So here's what I'm thinking, I want to buy a 85L but I've heard so much about the slow focus that I'm thinking why don't I just get a manual focus lens like the Zeiss for a cheaper price.

I saw some of the comparison shots of the 85 f/1.4 zeiss vs the 85L and the zeiss actually looks pretty bad.

My question is, what manual focus lens is just as good if not better than or at least comparable to the 85L?

I shoot a 5D and usually portrait and I really don't mind manual focus but I do like super sharpness and less CA and purple fringing than the Zeiss. Give me some ideas guys, Thanks!!!

Maybe find an FD version and convert it?

If you are shooting portraits I think your worry about focus speed on the Canon 1.2 is misplaced. I can't imagine that I've ever missed a portrait in anything but the darkest light because of focus speed with the 85.

I use my 85 1.2L II on every wedding I cover. I don't believe I've ever missed a shot due to "slow" focus. ....and the bokeh from this lens... OH MY GOD!

I found that the AF speed of the MKI was limiting. It is very slow, albeit precise. I'm now using a MKII and I don't hesitate to use it at all. It's now become one of my most used lenses...the MKII's difference in AF speed is considerable.

Ditch the 85mm option ....135L wins in my book. I shoot with the 5D as well and I have rented the 85L II a couple of times. The 85L does have a great look to the shots... no doubt! However, the difference in speed is huge IMO. Rent one and see what you think. If it is in the budget... rent both the 135L and the 85L... for my shooting style I like the longer focal length and the 135 is very sharp wide open.. .and super..super sharp from F/2.5 on up. And it is blazing fast to focus.

http://www.lensrentals.com

Just my $.02
Hatch

So I guess it comes to me just having to rent the lens and finding out how fast or slow the focus is on my own then since what I've been hearing seems a little misplaced. Thanks guys for the quicks responses.

Oh and the FD conversion thing, I have trouble putting together IKEA things, I'm still on baby steps

Yes, Hatch describes my experience with the AF on the 135. It really is very snappy, and the 85/1.2 is much, much slower - especially the version 1 I use. But I still don't understand that it makes any difference for what I think of as portrait work (of people mind you), and the look of the images between the 85 and 135 are really no more similar than is their AF speeds.

seoulman13 wrote:
So I guess it comes to me just having to rent the lens and finding out how fast or slow the focus is on my own then since what I've been hearing seems a little misplaced. Thanks guys for the quicks responses.

Oh and the FD conversion thing, I have trouble putting together IKEA things, I'm still on baby steps


It's the best thing to do IMO... this way you do not spend a ton of $ on something you might like?

I found out I'm a long lens shooter this way... rented wide angle lenses and found out I like shooting everything over 70mm ROFL Saved me $$$ on buying the 16-35mm.

Hatch.

Believe it or not, the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower/Polar/Vivitar 85mm f/1.4 is EXTREMELY close to the 85L is resolution, and pretty close in bokeh too. ($250-$350 depending on which brand you buy, though they are all the exact same lens)

Wide open:

John Caldwell wrote:
Yes, Hatch describes my experience with the AF on the 135. It really is very snappy, and the 85/1.2 is much, much slower - especially the version 1 I use. But I still don't understand that it makes any difference for what I think of as portrait work (of people mind you), and the look of the images between the 85 and 135 are really no more similar than is their AF speeds.


Think little kids outdoors ... just had 6 family sessions of the past few weekends and all of them had little ones... I know the 85L is great... but... now way would it have kept up with the movements of the kids. The 5D (IMO) already has a hard time tracking moving objects... add the slow AF of the 85L... low keeper rate in the making.... at least i think.

If you use it (85) in studio... wicked sharp... great lens.
Hatch

emandavi wrote:
I use my 85 1.2L II on every wedding I cover. I don't believe I've ever missed a shot due to "slow" focus.

I have! Many, many times. It still gets used for the same purposes, but the focus is very frustrating when it completely misses and has to go all the way through the range over 1-2 seconds before it finally returns to the correct area.

seoulman13 wrote:
So here's what I'm thinking, I want to buy a 85L but I've heard so much about the slow focus that I'm thinking why don't I just get a manual focus lens like the Zeiss for a cheaper price.

I saw some of the comparison shots of the 85 f/1.4 zeiss vs the 85L and the zeiss actually looks pretty bad.

My question is, what manual focus lens is just as good if not better than or at least comparable to the 85L?

I shoot a 5D and usually portrait and I really don't mind manual focus but I do like super sharpness and less CA and purple fringing than the Zeiss. Give me some ideas guys, Thanks!!!

Would the new 100mm f/2.8 IS macro be a competitor here?

The Zeiss ZE 85 is very different animal from the 85L. The 85L is loved by wedding photographers for its performance up close, including wide open, rather than at opposite ends of the performance spectrum. Whereas the Zeiss is least comfortable under these conditions. But stop it down a bit and move away from MFD, and it becomes stellar all the way to infinity and landscape use. So, depending on what you shoot, choice between them should be easy.

You have HEARD it's slow ? Best you can do is try for yourselve.
As mentioned, portraits are not that high speed focus-demanding :-)
It's a great lens but has it's flaws.
Mastering it is the main one ! The lens is great .... the photographer should be skilled ! :-)

Rgds
Velu

hmmm... I don't get it. You are worried that the 85L is too slow so you want a manual focus lens?

The TS-E 90 is a wonderful lens...

The Samyang looks good to me from all samples posted (I don't own it).

I have a Elmarit-R 135 that I think is good and they only cost $200... but the 135L might be a little better overall, especially on a Canon body.

seoulman13 wrote:
So I guess it comes to me just having to rent the lens and finding out how fast or slow the focus is on my own then since what I've been hearing seems a little misplaced.

Bingo!

Jman13 wrote:
Believe it or not, the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower/Polar/Vivitar 85mm f/1.4 is EXTREMELY close to the 85L is resolution, and pretty close in bokeh too. ($250-$350 depending on which brand you buy, though they are all the exact same lens)
.........................


If the OP has interest in a manual focus lens, they could save a bundle by taking
Jordan's suggestion and trying the Rokinon 85/1.4

See these threads:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/829780
[beautiful model, well photographed]

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/825463
[3 lenses compared]