85L or 85/1.8 on 5D3 for poorly lit indoor sports?

As the title lays out, I'm looking to pick up an 85mm for poorly lit indoor sports. I've been wanting the 85L for a while for portraiture and events. However, 1/3rd of my shooting is for indoor sports at poorly lit venues - school auditoriums, church basements and gymnasiums. Specifically, these are martial arts demonstrations. I've read accounts of the 85L focusing well on the 5D3, but the 85/1.8 is known to focus faster. Otherwise, focusing speed doesn't matter to me the other 2/3rd of the time.

One is substantially more expensive than the other and I don't do paid work. However, I can afford the glass. Any thoughts on the matter?

There is a guy here who shoot sports with 85L and his shots are real nice. Another pro sports guy that I know from FM posted some side by side shots from 85L, 85mmf 1.8 and 70-200mm f2.8 IS II and I liked what I saw from 85L.

I use a Sigma 85mm 1.4 for indoor soccer at times on my 7D, focus speed is fast enough for me, and it gives you an f/1.4 lens to use for other things when you need it.

Save yourself the frustration and go with the 1.8.

You might also want to consider the Sigma 85 as an alternative.

Ditto on the Siggy 85... it's a good compromise... faster AF than the 85L(and less CA), and more light than the 85 1.8

That said, the 85 1.8 would be your cheapest option, and it has the fastest AF of all 3.

kin2son wrote in post #15865758
Save yourself the frustration and go with the 1.8.

You might also want to consider the Sigma 85 as an alternative.

So you're saying that the 85L would become frustrating? I forgot about the Sigma when I created this thread. I've been thinking about that, too... but worried about focus shift.

Considering that I need the fast focus only 1/3 of the time... perhaps the Sigma is the best option?

I have the 85LII and tried following my daughter jump on the trampoline indoors, and honestly, I'd have to say it was not easy.

Guys look at the shots of some real pros. I never owned 85L, only 85mmf 1.8 and sigma 85mm f1.4 but if someone can shoot gymnastics without any AF issues with 85L, you can do it also. Person name is Russ Isabella on FM. The other guy here on POTN I wish I knew his handle. He shoots indoor dogs, night time cars and other sports and his shots with 85L in AI servo are awesome.

^^I would agree that the 85L can do amazing things, even with action indoors, in the right hands.

One thing to consider- if you have the budget for a 85L, you could potentially buy, barely used, a Sigma 85mm 1.4 ($750) and have enough left over for a Canon 135L ($800)...giving you two great fast primes, which would come in handy if the sports action was farther away than you anticipated, as you could switch over to the 135L.

I bought the 85L for that very reason, indoor dog sports where they move very fast. It's done a great job of giving me enough light to bump the ss up enough to stop motion. My 1D III doesn't have the high ISO of the 5D III, but it handles the tracking well enough.

bobbyz wrote in post #15865853
Guys look at the shots of some real pros. I never owned 85L, only 85mmf 1.8 and sigma 85mm f1.4 but if someone can shoot gymnastics without any AF issues with 85L, you can do it also. Person name is Russ Isabella on FM. The other guy here on POTN I wish I knew his handle. He shoots indoor dogs, night time cars and other sports and his shots with 85L in AI servo are awesome.

Do you happen to know what bodies are being used?

gocolts wrote in post #15866283
One thing to consider- if you have the budget for a 85L, you could potentially buy, barely used, a Sigma 85mm 1.4 ($750) and have enough left over for a Canon 135L ($800)...giving you two great fast primes, which would come in handy if the sports action was farther away than you anticipated, as you could switch over to the 135L.

Technically, I've budgeted for a 135L, as well... I just didn't mention it because I've already determined I want it.

joeblack2022 wrote in post #15866336
Do you happen to know what bodies are being used?

1dx in case of Russ

The f/1.8 is the choice for most sports photographers. It's been the go to lens for basketball.
Yes, you can use the L as well. It's harder work, and a lot more costly, but it might pay off in the long run.
IMHO, for $350.00 grab the 1.8 and then consider the L if you feel it is not what you want.

I've been shooting the 1.8 for a decade, and would not part with it. Faster AF then many L primes.
MUCH fast AF than the L 85mm