PDA

View Full Version : Canon 85mm/1.8 or 100mm/2.0 wide open?

Manfr3d
Jul-26-2008, 04:44 PM
Hi all!

The price of the Canon 85mm/1.8 droped from 380€ to 330€ this month.
So, now I am uebertempted to just buy one. However I am not shure if I
shouldn't spend 100€ more and get a Canon 100mm/2.0 some time later
instead.

From what I've come to understand is that the 100mm has less CA and
a slight edge in sharpness and contrast over the 85mm. Which in return
is 1/3rd of a stop faster.

Decisions, decisions.

I own 70-200/2.8 L and plan to use the new lens primarily for low light/
performance photography and ocasionaly for portraits and steet shots.
Therefore, the performance with (wide) open aperature is what counts
the most for me.

Which lens would you recommend me to get? (for crop camera)

Thanks!
ziggy53
Jul-26-2008, 09:51 PM
From what I read there appears to be more sample variation in the EF 85mm, f1.8 than in the EF 100mm, f2. Both lenses are potentially great when you find one that works well on your system. Owners of both tend to be "very" finnicky about pixel sharpness.

I personally plan on purchasing the EF 85mm, f1.8 and I believe it to be the better value.
Manfr3d
Jul-27-2008, 07:03 PM
It really seems like there is no visible difference between these two lenses.
W. Castleman has a nice picture quiz that shows this:
Can you tell which image was shot with the 85mm or the 100mm? (http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/85_100_135/perspectest.htm)

Result: I just placed my order for a new Canon 85mm/1.8 and Hood :barb
Manfr3d
Aug-01-2008, 03:33 AM
The lens just arrived ... sharper than a knife. There is only slight
improvement of sharpness and contrast when going from f1.8 to f4.:barb
ChatKat
Aug-01-2008, 06:39 AM
I have both. The 100 2.8 is stellar up close on details. The 85 is wonderful for portrait work. Both are slow in focusing next to other glass.
ziggy53
Aug-01-2008, 07:07 AM
The lens just arrived ... sharper than a knife. There is only slight
improvement of sharpness and contrast when going from f1.8 to f4.:barb

That's fantastic. :clap
Manfr3d
Aug-03-2008, 12:55 PM
I have both. The 100 2.8 is stellar up close on details. The 85 is wonderful for portrait work. Both are slow in focusing next to other glass.

I find the 85mm/1.8 to be faster focusing than my 70-200/2.8.

I posed some of the first images I took with it here:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=889401#post889401