Sigma 50 1.4 or Canon 85 1.8 OR 100 2.0 for 5d mark ii

[estercaires]

Hi folks!

I just got my 5d mark ii and still have no lenses because i want to make the best decision. Unfortunately i can only buy ONE because i sold everything i had to afford the 5d!

I`m stuck between a Sigma 50mm 1.4 and a Canon 85mm 1.8. I find them both stunning lenses and very sharp, but i just cant decide.
Will the 85mm be to long for portraits and group photos? And about the background blur, wich one will give a more smoother background, and nicer bokeh?
And the focus, i heard the 85 is much more accurate and faster. For night shots, how will the 1.8 behave?

In my research ive also read about the canon 100mm 2.0, because it woul be more like the amazing135mm 2 but should i wait a little bit more and save more money and buy the 100, is it worth it? I quite woried that it will be too long to be my only lens.
Im driving myself crazy!

Hope you can help me make the best decision so i can take the 5d out of the box and hit the streets!

[elflord]

Hi folks!

I just got my 5d mark ii and still have no lenses because i want to make the best decision. Unfortunately i can only buy ONE because i sold everything i had to afford the 5d!

I`m stuck between a Sigma 50mm 1.4 and a Canon 85mm 1.8. I find them both stunning lenses and very sharp, but i just cant decide.
Will the 85mm be to long for portraits and group photos? And about the background blur, wich one will give a more smoother background, and nicer bokeh?
And the focus, i heard the 85 is much more accurate and faster. For night shots, how will the 1.8 behave?

In my research ive also read about the canon 100mm 2.0, because it woul be more like the amazing135mm 2 but should i wait a little bit more and save more money and buy the 100, is it worth it? I quite woried that it will be too long to be my only lens.
Im driving myself crazy!

Hope you can help me make the best decision so i can take the 5d out of the box and hit the streets!

For night shots you'll need about double the shutter speed with the 85 because of the longer focal length and fraction of a stop difference.

The longer lens (with larger absolute aperture size) will give you better subject isolation but challenging for group shots unless you have a lot of distance to work with.

Because this will be your only lens for a while I'd lean towards the 50. Far more versatile. 

[RS2021]

50mm of whatever brand is better than the other two Lenses in your case...not because the two are bad, but because they are too long to be your only lens. 40mm  is another option but it will be f2.8.

[Mendolera]

All are very good.. I own the Canon 50 1.4 and the 85 1.8 and tend to lean toward the 85 with FF because I like the tighter shots. Most of my shots are my son or wife/son, so not a lot of group shots. With some room, 2-4 people group shots are doable IMO. I do find AF a litter faster on the 85 as well with my Mark III.

You will lose just a little low light capability with the 85 or 100, in both aperture and need for faster shutter speed to compensate for the focal length.

Never owned the 100 but I hear its nearly identical in performance to the 85 with just a little longer reach and a 1/3 less stop. That being said I would get the 85 because its usually $50-75 cheaper

[infared]

I agree with what was said above...out of the lenses you mentioned the Sigma 50mm is a great lens and would be the most versatile. If you are new, and getting your feet wet, you may want to consider picking up a used Canon 24-105mm to get a feel for a good range of focal lengths. Then start buying your primes when you have more experience...you can always sell the zoom later......
You mention wanting to shoot groups and "hit the streets"...to me that is sounding like the better lens for you, if you want a prime may be a 35mm. Check out the new Sigma 35mm f/1.4. Killer value and if you only own one lens it could be more versatile for your needs. That is the street lens of choice for many and a good lens for groups.

[Dylan777]

50mm of whatever brand is better than the other two Lenses in your case...not because the two are bad, but because they are too long to be your only lens. 40mm  is another option but it will be f2.8.

+1 on 40shorty OR 50mm on FF.

See my pics with 40shorty on 5D III: http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=7449.msg229009#msg229009

[miejoe]

What a fun dilemma to have! (sorry, but I love this kind of stuff!)

As others mentioned, the 85 has the best bokeh and is an outstanding portrait lens but will be too tight for groups and more general purpose photography. The 50 is overall the most versatile lens, but is a little wide for single portraits, and you'd find yourself wishing for a little more background separation.

I can tell you what I'd do: I'd get the Canon 40/2.8 AND the 85/1.8 USED. I just saw the 40/2.8 show up on the used market for $135, so I'm thinking you could get both for the new price of the sigma 50/1.4. Check classifieds, B&H used, Adorama used, and KEH used.

You'd get the best portrait lens for single/couple portraits and shallow DOF photography, but you'd still have an extremely sharp, compact, stealthy, versatile 40mm lens for everything else. You do lose a couple stops with the 40/2.8, but with group photos (and most wide angle shots) you'd end up stopping down a 1.4 to get everything (or everyone) in focus anyway. You also get better macro with the 40/2.8, but you didn't mention that as a priority.

The only real sacrifice with the 40/2.8 is for very low light handheld, but you've still got your 85/1.8, and now that you've gone Full Frame you can ramp up the ISO more than you might expect. Plus, you've only sunk $135 into the 40, so if you really find yourself wanting the extra two stops on a wide lens down the road, you can easily recoup your costs and grab one of the Sigmas. By that time the 40 will also have taught you whether you'd rather have a 35/1.4 or a 50/1.4.

Good Luck!

[RS2021]

This is really not such a difficult situation.  As always, people suggest what they have or like...while the focus has to be how can the OP get the most out of his ONLY lens in the beginning.

I suggested the 50mm for him, even though my personal preference is for the 35mm as a standard which will NOT suit his needs as the only lens. The 35mm offerings generate varying levels of distortion if he has to get a tighter shot by getting closer. 85mm and 100mm are too tight in most rooms, and certainly not ideal for indoor groups.

50mm is ideal as you can walk back and acheive near 35mm FOV or walk closer and get tighter shots that still look normal.

50mm allows him to zoom with his feet and comes in a wide price range that can be as cheap or as expensive as he wishes. It is a no brainer

[bholliman]

picking up a used Canon 24-105mm to get a feel for a good range of focal lengths.

I can tell you what I'd do: I'd get the Canon 40/2.8 AND the 85/1.8 USED.

+1 to either of these suggestions. 
The 24-105 is very versatile and has excellent IQ.  You should be able to pick up one used for around $600-700 USD, but that may be outside your budget.

The pancake 40mm and 85mm 1.8 would be an awesome combo that would allow you to shoot anything from landscapes, street shots and nice portraits.  You should be able to get both for less than the zoom, maybe $400-450 USD.

[infared]

..yeah...forgot about the shorty forty...That is a great suggestion...not that fast an f-stop but a lot of lens for a little bit of money!!!!

[RLPhoto]

50mm first, 100 f/2 second then a wide angle of your choice.

[estercaires]

Hello again!

Thanks very very much all off you for your replies!

I was really leaning to buy the 85 1.8 when I was suprised by a great deal on a 100 f/2.0 by this old creapy teethless taxi driver.
I'm really in love with it, it has such a great sharpness!, and its definitly worth zooming whith my feet.

Heres a photo i took with the 100 2.0, I think its really good, specially with the low light condition.



I know this is has nothing to do whith the topic but here's one taken by my boyfriends Sigma 85 1.4 which is definitly one hell of a lens!



ps: i'm a her

[robbymack]

You can't really go wrong with any of those choices, just comes down to personal preference. If you like the 100 get it, any differences between that and the 85's are really splitting hairs at best. For a budget second lens option the 40 2.8 or 50 1.8 are great options as well. Most importantly have fun.

[estercaires]

I ve have already experimented the 85 1.8 and the chromatic aberrations are a real headache.
Im really happy with the 100, its very sharp a fast.
Im now starting to save to buy the sigma 50 1.4 and then my life will be completed!

[miejoe]

... and then my life will be completed!

Haha, good luck with that!

Thanks for updating us on your choice and posting the photos though.

I'm sure you'll be thrilled with the 100 f/2, as long as you can handle its tight crop. It's a slightly sharper, higher-end lens than the 85, so if you found it for the same price, you got a great deal.