Canon 85L vs Canon 85 f/1.8

Thorrulz wrote in post #16161894
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.

AF is quite lame from my limited use, but that being said, I want one.... but my BIL lets me use it for as long as I please, so no need to actually dish out the money. It's quite simple, the 1.8 cant destroy backgrounds as good, even though it does a very good job.

1.8 colors are a little washed out, and it's a little softer, and cant destroy backgrounds as well. Certainly a fantastic lens, but the 1.2 is on a slightly higher level. Took me a few hundred shots to really appreciate the subtle differences.

markojakatri wrote in post #16161458
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.

85L at 1.2 is definitely not sharper than 85 1.8 at 1.8. Even 85 1.8 at 1.8 is sharper than 85L at 1.8.

victordeng wrote in post #16162273
85L at 1.2 is definitely not sharper than 85 1.8 at 1.8. Even 85 1.8 at 1.8 is sharper than 85L at 1.8.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=0​&APIComp=0

victordeng wrote in post #16162273
85L at 1.2 is definitely not sharper than 85 1.8 at 1.8. Even 85 1.8 at 1.8 is sharper than 85L at 1.8.

I find this to be true as well. I know the test charts on The Digital Picture shows the L to have an edge, but from my personal experience using both lenses extensively calibrated on a 5D3, I find that the 85 1.8 is slightly sharper than the L. Colors and contrast is the same, definitely not "magical". For those of you who are on the fence about deciding which lens to go for, if you need 1.2 and the smoother bokeh, go for the L.

pixel_junkie wrote in post #16159175
That's about right ...

I used the words "holy sh!t"

CanonYouCan wrote in post #16159889
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.

You are in my head, sir. Could not have summed it up any better (including the 135L and 70-200 II bits as well!).

victordeng wrote in post #16162273
85L at 1.2 is definitely not sharper than 85 1.8 at 1.8. Even 85 1.8 at 1.8 is sharper than 85L at 1.8.

Of course this is not true.

Charlie wrote in post #16161812
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..

That's saying a lot as the nifty fifty is decently quick but not blazing fast like USM by any means. If the 1.2L is slower than a $100 nifty fifty that's just sad. I do realize that the 1.2L has to move a ton of glass and do it accurately even at 1.2 but still an L lens with USM motors should be smoking the nifty fifty no matter how long of a throw it has.

Rittrato wrote in post #16163355
Of course this is not true.

I thought the 85L and 85 1.8 were almost identically sharp from my experience, when at f/1.8 or smaller apertures.

The 85L though gets its benefit from the sharpness at f/1.2.

victordeng wrote in post #16162273
85L at 1.2 is definitely not sharper than 85 1.8 at 1.8. Even 85 1.8 at 1.8 is sharper than 85L at 1.8.

I got a totally opposite opinion on this.

aliengin wrote in post #16163306
I used the words "holy sh!t"

me too... screaming is fun with ugly words!

victordeng wrote in post #16162273
85L at 1.2 is definitely not sharper than 85 1.8 at 1.8. Even 85 1.8 at 1.8 is sharper than 85L at 1.8.

This is definitely false. Please back up your claims sir. Aside from the lens tests at the digital picture, I've tested several copies back to back and the 85L is definitely sharper at 1.8 than the 1.8 at 1.8.

Invertalon wrote in post #16163419
I thought the 85L and 85 1.8 were almost identically sharp from my experience, when at f/1.8 or smaller apertures.

The 85L though gets its benefit from the sharpness at f/1.2.

Steve, the 85L has a slight edge on sharpness at 1.8. IMO the difference of sharpness could be considered insignificant in real world use.

k-lo wrote in post #16163563
Steve, the 85L has a slight edge on sharpness at 1.8. IMO the difference of sharpness could be considered insignificant in real world use.

Yes, I was surprised how good the 85 1.8 was after owning the 85L II prior. IMO, the 85 1.8 is 90% of the lens the 85L is... My copy actually had LESS purple fringing than the 85L, was equally as sharp and of course, weight and AF performance no contest.

That being said, the 85L is incredible... But for the price and having the option of the 85 1.8 for $300 is just plain silly, the 85 1.8 is a bargain no matter what way you try to justify it, over the 85L.

Invertalon wrote in post #16163584
Yes, I was surprised how good the 85 1.8 was after owning the 85L II prior. IMO, the 85 1.8 is 90% of the lens the 85L is... My copy actually had LESS purple fringing than the 85L, was equally as sharp and of course, weight and AF performance no contest.

That being said, the 85L is incredible... But for the price and having the option of the 85 1.8 for $300 is just plain silly, the 85 1.8 is a bargain no matter what way you try to justify it, over the 85L.

The purple fringing issue was my biggest problem with the 1.8 that's why I had to switch back to the 85L. Now, the 85L still has some of it but it was more resistant to it in the same lighting, foreground/background combo.