85 mm Lens

[TomazK]

Thanks for all the info guys... I do want to let you know that I don't do video though...

Just stills, so interested in good IQ...
Not saying that I won'tever do video... We'll see what happens

 

[CharlieB]

Its not on your list, but the 100/2.0, USM is a hell of a lens as well. As sharp, or narrowly beating out the 85/1.8.

I've had the 85/1.8, USM, its a great lens... but I always liked the 100mm focal length better. Yes only 15mm, but it makes all the difference.

On 2-1/4 square, I was using the 250/5.6 Sonnar. That equates to about 135mm in the 35mm FF world, but... I was shooting very tight head shots and had the room to work. These days, 100 does it for me.

In fact, I've been using the 100/2.8, USM macro for portraiture. Its tack sharp, and I don't miss not having the 2.0 aperture. A 100mm lens, at f/2.0 has very shallow DOF. Unless you're shooting for some very impressive effect, such as an angled shot, one eye in focus... you can barely get one eye totally in focus at f/2.0... you're usually stopped to about f/4.5 or f/5.6 for the majority of shooting. You want eyes and noses in focus, ears can go fuzzy. Shooting at f/2.0 you get eyes (if you're lucky). Best to stop down a little....

 

[Studio1930]

I use the 85 f/1.2 for closer work on a 1 series body and the 135 for 3/4 or full length shots. Both are excellent lenses. The 85 f/1.2 focuses more slowly and can by tricky to use wide open but gives excellent results. The 135 is light, cheaper and very sharp. The 135 will give better compression and a more pleasing shape to a face than a wider lens.

http://stepheneastwood.com/tutorials/lensdistortion/strippage.htm