85L vs 85 f/1.8 at same aperture

[DRAGUI99]

Hello !


I know that the question 85L vs 85 f/1.8 has already been debated, but my question is more specific....

I own the 135L, and I love this lens !! I often use it wide open and the results are amazing in term of sharpness, bokeh, coulour and contrast.
I also own the 70-200 IS, and i presume it's not only in my mind, but the pictures from the 135L @2.8 are quite different than those from the 70-200 @2.8... I see a real difference in term of contrast & colours. I love the 'pastel' colours from the 135L.

I own a 30D, and sometimes, the 135L is a little bit too long for indoor shots (mainly portraits), So I've decided to buy a 85mm prime.

My question : will I see the same difference in terms of colours and contrast between the 85L and the 85 f/1.8 at the same aperture (@f/2 for exemple) ?

Thank you !
Sam

[gasrocks]

Which reviews have you read? Yes, the 85 L is great but at most aperatures (f/4, 5.6, 8...) not much difference. What % of your pictures will be at f/2?

[coreypolis]

Which reviews have you read? Yes, the 85 L is great but at most aperatures (f/4, 5.6, 8...) not much difference. What % of your pictures will be at f/2?
thats not the question.

yes there will be a difference. how much difference and what the means to your overall photo is up to the end user. The bokeh is different the color is different, the dof is different. But are amazing lenses, the L does require some getting use to DOF and hand holding wise. the 1.8 is probably up there wit the best lenses for the money.

I know what you mean about the 135. I sold mine because of the 70-200, and still regret it. Seemed like every shot was a keeper.

[schmoelzel]

I think I posted a very 'non-technical' comparison in the past........IMO, the 85L has much better colour and contrast at the same apetures. If you like the pastel tones from your 135L, the 85L has that in spades. That said, the 85f1.8 is a stunning lens in its own right and quite a bargain to boot.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=143497&highlight=85L

[steve_shelly]

Hey Coreypolis, excuse my learning question here because your post just confused me, but isn't DOF the same on both lenses if they are at the same aperature? I thought DOF was based on focal length, focus distance, and aperature, or am I mistaken?

Thanks, steve

[Wayne MG]

I think he meant that the 85/1.2 at F1.2 takes some getting used to, moreso than the 85/1.8 would be F1.8. So not talking about the same aperture settings. At F1.2 the plane of focus is so very paper-thin!

[narlus]

I think I posted a very 'non-technical' comparison in the past........IMO, the 85L has much better colour and contrast at the same apetures. If you like the pastel tones from your 135L, the 85L has that in spades. That said, the 85f1.8 is a stunning lens in its own right and quite a bargain to boot.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=143497&highlight=85L


does anyone have any direct comparison images they can show of the same subject shot @ varying apertures w/ the same light and body? i'd be very interested to see if there's much, if any, discernable difference, or if it's just L-mania which fuels these subjective testimonials.

[SolPics]

Castleman did a pretty good review http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/85mm/index.htm .

[DRAGUI99]

Thank you all for your valuable answers !! :D


Which reviews have you read? Yes, the 85 L is great but at most aperatures (f/4, 5.6, 8...) not much difference. What % of your pictures will be at f/2?

I've not read it in reviews, it's just what i see when comparing shots from my 135L and my 70-200 IS...
I think that 80% of my pictures will be taken @ f/2 and below




yes there will be a difference. how much difference and what the means to your overall photo is up to the end user. The bokeh is different the color is different, the dof is different. But are amazing lenses, the L does require some getting use to DOF and hand holding wise. the 1.8 is probably up there wit the best lenses for the money.

I know what you mean about the 135. I sold mine because of the 70-200, and still regret it. Seemed like every shot was a keeper.

You understand me !! ;)
And I will never sell my 135L .... and i love my 70-200 though


I think I posted a very 'non-technical' comparison in the past........IMO, the 85L has much better colour and contrast at the same apetures. If you like the pastel tones from your 135L, the 85L has that in spades. That said, the 85f1.8 is a stunning lens in its own right and quite a bargain to boot.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=143497&highlight=85L

Thank you Schmoelzel !! It helps a lot !
And your pictures show exactly what i mean... I see a real difference between the two in terms of contrast and colours.... Beautiful pics !


I think i'm on the way to 85L .... If you have a good advice to stop me, it's now or never !! ;)
Thanks !
Sam

[calicokat]

I had both of these lenses for a time, the 85L is going to be sharper at F/1.8, but the 85 F/1.8 will hold its own, great lens

[Hawg Hanner]

Well, I ordered a new Canon 85mm f/1.2L USM a couple days. I already have a Canon 135mm f/2L USM and a Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM (which I'm selling soon to make way for the new glass). I will make time this coming weekend or early next week to run a series of test shots and I will post the results here.

[DRAGUI99]

Well, I ordered a new Canon 85mm f/1.2L USM a couple days. I already have a Canon 135mm f/2L USM and a Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM (which I'm selling soon to make way for the new glass). I will make time this coming weekend or early next week to run a series of test shots and I will post the results here.

It would be great !! Thank you !

[JohnnyMac]

I have the 135L the 85L and the 85 1.8. The 1.8 is a great lens ,sharp well made ect. However it does not possess that magic the the 135L and the 85L have.Depending on Your budget and how You will use the lens should help You decide.The 1.8 is alot less money and alot easier to carry around. Also be aware the glass on the 85L is REALLY easy to damage and the lens is built like a glass softball! I've know many people that dropped theirs,hit the inner or outer elements on things ect. The inner element is flush with the lens mount so be careful. If You can afford the 85L its amazing but a handful.

[Hawg Hanner]

Why would one be more apt to ding the 85mm f/1.2L? Does it affect the camera's center of gravity or something?

[LightRules]

My question : between the 85L and the 85 f/1.8 at the same aperture (@f/2 for exemple)?

Bryan at TDP has done some excellent work here, though you can't tell bokeh by these http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=106&FLI=0&API=1&LensComp=397&FLIComp=0&APIComp=3&Camera=9&CameraComp=9

[Hawg Hanner]

Okay here are the results:

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM @ f/1.2
http://static.flickr.com/119/299846233_346079b9e9_b.jpg

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM @ f/1.8
http://static.flickr.com/121/299846231_91862a3efd_b.jpg

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM @ f/2.0
http://static.flickr.com/121/299841319_b6c24b283d_b.jpg

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM @ f/1.8
http://static.flickr.com/105/299841318_090635537c_b.jpg[/URL]

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM @ f/2.0
http://static.flickr.com/103/299841315_b9d05de217_b.jpg (http://static.flickr.com/105/299841318_090635537c_b.jpg)

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 USM @ f/2.0
http://static.flickr.com/104/299841309_b98a3bdb3b_b.jpg (http://static.flickr.com/103/299841315_b9d05de217_o.jpg)

Here are the 100% crops:
[URL]http://static.flickr.com/117/299846234_55b1fbe725_o.jpg (http://static.flickr.com/104/299841309_b98a3bdb3b_o.jpg)


If I did not do this right, please let me know.

Hawg

[DRAGUI99]

Hello Hawg

Thank you ! I really appreciate the effort !! :D

My eyes are telling me that there is a difference between the rendition of the L an the 1.8... But the difference isn't big. Maybe the difference would be more visible on skin tones ?...

Thanks again !
Sam

[Hawg Hanner]

The L is definitely sharper than the 1.8...then again, for an extra grand it should be. You are also paying for two additional stops and a much nicer bokeh IMHO, too. The test did confirm for me, though, that you can get the biggest bang for the buck with the Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM. It is truly a top notch lens.

[schmoelzel]

I didn't quite see that the 85L is sharper than the 85f1.8 in my own comparisons. I think even when looking at Canon's MTF charts (which are theoretical), they are basically equal. But where the big difference for me lies is in the colour and contrast (contrast BTW increases 'perceived' sharpness). I prefer the 85L but the 85F1.8 is a very good optic and at a very good price!

[Hawg Hanner]

Agreed.

[I Simonius]

Thank you all for your valuable answers !! :D




I've not read it in reviews, it's just what i see when comparing shots from my 135L and my 70-200 IS...
I think that 80% of my pictures will be taken @ f/2 and below




You understand me !! ;)
And I will never sell my 135L .... and i love my 70-200 though




Thank you Schmoelzel !! It helps a lot !
And your pictures show exactly what i mean... I see a real difference between the two in terms of contrast and colours.... Beautiful pics !


I think i'm on the way to 85L .... If you have a good advice to stop me, it's now or never !! ;)
Thanks !
Sam
I am agonising over the same question and I alrqady have the 1.8!

I may get both and keep the 1.8 for travel!

[René Damkot]

Okay here are the results:
If I did not do this right, please let me know.



Looks like the 85L is very consistantly overexposing about half a stop or so relative to the other lenses. Same as in the older test posted....

[Ronald S. Jr.]

The L is definitely sharper than the 1.8...then again, for an extra grand it should be. You are also paying for two additional stops and a much nicer bokeh IMHO, too. The test did confirm for me, though, that you can get the biggest bang for the buck with the Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM. It is truly a top notch lens.

nah..just one. The "extra grand" only applies to a good deal on a used MkI. The MkII is $1,700 more than the 1.8.

[I Simonius]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=3119021&postcount=26

some examples from yuors truly;) :D

[sboerup]

85L stayed in my bag. Maybe for the bragging rights, but not so. It's performance equals that of my favorite lens, the 135L, and adds some to it. The bokeh is different than the 135L, but much different than the 85 1.8.

If you want a lens that outperforms them all, the 85L is the ticket. In terms of color/contrast/bokeh/resolving power, it is the lens to use. 135L has something different to the images, which I love, but the main difference is just the FL. Both are keepers in my bag.

70-200 IS hunted too much in low-light situations, too heavy (not really, but much heavier than the 135L) and doesn't resolve like the 85L does. I guess I'm a sucker for primes in their IQ and flexibility. Zooms are convenient, but I tend to get more complacent with my images when I zoom. Primes force me to keep thinking, and to keep on my edge during a shoot.

[quickben]

85L stayed in my bag. Maybe for the bragging rights, but not so. It's performance equals that of my favorite lens, the 135L, and adds some to it. The bokeh is different than the 135L, but much different than the 85 1.8.

If you want a lens that outperforms them all, the 85L is the ticket. In terms of color/contrast/bokeh/resolving power, it is the lens to use. 135L has something different to the images, which I love, but the main difference is just the FL. Both are keepers in my bag.

70-200 IS hunted too much in low-light situations, too heavy (not really, but much heavier than the 135L) and doesn't resolve like the 85L does. I guess I'm a sucker for primes in their IQ and flexibility. Zooms are convenient, but I tend to get more complacent with my images when I zoom. Primes force me to keep thinking, and to keep on my edge during a shoot.

Have you ever tried a 35L ? I'd be interested to hear how it compares to the 85L and 135L in terms of IQ, obviously the focal length is vastly different but how do they stack up in terms of sharpness, contrast and colour ?

Gary.

[I Simonius]

Have you ever tried a 35L ? I'd be interested to hear how it compares to the 85L and 135L in terms of IQ, obviously the focal length is vastly different but how do they stack up in terms of sharpness, contrast and colour ?

Gary.

I have the 35L and definitely think it's worth the money;) :D