The Fast and the Fixed

Today we'll talk about the fast lenses and the fixed lenses because often they go hand in hand. Yesterday I featured the versatile zoom. Today, it's the 85mm 1.8 fixed lens. This is my poor neglected lens that used to be my one and only when I shot portraits (for years) but now, it collects dust in my "back-up" closet. Poor darling.

Here's the story. When I first started out I bought the kit lens with my very first SLR which, to be specific, was a 28-80mm 3.5-5.6. (I still have it in "the closet" too). That means that when I was shooting at the 28 (a wide shot) and I needed light, it would default to 3.5 but when I zoomed in to the 80mm it would "stop down" to 5.6 and a 5.6 aperture didn't really work for my low-light portrait needs...at all. Especially in the days when I shot film. I always used 400 speed film and I needed more light. Or to shoot 1600 speed film. OR I needed a faster lens. One that would allow my aperture to be much more open (the smaller the number, the more open it is). Side note: Megan, YES, the notation on the side (or inside ring)of the lens that says 3.5-4.5 stands for the widest aperture setting that can be obtained with the lens. But it's not the full range, it's just the widest your aperture will go. So, when my old boss and mentor offered me his used "portrait lens", the 85mm 1.8 I jumped at the chance. Plus, he sold it too me cheap! Buying used is a good way to go sometimes! So, now, I was able to shoot cute baby faces in their nurseries without fear of not having enough natural light.

And, although I don't want to add more flavors into this tech-stew I must also say that when an aperture is wide open (like at a 1.8) you get some really nice shallow depth of field stuff happening. That's when the subject is in focus but the background is not (at all).

Here's one with my 85mm shot at 1.8

and here it is again at 5.6.

It's not that exaggerated here (darn it, I really wanted a better example) BUT doesn't the background of the first shot look cooler?? When we get more into depth of field (like when you want it and when you don't) I promise to give you better images. Ahem.

There are good things and bad when it comes to shooting "wide open". You have to know when you can do it and when you can't. For portraits, close ups, it's usually perfect. But there are times when a shallow depth of field will make things out of focus that are supposed to be in focus and that can be a problem. Like in a family group or something. That post is for another day.

So, why in the world would I not use this lens anymore? Ah, I can be fickle that way. A few years back I bought a new one and now, it's my favorite. I'll make you wait until next week for that part of the story.

Comments

[Alissa]

I like the idea of a fixed lens. I just need practice with it--my hands keep trying to make it zoom!

What I really need is money. So I can buy lenses. Yeah, that's it. I need more lenses...

[Stacy]

I use my 50mm 1.8 almost exclusively now and my kit lens is in its nice snuggly home in my camera bag. I'll probably take it out during the summer when I want the zoom and have the light to use it, but right now it's been rather neglected.

I love to be able to have that nice shallow depth of field and love the ability to take pictures in low light situations.

This picture is an example of a shallow depth of field, which is borderline being too shallow. There was hardly any light in this place so I did what I had to!

http://the-kraft-family.com/WordPress/?p=273

One of these days I will be able to extend my lens collection, but I think that I will have to stay to one new lens a year or my hubby might get a little cranky!

[megan]

ah....the light (or low light, as the case may be) comes on. now i see why i have had trouble with indoor shots with my kit lens. i have been very frustrated with bad indoor shots b/c of low light. i didn't realize that a different lens would actually change the amount of light necessary for a good shot. note taken...thanks!!

[Chris]

My kit lens gets used, but not that much anymore. I use my 50mm 1.8 for all portraits, especially indoor. I love that little guy! This is an example using my 50mm in low light inside:
http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/view/173296/
I also use my BIG lens, my 75-300 quite regularly when outside at the park, beach, etc. It's great with kids because they don't know their being photographed and I get such great pics like that. Here's an example using my 75-300:
http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/view/131918/
All in all, I love my lenses!

[Kari]

Yes, things are starting to "click" here. Thank you for the explanations!

(And I am in suspense for more!)

[Paige]

Okay, this was really good to know because THOSE are the kinds of pictures I want to be able to take.