One focal length, and usually the widest aperture the money buys · review
A fully manual 85 mm f/1.8 portrait lens for Canon DSLRs at about $97. It has no electronic contacts, so the camera must be set to manual exposure.
An 85 mm f/1.8 is a classic portrait lens. Lightdow sells one for Canon DSLRs at about $97, a fraction of autofocus versions.
There are no electronic contacts. The camera cannot set or record the aperture and cannot focus. Lightdow asks buyers to set the camera to full manual and adjust shutter, ISO and aperture before each shot.
At f/1.8 and 85 mm, depth of field is shallow. Use live view magnification, or stop down a little, to land focus on the eyes.
Anyone photographing moving children or events will miss shots. For those, an autofocus lens is worth the extra cost.
Prices quoted in this text were read on November 2, 2026. The live price is at the top of the page.
| Mount | Canon EF and EF-S DSLRs |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 85 mm |
| Aperture | f/1.8, set on the lens |
| Focus | Manual only |
| Contacts | None: no aperture, focus or EXIF data passed to the camera |
| Blades | 6, rounded |
| Optics | Hybrid aspherical element, internal focus |
| Amazon reference | B00VZYR2LA |
| EAN | 6979972594258 |
Lightdow warns that the lens has no electronic contacts. Switch the camera to full manual mode, and set the aperture on the lens.
The listing names Canon EF and EF-S DSLRs. On an RF body it would need an adapter, and manual focus with magnification is easier on mirrorless.
An equivalent focal length is a calculation that describes the field of view on a full-frame camera; the engraved focal length never changes. On a Canon APS-C DSLR, it frames like about 136 mm.
At $97, it is the 2 cheapest of the 8 models in this category published here.
7.5/ 10
A cheap way to learn 85 mm portraits on a Canon DSLR. The lack of contacts makes it a slow, deliberate tool.
photo equipment from the same category, at nearby prices. Only what all of them publish is shown: a column with holes compares nothing.
| Model | Price | Mount | Focal length | Aperture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightdow 85mm F1.8 Manual (EF) | $97 | Canon EF and EF-S DSLRs | 85 mm | f/1.8, set on the lens |
| TTARTISAN AF 50mm F1.8 Neo (FE) | $89 | Sony E, full frame | 50 mm | f/1.8 |
| Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G | $167 | Nikon F, FX (full frame); works on DX | 50 mm | f/1.8 |
| Panasonic Lumix G 25mm F1.7 | $179 | Micro Four Thirds (Panasonic and Olympus/OM System) | 25 mm; Panasonic gives 50 mm equivalent | f/1.7 to f/22 |
This model is listed on Amazon.com, at ≈ $97 at the last reading. Listed is not the same as in stock: availability changes daily, and the buy box shows the live price.
Details checked on November 2, 2026.
Canon DSLR owners who want to try 85 mm portraits cheaply and are happy to focus by hand.
Amazon reports what buyers took in the month before this page was last checked: at least 200.
The figure is a floor, rounded by Amazon, and read through Keepa — it says what buyers picked, not what a maker claims.
Specifications: the manufacturer sheet for photo equipment and the matching Amazon product page. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure on this page names its source.
Canon RF, full frame · 45mm · f/1.2 · STM · one PMo aspheric element · digital distortion correction
Canon’s affordable f/1.2 standard prime for RF bodies, made possible by digital distortion correction, sold by Amazon.com for about $429.
Best for: Canon RF owners who want a bright everyday lens for low light and soft backgrounds.
≈ $429
Nikon F, FX · 50mm · f/1.8 · 47° angle of view on FX · 0.45 m (1.48 ft) close focus · 0.15× · SWM · 58mm filter
Nikon’s classic 50 mm f/1.8 for F-mount DSLRs, with 10,193 ratings at 4.8 stars and a price around $167.
Best for: Nikon DSLR owners buying their first fast prime.
≈ $167
Micro Four Thirds · 25mm (50mm equivalent, per Panasonic) · f/1.7 to f/22 · 47° diagonal · 125 g (4.4 oz) · 46mm filter · 0.25 m close focus
A light 25 mm f/1.7 for Micro Four Thirds bodies, Panasonic and Olympus, that frames like a 50 mm on full frame. It ships from Amazon Germany at about $179.
Best for: Micro Four Thirds owners who want a small, bright standard lens.
≈ $179
