Canon 85mm 1.8 $354 + Free overnight shipping

It's not a bad deal... but I wouldn't call it hot. I have the 50mm on the crop sensor 60d and I think that is a little long (approx 80mm). So 85 would be around 135mm on a crop. It probably isn't ideal for indoor use at parties since there would be too much room between you and your subject, but as a portrait lens and maybe taking photos at indoor sporting events.

The lens is $369 at Amazon [amazon.com]

I think it'd also be solid for sports at night. I'll be doing college football soon and don't have the dough for a 70-200, but need some reach and a big aperture. This is it.

Quote from YourDemize : I think it'd also be solid for sports at night. I'll be doing college football soon and don't have the dough for a 70-200, but need some reach and a big aperture. This is it.

I do have the dough for the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS (I saved my pennies), but I'm not sure I'd want a prime lens to handle that task. I was mulling over the used 200mm f/2.8. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/pro..._2_8L.html

It's only 630 with shipping... but again... I like zooms that perform as well as primes.

Quote from jdramirez : I do have the dough for the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS (I saved my pennies), but I'm not sure I'd want a prime lens to handle that task. I was mulling over the used 200mm f/2.8. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/pro..._2_8L.html It's only 630 with shipping... but again... I like zooms that perform as well as primes.

Sweet.

Quote from moppy : The lens is $369 at Amazon [amazon.com]

It is pretty much $369 everywhere. Just pointed this one out since $15 coupon, free overnight shipping and no tax for most. Amazon has a great return policy but quite a few have to pay tax there also. So a balancing act on cost versus policy.

Quote from jdramirez : I do have the dough for the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS (I saved my pennies), but I'm not sure I'd want a prime lens to handle that task. I was mulling over the used 200mm f/2.8. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/pro..._2_8L.html It's only 630 with shipping... but again... I like zooms that perform as well as primes.

The 70-200mm f2.8L IS is an amazing lens. Have it and just love it. It is one of the few zooms that can compare to quite a few primes! This 85mm cannot replace a 70-200 but is nice for portraiture or event shooting. Too tight for most indoor 'home' shots.

I like to use zoom with some reach for the kids on the playground. Nice picts without being in their face. I use my 55-250 for that and it's swell but a cheap lens. I'm thinking the 85mm might be ok for out and about with the kids but of course too tight in doors.

Nice lens on a full frame. My neighbor used it when trick or treating with us on her 5D and her pictures with the 85mm blew away mine with my T2i and 30mm F1.4. Amazing IQ that made the T2i with the sigma look like a point and shoot.

For sports though 85mm is very short. I shot one of my kids soccer games with the thrifty 50, that was way too short, and it's hard to imagine an extra 35mm would be enough.

Quote from trikster2 : I like to use zoom with some reach for the kids on the playground. Nice picts without being in their face. I use my 55-250 for that and it's swell but a cheap lens. I'm thinking the 85mm might be ok for out and about with the kids but of course too tight in doors. Nice lens on a full frame. My neighbor used it when trick or treating with us on her 5D and her pictures with the 85mm blew away mine with my T2i and 30mm F1.4. Amazing IQ that made the T2i with the sigma look like a point and shoot. For sports though 85mm is very short. I shot one of my kids soccer games with the thrifty 50, that was way too short, and it's hard to imagine an extra 35mm would be enough.

Most outdoor sports (soccer, football, etc) you want at least 200mm, 400mm is a nice reach for most outdoor sports. I cannot see using the 85mm for soccer. But for low light, like the trick or treating it would be great.

I have this lens on my 7D. Really great lens for indoor sports, where the lighting in gym's are less than ideal. It is my go-to lens for my kids' karate functions. I also have the 70-200 2.8L (non-IS), that I will grab when I need extra length, or outdoors. The 85 1.8 really makes a difference in tough/low lighting.

Quote from YourDemize : Sweet.

I think for the extra 300, it may be worth the 200 2.8 L...its a pretty sweet lens and I think if you're doing sports, that focal length is a must have~

Quote from trikster2 : I like to use zoom with some reach for the kids on the playground. Nice picts without being in their face. I use my 55-250 for that and it's swell but a cheap lens. I'm thinking the 85mm might be ok for out and about with the kids but of course too tight in doors. Nice lens on a full frame. My neighbor used it when trick or treating with us on her 5D and her pictures with the 85mm blew away mine with my T2i and 30mm F1.4. Amazing IQ that made the T2i with the sigma look like a point and shoot. For sports though 85mm is very short. I shot one of my kids soccer games with the thrifty 50, that was way too short, and it's hard to imagine an extra 35mm would be enough.

I have a 60D and a 50mm f/1.4 and I think the quality of her shots are probably more so related to the higher ISO and less grain you get when you use a 5D (mk 1, 2, or 3). That is just an incredible low light camera.

Quote from wizard13 : Most outdoor sports (soccer, football, etc) you want at least 200mm, 400mm is a nice reach for most outdoor sports. I cannot see using the 85mm for soccer. But for low light, like the trick or treating it would be great.

It depends on the action. If you stand near the goal, a 400 prime might be WAY too close. Along the sideline, I think 70-200 is probably a good bet. And for all intents and purposes, a 70-200 f/4 USM is a good option for sideline shots. and you can find that for a little less than 600 more often than not.

Quote from deccher : I have this lens on my 7D. Really great lens for indoor sports, where the lighting in gym's are less than ideal. It is my go-to lens for my kids' karate functions. I also have the 70-200 2.8L (non-IS), that I will grab when I need extra length, or outdoors. The 85 1.8 really makes a difference in tough/low lighting.

What aperture do you shoot at? I find that I usually stop down my 50mm f/1.4 to f/2.8 because that and f/4 is where it is sharpest. I can't imagine shooting at 1.4 or 1.8 with just a sliver of depth of field.

Quote from sackid123 : I think for the extra 300, it may be worth the 200 2.8 L...its a pretty sweet lens and I think if you're doing sports, that focal length is a must have~

I have a media pass for the particular campus. The guys I work with did fine last year with the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 and kit lenses. I'll be pretty close to the action, plus it's not a paid gig with the school, so I'm not big on dumping more money than is needed. Thanks for the suggestion, though.