Would you suggest getting a 85 f/1.8 for me?

Dimes wrote:

Good day, everyone! I currently own 70-200 f/4is, which overlaps 85mm, 24-70 f/2.8, which is close to 85mm and is versatile and a 135 f/2l, which is my primary portrait lens.

I'm thinking of getting a canon 85mm f/1.8. I like that it is relatively inexpensive, possesses fast AF, small in size, and has a good focal distance, which is convenient for me. However, I find it to be lacking "beauty" in its images (it tends to be "dull and boring" like 24-70, not "arty" like 135 or 85 1.2). I'm also not sure if I will be satisfied with its sharpness at f/1.8. I don't like to carry more than 3 lenses with me at once and I doubt that 85 f/1.8 will be able to substitute any of the lenses I mentioned above.

I'm thinking of this lens as a street and travel portrait lens and a concert lens for low lightning.

What do you think?

I can't see any reason not to get a lens that produces photos that you consider "dull and boring" and "lacking in beauty".  After all, those are the top characteristics I look for in a lens.

Yes, as they are relatively inexpensive s/h, on either Ebay or Cragslist. So you may as well have one in the bag.

Dimes wrote:

However, I find it to be lacking "beauty" in its images (it tends to be "dull and boring" like 24-70, not "arty" like 135 or 85 1.2). I'm also not sure if I will be satisfied with its sharpness at f/1.8. I don't like to carry more than 3 lenses with me at once and I doubt that 85 f/1.8 will be able to substitute any of the lenses I mentioned above.

Maybe you are not addressing characteristics of the lens. 85/1.8 has its problems, lack of "artistic" look is not one of them.

Dimes wrote:

I don't like to carry more than 3 lenses with me at once and I doubt that 85 f/1.8 will be able to substitute any of the lenses I mentioned above.

I think the above tells me that you will not use this lens if you get one. If your mindset is already that it's not good enough compared to any of the lenses that you already have then you will never have a reason to grab for it.

For me, I'd get it because I really like the 85mm FL. I often just go out with a 35mm and 85mm primes.

Tom Holly wrote:

Jura, do you often shoot around f/2.8 with this lens for portraity shots?

It seems to work well there.

I usually shoot even more open.

50/1.4 85/1.8  and 100/2.0 are real classics. Not perfect, but very decent even in current hyperpixel world.

I don't like 28/1.8 usm but it could be that my sample is a lemon.

Tom Holly wrote:

How come you use 85 1.8 and 100 f2. These are quite similar arent they?

They are almost like twins. Same AF speed, same CA fringing, same look and almost same size.

I've bought 100/2.0 because it was cheap. A little more than 200 euros and the guy had trouble selling it for anything more.

I do have 100/2.8L which is a nice lens but prefer 100/2.0 for intimate portraits.