Canon 85mm f1.8 - Canon Portrait Lens for Serious Amateurs and Semi-pros

This lens just came up on my radar - the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 lens.I'm always looking for the best equipment for my Canon Digital SLR. And when I find one, I always want it. Most of the time, though, I can't afford it. I mean, let's face it, my family really needs to come first, in spite of my intense desires. After all, I am a family guy, first and foremost.Bottom line is that my photography hobby has financial limitations. If I was a professional, I could use my business expense account for these equpiment "needs." So I keep looking. But every so often, there a Canon lens that is so compelling it can't be overlooked.The Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens is one of those lenses that needs to be in my camera bag. It isn't just a desire, it's a necessity. Maybe my viewpoint is a bit skewed by visions of wonderful images, but this lens is good enough to "seem" like a necessity.Here are a few reasons for my passion about owning this lens.1. User reviews at the online stores. This is my main source of reading material. Call me a nerd, if you want, but I read equipment reviews like others read the daily news. It's just what I do. The reviews for the Canon 85mm f/1.8 are like reading about the next best thing since baked bread. Check them out at Amazon.2. The Canon 85mm lens has the perfect focal length for a Canon Portrait lens. You might think that 135mm is the perfect focal length for portraits, and you would be right. The Canon EF 135mm L lens is the model of choice for many professional shooters. However, pros usually use those expensive full-frame cameras. My Canon digital SLR is not full-frame. It has an APS-C sensor. If you own a Canon entry-level DSLR, or even a mid-level model, you have the same kind of sensor. That simply means that each lens has a crop-factor of 1.6x added to the focal length. That 1.6x applied to an 85mm lens gives an effective focal length of 136mm. That's pretty darn close to 135mm.3. Great price for a super wide aperture. The aperture is the amount of open-ness you get from a lens when the shutter lets light in. The smaller the number, the wider the opening, and f/1.8 is a really small number in aperture terms. What is the significance of a wide aperture? "Bokeh," my photographic friend. When you speak of portrait lenses, bokeh is a term that comes up all the time. It refers to that beautifully blurred background that pros seek when shooting head shots. The Canon 85mm f/1.8 has a very wide aperture which is totally capable of professional looking photographs. But wait, the news gets better! Check out the price compared to the Canon 135mm L lens.That's why I am so stoked about this Canon 85mm lens. Of course there are some technical specifications you may be interested in. It's always a good idea to completely research a lens prior to spending. I personally feel that one of the best things to consider when buying a lens is that they can be used even if you upgrade your digital camera. Manufacturers do not upgrade lenses as often as cameras. The Canon 85mm lens lens has been satisfying customers for quite a while already. It will bring a smile to your face, as well.