TERRA

EQUIPMENT REVIEW
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT REVIEW
REVIEW
In this issue we will be talking about a good value lens with a great performance, the Canon EF
85mm f/1.8 USM. A clear, light and practical medium telephoto lens ideal for portraiture but that
can also be used for a variety of applications, that depending on the photographers preference, can
include landscape, sports, interiors, close ups or texture photography.
The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is a small and light yet extremely functional lens, don’t let its weight
fools you, if you are looking for a good value and great performance in a small and light lens, this
one is for you.
Colour and bokeh
All the images obtained with the Canon EF
85mm f/1.8 USM are fantastic quality with a
very good contrast and saturation of colours,
saves time when post processing due little or
no retouching of colours is needed.
What I really like about this lens is the beautiful
smooth backgrounds you can get, also known
as bokeh, they blur away. Shallow depth of
field. Sharp images
A clear lens
One of the advantages of the Canon EF 85mm
f/1.8 USM is the full range of work you can do
in different light conditions, even when dark or
with poor light this lens really makes your pictures
shine. The f/1.8 allows more light into your
camera sensor and the fast focussing makes this
lens perfect for interiors or indoors activities.
Close ups and Macro
The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is not suitable
for macro shots, although you can get fairly
close to an object you can not use it as a macro
lens. But can be suitable for shapes or texture
shoots or isolating pattern of a subject.
Sharpness and focusing
The beauty of this lens is that even with a shallow
depth of field (f/1.8) you can still get very
reasonable sharp images, and as you increase
the f number the sharpness just get better and
better. At its widest aperture the Canon EF
85mm f/1.8 USM gives you sharpness, high contrast,
no spherical aberration and accurate focus,
while others lenses in the same conditions
will produce much more defocused images.
Besides great sharpness this lens is wonderful
in terms of focusing, with its built in ultrasonic
motor (USM ring). This soft ring make it really
easy to handle when using manual focus and
when using auto focus it is fast and quiet. Gently
movements of the ring will get you a great
picture.
Favorite aspects and
final veredict
Every aspect of this lens is a plus and it definitely
worths the money you spend on it. For
being such a small and light lens you can take
it everywhere and enjoy its applications, even
better this lens is also brilliant for film.
Overall the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is must
have, because it will give you excellent quality
photographies while you avoid the weight of a
far more expensive lens.
Portrait of a Harris Hawk (Parabuteo unicintus)
Detail of feathers (Parabuteo unicintus)
48 49