add my 2p
I have a very nice F1.8 version and have owned it for about 3 years... and I really like this Lens a lot
my brother owns the F1.2Mk1 version and get to use it when ever I want
so am reasonably positioned to the merits of both
I also shoot lots of dull low light type events and pretty much my collection of 'fast' lenses gets the job done one way or another
I recently attended a Car event at night racing round a track with No stadium lighting that ws wortha 'carrot'
knowing before hand that the Lighting was going to be dire.. I took a long my whole 'shebang' so I would at least have 'half a chance' of getting some decent shots (hopefully)
to cut a long story short my 85mm F1.8 and my 200mmF1.8 were really flogging a dead horse at this event - struggling to get anything remotely reasonable
(as was every other photographer that was trackside}
so out came brothers F1.2 Lens
I was astonished at the Low light capabilities of this lens, it was just incredible to be getting 'unusable' results at F1.8 with my other Lenses
and suddenly the flood gates opened
all the other photogs trackside were quite astonished at how much difference there is between F1.8 and F1.2 in the prevailing light conditions
the big question regarding which to buy!!!! if you want a Lens that has unsurpassed Low light capabilties buy it in a heartbeat
if your shooting is not critical for low light... stick with the cheaper model and add another Lens as well
but the F1.2 is a better Lens no doubt about that
cheers Chris
so in essence do you need the unbelievable Low light gathering
add my 2p
I have a very nice F1.8 version and have owned it for about 3 years... and I really like this Lens a lot
my brother owns the F1.2Mk1 version and get to use it when ever I want
so am reasonably positioned to the merits of both
I also shoot lots of dull low light type events and pretty much my collection of 'fast' lenses gets the job done one way or another
I recently attended a Car event at night racing round a track with No stadium lighting that ws wortha 'carrot'
knowing before hand that the Lighting was going to be dire.. I took a long my whole 'shebang' so I would at least have 'half a chance' of getting some decent shots (hopefully)
to cut a long story short my 85mm F1.8 and my 200mmF1.8 were really flogging a dead horse at this event - struggling to get anything remotely reasonable
(as was every other photographer that was trackside}
so out came brothers F1.2 Lens
I was astonished at the Low light capabilities of this lens, it was just incredible to be getting 'unusable' results at F1.8 with my other Lenses
and suddenly the flood gates opened
all the other photogs trackside were quite astonished at how much difference there is between F1.8 and F1.2 in the prevailing light conditions
the big question regarding which to buy!!!! if you want a Lens that has unsurpassed Low light capabilties buy it in a heartbeat
if your shooting is not critical for low light... stick with the cheaper model and add another Lens as well
but the F1.2 is a better Lens no doubt about that
cheers Chris
Chris Procter wrote:
add my 2p
I have a very nice F1.8 version and have owned it for about 3 years... and I really like this Lens a lot
my brother owns the F1.2Mk1 version and get to use it when ever I want
so am reasonably positioned to the merits of both
I also shoot lots of dull low light type events and pretty much my collection of 'fast' lenses gets the job done one way or another
I recently attended a Car event at night racing round a track with No stadium lighting that ws wortha 'carrot'
knowing before hand that the Lighting was going to be dire.. I took a long my whole 'shebang' so I would at least have 'half a chance' of getting some decent shots (hopefully)
to cut a long story short my 85mm F1.8 and my 200mmF1.8 were really flogging a dead horse at this event - struggling to get anything remotely reasonable
(as was every other photographer that was trackside}
so out came brothers F1.2 Lens
I was astonished at the Low light capabilities of this lens, it was just incredible to be getting 'unusable' results at F1.8 with my other Lenses
and suddenly the flood gates opened
all the other photogs trackside were quite astonished at how much difference there is between F1.8 and F1.2 in the prevailing light conditions
the big question regarding which to buy!!!! if you want a Lens that has unsurpassed Low light capabilties buy it in a heartbeat
if your shooting is not critical for low light... stick with the cheaper model and add another Lens as well
but the F1.2 is a better Lens no doubt about that
cheers Chris ...Show more →
Its really quite annoying that it seems everyone is putting down the 85L as 'too expensive' for not much more and not that great for the price..Not just on this forum but in general.
The 85L is a really incredible lens, and I'm not referring to merely sharpness. The sharpness, in my opinion, is very good but I would imagine it would be quite comparable to the non-L lens. But its the color and iq thats really astonishing, along with the low light performance and of course out of focus blur.
This is the one lens I've owned where the pictures really impress - Not just one or two, but almost every one.
As far as slow focusing, this isn't really a big issue for me, because the slow focus only happens when there is a big difference in the depth of the subject. Once the initial focus is established, its quite fast.
Edited by Ashok Bala on Dec 03, 2007 at 01:31 AM GMT
mfoto wrote:
Amazing list there Phil... I've been watching it grow over the years .
I have had two 85 1.8s and tried the 1.2L and now I have the 1.2L II.
I don't study MTF charts. I prefer to try out gear and see what it does for me in a variety of shooting situations. Both lenses are great but for me there is no doubt that the 1.2L II is the overall best performer. I invite you to a few galleries on my site to take a look if you'd like:
I've also owned the 1.8 Twice. At less than f2.8 it is not sharp enough to crop significantly. Iainly sold It because I didn't like the color and saturation . I've had the chance to shoot both versions of the 1.2. The mkII at is much faster and gives saturation and contrast that is out of this world . Its on my buy list...Show more →
Ashok Bala wrote:
Its really quite annoying that it seems everyone is putting down the 85L as 'too expensive' for not much more and not that great for the price..Not just on this forum but in general.
The 85L is a really incredible lens, and I'm not referring to merely sharpness. The sharpness, in my opinion, is very good but I would imagine it would be quite comparable to the non-L lens. But its the color and iq thats really astonishing, along with the low light performance and of course out of focus blur.
This is the one lens I've owned where the pictures really impress - Not just one or two, but almost every one.
As far as slow focusing, this isn't really a big issue for me, because the slow focus only happens when there is a big difference in the depth of the subject. Once the initial focus is established, its quite fast. ...Show more →
No need to feel annoyed, as you cannot blame those who own the 85/1.8 and have never used the 85L. I actually felt the same way a couple of years ago. I felt that the 85L was unnecessarily heavy (I have a low tolerance for bulk and weight) and ridiculously expensive for an 85 prime, and I had read so much about how good the 85/1.8 lens is ... and it is, without a doubt, an excellent lens for the price.
Since then, I have seen images from the 85L II that just blew me away (that I knew I couldn't get with my 85/1.8) and the sharpness at f1.2 is incredibly good. I told myself then that I had to get the 85L II ..... and I did ..... and now I simply refuse to use any other lens on my 5D!
But I understand where most people are coming from, and I don't blame them, as I can relate to what they are saying. This is one lens you actually have to try before you can appreciate what it can do. And, quite frankly, you have to be an experienced shooter to be able to take full advantage of the ultra shallow DOF and speed. It's NOT a lens for everybody and anybody.
You make it sound so much like shooting shallow DOF with the 85L is the pinnacle of photographic achievement!
>>And, quite frankly, you have to be an experienced shooter to be able to take full advantage of the ultra shallow DOF and speed. It's NOT a lens for everybody and anybody.
All I said was that you have to be an experienced shooter ..... I didn't say you have to be an excellent or a pro-level photographer to use this lens. I am an amateur myself. If you have been following the threads on the 85L, you will have noticed that a lot of people consider the 85L to be a specialist lens with a learning curve. What do you think that means?
mh2000 wrote:
You make it sound so much like shooting shallow DOF with the 85L is the pinnacle of photographic achievement!
>>And, quite frankly, you have to be an experienced shooter to be able to take full advantage of the ultra shallow DOF and speed. It's NOT a lens for everybody and anybody.
After studying photography at art school for 4 years and being active in the field for 25 years... I honestly don't know what you and others mean by that. Probably, what it should mean is that very limited DOF is like a fisheye view or creative use of selective focus with a T/S lens... that you have to use it very sparingly so it doesn't become just a cheap effect. Or are you talking abuot just being capable of getting your photos in focus? Outside the f1.2-1.8 range, other than being slower focusing, the lens is nothing but a big beautiful lens... nothing mythical...
bobbytan wrote:
All I said was that you have to be an experienced shooter ..... I didn't say you have to be an excellent or a pro-level photographer to use this lens. I am an amateur myself. If you have been following the threads on the 85L, you will have noticed that a lot of people consider the 85L to be a specialist lens with a learning curve. What do you think that means?
mh2000 wrote:
You make it sound so much like shooting shallow DOF with the 85L is the pinnacle of photographic achievement!
I have to say your comment is pretty harsh
I pretty much agree with every word Bobbytan said... the very shallow DOF is really quite something for users who have never used such a lens
I have and like my 85mm F1.8 as do many others, would I swap it for the L version - yes I would, but unfortunatly my funds have to go elsewhere at this point in time
this is one of Canons top of the food chain Lenses with out doubt
mh2000 wrote:
After studying photography at art school for 4 years and being active in the field for 25 years... I honestly don't know what you and others mean by that. Probably, what it should mean is that very limited DOF is like a fisheye view or creative use of selective focus with a T/S lens... that you have to use it very sparingly so it doesn't become just a cheap effect. Or are you talking abuot just being capable of getting your photos in focus? Outside the f1.2-1.8 range, other than being slower focusing, the lens is nothing but a big beautiful lens... nothing mythical... ...Show more →
It's only mythical if the owner thinks it is. Because of the ultra-shallow DOF, especially if you are using it with a FF body, your images can look a little stupid or ridiculous ..... not to mention that the slightest movement will throw the focus out. I have discovered that the best way to use the f1.2 aperture is to transfer the AF to the * button and use the AI mode and center focus point. That will increase your percentage of f1.2 keepers. Someone who is new to DSLR will probably think this is technical mumbo jumbo.
I am a hobbist with not that deep of a pocket, the 85mm 1.8 is always a treat to use, the colors are amazing, the focusing mechanism is dead-on and quick. I am sure the 85mm L is no slouch by any stretch..
But ignorance is bliss!!
A few of my favorites (again please keep in mind, photography is a hobby for me, so take my words and images with a grain of salt.)
Both 85/f/1.2L and 85/1.8 are great lens, for action/sports shots, the 85/1.8 might be the choice due to the Af speed, other than that my choice is the 85/1.2L for sure, the following three images were all taken at ISO1600 @ f/1.2, i don't know what i will get if i shot with the f/1.8 lens.
YM and taste MV.
