What prime lens should I actually get for my Canon 90D if I want to step up my portrait game? I keep going back and forth between the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM and the EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and its driving me crazy. I read on a few blogs that the 50mm is the gold standard for crop sensors like the 90D because of the focal length multiplier, but then I see people on YouTube saying the 85mm is way better for flattering facial features. Im based in Chicago and I really want to get some good shots of my friends before the fall colors disappear, so I have a bit of a tight timeline here.
My budget is around 400 bucks max, which is why I havent looked at the expensive L-series glass yet. I feel like the 50mm is super cheap and easy to carry around for street stuff, but Im worried the 85mm is actually what I need to stop the weird distortion when I get close to people. Is the 50mm gonna feel too wide or is it fine? Anyone who shoots with a 90D have a preference for one over the other for headshots? Im honestly just stuck and dont want to waste my money on the wrong one...
Honestly, I would suggest being very careful with your budget since you want to get the most out of your money before the season ends. Both lenses are decent, but they serve different purposes on a crop sensor. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is definitely safer for your wallet and handles low light well, though the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is superior for portraits specifically to avoid that distortion you mentioned.
- The 50mm is much more versatile for street photography.
- The 85mm is better for tight headshots but makes it hard to fit everything in if your space is limited. Make sure to check the used market for better deals so you dont overspend. If you are mostly doing headshots, stick with the 85mm, but be aware you will need more room to step back.
@Reply #2 - good point! Honestly, grab the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM. It crushes portraits on the 90D. The 50mm feels a bit generic for headshots, tbh.
Had a moment to think about this. Are you usually shooting in tight indoor spaces or strictly outdoors? Knowing that helps a ton with deciding between those two focal lengths.
Josephjag is right about the 85mm, but honestly, watch out for the autofocus consistency on that specific motor. I remember dragging my 90D out to Millennium Park last autumn to test the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and, unfortunately, I had issues with it hunting constantly when the light started fading. It was super frustrating because I missed some perfect shots of the leaves.
- The chromatic aberration wide open can be pretty rough too.
- It feels a bit clunky compared to the newer glass. I ended up feeling like the build quality just wasn't as good as expected for the price. If you go with that one, just be ready to deal with some soft corners until you stop it down to f/2.8 or so. It's a solid piece of gear for sure, just maybe not as reliable as the hype makes it sound.