Treating a 85mm like a wide angle?

[Pjdavisphoto]

Hello all,

Just wondering if anyone has used the 85mm sorta like a wide angle in portrait sessions? The 28-70mm interest me for this reason, but the 85mm is beautiful. Anyway thanks for the input. 

[Pjdavisphoto]

And the waiting game begins lol. 

[p4pictures]

Can you possible explain what you mean by using the 85mm lens as a wide angle for portrait?

I do have the EF 85mm f/1.4L and also the RF 28-70mm F2L and capture a lot of portraits with them, but the field of view of the 85mm on a full-frame EOS camera is not what I'd call a wide angle. 

[Tronhard]

Totally agree!  I am curious as to what system is in use and what the OP means by "like a wide angle in portrait sessions".

[Pjdavisphoto]

I’m shooting with the R5 and RF 24-105mm L. What I mean is, sometimes in portrait sessions I like to incorporate the environment as well as full body images. I can do this easy with the RF 28-70 but wondering if this is easily achievable with RF 85mm. I assume I would just stand further away with the 85mm to achieve this. 

[rs-eos]

Do you perhaps mean taking a panorama? I have used a 135mm f/2 lens at its minimum focusing distance and taken nine images of a headshot. Then combined in post. It will give you a wider field of view.

[ebiggs1]

"I’m shooting with the R5 and RF 24-105mm L."

This is simple to answer. Set your current lens to 85mm and fix it there with some gaffers tape and try it.

I have the ef 85mm f1.2L and I love it. I almost never use it!

[Pjdavisphoto]

I’ve definitely tested the 24-105 at 85 just not on a job. Are you saying you never use the 85?

[rs-eos]

If you like the 85mm field of view, and need that very shallow DOF, then use the 85mm f/1.2.  Otherwise, if you don't need that shallow DOF, or need more in the frame, or the added focal-length flexibility, then use your zoom.

I also still stand by my original reply to your initial question.  i.e. only two options to get more in the frame (along with their pros/cons).

[ebiggs1]

"I almost never use it!"

I do use it but usually because I have a reason. The ef 85mm f1.2L is really a reworked ef 50mm f1L lens not that makes any difference. The ef 85mm f1.2L is a difficult lens and requires to know that. But in the end there is nothing like 85mm at f1.2.

"Step it down to f2 and it is much more forgiving ..."

However the agonizingly slow AF is still there.

For whatever its worth, I also have the ef 50mm f1.2L.

[wq9nsc]

I have two flavors of 85mm in the EF mount, the f1.8 which is inexpensive, fast focusing and very easy to use.  I also have the EF 85 f1.2 which can produce some incredible results with its ability to provide a very shallow DoF and for this same reason it requires a lot of practice and experience to get consistently good results.  Listen well to Ernie about this type of glass, he is very experienced with it and its personality.  It definitely isn't a point and shoot lens no matter what body it is used with BUT it will reward you with incredible results when properly applied.

I am a little nervous every time I use the 85 f1.2 because if applied in a way to really utilize its capabilities, it is highly unforgiving with no margin for error.  Step it down to f2 and it is much more forgiving but used that way there was no reason to buy such a specialized piece in the first place.

Rodger