85L issues

I don't know if this is just me.. or you guys have similar issues, but with 85L I tend to get a LOT of shots which are out of focus at f/1.2.. when it is in focus, the image is absolutely superb.. but its getting to a point where 1/5 shots is tac sharp, rest are little blurry and some are not useable at all.

Do you guys get this issue when shooting at f/1.2 even when your subject is relatively still?

I've checked my lens and its calibrated correctly.. and I use it with 5D Mk III.

I am thinking it may be due to me holding the lens in a certain way.. and maybe my hand or finger slightly touching the focus ring (since it is very easy to move).. hmm

please share if you have had a similar experience with this lens.

Are you recomposing after focusing?

DavidR wrote in post #15027356
Are you recomposing after focusing?

Sometimes.. other times its just using a certain focus point and going with that.

More often than not it's typically user error. I'm still learning every time I use it. The DOF is so thin at 1.2 even slight movement from your subject will create OOF images. You'll need to keep you shutter speeds at least around 1/160 - 1/200 to keep up with he FL x 2 to maintain hand held shots. I try to keep my left hand near the base of the lens close to the mount to stay away from the focusing ring. Focus recompose is not going to work very well at 1.2, I generally never use focus recompose ever.

5W0L3 wrote in post #15027344
I am thinking it may be due to me holding the lens in a certain way.. and maybe my hand or finger slightly touching the focus ring (since it is very easy to move).. hmm

please share if you have had a similar experience with this lens.

I had a similar issue when I got mine. Go to the middle AF purple menu and change the first setting to disable in AF mode. That way you can hold and move the focus ring and it won't change the focus...

These bokeh lenses are meant to be used at static/posing subjects at "close" distances. Same is true for 50L. If your lens passes a basic ISO chart test and flat field focus test, its your error. If you are shooting subjects far away, say 15-20 ft, F1.2 will be much more forgiving. Also, what body are you using? New cameras like 5d3 or 1dx has new focus systems that can more efficiently move all that glass. 5d2 and 7d are pretty old.