Canon 85L vs Canon 85 f/1.8

First off I would like to thank everyone for even looking at another 85L vs 85 f/1.8 post. Now for some background info as to why I have posted another variant of the same old, same old.

I shoot mostly senior/engagement and wedding photography now and am wondering how much difference there is in actual real world use between the 2 lens mentioned in AF and image quality. I plan on using one of these two in:

1. Natural light, wide open at f/1.2 to f/5.6 and either half to full body shots.
2. Studio, f/5.6 to f/11 for half body to head shots.

I would really like some forum members opinions and advice that has had previous experiance with both of these lens before making a final decision. Especially how AF speed compares in both since I won't be tracking objects much faster than a bride and groom walking towards or away from me.

Below are what I currently have for gear and will also be adding a 5DMIII after the first of the year.

Final note: No Sigma options please, I've tried out to many copies that just didn't work out so I'm a Canon only guy.

Hey Nebraska!. I own the 85mm F 1.8, and have long term rented the 1.2 on several occasions. I still own the 1.8, but not the 1.2. Focus speed-yes the 1.2 is slower, but to me not an annoying degree. I shoot similar things as you (meaning not fast moving things), and I could have lived with the 1.2's "slow" focus.

I guess the fact I shoot MF a LOT means those differences are not to meaningful to me personally ( I use a 105mm F 2.5 Nikkor more than the 85mm F 1.8 for portraits). As far as IQ-by the time I ran the files from each through my normal processing routine, it was a wash. And, I am not a bokeh obsessed wide open shooter ( more of a sweet spot shooter), so the 1.2 aperture, while interesting at times, did little for me, other than letting me use lower ISO on a few occasions. Just one fellow Cornhusker State resident's opinion (born and bred a Buckeye!).

The 85L has "slow" AF, but that's because it has a looong throw. Not only does the motor have to move a LOT of glass, but it has to do so accurately even at f/1.2. The 85L's focus ring is electronic, meaning it's not mechanically linked to the focus mechanism and can't be engaged unless the lens has power. This is actually hugely beneficial; I can make the finest manual AF adjustments with the tip of my finger and a feather touch. No other lens has such fine focus control. Af tracking isn't a problem unless the subject is moving erratically. Overall the slowness of the 85L is overstated. It's never been so slow that it's caused me to miss a shot. I use the distance scale and/or MF to prefocus to roughly where my subject is going to be, and really only use AF to make final adjustments. All that being said, the 85L is not a good action / sports lens, like, at all. 5D3 will be a huge boon to the 85L's effectiveness, but I never have any problems on my 5D2, even using outer points in low light.

As far as image quality, the 85L has much better sharpness and contrast than the 85 1.8, even (especially?) wide open. This is amazing when you consider f/1.2 is a full stop faster than f/1.8. Is the 85L worth the price? A subject that has been beaten to death for sure, but it really does come down to whether you think it is. For me, absolutely yes. For the results it provides, I happen to think the 85L is a bargain.

Thanks to both of you for your replies, these are the types of responses I need to make a well informed decision on a long term investment. I owned the 85 f/1.8 in the past so I do have some experience with that lens but I still wanted info from users of both.

I have recently bought an 85mm f1.2 ... can't comment on the f1.8 but as far as the f1.2 goes I bought it for sharp wide open photos with silly shallow depth of field and lots of contrast and colour.

I have been really impressed with what I wanted. f1.2 and eyelashes are in but eye out ... f3.2 eye and eyelashes in pin sharp on portraits - I love it !

Focus speed seems better than I remember when I rented the lens and is no issue - you want slow focus speed then get a 180mm Macro and try using that for portraits !!

Overall I am very happy with the 1.2 .. and would not swap I saw a review referring to it as the 'Jesus' lens because everyone who sees a photo from it says 'Jesus' but so far that is my experience !!

John57 wrote in post #16158756
I saw a review referring to it as the 'Jesus' lens because everyone who sees a photo from it says 'Jesus' but so far that is my experience !!

That's about right ...

Thor- I shoot the same thing as you and i've never noticed how slow the autofocus is, maybe it matters in some situations, but for me it's really been a non issue. Not a "I make it work", I really have never once noticed.

The focusing speed was my biggest concern after owning the 85 f/1.8 in past and now the zippy 135L. Along with what I already stated that I shoot, every fall we have the local Riverseance and zombie walks in the area and I just wanted reassurance that the focusing wouldn't be a big problem. It would be mostly people walking around and grabbing quick pics.

Thanks for the input so far everyone, it's really appreciated.

I had the 85L for about 1 year, but sold it for several reasons, for this price you get :

Disadvantages :
- CA (just like the 85 1.8)
- slow AF (85 1.8 a lot faster)
- heavy (85 1.8 a lot lighter)
- your wallet is empty (vs you have money left or 2 lenses)
- in tests (see other topics) bokeh is +- the same,difference not 5x better

Advantages:
- better contrast/colours (I pp all my pics anyway, so in 1 click sorted)
- better lowlight out of hand
- 1.2 is a sexy heavy bulky lens (1.8 looks like a cheap kitlens)

I had the L for about 1 year and I shot almost always wide open (that's where you pay for), mostly 1 eye sharp as the dof is so thin, or only eyelashes sharp,...
I found the f1.8 more comfortable seen that you have immediately more chance to have 2 eyes sharp wide open.

As both lenses have CA I got tired of the purples (even if it's correctable) I sold the 1.8 for the 135L.
I got this 135L a second time, it's the perfect lens of the 3, supersharp wide open, superbokeh (not f1.2 or f1.8 but very close as the 135mm thanks to the longer focal distance) and a middle price.
You just need to use it more to appreciate it, even if it's a bit longer, then you get the wow pics of our famous model/wedding photographer Dankata

Some don't like the 135L bokeh as they find it more a studiolook as you nuke the background, but this all in relation with the distance and at f2.8 you have different and even more razorsharp look.
I recently talked to a modelphotographer, he said he uses his 85L only at f2.8 to have more sharpness... this says enough for me...

I think I will buy the 85 1.8 again as a compact extra lens for travelling,... it has great value.
Just like I keep my 135L on top of my 70-200 2.8LII, some would say it's both are redundant when you have 70-200 II, but they are a lot more compact and lighter for travelling,...

First I saw 85L as a real luxury lens seen the price and impressive heavyness when you attach it.
Maybe you can buy it like I do, next year you can re-sell it for the same price, you hire it for free actually

So after testing myself, both 135L & 85 1.8 are the best portrait primes for me.

Thanks for the time to give a full response on what you liked and disliked about these lens CanonYouCan. That's a very honest an insightful critique that I need to read and take into consideration before investing in such a lens.

Along with the 5DMIII purchase later on and then possibly a 24 or 35 f/1.4 next summer my wife won't likely understand me dropping so much money without using the gear extensively to make it back. That's why I have to do quite a bit of research and get as much feedback as possible before making any purchases so I don't second guess myself at a later date.

The Canon 1.8 focuses fast, the f/1.2 focuses slow, and has 1 stop wider aperture

That's kinda it...I think it gets overcomplicated

1.2 II is sharper at 1.2 than 1.8 is at 1.8 (at least in the center or the frame). Both has very much CA when used wide open, haven't compare 1.2 II @ 1.8 vs. 1.8 @ 1.8 but as far as I can remember, 1.2 wins.

If you want to use your 85 at 1.2 - 2.5, 1.2 II has much better sharpness and contrast. 1.8 has faster focus, but 1.2 II's focusing speed is easily fast enough for adult portraits. If you want to shoot fast moving children, 1.8 is your choise. But I shoot walking people with 85/1.2L II all the time and focusing speed is never a problem.

About the focus of 1.2 II... It's not slow when it doesn't have to do big chances in focusing distance. When it get target in focus, it will keep it in focus all the time even if there is some movement. But if target is very close and focusing distance is changing rapidly, then you might be in trouble with 1.2

Thorrulz wrote in post #16159685
The focusing speed was my biggest concern after owning the 85 f/1.8 in past and now the zippy 135L. Along with what I already stated that I shoot, every fall we have the local Riverseance and zombie walks in the area and I just wanted reassurance that the focusing wouldn't be a big problem. It would be mostly people walking around and grabbing quick pics.

Thanks for the input so far everyone, it's really appreciated.

depends how much DOF you're working with. The 85 cannot keep up with walking people, unless it's full body with good DOF. it's seriously very slow to AF.... the nifty fifty feels blazing fast comparatively.

the AF mechanism itself is very fast, but the throw is just so long, hard to land.

I'll be headed to Omaha this weekend to try the 85L out on my 5D and t2i to see how it compares on both bodies. I'll also be sure to take a few shots with the 85 f/1.8 as well to refresh my memory of how much I loved that lens when I owned it. I may get both just so I can have one on FF and the other on my 1.6x body.

Until then I may even rent the 85L and just see how it feels and performs for a couple of days. I'm still undecided so please feel free to share your experiences, good and bad with each lens.