Anyone using an 85mm 1.8 with a 60D ?

I need a lens for my daughter's indoor dog shows:

1) poor lighting

2) girl & dog in motion

3) usually shooting 50-75 feet away

4) flash not allowed

I own a 60D with legacy glass, so everything has been manual focus. I'm interested in others' experience with the 85 1.8 or alternatives. Speed and accuracy of focus is huge.

The 85 f/1.8 is a good performing sports lens if you can get close enough to your subject. 50-75 feet is on the long end of its range. Other than that it will meet every other requirement you listed and is reasonably priced.

I would suggest posting the same question in the Sports and Action Photography forum.

If your focus is accurate you can crop into the photo. I don’t how much I cropped the photo posted below. It was taken with a 20D about 5 years ago. Not a great picture but it does give you some idea of what you can pull out of an image taken with the 85mm lens at about 50 feet.




Camera: Canon EOS 20D

Exposure Time: 1/500

Aperture: f/2.5

ISO: 3200

Focal Length: 85mm

If the focal length is long enough for you, you won't be unhappy with this lens. Mine is sharp right from 1.8. If you need more length the consider the 135 F2.

The 85 1.8 is a great lens. I've used it to shoot basketball when I'm fairly close. For 50-75 feet away, I'd try to get something a bit longer. The 200 F2.8L would be perfect. It's about twice the price of the 85, but very reasonably priced for an L lens. I've used it to shoot basketball from a bit further away in the stands. It's very sharp and fast focusing.

Just to throw another into the mix there is also the Canon 100 f/2; very similar to the 85 1.8 but of course a little longer.

I have the 85 1.8 and its really good. Mine is sharp but sharper from f2.
But with high contrast like direct sunlight.. at around 1.8 to 2.8 i think.. YOu get red/magenta around higlights..

I also have 100mm f2.8 and is also very sharp. On that one i still have not seen highlights get the red magenta effect as much as my 85mm 1.8.

Quirino2k said:

Quirino2k wrote:

I have the 85 1.8 and its really good. Mine is sharp but sharper from f2.
But with high contrast like direct sunlight.. at around 1.8 to 2.8 i think.. YOu get red/magenta around higlights..

I also have 100mm f2.8 and is also very sharp. On that one i still have not seen highlights get the red magenta effect as much as my 85mm 1.8.

Click to expand...

That's good to know, Quirino. Luckily, my main reason for considering is for indoors without flash. I think I'd prefer the 1.8 of the 85, even at f2, but I'm open to suggestions.

linzybel said:

linzybel wrote:

linzybel said:

Quirino2k wrote:

I have the 85 1.8 and its really good. Mine is sharp but sharper from f2.
But with high contrast like direct sunlight.. at around 1.8 to 2.8 i think.. YOu get red/magenta around higlights..

I also have 100mm f2.8 and is also very sharp. On that one i still have not seen highlights get the red magenta effect as much as my 85mm 1.8.

Click to expand...

That's good to know, Quirino. Luckily, my main reason for considering is for indoors without flash. I think I'd prefer the 1.8 of the 85, even at f2, but I'm open to suggestions.

Click to expand...

The purple fringing effect is particularly obvious wide open (f1.8) but I've only really seen it when there is black on white (or visa-versa). Stopping down a little helps, and you'll still get an extra stop over a 100 f2.8.

I use it on a 7D, which has the same sensor, and find it focuses well and produces some really lovely images. Examples here!


If you are concerned about the focal length, consider the near-identical 100mm f2.0 as well.

The 85mm f1.8 is a very good lens, and many people love it - sharp and fast focusing, plus small, light, and reasonably priced. But a word of caution, ANY 85mm lens will have a very narrow depth of field at f1.8, as will a 100mm at f2 and a 200mm at f2.8. So, while you can take great photos with these lenses wide open, you have to be very careful with where you put the focus spot. Often, the preference is the eye on a person/animal, as this is the primary thing that people notice in a photo, and that can be tough on a moving subject.