.2 I could still use a fast shutter and get really sharp pics.
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Brilliant lens for portraits, Saturday, 18 April 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
This lens is brilliant for portraits. The background blurrs out and the object really stands out. Wonderful. This is the best lens for photographing people from a close angle. Yet, I had to get used to the focal distance of 85mm because you can't zoom in or out!
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Excellent portrait lens..., Friday, 20 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Maybe the best portrait lens Canon offers at a reasonable price. I would pay twice the price for this lens. The 135 f2 is a great portrait lens, maybe the best ever, but the 85 f1.8 is just as good and costs considerably less. You could almost buy 3 of these for the price of the 135! The only difference I can see is the weather sealing, focal distance, red ring, and cost. The 135 is built like a tank, but the 85 is well built and solid! I love the 135, but I cannot tell the difference when I compare the images. The 85 is extremely sharp if stopped down a little. Maybe too sharp at f2.8 or smaller, it will show every skin blemish in 100% crops. Images are a little soft at f1.8, but very flattering for portraits. Skin tones are excellent! Bokeh is the best I have ever seen, its the same as the 135, very smooth. Very shallow depth of field at f1.8, so make sure you focus very carefully. If you think you may need a lens like this one, just buy it, you will not be disappointed. This lens has L quality optics and I highly recommend it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Excellent portrait lens..., Friday, 20 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
The 85 f1.8 may be the best portrait lens Canon offers. I would pay twice the price for this lens, you get a lot of glass! Peer into the bottom of this baby and you will know what I'm talking about, it's W-I-D-E. Sucks in a lot of light, best low-light lens I own, super-fast auto focus. The 135 f2 is a great portrait lens, maybe the best ever, but the 85 f1.8 is just as good and costs considerably less. You could almost buy 3 of these for the price of the 135! The only difference I can see is the weather sealing, focal distance, red ring, and cost. The 135 is built like a tank, but the 85 is well built and solid! I love the 135, but I cannot tell the difference when I compare the images.
The 85 is very sharp when stopped down to f2.8, crazy sharp at f4, and extremely sharp at f8, its the sharpest lens I own (and I have many). Maybe too sharp at f4, it will show every skin blemish in 100% crops. Images are a little soft at f1.8, but very flattering for portraits. At f2.8 they are perfect. Colors are bright and vibrant, contrast is great, skin tones are excellent! Bokeh is the best I have ever seen, its the same as the 135, very smooth. Very shallow depth of field at f1.8, so make sure you focus very carefully. If you think you may need a lens like this one, just buy it, you will not be disappointed. This lens has L quality optics and I highly recommend it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Excellent portrait lens..., Friday, 20 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
The 85 f1.8 may be the best portrait lens Canon offers in this price range. The 85 f1.2 has better bokeh, but that costs $1900. I would pay twice the price for this lens, you get a lot of glass! Peer into the bottom of this baby and you will know what I'm talking about. Sucks in a lot of light, best low-light lens I own, super-fast auto focus. The 135 f2 is a great portrait lens, one of the best, but the 85 f1.8 is just as good and costs considerably less. You could almost buy 3 of these for the price of the 135! The only difference I can see is the weather sealing, focal distance, red ring, and cost. The 135 is built like a tank, but the 85 is well built and solid! I love the 135, but I cannot tell the difference when I compare the images.
The 85 is very sharp when stopped down to f2.8, crazy sharp at f4, and extremely sharp at f8, its the sharpest lens I own (and I have many). Maybe too sharp at f4, it will show every skin blemish in 100% crops. Images are a little soft at f1.8, but very flattering for portraits. At f2.8 they are perfect. Colors are bright and vibrant, contrast is great, skin tones are excellent! Bokeh is excellent, its the same as the 135, very smooth. Very shallow depth of field at f1.8, so make sure you focus very carefully. If you think you may need a lens like this one, just buy it, you will not be disappointed. This lens has L quality optics and I highly recommend it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Excellent portrait lens..., Friday, 20 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
The 85 f1.8 may be the best portrait lens Canon offers in this price range. I think it is the best value lens in the Canon system. It is not limited to portraits however, this is a great lens for stopping action. The 85 f1.2 has better bokeh, but that costs $1900. I would pay twice the price for the 85 f1.8, you get a lot of glass! Peer into the bottom of this baby and you will know what I'm talking about. Great low-light lens, super-fast auto focus. The 135 f2 is a great portrait lens, one of the best, but the 85 f1.8 is just as good and costs considerably less. You could almost buy 3 of these for the price of the 135! The only difference I can see is the weather sealing, focal distance, red ring, and cost. The 135 is built like a tank, but the 85 is well built and solid! I love the 135, but I cannot tell the difference when I compare the images.
The 85 is very sharp when stopped down to f2.8, crazy sharp at f4, and extremely sharp at f8, its the sharpest lens I own (and I have many). Maybe too sharp at f4, it will show every skin blemish in 100% crops. Images are a little soft at f1.8 (most fast primes are a little soft wide open), but very flattering for portraits. At f2.8 they are perfect. Colors are bright and vibrant, contrast is great, skin tones are excellent! Bokeh is awesome, equal to, or better, than the 135, very smooth. Very shallow depth of field at f1.8, so make sure you focus very carefully. If you think you may need a lens like this one, just buy it, you will not be disappointed. This lens has L quality optics and I highly recommend it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Excellent portrait lens..., Friday, 20 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
The 85 f/1.8 may be the best portrait lens Canon offers in this price range. I think it is the best value lens in the Canon system. It is not limited to portraits however, this is a great lens for stopping action. The 85 f/1.2 has better bokeh, but that costs $1900. I would pay twice the price for the 85 f/1.8, you get a lot of glass! Peer into the bottom of this baby and you will know what I'm talking about. Great low-light lens, super-fast auto focus. The 135 f/2 is a great portrait lens, one of the best, but the 85 f/1.8 is just as good optically (or very close) and costs considerably less. You could almost buy 3 of these for the price of the 135! The only difference I can see is the weather sealing, focal distance, red ring, and cost. The 135 is built like a tank, but the 85 is well built and solid! I love the 135, but It is very hard to tell the difference when I compare the images (maybe a very slight advantage to the 135 in color and contrast).
The 85 is very sharp when stopped down to f/2.8, crazy sharp at f/4, and extremely sharp at f/8, its the one of the sharpest lens I own, a virtual tie with the 135. Maybe too sharp at f/4, it will show every skin blemish in 100% crops. Images are a little soft at f/1.8 (most fast primes are a little soft wide open), but very flattering for portraits. At f/2.8 they are perfect. Colors are bright and vibrant, contrast is great, skin tones are excellent! Bokeh is awesome, equal to, or slightly better, than the 135, very smooth. Very shallow depth of field at f/1.8, so make sure you focus very carefully. If you think you may need a lens like this one, just buy it, you will not be disappointed. This lens has L quality optics and I highly recommend it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Report this review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Excellent portrait lens..., Friday, 20 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
The 85 f/1.8 may be the best portrait lens Canon offers in this price range. I think it is the best value lens in the Canon system. It is not limited to portraits however, this is a great lens for stopping action. The 85 f/1.2 has better bokeh, but that costs $1900. I would pay twice the price for the 85 f/1.8, you get a lot of glass! Peer into the bottom of this baby and you will know what I'm talking about. Great low-light lens, super-fast auto focus. The 135 f/2 is a great portrait lens, one of the best, but the 85 f/1.8 is just as good optically (or very close) and costs considerably less. You could almost buy 3 of these for the price of the 135! The only difference I can see is the weather sealing, focal distance, red ring, and cost. The 135 is built like a tank, but the 85 is well built and solid! I love the 135, but It is very hard to tell the difference when I compare the images (maybe a very slight advantage to the 135 in color and contrast).
The 85 is very sharp when stopped down to f/2.8, crazy sharp at f/4, and extremely sharp at f/8, its the one of the sharpest lens I own, a virtual tie with the 135. Maybe too sharp at f/4, it will show every skin blemish in 100% crops. Images are a little soft at f/1.8 (most fast primes are a little soft wide open), but very flattering for portraits. At f/2.8 they are perfect. Colors are bright and vibrant, contrast is great, skin tones are excellent! Bokeh is awesome, comparable to the 135, very smooth. Very shallow depth of field at f/1.8, so make sure you focus very carefully. If you think you may need a lens like this one, just buy it, you will not be disappointed. This lens has L quality optics and I highly recommend it.
