Using the EF 85mm 1:1.8, how to improve focus

[Ramsden]

Hi folks 

EOS90D currently with my EF 85mm 1:1.8 attached. 

I've had my camera nearly 2.5 ys now and bought a few lenses early on, in a waive of enthusiasm. 

Now I'm trying to work out what they all do!

The 85mm is, on the face of it, a decent lens for a day out. Not to heavy, and reasonable price.

But this week, having rediscovered my 24mm, I took the 85 for a walk along my Yorkshire footpaths and lanes. At first I thought I was doing something wrong, till I did some more research into the 85mm.

When I was trying to photograph a plant, for example, I could only get a small part in focus. But this is what the 85mm does, as it creates loads of bokeh. 

Apparently if you try to take a portrait, sometimes, it  can only get one eye in focus. 

Today I went back to get some pictures of Scotch Broom, which were beautiful yesterday. Of course today,  they were passed their best, but I hope the photograph makes my point.

So my question to my learned friends across the pond, is, have you used an 85mm, and how do you get the best out of it?

Thanks 

Ramsden 

 

[wq9nsc]

Nice photos!  I have been to only one cricket match in my life.  One of the members of my dissertation committee was from India and he insisted I attend a cricket match with him.  I had fun but it would have been more enjoyable IF I better understood the sport AND if I wasn't doing my final defense the next day causing most of my attention to remain on surviving that defense 🙂  And I suspect the level of cricket played in Lubbock, TX wasn't exactly world class 😂

The EF 85 should be a good lens for capturing the steam train and a big reason I liked it for indoor sports is because it focuses very quickly.   I am making plans to find a good spot to capture Union Pacific's 1940's era "Big Boy" 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive when it comes through the area on a tour later this summer.  It will be fun to get some photos of it when it passes down a rail line about 35 kilometers from me.  Once I upload my students' grades next week, I am going to scout out some good locations to try to capture it where the lighting will be decent and hopefully far enough out in the middle of nowhere that it won't be too crowded

Rodger

[Ramsden]

Goodness me, the 4-8-8-4 will be amazing to see. I can't imagine the size in real life. You will definitely have to share your photos.

Re:cricket, yes its an unusual game, but my Grandad played, so the 'game' is in my dna. Certainly not the kind of thing to absorb before defending a thesis. Those days stick in the mind.

Don't forget the photos please 

R

[ebiggs1]

What you and LeeP are missing or not thinking about is distance. All lenses will perform exactly the same way if you correct for distance. " It's not "tele" enough to be a telephoto and at the same time "too tele" to be a walk-around lens." Because of the distance from subject he was using it.

"...bought a few lenses early on, in a waive of enthusiasm."

You and a huge portion of the camera buying public. You bought "enthusiasm" without the thought of photography in mind. All photo gear, lenses in particular, have a purpose. If you have no purpose or use for that particular FL lens it won't be of any value to you as LeeP found out.

The 85mm was designed to be used in a smaller studio for portrait work where it excels. "...it creates loads of bokeh."

Again bokeh is a function of distance from subject and aperture opening. Not necessarily because it is an 85mm f1.8 lens.

If you were in my DSLR 101 class I would have suggested you get a 17-55mm zoom or similar. This will let you try and see what FL's work and what doesn't work as well for the subject at hand. I strongly discourage new photography people from buying prime FL lenses.

You have a 90D which is not just a good camera it is a fantastic camera. If you want the very best result from it, pair it with the also fantastic Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens. There are top of the line mirrorless cameras costing thousands of dollars that can't make better images that that combo.

[LeeP]

Whoa! You can change your distance when using a lens? Who knew?

[Ramsden]

Hi EB

Thanks for your detailed response and suggestion for new lenses.

I guess I could have a look at the Sigma - but I've currently got a self imposed moritorium on buying new things till I learn to use what I've got in my bag. Hence this post and a recent one on my 24mm, which I've learned a lot from. 

In my defence, when I got my EOS90D I found it both easy to set up and use, but rather than stick to easy options,  i bought books and also committed to using M and Raw - plus learning to use the exposure triangle. But for a beginner those numbers and concepts can be difficult to comprehend.

And surely the important thing is to enjoy photography. Today I walked over 11,000 steps with my Yorkshire Terrier and my 24mm attched. I took around 70 photos grovelling around hedgerows to capture spring blossom. Had a great time, binned half the shots, and now I'm at an evening cricket match with the kit 18-135mm attached hoping for some action shots!

That's all for now.

Ramsden 

[ebiggs1]

"i bought books and also committed to using M and Raw - plus learning to use the exposure triangle."

And lenses! 😊 And with out any knowledge of how to use them. Photography is a process of baby steps. Folks that jump in ahead of knowing the basics always end up buying gear, lenses, twice. You buy the excitement first then you buy what you need. Perhaps as you progress you will find a good use for all your gear, lenses. I hope so.

[Ramsden]

Thanks EB

I certainly will try and maybe one day the Sigma will appear in my shopping basket. But that isn't a cheap option, and ironically, Yorkshire folk, are reputed to be a bit tight with their money! 

Thanks for your inputs. 

Ramsden 

[ebiggs1]

"i bought books and also committed to using M and Raw - plus learning to use the exposure triangle."

There is no doubt understanding the 'exposure triangle' is mandatory but in the day of modern digital cameras in year of 2026 it is not the main most thing.  Practicing shooting in different conditions and learning basic composition rules, the rule of thirds, depth of view, etc., is also necessary. As is what lens to use where and for what.

Also the need for a good post editor like DPP4 and how to use it. A lot can be gleaned from DPP4 about the exposure in the info it provides. Baby steps my friend, one step at a time.

[zakslm]

Lee, 

The EF 85 1.8 was my favorite lens when I shot film a few decades ago. Then getting back to photography 

a few years ago with a Rebel T7, I picked up an EF 85 1.8 again and liked my results. Some of my favorite shots with it were of the Grand Canyon.

However it was poor at quasi macro shots. I thought it was good at head and shoulder shots and small groups but the EF 50mm f2.5 compact macro I had at the time was better in my opinion. 

When I upgraded to a 90D body, it seemed harder to get better than average results with the 85 1.8 for some reason. When I got an EF-S60mm f2.8 macro (the 50mm macro bricked) I parted with the 85mm.

The 60mm macro like the 50mm macro produced (in my opinion) better results across the board for me than the 85 1.8 and it is an excellent macro lens as well. 

I don’t know if it’s the higher MP sensor of the 90D vs the T7 or if it was my technique, but the 85 1.8 fell out of favor with me. I do miss the the way my out of focus backgrounds looked when I got a decent portrait shot with it at f1.8 or f2 but like I said, it seemed more difficult to do so for me with my 90D.