Canon 85mm f1.2 L - Mark I or II?

[mdr]

With the new arrival of the Mk II, has anyone got any views or experience if it is worthwhile paying the extra money for the Mark II?

[Alextian]

well. to be honest. 85 1.2 II doesnt worth to pay more money ONLY FOR NEW FOCUS SYSTEM.

image quality are same as 85 1.2 I. no different!

however. if you can wait. 85 1.2 II will be reduce price within next few months.

[Alextian]

I'm going to purchase this lens on summer holiday when I back to china.

one of my friend got this lens about two months ago.

well. the result is: the image quality are same as 85 1.2 I. not much diff at least you cant see what's diff on the screen.

canon says the new UD glass has been optimized for digital cam. but the true story is: the purple edge still visable.

focusing speed faster then 85 1.2 I.

so actually everything same as the first gen, just changed new focusing system.

that's worth 200-300 pounds?

I must buy it. because I dont have this lens. but if you do have the first one. I'm not suggest you upgrade to the sec one. not worth it.

[Tom W]

Here's what William Castleman has to say about the new Mark II version of the 85/1.2 - he's in the process of testing it against the Mk I. Here's a direct quote of his preliminary commentary from his web site ( http://wlcastleman.com/ ):

Note posted 17 April, 2006: I am in the process of evaluating the EF 85mm f/1.2 II lens (Mark II) and comparing it with the Mark I lens. Initial tests have been run and data analyzed between f/1.4 and f/2.8 prior to taking the lens to use at the 2006 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship. A fully updated review with supporting data and images will be posted when the review is complete (ETA: May). New features of this lens specified by Canon include: 1) 1.8x faster autofocus; 2) Round aperture diaphragm to f/2.5; and 3) New coatings. Summary of initial findings:

1. Autofocus: The EF 85mm f/1.2L Mark II focuses from infinity to 2 meters twice as fast as the EF 85mm f/1.2L Mark I, but only half as fast as the EF 85mm f/1.8 lens. I am going to test if this faster focusing speed is sufficient to shoot gymnastics action shots (i.e., Floor, bars, beam).

2. Round aperture daphragm and out of focus backgrounds: Out of focus images of bright lights in the background now appear as circles from f/1.4 to f/2.8 with the Mark II lens compared to sharp-edged octagons produced by the Mark I lens at these apertures.

3. 50% MTF and 10 lpm contrast using 2003 Koren Lens Testing Chart: The Mark II lens provides higher 50% MTF in centers and edges of images. Contrast amplitude measured at 10 lpm is greater in centers (minimal) and edges (moderate) of the image circle with the Mark II lens. This is presumably an effect of the newer lens coatings and is noticeable in images produced between f/1.4 and f/2.8.

4. Resolution in Kodak Technical Pan is unchanged between the Mark I and the Mark II from f/1.4 to f/2.8. Resolving power curves for the Mark II appear to be identical to those of the Mark I lens. I haven't analyzed the data yet at any other apertures except f/5.6 (also no difference between Mark I and Mark II lens resolution at this aperture.)