Would you consider a Canon 85mm f1.8...

[Kermit power]

If you already had a 50mm f1.8 and a 100mm f2.8 Macro?

Lots of people rave about how wonderful it is as a lens, but I'm not sure I'd see enough use out of it, given the existing two lenses above?

[markmullen]

Yes, it is a nice focal length for portraits and usably faster than your 100mm.

If you're into fast primes have a look at the 135mm f2, although I don't get much reason to use mine I love it when I do use it.

[Kermit power]

markmullen said:

Yes, it is a nice focal length for portraits and usably faster than your 100mm.

I should state that I'm using a Canon 7D. I actually bought a 28mm f1.8 (which I love) because I found the 50mm was too long in most circumstances for taking shots of the kids. Portraiture at 85mm would have to be either outdoors or limited to head-only shots on a crop body, wouldn't it?

markmullen said:

If you're into fast primes have a look at the 135mm f2, although I don't get much reason to use mine I love it when I do use it.

Ooh. I hadn't noticed that one. I'd just seen the soft focus one and thought "why on earth would I want that"??

[markmullen]

Kermit power said:

Ooh. I hadn't noticed that one. I'd just seen the soft focus one and thought "why on earth would I want that"??

Portraits of wrinkly old folk!

[Seight_Returns]

I have one as well as a 50/1.8. It's a very good lens - only thing that bothers me is the minimum focusing distance is quite large.

I also have a 35/2. This with the 85/1.8 makes a good pair, as it would with your 28/1.8.

My 50/1.8 no longer gets much use - the hit and miss autofocus irritates me.

[Kermit power]

M4FFU said:

AS someone who has a 7D, a 28 and 50 prime, I also have the 100mm f/2.0. I believe it's similar ish to the 85, aside from FL and aperture, obviously. It's a nice lens, but I've used it only a handful of times. I've found I've reverted to a 50mm and been fine. It is quite sharp wide open - something the 28 and more so the 50 struggle with a little.

What I wish'd I'g gone for is a UWA instead, already having a 70-200 to use, but hey ho. The 85mm is a great lens if that's what you're after.

Or, a lightly used 100mm...

I've already got a 100mm f2.8 prime, thanks! I love that, and use it lots for macro shots. I suppose it's more that one which makes me wonder whether I'd really use an 85mm.

[S47]

Suggest you try an 85 F1.8 USM, its bokeh,sharpness, LIGHTWEIGHT and IQ will put any 70-200 to shame.
Me personally I use primes whenever poss 85F1.8/135-F2/200-F2.8/400-F2.8/500-F4 all are sublime, and I use them for 'Money' shots - I also own the 70-200 and 70-300 and 35-350 'l'zooms, I use these for general snaps, or on a 2nd body in support of the main 'PRIMED' body.
I guess you pays your money and use what you need when you need it:

[RDMcG]

I have a Canon 85 f1.2 which is an amazing lens but so heavy that I really only use it when I am doing something quite preplanned