It looks like the rear element of the 85L would actually touch the first element of the Tamron 1.4 TC if attached, just eyeballing it. Is this possible? I'd like to occasionally use the 85L with the TC but am scared to death that it would rub.
Thanks in advance.

You'd probably be much better off to just crop in post.

AFAIK the 85L and 50L are not compatible with TCs.
I would get a 135L in it's place if you need the extra reach.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens is not compatible with Canon's Extenders.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-85mm-f-1.2-L-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Why would anybody use a TC on that lens Instead of a very fast lens with excellent IQ, you get a rather bad lens. Buy the low priced 135/2,8 instead

Sean Mills wrote:
AFAIK the 85L and 50L are not compatible with TCs.
I would get a 135L in it's place if you need the extra reach.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens is not compatible with Canon's Extenders.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-85mm-f-1.2-L-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Not true.... I got the kenko 1.4 extender, and my 85L work perfectly with it.... Of course, I was scarred to try it, but another FMiers showed me its setup as is six months ago, so I'll try it and perfect...
So it gives you a 119mm at 1,68, which is better than the 135mm at 2.0... And no need to buy the 135mm
By the way, I have the Kenko Macro rings, and works perfectly with the 85L as well...

Andre Goli wrote:..
So it gives you a 119mm at 1,68, which is better than the 135mm at 2.0... And no need to buy the 135mm

Not quite 'better', AF speed on the 85L is already slow, I can only imagine what adding a TC would do to it...

I love these suggestions to go buy another expensive lens. Yes the 135 is always going to be better than a TC, but if you allready have the TC then why not use it if its only for an occasion.
I dont see why the Tamron shouldnt fit as it does not have an element that sticks out like the canon does.
Howver I would 2nd the cropping then uprez if needed method as the results will probably be just as good.

I gotta say, I use this Tamron TC on my other lenses, especially the 70-200, and if there is any image degradation I don't see it, at anything close to normal sizes. However, my research is conflicting regarding its serviceability on the 85L.

You'll need to push this combo down a stop to get any sort of image quality worth considering. Wide open it will have so much CA it'll be downright comical. It might technically "work", but it just doesn't make much sense.

outlawyer wrote:
I gotta say, I use this Tamron TC on my other lenses, especially the 70-200, and if there is any image degradation I don't see it, at anything close to normal sizes. However, my research is conflicting regarding its serviceability on the 85L.


But what are you planning to extend and shot? This is excellent lens as is and having certain specialty (portraiture).

dfresh wrote:
Andre Goli wrote:..
So it gives you a 119mm at 1,68, which is better than the 135mm at 2.0... And no need to buy the 135mm

Not quite 'better', AF speed on the 85L is already slow, I can only imagine what adding a TC would do to it...

If you are shooting wide open you should be using manual focus anyway. Sometimes AF is overrated.

Lasse, I fail to see why you think a superb lens like the 85L would become a bad lens with a 1.4x TC. The 135L + 1.4x is still a superb lens and I see no reason why the 85L would be different.

But what are you planning to extend and shot? This is excellent lens as is and having certain specialty (portraiture).


Some street photography mostly. As huge as the 85 is, it's still not as long (and noticeable) as a white 70-200 (though certainly not any lighter, either).