Help!!!! Someone with an EF 85 f/1.2 L

[robekert]

Just got my EF 85 f/1.2 L today in preparation for the 1D MarkII. Took it out of the box to check it........damn the thing is like a shot put. When I position the switch to manual focus nothing happens. The scale in the window remains at infinity. I do not have a camera body to mount the lens, so I cannot check its operation. Will the lens focus ring only operate when mounted to a camera body? This is my first L Prime. Is this some idosyncracy that the zooms do not possess? On my 50mm 1.4 the focus ring operates the scale in the window and part of the lens unit extends out. Help only 14 days to return if there is a problem.
Rob

[Pekka]

It may need power to move the focus system, even manually. Don't force it.

[stuartf287]

The diaphragm on the lens is operated electronically when it is connected to the camera. You can't set an aperture manually on the lens alone. Once you have a compatible Canon camera body and mount the lens on it you will set the aperture by moving dials on the camera body (or the camera will do it automatically for some settings). The "manual" setting on the lens only means that the user sets the aperture value rather than the camera doing it automatically; there still is no mechanical aperture ring on the lens. You will notice some gold contacts on the base of the lens; your camera will transmit instructions to the lens through these contacts. You can't do much with a Canon AF lens without a camera body -- don't worry about it. If you can't get the lens to function AFTER you have attached it to a camera, then you can start worrying!

[robekert]

Thanks Pekka and Stewart. Could not imagine there would be such an oversight by Canon's quality control but $1500 for a lens makes me nervous and jumpy.
Thanks again,
Rob

[stuartf287]

I should have said that the "manual" setting on the CAMERA means that the user sets the aperture and speed rather than letting the camera do either or both automatically. The "manual" setting on the LENS of course refers to manual focus vs. autofocus. And again, the lens can autofocus only in combination with the sensors in the camera. Even the electric power for the lens operations is supplied by the battery in the camera (or the batteries in the grip). Sorry about that. You're better off listening to Pekka rather than to me.

[KiwiRob]

I got a real simple solution to your problem, go down to your nearest canon dealer ask to try out a camera body and put your lense on it, if it don't work then its broken.

[Belmondo]

Send it to me. I have an extra 10D that's just dying for something to do.

I promise to send it back. Someday.


Thos.

[wgb8]

It's an older design on the focus system. When not on a powered-on body the ring should turn freely in either AF or MF. The ring has no physical connection to the focusing mechanism, rather it simply sends commands to the body telling the body to drive the focus motor.

[robekert]

Send it to me. I have an extra 10D that's just dying for something to do.

I promise to send it back. Someday.


Thos.

Gee, thanks Thos. All I need is your address! :p :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Rob

[robekert]

It's an older design on the focus system. When not on a powered-on body the ring should turn freely in either AF or MF. The ring has no physical connection to the focusing mechanism, rather it simply sends commands to the body telling the body to drive the focus motor.

That describes the lens exactly. The ring turns very freely.
Thanks
Rob

[CoolToolGuy]

Send it to me. I have an extra 10D that's just dying for something to do.

I promise to send it back. Someday.


Thos.

Gee, thanks Thos. All I need is your address! :p :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Rob

I'll give you an address in Baltimore from which it will be forwarded to Tom... :roll: :) :D :lol:

Have Fun
Rick 8)

[RichardtheSane]

Hasn't anyone told you these lenses are so good then need a trans-atlantic flight before they will focus on anything.
I know it will be a struggle to be here, but if you want you can buy it a ticket and I'll meet it at the airport to make sure it focuses properly. Then I promise I'll send it back....

[robekert]

Okay, UNCLE I give. Pleeeeease..............let this thread die. Save the bandwidth for Pekka.
Thanks to all
Rob