Portrait Lens preferences?
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high 5! bought it quite recently too and am loving it! =) I somehow preferred it over the canon 85L ver II mainly because of price tag and AF speed. IQ wise i think they are almost identical =)
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raydio
Senior Member
Those are two lenses that I would love to include in my lineup.
Kenneth67C
New Member
After much consideration and guidance from all those who replied I have decided to start with the 85mm f/1.8 due to its smaller form factor, excellent performance to price ratio and the f1.8. I will be trading the convenience of the zoom but as long as the subject is stationary it's not a problem. Scouring the net I notice quite a few photogs have both this (or 135L) and the 70-200 so I think it's a case of different lenses for different uses. There is only an overlap in focal length but the max aperture size and weight also matter. So no regrets if end up getting the zoom as well down the road no need to sell thisMy only slight concern is the 85 will be too similar to the 50 1.8. However I'm very much looking forward to experiencing the USM and full time manual focusing.
If you haven't purchased yet, I would recommend you consider the Sigma 85 instead.
I've used it many times and it is an excellent portrait lens.
However for shooting kids, I prefer the 28mm f1.8 due to its focusing speed and for environmental portraits. If its just head and shoulders, actually the 70-200II is excellent and would give you more options in things to shoot. If you do plan to get a 70-200, then just go for that once and for all. Caveat here is the weight. If you can handle the weight, then this is the lens to get and forget the primes. Even pros use the Mk2 in studios.
SilentSeth
New Member
Now that I've seen quite some love for the Sigma 85mm f/1.4, I wonder why there isn't many of them circulating around in the B&S section..
And I also don't really see the level of enthusiasm like you can see in US or Europe photography forums regarding the lens. Is this lens not popular enough in SG?
(I'm not a gear head though, and I might be wrong.. just curious)
And I also don't really see the level of enthusiasm like you can see in US or Europe photography forums regarding the lens. Is this lens not popular enough in SG?
(I'm not a gear head though, and I might be wrong.. just curious)
Kenneth67C
New Member
It is because it is a good lens that there aren't many circulating in the BnS, no? :dunno:
The alternative is so much more costly - 85L.
eleveninth
Senior Member
35 85 135
24 50 85
24 50 85
photoart
Senior Member
I guess that it's so good that its a keeper, hence no one selling
Blur Shadow
Senior Member
The Sigma is actually slightly overpriced in Singapore. I got mine in HK.
The lens also has some issues with inconsistency.
Finally, most lower end consumers will go for the f/1.8 lenses offered by their original manufacturers while the pros can afford the high end f/1.4 and f/1.2 lenses.
The lens also has some issues with inconsistency.
Finally, most lower end consumers will go for the f/1.8 lenses offered by their original manufacturers while the pros can afford the high end f/1.4 and f/1.2 lenses.
Blur Shadow
Senior Member
Fietty said:Any idea how much are they running for in hon kong? Interested to get it some day. My 50 siggy has performed well and i heard the 85 is an excellent lens for its price range
I got mine for HK$6,000. That is slightly less than S$1,000. Nikon mount.
SilentSeth
New Member
Nice price.. If i recall correctly grey set price in sg is about 1100 or 1200 sgd.
avsquare
Senior Member
Bro Blue Shadow got the important points.
While the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 is a great lens by itself, it has certain problems:
- Sigma has always been plagued by focus inconsistencies. However, the newer lens with the new coating faces less of such issue and the QC is done better. As such, although there may be many interested buyers, they may be still wary of the Sigma brand. But if you are seriously considering to buy, pick the newer coating and don't be afraid to ask for another lens to test and test it to your satisfaction before paying.
- IQ wise Sigma is comparable but if the CA department, Canon's 85L II is still better - but I think it does better than 85L (Mark I). Thus it makes it a very value for money lens. Plus, the AF is faster.
That's why you don't really see it circulating it in BnS. Sigma lens user are not that much, especially high end Sigma lens users (those lens costing over $1k). Those who bought this glass are probably people who appreciates it and thus, keeping it.
spinworkxroy
New Member
The Sigma is a real hunk of glass..77mm filter..big lens..quite heavy too.
Compare to the canon 85 f1.8, it's double the price.
Also 85mm is really a niche market mainly only for portrait photographers and not everyone is hardcore portrait that will buy the lens.
L lovers will always buy L no matter what…
Then there's the group of enthusiasts like myself who want to shoot portraits on occasion but don't want to spend too much on a fixed lens…hence the Canon 85 f1.8…get it used and it's about $400…also for newer cameras, there's inbuilt lens correction data for Canon lenses, which Sigma doesn't have so that's another plus.
Actually, the sole reason why i bought the 85 is because it's cheap 2nd hand…and it is very light.
It's not a lens i will bring on travels, or walkabout shoots or landscape or anything other than portraits…that's where zoom lenses come in..so that's why i couln't bring myself to spend too much on a niche lens.
Compare to the canon 85 f1.8, it's double the price.
Also 85mm is really a niche market mainly only for portrait photographers and not everyone is hardcore portrait that will buy the lens.
L lovers will always buy L no matter what…
Then there's the group of enthusiasts like myself who want to shoot portraits on occasion but don't want to spend too much on a fixed lens…hence the Canon 85 f1.8…get it used and it's about $400…also for newer cameras, there's inbuilt lens correction data for Canon lenses, which Sigma doesn't have so that's another plus.
Actually, the sole reason why i bought the 85 is because it's cheap 2nd hand…and it is very light.
It's not a lens i will bring on travels, or walkabout shoots or landscape or anything other than portraits…that's where zoom lenses come in..so that's why i couln't bring myself to spend too much on a niche lens.
SilentSeth
New Member
Btw did anyone try this lens with a kenko 2x teleconverter?
Does it fit, and how's the result?
Does it fit, and how's the result?
Kenneth67C
New Member
How many pp have you actually encountered which had problems with the Sigma 85?
So far everyone I've talked to don't have any issues with it.
SilentSeth
New Member
I read in some US / EU forums out there and I understand that there are some people who received bad copies of this lens.
But to add to your statistic, yes so far I don't have any issue with mine =)
Kenneth67C
New Member
Another statistic:
I've seen more 85L II on the BnS than Sigma 85. I think this alone already speaks for itself.
While there maybe some problems with certain lenses Sigma has made - and for their 50mm, I could not find a good copy, so in the end I got the 50L and am very happy with it.
For their 85mm, it is a serious viable alternative to the 85L.
Another Sigma lens which is also extremely good is their original non-OS 150mm. Although slow focusing, it is extremely sharp even wide open and has excellent bokeh and can also be considered for portraits.
giantcanopy
Senior Member
Love my 50mm and 85mm for portrait shooting.
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