Canon EF 85mm f/1.2

[mdenigris]

Just picked up the 85 f/1.2 and so far I love it. It's one honking fat lens. First day out I didn't get as many keepers as usual, but I'm sure we're going to get on just fine as I get to know it.

http://i.pbase.com/v3/44/573744/1/46623881._MG_3114_1_8x10.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/v3/44/573744/1/46623902._MG_3214_1.jpg

[reewik]

nice shots... Is this the " L" lens?

[grego]

nice shots... Is this the " L" lens?

Yeah, it's an L lens.

[Kent2]

#2 is a WOW! I would say cropp off the top a bit.

Kent

[Dante King]

nice glass. look at that DOF! WOW!

[blinking8s]

change the framing on #2 and its a very interesting shot...or crop, whichever though...I dont know if I like the other head in the BG...but its cool anyways

nice hunk of glass, but outdated AF for my needs...my 1.8 is my most trusted lens though!

[mdenigris]

nice glass. look at that DOF! WOW!

Uh-oh. Sounds like the fever's setting in again! Sorry.:wink:

[mdenigris]

Here are a couple more, same lens.

http://i.pbase.com/v3/44/573744/1/46672155._MG_3322.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/v3/44/573744/1/46672177._MG_3095_1.jpg

[blue_max]

To my mind, the thing that makes these 'great' shots is the colour. That is down to composition and the art of the photographer. They are just stunning Michael. It's a great lens too.

Graham

[grego]

For a prime, oh man, I'd love that one. It's on my list. :)

Thanks for making it look even more attractive.

[xuxu1]

Congrats on your nice purchase.

It's one honking fat lens.
Think you meant fast lens. Did´nt you? :lol:

ED

[grego]

Congrats on your nice purchase.


Think you meant fast lens. Did´nt you? :lol:

ED

No, it's a fat lens.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/data/2/1ef85mmf_12_1_.jpg

[pierrot]

All examples are shot @ f/1.6 to f/4.5 Can you post some @ f/1.2 please?

[mdenigris]

As requested - one @ f/1.2

http://i.pbase.com/v3/44/573744/1/46696453._MG_3209.jpg

[Alissa Morris]

Some very great pictures here. Guy named lordarka over at photocamel is a master with this lens. Check out his pics: http://www.photocamel.com/index.php/topic,31.0.html

[OceanView]

Very nice!

Hope to start a prime collection soon.

[Croasdail]

She's a beauty... just got the 1.8 version myself and having all kinds of fun. At the resturant last night playing with low light images at 1.8 and came back to see on some shots only the very tip of my sons nose was in focus. I am really enjoying mine... I am sure you are enjoying yours all that much more. Cheers.

[uumode]

Life's unfair ;)

I can't afford one!!

Such glorious shots, such glorious colour. The colours / contrast seem to be better than the other L lenses

[blinking8s]

if you cant afford one...get the 1.8 model, i promise it still ROCKS! and MUCH faster focus and updated underneath

[Alissa Morris]

if you cant afford one...get the 1.8 model, i promise it still ROCKS! and MUCH faster focus and updated underneath

Is the bokeh of the 1.8 at 1.8 as good as the bokeh of the 1.2 at 1.8?

[CorruptedPhotographer]

You realize that you dont have to always use it wide open haha. ... im always tempted to.

[Alissa Morris]

You realize that you dont have to always use it wide open haha. ... im always tempted to.

If it's stopped won to 1.8, though, does it have anything over the much cheaper 85mm f/1.8 version?

[CorruptedPhotographer]

Alissa,

As a lens is stopped down, it generally tends to get sharper.

So when you a lens is "sharp wide open", then thats a big positive because the majority of lenses need to be stopped down a couple of stops to get "acceptably" focused.

So returning to your question, yes the 85 1.2 is sharper at 1.8 than the 85 1.8 wide open.

But do realize that the 85 1.8 is damn sharp. So imagine what its (85 f/1.8) like at f/2 or f/2.8

[glowie]

Nice shots! do u have the I version or the II version?

[Alissa Morris]

Alissa,

As a lens is stopped down, it generally tends to get sharper.

So when you a lens is "sharp wide open", then thats a big positive because the majority of lenses need to be stopped down a couple of stops to get "acceptably" focused.

So returning to your question, yes the 85 1.2 is sharper at 1.8 than the 85 1.8 wide open.

But do realize that the 85 1.8 is damn sharp. So imagine what its (85 f/1.8) like at f/2 or f/2.8

What I wonder, too, is whether at 1.8 there's something "special" about the pics from the 1.2 that goes beyond sharpness.

[Tareq]

I have to try my 1.8 version then.
Now i have a fever of primes.

[René Damkot]

Is the bokeh of the 1.8 at 1.8 as good as the bokeh of the 1.2 at 1.8?
The L will show out of focus highlights as an aperture shape (so should be better in the Mk2 version), where the 85/1.8 is fully opened, so will make OoF highlights circles.
There were some examples on POTN once....

[CorruptedPhotographer]

What I wonder, too, is whether at 1.8 there's something "special" about the pics from the 1.2 that goes beyond sharpness.

Rene (above) nailed it.

Lets not forget bokeh too.

[canonTSE]

Nice shoot, is this MKII or MKI ?

[Sir Tony]

I love this lens. I only wish I could afford one! What one would do for such buttery bokeh.

[enquiry@tcbrake.com]

This was a hand held shot under the kitchen lights at f1.2. I think this is the great advantage of this lens. I have never used the MK I version but the autofocus is very quick to me.

[Permagrin]

Incredible shot! I'm VERY jealous! I want that lens :cool:

[sboerup]

If you want to see someone that is really good with this lens, I saw this guy's work on Pbase while searching for photos for this lens, amazing work.

http://www.pbase.com/chenkiller0226/root

Korean models (or japanese/chinese, I dunno, but my first thought was korean) Find some galleries and he uses mainly the 85L. Amazing lens. Wish I still had it sometimes, but couldn't justify the costs of owning it.

[enquiry@tcbrake.com]

This was the first bokeh shot I took at f1.2. Was again hand held and shot at 1/80 sec using only the fluro's in the shed. The rear mud guard being so evenly blurred I found amazing. I am starting to shot a lot narrower and some shots at f1.8 - f2.8 are the sharpest I have evr done. I really like this fine piece of equipment.

[Dante King]

Whoooohooo! Love it. Love this lens. It is by far one of my favorites!

[kriskent]

problem with the 85 1.2L is it generates soft images :(

[mrclark321]

problem with the 85 1.2L is it generates soft images :(




:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[CorruptedPhotographer]

problem with the 85 1.2L is it generates soft images :(

Suprising coming from a guy with over $15,000 in camera and lenses.
You sure you really own/have this gear? ;)

[Alissa Morris]

problem with the 85 1.2L is it generates soft images :(

This is surprising. Can you show us an example? At all apertures are the images soft?

[BearLeeAlive]

Nice shoot, is this MKII or MKI ?
What is the main difference between the two. Is it the auto focus speed?

And if so how much worse is the MKI?

I ask as I have a chance at a used MKI for not much more than half the MKII new. I am still not convinced I would get it as I am quite happy with my 85 1.8, but someday would love to upgrade.

[enquiry@tcbrake.com]

What is the main difference between the two. Is it the auto focus speed?

And if so how much worse is the MKI?

I ask as I have a chance at a used MKI for not much more than half the MKII new. I am still not convinced I would get it as I am quite happy with my 85 1.8, but someday would love to upgrade.

I have only used my lens (MK II) but the manual focusing is not that much harder when shooting at f1.2 as the focal plane is so so narrow. Depending what you want to photograph really. Anything that is not moving my auto focus is a snap. The best thing about this lens is its low light capabilities

[Alissa Morris]

I have only used my lens (MK II) but the manual focusing is not that much harder when shooting at f1.2 as the focal plane is so so narrow. Depending what you want to photograph really. Anything that is not moving my auto focus is a snap. The best thing about this lens is its low light capabilities

How much did you pay for your lens and where did you get it?

[LeaderXXX]

More sample of photo taken by mk2 please(orginal w/out PP). :confused:

[enquiry@tcbrake.com]

How much did you pay for your lens and where did you get it?

I bought it on Ebay. It came from Hong Kong. This company is so great to deal with. Also bought the 5d from them. Cost was $2000 Australian dollars including postage.

[Maureen Souza]

Great job. This has got to be my very favorite lens. I use it on a 5D so I don't have to back up too far from my subjects, yet it takes great distance shots as well.

[enquiry@tcbrake.com]

More sample of photo taken by mk2 please(orginal w/out PP). :confused:

This is a front on portrait. The eyes, lips and nose tip are in focus, the lens just blurs the rest. f1.2 and 1/80 sec

[cptkoi]

There was a second hand 85mm 1.2L on ebay over the weekend, went for around £650 in the end......

[Elan Remford]

Yes, when pushing it to its performance limits, getting "ahead" of the 85 f/1.2 L and making it work FOR you is as much art as science and requires a certain measure of practice. It will come.

Additionally, however, you should also resist the urge to shoot at f/1.2 just because you can. At a certain point, doing so only serves to reduce the depth of field beyond the point of optimum effect, and once you've entered the 1/1000 second arena in shutter speed, you quickly realize the point of diminishing returns in terms of enhancing clarity through mitigating shake-induced blur.

In most cases, shooting at f/1.8 or f/2 not only dramatically widens your focal sweet spot (without notably affecting composition), but you're also already entering it's quality wheelhouse; and any differences in the blurred background are ultimately likely to be so subtle that the only practical means of differentiating between them is through side-by-side comparison (i.e. show someone an f/1.8 image and tell them it was shot at f/1.2, and they'd be hard pressed to call you a liar).

Although it can certainly do so, the Koenigsegg doesn't perform optimally at 240mph, just as f/1.2 is a capability, not an ideal.


Just picked up the 85 f/1.2 and so far I love it. It's one honking fat lens. First day out I didn't get as many keepers as usual, but I'm sure we're going to get on just fine as I get to know it.

http://i.pbase.com/v3/44/573744/1/46623881._MG_3114_1_8x10.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/v3/44/573744/1/46623902._MG_3214_1.jpg

[peterdoomen]

No, it's a fat lens.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/data/2/1ef85mmf_12_1_.jpg

You realize this lens is different than others when you try to mount it. Its rear element glass sticks out a bit and the rear element itself looks like it's squeezed. Together with the weight, it's difficult to mount. But the image quality, oh boy!

P.

[chris clements]

Extensive test on the MkII in today's Amateur Photographer mag.
Closing verdict is "you're unlikely to see a more beautiful chunk of glass".

But there were some critical comments/findings along the way :-
"red fringing was particularly noticeable"
"it could be better fully open"
"it remains essentially a 17-year old design"

[busterboy]

"it remains essentially a 17-year old design"


And yet still remains the best portrait lens money can buy..;)

[Alissa Morris]

Extensive test on the MkII in today's Amateur Photographer mag.
Closing verdict is "you're unlikely to see a more beautiful chunk of glass".

But there were some critical comments/findings along the way :-
"red fringing was particularly noticeable"
"it could be better fully open"
"it remains essentially a 17-year old design"

Doesn't sound good. I'd like to hear that it focuses quickly, too.

[chris clements]

I'd like to hear that it focuses quickly, too.
Faster than the Mk I, but not by a great amount.
I didn't realise how much weight the HSM shifts: EVERY element bar one has to move in focussing! This is one legacy from it being effectively the old breechlock design.
AP did concede that it wouldn't be a very commercial project to redesign from ground up, considering the small market.

[Alissa Morris]

Nikon's 1.4 85mm is not that heavy and focuses pretty quickly. I wish Canon went that route.

Faster than the Mk I, but not by a great amount.
I didn't realise how much weight the HSM shifts: EVERY element bar one has to move in focussing! This is one legacy from it being effectively the old breechlock design.
AP did concede that it wouldn't be a very commercial project to redesign from ground up, considering the small market.

[chris clements]

Nikon's 1.4 85mm is not that heavy and focuses pretty quickly.
But what's the mass of the moving elements/groups inside the Nikon?
The overall lens weight isn't a factor.

[chris clements]

I wish Canon went that route.
Ditto. But that would've required a ground-up redesign.

[Alissa Morris]

But what's the mass of the moving elements/groups inside the Nikon?
The overall lens weight isn't a factor.

It's a factor for me! Who likes a heavy lens? The Nikon lens is superb.

[Mark_Cohran]

But the Nikon lens is not an option if you shoot Canon, and Canon isn't going to redesign the lens for the small market it draws.

I have both the 85mm f1.8 and the f1.2L. If I need AF speed/light weight I'll can go with the 1.8, but if I need the color rendition, superior IQ and superb bokeh, I have the 1.2L.

As far as the critical comments go, I haven't seen red fringing on my lens, but then I haven't shot in all kinds of conditions with it yet. All lenses could be better full open (that's just a silly comment for a critique). And who cares if it's a 17 year old design if it renders the IQ the way that it does?

Mark

[Alissa Morris]

Mark, that's a lot of money in the 85mm length.