Canon 85mm1.8 or 100mm F2.8 macro

THC_SsSsSnake · 6 May 2014 at 14:06

didn't think about this before i ordered the 85mm but with the 100mm it gives macro as well(is it ok for this?) but how does it compare portrait wise with the 85mm i.e. in BBlur and sharpness,seems for another £80 you can get the best of both worlds.i can get refund on the 85mm as i haven't opened it yet

thanks

Raymond Lin · 6 May 2014 at 14:24

They are not the same and the 85 is a better portrait lens. If portrait is what you want then keep the 85. If macro is what you want then get the macro. If you don't plan to do any macro then don't get the macro.

p.s. I would go for the 100L over the standard 2.8 macro.

Paul11 · 6 May 2014 at 14:35

the 100mm is a lovely lens, crisp and sharp , but as ray says depends if you need macro or not

i have one and hardly do any macro

THC_SsSsSnake · 6 May 2014 at 14:38

thank you both,(thinking hard)

Raymond Lin · 6 May 2014 at 14:43

I like the 85/1.8, it’s the cheapest non-L that gives L quality glass there is. It's fast, good AF and reasonably priced. I still got mine lol

THC_SsSsSnake · 6 May 2014 at 14:55

just before i saw your post Raymond,was going to post I've decided to keep and open

the 85mm so was more than happy to see your post.
thanks again

Sh4rkie · 6 May 2014 at 16:54

Wise choice, i have the 85 1.8 and the 100 2.8 macro and they are different beasts. You could use the 100 as a portrait lens but the focus speed and accuracy when used as a general purpose lens let it down. The 85 is far superior in that respect.

THC_SsSsSnake · 6 May 2014 at 17:21

thanks Sh4

413x · 6 May 2014 at 17:24

I use my 100mm for portrait just because I find it better than nifty fifty.

No point going for it tho unless you like macro

THC_SsSsSnake · 6 May 2014 at 20:01

thanks Alex

SDK^ · 7 May 2014 at 22:10

Don't forget the 100mm F2. The same construction quality as the 85mm but longer and a touch slower.

The plus of the macro lens is you aren't limited by the minimum focus distance of 85cm which can get frustrating sometimes. E.g. Portraits of small children.

ElDude · 7 May 2014 at 22:18

The 100L is ace for macro and can be used for portrait, lighting allowing. I tried using it at a gig a while ago and discovered it's pretty useless in low light as it hunts and hunts.

THC_SsSsSnake · 7 May 2014 at 22:35

interesting

Rojin · 7 May 2014 at 22:38

I used a 100mm macro (non L) also as a portrait lens, in good light it works nicely but it did suck in low light. I bought 85mm f1.8 to try it out and it was much better AF wise in all light conditions, I ended up selling the 100 macro... I just didn't shoot enough macro to justify keeping if, I've got tubes to use if macro takes my fancy.

THC_SsSsSnake · 8 May 2014 at 17:24

Rojin said:
I used a 100mm macro (non L) also as a portrait lens, in good light it works nicely but it did suck in low light. I bought 85mm f1.8 to try it out and it was much better AF wise in all light conditions, I ended up selling the 100 macro... I just didn't shoot enough macro to justify keeping if, I've got tubes to use if macro takes my fancy.

Thanks