eeprete
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Upload & Sell: Off
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I never try to get caught up in debates that are 110+ pages long (particularly where only about 10% of those posting actually have the actual product and can give useful input), but figured I'd chime in.
After chatting with Gary one day, I placed a pre-order with Pro Photo at their special price. The price is very good for an initial release product and figured what the heck. One day last week when checking to see when it would be in, it turned out they had a couple of the shelf. I lucked out and they pulled the last one from the shelf to fulfill my pre-order. Well, it arrived this evening. I restrained myself from opening up the box the second I walked in, as I was honestly more excited about a print order of mine arriving from WHCC and I wanted to see the prints first (crazy but true).
So, I opened up the box a short time ago, and figured let me test it out on my favorite scurrying subject, my 11 month old daughter, Lauren, who is now all over the place. She's been quite a challege for my 85 (and even my 50/1.4) as I often shoot photos of her indoors, low light, no flash, etc.
First observance, as others have noted: Excellent build quality (as should be expected). This is the baby 85L, only it actually moves it's glass a bit faster. Not blazingly fast, but consistent, which is a welcome feature.
I blew through about 75 shots real quick, using my MK2, shooting AI servo, focusing on her eyes, but not working it real hard. Pretty much, point, focus, shoot. Out of 75, 38 gave me in focus images with adequate sharpness. Compared to my 50/1.4 its a little bit improved as far as focus consistency, speed; and sharpness is real nice at 1.2, with expected improvements as you stop it down (sorry, didn't take it to 2.8, simply only went to 1.6 which was fabulous). When using flash assist or an STE2, I can see this number going way up, as I've observed with other similar lenses.
Truth be told, this is not a lens for everyone. If you are someone who likes to own the best, and can afford the pricetag, then obviously your mind is likely already made up. If you are someone who'd be willing to spend 1100 on a lens like this one year from now, then quite honestly the other 400 now, won't break the bank and you might as well get it. If you use a 50 enough, it can likely pay for it's difference in several shoots, and if you are willing to wait another year for the price to drop, then its obvious, its not a need, its a want.
In fact, first thing I thought was "why didn't this arrive yesterday" as I had a real low light shoot in a church last night and this would have been a nice bonus. If you are a hobbyist that doesn't make a dime off photography, save youself a bunch of dough and work your way through several 1.4's in order to find a nice sharp one and you'll be 95% satisfied.
As for the steep pricetag, whether its worth it or not, only each potential buter must decide that for oneself. Drastic increases in price for marginal performance improvements are the way it is with many things in life, cars, houses, electronics, and cameras are certainly part of that.
Since I have both the 1.4 and the 1.2 (and have access to a 1.8) I may spend a few hours Saturday testing between the three at various distances, subjects, apertures, etc. In the meantime, here is one of my daughter at 1.2, ISO 800, 1/200th.
http://www.pretedesign.com/data/images/gallery_images/user_id_10/HG9Q2799.xxl.jpg
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As far as I'm concerned, there's one test people should look at if they want an "object" assessment, and that's William Castleman's. He's the only well respected "objective" lens tester who's made an assessment that I would trust. 