Product Description

CANON 85mm f 1.8 Series EF USM Telephoto Lens -- A medium telephoto prime lens (not a zoom lens) with outstanding delineation and practical light weight.

Product Details

• Brand: Canon
• Model: 2519A003
• Dimensions: 4.30" h x 4.30" w x 5.40" l, 2.00 pounds

Features

• 85mm standard lens with f/1.8 maximum aperture for Canon SLR cameras
• Ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM) brings subject quickly into focus
• Natural angle of view and perspective is ideal for portraits and natural images
• Designed to produce beautiful background blur; weighs 15 ounces
• Measures 3 inches in diameter and 2.8 inches long; 1-year warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
A highly practical medium telephoto lens with superb delineation and portability, the Canon EF 85mm lens produces sharp and clear images at all apertures. Through computer simulations, the lens has been designed to give beautiful background blur, thereby bringing your subject into crisp view. The ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM) and fast f/1.8 aperture, meanwhile, helps the subject zip into focus in the viewfinder. And because the front lens group does not rotate during focusing, special filter effects are not affected. Best of all, the standard zoom lens--with its natural angle of view and perspective--captures the subject plainly, making it excellent for portraits and images that require a natural depth of field. As with all Canon lenses, the lens carries a one-year warranty.

• Focal length: 85mm
• Maximum aperture: 1:1.8
• Lens construction: 9 elements in 7 groups
• Diagonal angle of view: 28 degrees (at 30 feet)
• Focus adjustment: Rear focusing system with USM
• Closest focusing distance: 2.8 feet
• Filter size: 58mm
• Dimensions: 3 inches in diameter, 2.8 inches long
• Weight: 15 ounces

From the Manufacturer
A highly practical medium telephoto lens with superb delineation and portability. Images are sharp and clear at all apertures. Through computer simulations, the lens has been designed to give beautiful background blur. Since the front lens group does not rotate during focusing special filter effects are not affected.

Sharp. Lightweight. Responsive. These are just a few adjectives that describe this terrific portrait-length telephoto lens. With a powerful ring-type USM and fast f/1.8 aperture, subjects zip into focus in the viewfinder. It's great for all types of work calling for moderate telephoto power, but comes into its own in low-light situations, and offers a 1/3-stop speed advantage over the 100mm f/2 USM lens.

A medium telephoto lens with a large aperture brings the subject closer, creates excellent background blur, gives a longer flash range, and affords a faster shutter speed to freeze the action. A standard zoom lens, with its natural angle of view and perspective, captures the subject plainly, with no special effects. However, you can use standard lenses in creative ways by varying the subject distance, aperture, and angle.

Customer Reviews

Great Lens for Low light situations.
I use this lens to shoot my daughter's dance competitions. Very pleased with it.

Great portrait lense
This is a great and fast portrait lens. I wasn't sure if I would need it, as I already have the 24-105 f4L IS USM and 70-200 f4L IS USM, but after reading the reviews and reasonable price I thought it would be worth the shot.

I found this lens generally produces my best portrait shots, and is fast under lower light conditions. Most of my portraits are under window light, so even f4 sometimes is too slow at 1/20 of a second or more. This lens lets me get faster and the 1.8 ap performs great background blurring. I did post a picture here as well so you can see a shot example with the lens. My only caveat is with the rebel Xti you get that multiplication factor and sometimes i need to back up further than I actually can, so you may want to consider the 50mm if you have an Xti.

Here's my take on what I use each of my lenses for:
1. 24-105 is my everyday walking around lens. Good flexibility, but not as sharp at f4, f5.6 seems to be the sweet spot.
2. 85 for serious portrait work and when light is low
3. 70-200, great general telephoto and great for kids portraits outside as it lets you keep your distance (so they aren't so aware of you) but still filling the frame.

Overall, the 85mm (or 50mm) probably belongs in your kit if you do portraits, especially given the price. It provides L quality shots without the L series price.

The reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 5 is because the lens stopped autofocusing after 2 months, and I've realized it is near impossible (at least for me) to manually focus at f1.8. I dropped it off at a service center, so hopefully it will return soon.

Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM Telephoto Lens
This is a great lens. I love the the way it does close ups and the clarify of the pictures are breath taking. I am also very happy with the purchase. It was shipped to me in a timely manner and I had no problems. I would recommend this lens to anyone who is new to photography as I am for excellent close up shots.