85L - why did you sell yours?

I just ordered an 85L online (due to arrive today) I was hoping the rendering of oof areas would be nicer and I think there's something to be said for having a small keg like lens that balances nicely on the body. At least I hope it will!

I had it for nearly a year and sold it for 50L and the 100L. To me then I needed a macro and an ultra fast 50mm (I love 50mm focal length and still do).To be honest some of my best images still came from that lens. I guess my 5DII wasn't up to the task. Perhaps once I have enough cash to support my hobby I'll get the ID type body and that fabulous lens.

Thin is an artistic choice.

You like it, you will get the 85L II; for those who don't they will stick with other fast primes or tele-zoom.

Jam.radonc wrote in post #13413409
I had it for nearly a year and sold it for 50L and the 100L. To me then I needed a macro and an ultra fast 50mm (I love 50mm focal length and still do).To be honest some of my best images still came from that lens. I guess my 5DII wasn't up to the task. Perhaps once I have enough cash to support my hobby I'll get the ID type body and that fabulous lens.

Sorry, but what did you find deficient in the 5D2/85L combination? And what current Canon body do you think would better suit the 85L?

Just curious...

May very well be the most often sold lens on the forum, or at least it seems that way.

Sold my I version because it was never sharp at 1.2 and focused too slow for anything but static subjects.

Sold my II version because it was never sharp at 1.2 and though focus was a bit faster, still not up to snuff.

Sold my Sigma 85 1.4 because though it was fairly sharp at 1.4, the 70-200 f2.8 IS II is just so damn good, there's no need for the 85 prime.

This is shot with 85L:

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edge100 wrote in post #13413429
Sorry, but what did you find deficient in the 5D2/85L combination? And what current Canon body do you think would better suit the 85L?

Just curious...

I found the 5D AF system moves the 85L very slow and the outer AF points miss a lot at f/1.2.

I've used the lens with a 1D3 and a 1D4 and the AF is way better for both speed and accuracy.

MDJAK wrote in post #13413430
May very well be the most often sold lens on the forum, or at least it seems that way.

Sold my I version because it was never sharp at 1.2 and focused too slow for anything but static subjects.

Sold my II version because it was never sharp at 1.2 and though focus was a bit faster, still not up to snuff.

Sold my Sigma 85 1.4 because though it was fairly sharp at 1.4, the 70-200 f2.8 IS II is just so damn good, there's no need for the 85 prime.

uh.... no, the 135L probably takes the cake for that. Many buy it becasue they see all these awsome shots with it, but realize the FL is very much a one trick pony.

JeffreyG wrote in post #13413674
I found the 5D AF system moves the 85L very slow and the outer AF points miss a lot at f/1.2.

I've used the lens with a 1D3 and a 1D4 and the AF is way better for both speed and accuracy.

Perhaps I'm simply less demanding, but I've never had any issue with the 85 on the 5D2, with the exception of going from MFD to infinity. But I have** the same issue on my 1D2.

The 5D2 outer points are no worse with the 85L than any other lens I own; that is to say fine in good light, useless in low light.

** - The 85L front focuses heavily on my 1D2, making it basically useless on this camera (which does not have focus MA).

edge100 wrote in post #13413857
** - The 85L front focuses heavily on my 1D2, making it basically useless on this camera (which does not have focus MA).

I thought only sigma glass was suppose to have those issues.

Every Canon lens I ever had needed some sort of MA adjustment... small or large, but some adjustment. Thats the norm.

Ferrari_Alex wrote in post #13413595
This is shot with 85L:

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and below two are with 70-200 F/2.8 IS II:

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Those are awesome shots dude.

m.shalaby wrote in post #13414155
Every Canon lens I ever had needed some sort of MA adjustment... small or large, but some adjustment. Thats the norm.

Hehe! I never once had to MA any lens on my 1Ds III. Maybe your camera is broken.

^Alex, those shots are nice. I own the 70-200 MK II too and love it.

bobbyz wrote in post #13414080
I thought only sigma glass was suppose to have those issues.

Yeah. Strange how that happens!