the 85 1.8 CA drives me crazy... though it is a very sharp lens and has beautiful bokeh... the CZ 85 1.4 has not given me any problems with fringing and the wide open bokeh is incredibly buttery smooth... i tend to reach for the CZ instead... have yet to try the 85 f1.2L... thought i get more and more curious....
Having owned 85 1.8 twice and now I have the 85L, my opinion is that the bokeh of 85L is smoother and calmer. The 1.8 can be a bit harch sometimes.
There is a difference at smaller apartures too.
I think the 85/1.8 is a great lens for the money. I once owned a Minolta 85/1.4, so I can appreciate the benefits of a super-fast telephoto, and since the Canon 85/1.2 is even faster, I wouldn't try to talk anyone out of getting one if they have the need. But for my uses, the 85/1.2 is just too expensive and HEAVY. If I was unhappy with the performance of the 85/1.8, then I might re-consider the 85/1.2.
You could always save the cash and try the 85/1.8; if you didn't like it, the used market is quite good for this lens.
I have the 85L and the 1.8, and they are both fantastic. I have never had any CA issues with the 1.8. I was really surprised just how big and heavy the 85L is when I got it - it really is a brick. My 85L is sharp wide open, which amazed me. I may sell the 85 1.8 if I decide to go for the 5D, but otherwise I may keep it for when I want to travel light.
I can't image being unhappy with the bokeh from either lens.
Here is a shot with the 85L at f/1.2 - you can see that the near eyelash was in focus and it was very sharp!:
Here's a shot from the 85L from about an hour ago (with a little post-processing, but no sharpening). I continue to be amazed by the sharpness of the 85L. I bought it mainly for its low-light abilities and bokeh, but the sharpness is incredible - I just took several shots and did not feel the need to use ANY sharpening (and I had the sharpening turned down in RSE when I converted my RAW shots). (It's kind of hard to tell from this downsized version, though). When you can see individual eyelashes when you zoom in on the lcd on the back of the 20D like I can with the 85L, you know the shot is sharp!
