Canon 85mm/1.8 or 100mm/2.0 wide open?

Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
edited August 3, 2008 in Cameras
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!
“To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
― Edward Weston

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited July 27, 2008
    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.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited July 27, 2008
    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?

    Result: I just placed my order for a new Canon 85mm/1.8 and Hood wings.gif
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited August 1, 2008
    The lens just arrived ... sharper than a knife. There is only slight
    improvement of sharpness and contrast when going from f1.8 to f4.wings.gif
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • ChatKatChatKat Registered Users Posts: 1,357 Major grins
    edited August 1, 2008
    Both
    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.
    Kathy Rappaport
    Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
    http://flashfrozenphotography.com
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited August 1, 2008
    Manfr3d wrote:
    The lens just arrived ... sharper than a knife. There is only slight
    improvement of sharpness and contrast when going from f1.8 to f4.wings.gif

    That's fantastic. clap.gif
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited August 3, 2008
    ChatKat wrote:
    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
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
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