So thanks to Sam Hassas, I was inmediately convinced to buy the 50mm 1.4.

I just got it last night and had a few minutes of testing it...let me just say: WOW.

Fastest lens i've owned so far. Not exactly comparable to the glorious 1.2, but I got a sharp copy and the bokeh is superb.

Next purchases:

24L
85L
135L

But I'll just wait for new 5D to enjoy them fully. Just wanted to thank you all who inspired the decision to purchase. I can't wait to try it next weekend

Edited by Italo Campilii on Jul 03, 2008 at 08:28 AM GMT

do you have the 35L? get that before you get the 24. the 50 1.2 is good but not that good.

Sergio Mottola wrote:
do you have the 35L? get that before you get the 24. the 50 1.2 is good but not that good.

Are you suggesting the 35L is sharper? Better why? Please explain. It's in my list, but I was thinking of going 24L in case I had to change between FF to Crop body.

50 1.2 is not in my list. Thanks!

If you are shooting a 5D The 85L should UNEQUIVOCALLY- POSITIVELY-and as a matter of urgency be on the top of your shopping list...Instant love affair.

neridah wrote:
If you are shooting a 5D The 85L should UNEQUIVOCALLY- POSITIVELY-and as a matter of urgency be on the top of your shopping list...Instant love affair.

Clients don't care about the bokeh or wde-open sharpness difference between an 85L and a 85 f1.8.

The Sigma 50 is a good lens at an inexpensive price as well. I like the 50 2.5 macro for the ability to do ring shots and details in one lens.

-m

Edited by mauriceramirez on Jul 03, 2008 at 11:32 AM GMT

Did you get the Canon 50 1.4 or the new Sigma? New Sigma looks really, really nice.

Canon 50 1.4.

I forgot to mention Sigma 30 1.4 is also in the list

85L next! you will fall in LOVE!

the 85L 1.2 vs 1.8 - the way the 1.2 gathers light the contrast etc move it miles above from the 1.8 in my book. you WILL notice a difference

Italo,
If you do move to the 5D, the Sigma 30 won't work on it. The Sigma 50 would though

mauriceramirez wrote:
Clients don't care about the bokeh or wde-open sharpness difference between an 85L and a 85 f1.8.



Specifically, no they don't, and the 85/1.8 is a great lens for many reasons. However the 85L does have a look all of its own, and clients will see that, whether they recognise why or not.

About 30% of my clients account for caring about bokeh, especially those who like doing photography as a hobby.

The 85L DOES have a look all of its own as Lord Fluff said. We already have the 85 1.8 so 85L is the next step. The 85 1.8 helps us for speed, 85L portraits are killers.

The 50 is an amazing lens, especially on a full frame. The 1.4 was THE portrait lens for the longest time, then came the 1.2. As much as I love to have the best, The 1.4 is more than sufficient, and like Maurice said, clients don't really care. At least about the difference between the 1.2 and 1.4. So, as long as you are happy, and it helps achieve your goal, that's what matters.

Also, as for the 85 1.2 vs. 1.8, rent them both first and see. The 1.8 is a little quicker, but the 1.2 is VERY impressive and a fine piece of glass. Either one should suffice. The 1.2 does have a unique look and has it's place, but I really think the 1.8 may be a better choice for the dark reception venue, at least. The 1.2 for some cool portraits when you have some time with the B&G.

Enjoy that lens and after you've mastered it, rent the 1.2 and see if it's worth the extra 1,000 or so. You might not be as impressed as you think. You have a great lens, now make it work!

These are just tools, and as nice as it is to have the best, put that extra 1,000 towards marketing and see which brings you more clients!

Good luck and enjoy, post some results!

Jonathan Consiglio

FWIW I bought the 85 1.2 and the 35 1.2 on the same day. the 35 sees 98% of the action.

I just bought the Sigma 50/1.4. I haven't received it yet, but initial reports from other users (including 5D owners) say it is significantly sharper than the Canon 50/1.4 from f/1.4 - f/4. The bokeh is unlike any other 50mm lens in production, apparently - very, very creamy. A portrait or wedding photographer's dream. This lens could fill a niche between the Canon 50/1.4 and 50/1.2. Some say the Sigma is even better than the 50/1.2.

My take on the 85/1.8 vs. 85/1.2 and 35/2 vs. 35/1.4 is this: if you already have a strong business and you can afford it, the 35L and 85L are incredible lenses and probably worth the expense. However, they're not going to make you a better photographer, and they're not going to magically get more clients for you. Most clients don't care about what lenses you use; they care about the final product. And 95% of them will not be able to tell whether you used an 85/1.2 or 85/1.8 in a picture. For that matter, 90% of actual working photographers can't tell either, as has been demonstrated on these forums, as long as the photos are taken at equivalent apertures.

I have seen incredible work from photographers using relatively low-mid range equipment, and terrible work from people who had $15,000 of kit.

Just my 2 cents.

neridah wrote:
If you are shooting a 5D The 85L should UNEQUIVOCALLY- POSITIVELY-and as a matter of urgency be on the top of your shopping list...Instant love affair.


As a portrait lens I agree 100%. As a lens for your wedding kit, it hunts and back focuses waaaaay too much.

Good to see you made the plunge Italio. Canon's best kept secret.

~Sam

As far as what 85's to get, here is my take...

1) The 85L is a terrific lens. Best one we have (The 35L is nice too, but not as sharp wide open).

2) While the field of view of the 85 is nice on a 5d, the lens itself is more useful on a 40d because of the better autofocus (I would assume the same holds for 1 series cameras as well). I have shot it natural light in dark reception halls and gotten a pretty good hit rate out of it. BTW - we are using the mk. I version, not the mark II.

3) If you don't have the cash or don't like heavy lenses, the 1.8 is still a great lens and more than worth the money.

4) The 85L does have characteristics that elevate it above other lenses beyond just sharpness (color, contrast, etc...). When I really have to make the shot sing it is the go to lens for me.

ken

Sam Hassas wrote:Canon's best kept secret.

Ironically, it's been their best kept secret for 30+ years. The Canon 50mm f/1.4 has always been a fantastic lens. I owned 2 of them for my FD cameras (manual focus film for the newbies), even popped a Tokina 2x on one for a great 100mm f/2.8.

Here's a quote for ya: 'The 50mm f/1.4 lens was used for optical measurements at various public institutions and is also the standard which determines color balance for the rest of the nearly 60 lenses in the FD series. Perhaps instead of "standard", a more accurate name would be "reference" lens.'

Thank you all for your superb inputs.

I am extremely happy with my purchase and as many of you have mentioned, the 85L is a "to-own" lens, no doubt. But before that, I'm gonna enjoy this one as much as I can. I rather get to know all of my lenses period by period, that way I can get the most out of them. This one's gonna be really fun to use. I can feel it!

A little off topic, but I just bought the canon 1.4 about 3 weeks ago from Samy's in Costa Mesa, so far I feel it is too soft at 1.4-2.8 and all of my images have too much red in them. I probably got a bad copy. What to do you think?
Thanks
Brian

I used the 85L at my first wedding and LOVED it... a few times i missed the focus but not too much. make sure u get the mk2

have to concur with the positive posts re the 85 1.2. Best lens I have owned.......

mauriceramirez wrote:
neridah wrote:
If you are shooting a 5D The 85L should UNEQUIVOCALLY- POSITIVELY-and as a matter of urgency be on the top of your shopping list...Instant love affair.

Clients don't care about the bokeh or wde-open sharpness difference between an 85L and a 85 f1.8.

The Sigma 50 is a good lens at an inexpensive price as well. I like the 50 2.5 macro for the ability to do ring shots and details in one lens.

-m

Edited by mauriceramirez on Jul 03, 2008 at 11:32 AM GMT

I shoot for myself first as im my own worst critic it's only fair that i produce the best possible images that my gear and optics will allow i do this irrespective of whether my clients notice the difference or not.
In most cases they do notice it.
The 85L has a star quality about it that is so evident most of the compliments i get are of the reception images in low light with no flash most of which the client has no idea they were taken...This gem of a lens isnt just limited to portraits.

Strap a 85L to a 1D body, and all your focus worries fade away

i have the canon 50mm f1.4 and use it often, wide open, indoors, without a flash. that is why i bought it. i will buy other primes for the same reason, though for different focal lengths. i know they are all great stopped down but their best advantage is they will get me a good shot in low light with no flash.

if i can get good shots at f2.8 or lower, i have nice L zooms to get me there.

prh

I HATE pixel peeping and have never shot a test chart in my life, but I had to go through 3 copies to get a decent 50 1.4. You'll have to pry the copy I have now from my cold dead hands.