📸 Why I Chose the Canon 90D and the EF 85mm f/1.8: A Photographer’s Perspective

Tatiana Mocchetti
May 29, 2025
2 min read

A Camera That Matches the Way I See

When I started taking photography more seriously, I knew I needed a camera that could keep up with both my curiosity and my craving for detail. After much research and hands-on experience, I chose the Canon EOS 90D, paired with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens — a combination that has followed me through countless markets, quiet temples, and spontaneous street encounters in Chiang Mai.

These two tools are more than gear — they are an extension of my eyes.

Why the Canon EOS 90D?

As a portrait and street photographer, I needed a camera that was fast, sharp, and reliable — without the bulk of full-frame bodies. The Canon 90D checked all the boxes:

32.5MP APS-C CMOS sensor: perfect for preserving the details in every wrinkle, every glance.
45 cross-type AF points: incredibly useful when photographing on the go, where timing is everything.
Dual Pixel CMOS AF & Eye Detection AF: it helps lock onto a subject’s eyes — essential when you're trying to capture soul through gaze.
Shoots up to 10 fps: ideal for capturing that fleeting moment — a look, a gesture — before it vanishes.

Whether I’m framing an elder’s hands at the market or waiting for a monk to pass through a shaft of temple light, the 90D gives me the flexibility and precision I need.

The Magic of the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8

If the 90D is my body, the EF 85mm f/1.8 is my heart.

This lens has become my go-to for portraits, not just because of its beautiful background blur (bokeh), but because it brings such intimacy to the frame. It’s sharp, fast, and discreet — ideal for capturing real, unposed human moments without being intrusive.

Why I love it:

Wide f/1.8 aperture: it creates that creamy, dreamlike depth while allowing me to shoot in low light — especially during golden hour or under the soft shade of temple trees.
Natural compression: it flatters faces without distortion, making it ideal for both candid and intentional portraits.
Compact and lightweight: it doesn't draw attention, which is key for my style of documentary photography.

There’s something special about the way this lens captures the texture of skin, the softness of a smile, or the story held in someone’s eyes. It lets me get close — emotionally, even if not physically.

A Toolset That Supports My Vision

I chose this setup not because it was trendy or expensive, but because it fit the way I work: light, fast, and emotionally present. I don’t need dozens of lenses or a full-frame powerhouse. I just need gear that allows me to connect, observe, and translate light and humanity into lasting images.

My Canon 90D and EF 85mm lens do exactly that.