85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

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Archive 2007 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

Kucera
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p.2 #1 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

BeeMan458 wrote:
I have both an 85L II and an 85/1.8. I picked up the 85L because I wasn't happy with the "nisen" bokeh the 85/1.8 suffers from, by comparison.

See fig 6.

http://www.vanwalree.com/optics/bokeh.html

Overall, the 85/1.8 is a great indoor B-ball, volleyball, gymnastics lense but won't compare to the bokeh of a 135L. It really does come down to personal choice and what you want the lense for.

A couple of 85/1.8 flower shots below as I don't do sports.

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thanks.. great shots

Sep 16, 2007 at 06:24 AM

Sunny Sra
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p.2 #2 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

I recently got the 135...and oh man...what a lens...i shoot with both , 85 1.8 and the 135...85 great for low light..135 great for bokeh

Sep 16, 2007 at 06:34 AM

Pixel Perfect
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p.2 #3 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

Do a search as there was a massive tread on the 135L within the last few months; many impressive images shown with that beauty. Neither one will limit you ability IMO. The 135L just has a very special feel though, and is just a joy to use; wonderfully balanced, wicked AF speed, beautiful colour, contrast, sharpness and bokeh and takes a 1.4x TC with aplomb.

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Sep 16, 2007 at 10:18 AM

Navyblue
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p.2 #4 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

A very crude test, all are 100% crop somewhere from the centre of of the frame.

85/1.8 wide open

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135/2 wide open

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Sep 16, 2007 at 10:39 AM

MSC
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p.2 #5 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

Yeah, I have to say of all the many Canon lenses, the 135 may well have the very best AF speed...it just snaps too instantly every time.

Sep 16, 2007 at 03:24 PM

JackF
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p.2 #6 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

The 135L blows away the 85/f1.8 IMO. Not for sharpness - but for bokeh, CA etc. The 85/f1.8 is excellent though, but hardly to use wide open when it comes to available light with a lot of contrast - please notice the purple fringing

Cheers, Jack

Sep 16, 2007 at 05:43 PM

Stuart Bell
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p.2 #7 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

The 100/2 has far less CA than the 85/1.8 and is far cheaper than the 135/2. Perhaps the perfect compromise?

Stuart

Sep 16, 2007 at 08:07 PM

Kucera
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p.2 #8 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

i wast hinking about the 100 f2 might be able to get a 135 for cheap.. ill let you guys know what i end up with!

Sep 17, 2007 at 02:08 AM

Pixel Perfect
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p.2 #9 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

Don't forget the underrated 135 f/2.8 SF lens either.

Sep 17, 2007 at 02:17 AM

Jarette Howell
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p.2 #10 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

The 85mm f/1.8 is really and truly a gem for the price. The AF is lightning fast and IQ is incredible; however, it does exhibit some CA when shot wide open (you can see it in this photo). If you can learn to live with the CA, it really is a great lens. I love it so much that I sold it and then bought another copy recently. I also own the 135mm f/2L, and it's really in a league of its own in terms of contrast and sharpness wide open. Like someone else said, it really comes down to which focal length you need. I don't know if this has been posted already, but here is a review for the 85 f/1.8, 100 f/2 and 135 f/2L.

http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/85_100_135/index.htm

Sep 17, 2007 at 02:17 AM

mh2000
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p.2 #11 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

Pixel Perfect wrote:
Don't forget the underrated 135 f/2.8 SF lens either.

The 135SF is a nice lens, especially nice for the price, but the bokeh is not nearly as nice as 135L... somewhere in between the 85/1.8 and 100/2... I guess... the 100/2 is much nicer though...

Sep 17, 2007 at 02:59 AM

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p.2 #12 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

Another vote for the 100 f2 USM.
Excellent bang for the bucks, I had one from this forum for $250 in very good+ condition.

I used to own the 85 f1.8 and found the 100 f2 a little bit sharper at f2.

here are some sample shoot at f2 on 1Ds MK1 (notice that we can even see pores !):

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Sep 17, 2007 at 04:03 AM

mh2000
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p.2 #13 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

_ECK_, the OOF rendering shown in your photos are good examples of what I think is special about the 100/2 (and lacking in the 85/1.8). Yes, the 135L is a bit sharper, but the 100/2 has a similar "feeling" IMO. I know it's all a matter of taste... but thanks for posting!

Sep 17, 2007 at 04:57 AM

akivisuals
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p.2 #14 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

My 135L is my favorite lens EVAR! In contrast, I own a 85 f1.8 but have used it only a handful of times. It typically sits in my closet gathering dust.

Sep 17, 2007 at 07:14 AM

canondoc
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p.2 #15 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

The 135L and the 85mm 1.8 aren't even comparable.

Sep 17, 2007 at 06:40 PM

hkitty
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p.2 #16 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

My 135L, together with my 85L II are my favorite lenses. On the other hand, I also own the 85/1.8 but it is usually in my closet gathering dust. From what I can see, as good as the 85/1.8 might be, both my 135L and 85L produce images that have a special look that the 85/1.8 just couldn't match.

Sep 17, 2007 at 08:16 PM

Kucera
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p.2 #17 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

i bought an 85 but also found a 135 for so cheap i had to get it too! haha

Sep 18, 2007 at 11:36 PM

DrPablo
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p.2 #18 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

I sold my 85 f/1.8. I was never entirely happy with it. It had nice bokeh, but it was somewhat soft, had a lot of autofocus issues, and had very noticible CA. I sent it in to Canon for a tuneup, and it marginally helped the autofocus, but nothing else. My 70-200 f/4L is a vastly superior portrait lens at 85mm, notwithstanding the smaller max aperture.

Sep 19, 2007 at 02:58 AM

k1n3t1k
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p.2 #19 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

I own the 135L and have shot the 85 1.8 on several occasions. I used it several times - once being during a soccer game lit by field lights. Let's just say that there were no white jerseys or ball to be seen, but instead, a nasty shade of purple/blue ones. (PF/CA)

From that point, I knew the 85 1.8 was never going in my bag. The only 85 I'd consider is the L-series, either Mark 1 or Mark 2.

The 135L is an amazing lens - great for sports photography in low-light situations, ridiculously sharp at any aperture, and is light and unobtrusive to boot.

Sep 19, 2007 at 06:38 AM

Kucera
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p.2 #20 · 85mm 1.8 Vs 135 f2.0

thanks k1n3t1k

Sep 20, 2007 at 08:38 AM

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