85mm f/1.2 L II - That back glass element is...terrifying.

RustyHammer wrote in post #14240835
... WOW ... that is crazy close. Mount it and forget about it sort of lenses. (Never take it off! )

Thanks for sharing.

I wish lol! My other two lenses compete too much for my attention to let that happen. Maybe I'll buy a second 5D3 just to house this lens so I never have to worry about taking it on or off....HAH I wish.

What on earth! Yeah that is extremely close. I had no idea!

Good to know, since I am about to buy this lens.

But is it actually possible for the glass to touch the mounting ring? It is so flat.

I never thought it was a big deal.

When I owned the 85L I was more careful mounting this lens... Was not that big of a deal though, just make sure you line it up good before trying to mount it.

Such a great lens!

Christina.DazzleByDesi​gn wrote in post #14240747
Do you know now then why its a good idea to focus to infinity? I've never done that for any of my lenses (unless the focus tube was extended too far when powered off)

Christina, I don't. As I said, I thought when I read, and began following the procedure, way back when that it was affecting the back of the lens. It wasn't until after I decided to respond to your initial post that I realized this doesn't appear to be doing anything (as far as moving and "protecting" the back element).

Right now, the only benefit that jumps out at me is that focusing to infinity is the only way to retract the front end, since it can't be done once the lens is removed from the body (due to there being no power to activate the focusing mechanism).

Even though this doesn't do anything to affect the back element, I will still focus to infinity, if for no other reason than to shorten and compact the overall length of the lens for storage. At least now I'll really know why I'm doing it.

This is an old thread but Im reviving it. Ive had my 85L for about two months. I never payed much attention to the rear element but now that I have, there are two, very small scratches on it. Oh well, image quality doesnt seem to be affected.

blah. use it or lose it

Yea, I wish I had checked when I bought it. I never really inspected it. I just threw it on the camera and shot away. I dont see how they could have happened though. Oh well.

Kolor-Pikker wrote in post #14235509
I haven't taken the 85L off my 5D2 in such a long time, I've forgotten what the back end even looks like...

When I shoot two-body, the 5D2 is dedicated to the 85L and the 5D3 has something else like a 35L or 135l.

I know what you feel. Every new lens i bought gets this treat-it-like-a-baby attention from me. But as soon as im on the streets or generall outside i dont treat it as nice as when im at home or in a safe place. Somehow my photographical eye is stronger and art is in my venes when i see a scene which makes a great shot

But yeah, thought the same when i first saw the rear of my 24 tilt shift. It is so big that i first thought meen, i thought i saw that already with a 50L or so..

Luckily, the back element is concave, so it is almost impossible to scratch it by camera's lens mount. It just can't touch it, except that tiny lens locking pin maybe?
I never worried about that when having 85 1.2L II, used it just like any other lenses. For taking photos.

Its like this smooth infinity pool...

When I sold mine, people were going on about a few specs of dust inside so I took it apart, vacuum'd the dust out and put it back together. Next person bought it.

Christina.DazzleByDesi​gn wrote in post #14240808
Sorry for the quality, quickly snapped with my phone...


Here is the back element of the 85L ....

Hosted photo: posted by Christina.DazzleByDesi​gn in
./showthread.php?p=142​40808&i=i221860819
forum: Canon Lenses

HOLY cr4p.. That glass is like turtles head, touching cloth..

I say, trade it for a 100mm f/2.8L. You won't have to worry about the rear element that way.

Now I'm all worried after reading this thread, I've never realized how close it was after reading the comments here. Guess gotta be start extra careful after 2 years using it.