Canon 85mm f/1.8 Camera Lenses

How to Choose an 85mm f/1.8 Camera Lens

Meant for multiple uses and functions, especially when it comes to taking portraits, an 85mm USM lens takes impressive photos indoors or outdoors or even in low-light situations thanks to its speedy f/1.8 aperture. The 85mm refers to the focal length of the lens, and using a zoom lens allows you to increase the distance between you and your subject. This portrait lens works well for beginners or experienced photographers, and you can add filters to customize photos using special filter effects that add depth or dimension to pictures.

What Are Mount Types?

As you select the right USM or traditional lens for your camera, you'll need to know the mount type to select the correct mount for your camera. There are several mount types from which to choose.

• The Canon EF mount is one type. EF is generally regarded as the most common mount. It's also versatile but won't fit every camera, so it's wise to check what mount your camera requires before purchasing. Even though EF works with many cameras, yours may require a different mount.
• Another mount type is the FD mount, which is sometimes used on 35mm Canon SLR cameras.
• The FL mount was launched in the 1960s and was used for 35mm single-lens reflex cameras.

Which Focus Types Can I Choose?

Another factor when it comes to choosing lenses is the focus type, which is how you focus on your subject to get the clearest, most detailed photo possible. No one type of focus is better than another, so it's just a matter of efficiency, speed, and how it works. 

• An autofocus camera focuses without the need for manual adjustment. This type of focus relies on a small motor to prevent blurred, out-of-focus photos by honing in on the main subject of the photo until the clearest possible image is found. Generally, a USM lens can focus faster than a standard lens.
• Unlike autofocus lenses, manual focus ring-type lenses allow you to adjust the focus manually, usually by adjusting the focus ring in conjunction with the zoom to get just the right amount of detail in your image quality until the subject is in focus and background blur is eliminated.
• Fixed focus refers to a lens whose focus cannot be adjusted. 

Are There Lens Types That I Can Purchase?

After you decide upon the focus and the mount, you can choose the types of lenses and filters you want. This decision is based on the types of photos, such as full-frame shots, you wish to take because each type of lens and filter provides a different type of image. 

• A telephoto lens has a longer focal length than a regular lens does, which means you can shoot a faraway subject, or you can magnify the details of a distant subject. 
• Select a wide-angle lens to get more of the subject or scenery in the picture, remembering that any lens with a focal length over 35mm is considered wide-angle.
• A portrait-length lens is what professional photographers use to capture portraits of single or multiple subjects. Coupled with the f/1.8 aperture, a portrait lens can capture just the right amount of light in your portrait.