Versatile lens highly recommended for first prime.

Canon_Guy wrote:

tdbmd wrote:

On the new mirrorless bodies, the EF 85mm f1.8 is even better than on the DSLR, IMO.

Fully agree on that. I used this lens a lot on my 5D Mk III, then I had it on R6. Not only it focuses noticeably better on R6 (which is somehow understandable) but it is a bit sharper with better contrast. Like others EF glasses I have.

It is not a perfect lens. It is quite conditions dependent. It can make very nice sharp shots wide opened same as misty fringing festival. Mastering the lens' capabilities is rewarded with very good looking pictures.

Stopped down to f/2.2 it still delivers its creamy soft rich bokeh while improving sharpness and contrast to levels which are absolutely ok and non distracting even at 1:1 observation of R6 files. Also the way this lens renders the image is very apealing.

Focusing is basically zero issue on R6. Of course really far from the speed of today's fastest RF glasses but still faster than current RF 85/2. Which is very impressive considering 85/1.8 is 30+ years old design!!!

I would not choose this lens with any high pixel density camera if my aim would be A2+ size prints of shots taken at f/1.8.

With R6, prints up to A3 not even speaking smaller prints or TV / monitor viewing this lens is still bargain as hell for what it costs now used. As far as I know it did not suffer much from copy variations.

I was considering to exchange EF 85/1.8 for RF 85/2 but it somehow did not impress me, especially the STM focusing being noticeably slower in direct comparison. So I did return 85/2 and went for Sigma 85/1.4 Art which betters the RF as well as EF in everything (except RF's macro capabilities which are no interest to me).

Completely agree.  I initially only had crop bodies when I first bought the EF 85mm f1.8 so basically used it as a 135mm.  Used it alot for sports and generally from f2.2 to f2.8 but then when I purchased the R6, it became clear that it can be a really nice portrait lens in addition to indoor sports lens for much less money than some of the other 85mm offerings.