BENOISON vs Big Mike's High-Power 420-

Overview of the 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens and the 420-1600mm Telephoto Zoom Lens

The 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is priced at $96.22, while the High-Power 420-1600mm Telephoto Zoom Lens comes in at $139.99. The Portrait Lens offers a more budget-friendly option, being approximately 31% cheaper than the Telephoto Zoom Lens. These lenses cater to different photography styles and needs, making them suitable for various users, from portrait photographers to wildlife enthusiasts.

Design and Build Quality

The 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens features a manual focus design, which requires users to adjust the focus ring to achieve sharp images. This design aspect may appeal to photographers who prefer a hands-on approach to their craft. In contrast, the High-Power 420-1600mm Telephoto Zoom Lens is designed to cover a vast focal range, making it perfect for capturing distant subjects. Both lenses are built to integrate seamlessly with their respective camera systems—Nikon for the Portrait Lens and Canon for the Telephoto Zoom Lens.

Compatibility with Camera Systems

The 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is compatible with a wide range of Nikon DSLR cameras, including models like the D3500, D850, and D7500, among others. This extensive compatibility ensures that many Nikon users can benefit from this lens. On the other hand, the High-Power 420-1600mm Telephoto Zoom Lens is designed for Canon EOS cameras, including popular models like the 70D, 80D, and 90D. This dedicated compatibility allows photographers to use these lenses without worrying about fit or functionality.

Focal Length and Aperture

The 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens has a fixed focal length of 85mm and a wide aperture of f1.8, allowing for excellent background bokeh and shallow depth-of-field effects. This makes it ideal for portrait photography and capturing detailed close-ups. In contrast, the High-Power 420-1600mm Telephoto Zoom Lens offers an impressive focal range of 420mm to 1600mm, but with a narrower aperture of f8.3. This lens excels in long-distance photography, making it suitable for wildlife and sports photography, but may not deliver the same level of background blur as the Portrait Lens.

Use Cases and Photography Styles

The 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is particularly well-suited for portrait and street photography, where natural perspective and subject isolation are crucial. Its large aperture allows for stunning background separation, enhancing the overall aesthetic of portraits. Conversely, the High-Power 420-1600mm Telephoto Zoom Lens is ideal for capturing sports and wildlife, where the ability to zoom in on distant subjects is essential. Its versatility in focal length allows photographers to adapt to various shooting scenarios effectively.

Price Comparison

The 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens retails for $96.22, while the High-Power 420-1600mm Telephoto Zoom Lens is priced at $139.99. This makes the Portrait Lens about $43.77 cheaper than its competitor. For photographers on a budget or those just starting, the lower price of the Portrait Lens can be appealing, especially since it still offers quality and versatility for portrait photography.

Learning Curve and Usability

The 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens requires photographers to manually focus their shots, which might present a learning curve for those accustomed to auto-focus systems. Users must switch their cameras to Manual (M) Mode for the lens to function properly. In contrast, the High-Power 420-1600mm Telephoto Zoom Lens also operates manually, but its zoom capabilities may offer more straightforward usability for long-distance shots. This could make it easier for photographers to frame their subjects without needing to adjust their position significantly.

Which should you buy?

Choosing between the 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens and the High-Power 420-1600mm Telephoto Zoom Lens ultimately depends on your photography needs. If you focus on portrait and street photography and appreciate a more affordable option, the 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is an excellent choice. However, if you're in need of a versatile zoom lens for wildlife or sports photography and are willing to invest more, the High-Power 420-1600mm Telephoto Zoom Lens may better suit your requirements.