The LUMIX S 85mm 1.8 - Not just for Portraits!

An 85mm focal length is considered to be the perfect lens for portraits and I agree...BUT there's so much more you can shoot with it. In this video I review the LUMIX S 85 1.8 and discuss it's multiple uses including video.

The LUMIX S 85 1.8 was the first in the series of compact primes. It's compact and lightweight at 355 grams, this lens fits perfectly with the other primes in this series. This is one of the must-have prime lenses for any portrait photographer.

Gear Used in this Video:

(The links above are to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn commission from qualifying purchases.)

00:00 - Introduction
00:42 - Lens Specs
01:29 - Standard Portrait Lens
01:42 - Sample Portrait Images
01:58 - Other uses for an 85mm lens
02:09 - Sample Images and Video of Peacocks
02:22 - Sample Images of Cityscapes in Austin Texas
02:38 - Sample Images of Fashion Shoot
03:01 - Sample Images and Video of Dallas Burrow Concert
03:27 - Using APS-C Crop to get 2 focal lengths
04:10 - Using 85mm as a second camera angle in video
04:25 - Price

Follow me on Instagram to keep up with my shoots, daily life and gear use tips!

Special thanks to Sophia, Kaya, Delaney and Tess for modeling. You can follow them on Instagram at:

Also, shout out to Tatiana Arias for wardrobe styling, Elizabeth McIlheran for hair and makeup and Mario from Super Mario Productions for filming BTS.

Also, BIG thanks to Dallas Burrow for allowing me to film your show. You can check out his music here:

Socials:
My video portfolio on YouTube:

Music:

My video portfolio on YouTube:

MY GEAR:
LUMIX S5
LUMIX S1H
LUMIX S1
LUMIX S1R
LUMIX S-Pro 24-70mm 2.8
LUMIX S-Pro 24-105mm 4
LUMIX 20-60mm 3.5-5.6
LUMIX S 85mm 1.8
LUMIX S 50mm 1.8
LUMIX S 24mm 1.8
LUMIX S 35mm 1.8
Saramonic Vmic5 Pro
Saramonic SoundBird T3
Saramonic UwMic9 S Kit
Saramonic Blink 500 Pro B2
Nanlite Forza 60B
Nanlite Forza 200
Nanlite Forza 300B
Nanlite Mixpanel 60
SmallRig Cages and Accessories
Ronin-S2 Gimbal
SIRUI Tripods and Heads

Color Grading LUTs:

*** NOTE: I am a full-time content creator - videographer and photographer, YouTuber AND a Panasonic LUMIX Ambassador. This means I am SPONSORED by Panasonic and biased towards their gear. I regularly state this in my videos, but in case I do not say it, please know that I use their gear and promote it across all my social channels.

#lumix #lumix85 #portraitlens

[ToddWhiteStudios]

I typically use the 85mm for portraits or in situations where I need more reach. It is one of the longer lenses I own (105mm is the longest). What is your go to portrait lens? What is the longest lens you own?

[AngelicaOvO]

Thank you for this great video, I am searching for this lens to shot something different than portraits. That’s it!😊

[musicman]

Great shots and video! I use one of these on my Leica SL2 and it's fantastic. I use it the same as you, portraits & when a little more reach is needed. I find it a great street lens when I need to get close in but not disturb. Killer lens for the price. anything close is at least double the $.

[walshm]

Great video, I shoot with the 85mm f1.8 on the s1 all the time, lovely lens, works for everything for me.

[daliamosesp]

Looks like a really fun lens. Thanks for the video. I'm thinking of buying this for general travel whilst I carry 2 cameras. I already have another camera (APS-C) which either has a 22mm or 32mm attached, so something with a little extra reach will compliment it nicely.

[Ponskippa]

Do you think this lens would make a good sports photo lens in apsc mode?

[LucaBono.Studio]

Hopefully one day I'll get the chance to try this lovely lens! Great review Todd, I really liked the sample images!

[Stylemetta]

Comment 0:34 is accurate !! And the 3rd image from the band is impeccable ! So talented .

[TedOrAlive]

so, Bruce Willis is now into camera things.. cool. (great rev btw :p )

[d.idowuolutosin]

Todd, great information. I'm considering adding this lens or the Sigma 90mm to my kit. I have an S5 but primarily use it for still photography but plan to start utilising the video aspects of this camera this year. I have a question that I've yet to find an answer to. You demonstrated the use of the APS-C mode for video on the camera. Is there such a mode in the photos settings? The primary reason I'm asking is that I also use the Leica CL which is an APS-C L mount camera. I have a Voigtlander 21mm f4 adapted M mount lens and the TTArtisans 50mm f1.2. Both lenses are crop sensor lenses so when I put them on my S5, I get the big black ring of death in my EVF and on my photos unless I change the photo settings to a 1:1 ratio.

I guess I'm asking is there a similar APS-C setting for photo like there is for video so that I have access to all the photo ratio settings? Please advise.

[ktizomoment]

Going to Switzerland in 4 months. Which lens would you use for travel if you had to pick just one? I have 20-60, 24-105 and 50mm
Great content.

[manilamartin]

Every once in a while I get jealous of lumix ff. Great lens. I still love micro four thirds.

[tonyzecchinelli]

I liked your review and I subscribed - I guess it is not a stabilised lens or yes let me know but I think it is not

[bradleyjpaolucci]

Were you use manual focus for video or were those shot in autofocus?

[marin_real_estate_photography]

Hi Todd, and thanks for the video. I found it helpful, and the shots of the models looked great. I have one STRANGE question for you though. Please don't hate me for asking this, but... What happened to the audio? For instance, starting at the 1:29 mark, it LOOKS like you are standing out in a park, but it SOUNDS like you are using a shotgun mic in a room with significant reverb (the "warble" is pretty easy to hear). Anyway, apologies in advance if I am misdiagnosing the situation. I am trying to pay more attention to audio quality in videos lately, so maybe I am over-analyzing it???

[ABokeh]

dude that shot of you at 2:23 what was that shot with? 24?