I have both of these and find that the 85mm f1.2L II to be sharper at f/1.2 and more accurate to lock the focus. The 50mm f/1.2L has major color fringing and a little soft wide open. If I could only keep one I would keep the 85mm f/1.2L II. I think it pairs nicely with the Canon 35mm f/1.4L and the 135mm f/2L.
I also have had a Canon 200mm f/2L IS and now a Canon 200mm f/1.8L. These are truly the bokeh masters. Check out a photo taken with the 200mm f/1.8 wide open this morning.
datousteve wrote:
A question for those of you that have experienced both lenses: which one would you prefer if you could only keep one? The 50mm 1.2 or the 85mm 1.2 II?
85 1.2 all the way (if you shoot wide open), if you have a 50mm 1.0 I'd take that one
Which lens really depends on what you're shooting. E.g, at a party, with rapid moving subjects, low light, the 50L achieves focus much faster than the 85L. Stationary subjects, say, sitting at tables, at the right distance with enough time to focus and frame - nothing beats the 85L.
