Ok if your reading this thread I guess this stirred up your attention.
I've had consistent results with both lenses. I can see how many struggle to decide to pull the trigger on the 85L$$$$
For those of you that want serious background separation there is no substitution to f/1.2 wideopen. Is it worlds apart from the f/1.8 version????? Putting red ring bragging rights aside...you decide.
quick handheld snaps of realworld situation.
consumer f/1.8
85L wideopen
I will say both are accurate but for fast paced events there is potential of losing crucial moments if the 85L has to gain back AF on the subject.
I dont hesitate in using the 85L with posed static/slow moving subjects. If I need "the shot" at an event I will use my f/1.8. I would never consider the sigma 85 f/1.4 due to the fact that the internet is littered with a very high percentage of inconsistent AF issues (sigma 50mm included). I just have come to a personal conclusion that I will stick with Canon to land the shot.
Here's another. Excuse the slight minor difference since I swapped lenses while hand holding. The purpose of handholding is to show real life shooting when on the go.
f/1.8
85L f/1.2
Since I dont manual focus I rely on Canon's AF. The 85L is probably more ideal for manual shooters but hey......why MF if you dont have to
These photos have identical sharpening and xrite passport treatment in LR3. Simple brainless quick minor tweeks from RAW. I do find purple fringing on both lenses. For the price of the 85 f/1.8 I find owning both beneficial for very specific reasons.
If I had to really choose what to keep putting any bragging rights aside I'd say the Canon 85 f/1.8 would deliver pixel peeping IQ with extremely fast AF to land every shot. Why do I keep the 85L then........c'mon gotta keep up with the joneses
for the POTN bragging rights LOL!! To be honest MFD sucks on the 85L but for some portrait work I just enjoy having the option of f/1.2 sometimes.For the ones that yearn for an 85L.........dont. Yes its a fantastic lens but I will say the 85 f/1.8 is freaky awesome both IQ and retention of wallet thickness.
The bokeh on the consumer grade f/1.8 is creamy and its almost and 85L in this respect. This is of course my opinion but aren't we all/majority of us pig headed when it comes to being gearheads to justify what we spend on $$$$$$$$ gear.
I'll repeat myself and stress that landing the shot is imperative. The light weight consumer grade f/1.8 version will do this with full confidence and the "client" would careless if it didn't have a red ring around the lens.
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