Canon 85mm 1.4 IS v Canon 85mm 1.2 II

Hello everyone, I'm going crazy to choose which one to buy between these two lenses.

taking advantage of the canon cashback on the 85 1.2 the difference between the two is 150 euros in favor of the 1.4 !!

It is not a budget problem but to understand which is the best of the two.
Surely construction, AF, IS, make the 1.4 a better lens, the 1.2 was conceived 12 years ago, but for many its magical rendering remains unmatched.

That's why I do not know which one to choose ..

If I were considering these two lenses, which I am not, my decision would be based of AI-Servo focus speed and focus accuracy.

Both of them will give you top-flight Canon IQ, certainly close enough to each other to be insignificant. In One-Shot, there should be AF issues with neither. The IS would/could be minorly beneficial in some situations; but for the most part irrelevant. For indoor sport/action/athletics I'd have the IS shut off most of the time anyway.

As usual, 'best' depends on what you want to do with it.

I was facing the same decision. Here is what helped sway my decision.

If you were to look at two photos side by side, one at f/1.2, and the other at f/1.4 from the newer lens. After some time, you could probably pick out wich one was from the 1.2. However, if given a random photo without any information (and nothing to compare it to) I doubt you would be able to consistently pick out if it was from the 1.2 or 1.4. (At least I dont think I could)

So, given all the other advantages of the 1.4 (quicker AF, IS, newer design) it made my decision easy.

While my main reason for buying this lens was for portraits, I have been able to capture some great candids of my family at home, while shooting at 1/30 and 1/40 of a second, because of the low ambient light. There is absolutely no way you would ever get a sharp image from the 1.2 at those shutter speeds.

tim1970 wrote in post #18539312
...

So, given all the other advantages of the 1.4 (quicker AF, IS, newer design) it made my decision easy.

...

Sold! That would seal the deal for me.

at the moment my choice is oriented on the new model.

I have shot wrestling and low light events with the original 85 1.2 and the new 85 1.4. There is no comparison for these purposes. The 85 1.4 is light years better.

Depends on what and how you photograph should help you decide between which 85 to get. If you photograph fast moving subjects, then get the 1.4. If you need smooth bokeh and are shooting stationary subjects, get the 1.2 II. The 1.2 II has a very thin focus plain and doesn't like much subject movement. If your camera is always set to AI-Servo and you use BBF then the 1.4 is better for you.

IMHO, it's not a matter of what lens is best, it's a matter of what 85 suits your particular shooting style. I have the 85 1.2 II because I do more portraits and little or no moving subject shooting. The slower focusing of the 85 1.2 II is not an issue for me. I regularily use One Shot or Servo. If you get the 85 1.2 II and use it to photograph sports wide open, you will have many missed shots. The 1.4 would have been a better choice.

Basically, don't buy a luxury convertible to haul logs and gravel and complain about how bad the convertible is. ;-D

Both are super creamy and nice. But the 1.4 lens has IS witch makes all the difference.

I am in love with the new 85mm f1.4. I am selling 85mm 1.2 ii which is still the next best thing. In my experience with the new 85, it is better in every way including colrors, CA, bokeh, sharpness, AF (quiet and fast), IS - quiet, fast and super strong including video panning, size/weight - proportion, lens hood, MF operation - not that I’s use it. And even msrp is lower. It is easily the best lens I’ve ever used. It is the only Canon lens I ever paid full msrp for and it is worth every penny. I will try post some pics after a weekend of shooting.

85 1.2 ii is now is bargain with used prices totally crashing. If on a tight budget, 85L ii is a great lens that can be had for up to $500 cheaper than the new one.

arthurbikemad wrote in post #18565268
Sold my 1.2II, waiting for UK stock of the 1.4IS

you are in for a trip. I am so glad that Canon went back to their roots and focused on the rendering in production of 85mm rather than sterile look of some of the modern high resolving lenses. If you like 50L, 85L and 135L, you will absolutely love the new 85 as it is easily better than any of those three. I predict it’s gonna be a blockbuster lens for Canon, the one that can lure new users into the system and it’s destined to become the new king of portrait.

I've been lusting after an 85L II for a few years. Hopefully the new lens will drive prices of the old lens down to where I can afford one. Thanks, guys!

Bassat wrote in post #18565311
I've been lusting after an 85L II for a few years. Hopefully the new lens will drive prices of the old lens down to where I can afford one. Thanks, guys!

it totally does, I think used 85ii prices are approaching $1000 which is a massive bargain unseen in any other camera system. I have little doubt that canon will discontinue 85ii production within a year. While 85 1.4 is the king now, 85ii is still the second best.

artsf wrote in post #18565425
it totally does, I think used 85ii prices are approaching $1000 which is a massive bargain unseen in any other camera system. I have little doubt that canon will discontinue 85ii production within a year. While 85 1.4 is the king now, 85ii is still the second best.

When I can get one cheaper than the MASSIVE Sigma Art, I'll start shopping.

I have the 85mm 1.2 II.

If I were starting from scratch, I'd aim for the 1.4 w/ IS

But ... I also have Tamron's and the photos are beautiful too.

I have the Zeiss Milvus 85mm, but may need to sell it due to injuring my right eye vision a little recently. Need auto focus on every lens now.

How is the 85 1.4 is better than the 135 f2? Other than I have to shoot at 1/320 sec with the 135. the 85 is a hair sharper and focal length is better for indoor. Any thing else better? admittedly that is a lot.