So I have to admit, I am a gear nut. I think that is why I am so in love with photography. I do love all the aspects of photography, the capturing of the image, the creation of something that, maybe, someday will be called art. I also love the expression on people’s faces when you show them an image of themselves that you captured. Nothing pumps the ego like a derby girl or a transvestite in a play telling you that your images “rock”.

But there is this small beast in me that just loves gear. The more I have, the more I need. And it is just not photography, my home is full of tools and computer stuff as well. But the drool factor over my photo gear rates at an all time high.

I don’t think that I am really different than any other photographer when I admit my addiction, but what I have had to learn is to steer my addiction so I purchase gear that makes sense, or even better, helps me make a better picture.

Last year I made a sensible gear purchase that I must admit, is one of the best ones I have done in years. I bought a 85mm f1.8 for my Canon cameras. This was my first prime for my digital gear. I soon followed it up with a 50mm f.14, because I can only starve the beast for so long, I must feed the addiction.

There are a few sites on the Internet that do lens reviews, with very specific and scientific tests that have all sorts of cool charts, so I am not going to even try to attempt such a review for these two lenses.

But in the year of using these two primes I have found a few things in my images. First, the 85mm by Canon is just crazy sharp and it is, for the moment, the sharpest lens in my bag. Considering I think I spent under $400 for the lens, hood and filter on the front, it is amazing how good this lens is.

Second, in both the 85mm and 50mm, my images have improved because I just cannot sit down and zoom in and out with these lenses, I must move my lazy butt to get a better frame. As I get closer or farther away from my subject, I also move left and right, see different angles that I would have missed by staying still with a zoom. I have heard photographers say it over and over again, “You want to be a better photographer, use prime lenses.”

Now Canon has taken many primes lenses, like the 50 and 85, and made some sort of super lenses by offering versions in f1.2. The price tag on these things is some where short of down payment on a nice car. From what I have read, the price difference might not be worth it, but check them out on your own.

Nikon shooters, fear not, there are great primes in the Nikon groups as well. While the 85mm f1.8 seems to be the strongest bargain lens from Canon, I read Nikon’s 50mm f1.4 to be the “best buy” out of the group.

I use the 85mm much more than the 50mm, I just like the focal length when doing portraits. I have found the 50mm to be very useful when working event photography. I have a Canon 5D and since it has a full frame sensor, so my field of vision is pretty much the same as what I see in the viewfinder. I can compose with the naked eye, put the camera to my face and have the same thing in camera. No having people pose, then back up or move forward when I look through the camera.

And I can’t forget to mention the weight and size savings. Both lenses are light and small, which does not make them stand out, or cause fatigue in your arms after shooting all day with them.

I still use zooms, love the 24-70mm f2.8, but I am going to the primes more and more, and loving the results. So if you camera bag is lacking a prime lens, I highly recommend the 85mm f1.8 for Canon or the 50mm f1.4 for Nikon, they won’t set you back a ton of money and the results are just out of this world. What more can you ask for from a lens?

Pros: These lenses are extremely sharp and work well in all conditions. The price to picture quality ratio is out of this world. A must for anyone thinking of adding a lens to their kit.

Cons: In Canon’s case, there are “better” versions of these two lenses, but is it worth the cost? Also, the lenses focus pretty fast, but may be too slow for action or sports photography.

Now I have to go, I hear Canon is offering rebates on their lenses!