85mm as run-n-gun lens on a 5D?

D

drummondb

Well-known member
So here's my story. I learned DSLR shooting on a T2i. My go-to lens is my cheapo 50mm 1.8. Those two items plus a great Manfrotto video monopod and maybe a cheap loupe and fader ND have always given me a bit of magic in my footage. Shameless plug, here's my Vimeo channel. Almost everything has been entirely shot with the T2i and the 50mm: https://vimeo.com/channels/359097

The 50mm on the crop sensor just works perfectly for me. It allows me to get relatively close to people without actually standing too close, and I can usually use my feet to back up and zoom out in most situations.

Last week, I had the opportunity to shoot on a 5D for the first time. I decided to rent a 50mm 1.2 as my main lens. Even though I knew the FOV would be different, I was not quite prepared for how different it was. Everything was just wider than I was used to, and if I needed to fill the frame with a subject's face, I had to get much closer to them, and the distortion on those close-ups was more than I was expecting.

I understand a 50mm on a crop sensor is similar to the FOV afforded by a 85mm on a full frame. If I love a50mm on a crop sensor, is it likely that I'll have a similar experience with the 85mm on the 5D? Has anyone done a lot of run and gun with that set up?
 
It really depends on your style. I personally love the 50 on the 5D, and sometimes getting closer yields a more personal result. Although the 85mm is also a great focal length on full frame cameras and it will be more in tune with your 50mm experience on the T2i.
 
If that's what you like, but that a REALLY tight (medium telephoto/portrait) lens for general purpose use. It will be close that what the 50 looked like on the t2i, so like I said, if that's what you like.
 
85mm is a great focal length especially for portraits (50mm has too much distortion for close ups). I find it a bit restrictive as a single run n gun lens, but if you shoot in open space and if it matches your style, then go for it.
Another important consideration you should take into account is that the depth of field will be shallower with a 85mm on full frame than with the 50mm on crop sensor for a given aperture setting. Depending on what you have to shoot and on your settings, this may be difficult to manage for some situations if this is your only lens.
 
If you're shooting mostly portraits, then yes, 80mm to 100mm is perfect, even 135mm if you want to be a bit further for the subject (and have steady hands)

for most people, it would be very limiting, I'd rather take my 50mm, or even the new 40mm pancake... but not for portraits
 
You'll have the same FOV with an 85 (Actually closer to 80). Your DOF will be thinner at lower apertures because of the extended focal length. If your on a tripod you'll be good but handheld you'll be more subject to camera shake than with the 50. I don't know how you feel about zooms but I really like them, so versatile.
 
One major thing to remember is that a 50mm (15 inch) has much shorter minimum focusing distance verses the 85mm (36 inch). Since you can get much closer with the 50mm, the persons face for example fills up a bit more of the screen than the 85mm, but you will get a shallower dof on the 85mm. That's the most frustrating thing with shooting with the 85mm is the minimum focusing distance is so long
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top