anyone buy the 85 1.2 II and was sorry?

Sold it for a 85 1.8, don't mind to crank up the contrast/colours and love the AF speed as fullframes are slower than crops in general.
Bokeh is also pleasing and sharp wide open as the dof is not so narrow, when a model turns her head a tad 1 eye is only sharp at f1.2 or you have to take straight pics.
I'm more a fan of f1.8-f2, also love my 135L @f2 & 70-200 2.8L II @f2.8 for portraits

Thorrulz wrote in post #16657881
I hate the 24L II thread.

I was thinking how a 35 mm focal length lens would round everything out, but after seeing that 24L II thread all the 35's look blah by comparison. I guess I'll stay in the Canon camp and continue to go broke with them exclusively.

I did the same thing combing through the 35L vs 24L thread but decided on the 24L for the widest FL of a 1.4 lens. Not regrets.
And my 40mm stm is fun, it has kept me from buying the 35L for now.

The 85L is a beautiful lens. I keep wanting to buy it back, but deep down I know it's way too expensive for how little I will use it. The slow AF (not terrible, just limiting) is one reason, and the fact the 85 1.8 can be had for $300 and performs almost as well makes it harder. The f/1.2 is really nice, though. You pay for it however!

Amazing lens, but not for everyone. If I did portraits, it would be in my bag for sure.

I had bought the lens and had so much trouble hand holding it that I repurchased the 1.8 and I have never regretted it.

I have the 1.8...I just cannot get over the IQ to price ratio. I think everyone shooting FF that likes 85mm should have the 1.8 in the bag, even if they have the L. I recently bought the sigma for a try. I sold it after one weekend. I just didn't feel it was worth over twice the price of my cheapy 1.8. I just love that little thing.

I've never been blown away by the lens thread for the sigma 85. Seems like the great shots are few and far between. Not sure what to make of this. If they put out an 85 or the rumored 135 1.8 OS that are as good as their 35 1.4, I'll be first in like for another try. Having said these things, I would grab the L in a heartbeat if I was loaded...with $ that is!

I previously had the Sigma 85 and liked but not loved it. Swopped it out for the 135L.

I craved and saved for 85LII and rented one before buying it. Found it as dreamy and special as everyone says.
Found the focus problems to be very overstated, the electronic focus doesn't feel as nice but had no trouble. Shooting at f/1.2 was the problem in getting perfect focus where I wanted!

Ultimately i decided to blow the 85 fund on a fantastic tripod/pano setup and haven't regretted/missed it. I do have that length covered with TSE90.

I couldn't imagine anyone regretting buying the 85LII, its resale value should be solid, it is just quite a specialised portrait lens imo and shines for that purpose. I decided it was desirable but not essential for me. One $2K lens (TSE24II) is enough for me.

love mine too, shot some indoor gymnastics this weekend, worked fine for that also! no regrets whatsoever.

Sometimes I regret it.

Then I shoot something in reply low light and need some reach, and the 85L saves the day.

i.e., a couple of weeks ago I shot a wedding that didn't allow flash....the wedding was at 8PM.

Sigma 35 didn't have the reach, 70-200 2.8II had me at ISO 25600. The whole ceremony would have been a terribly noisy mess if it weren't for the 85L.

Granted the 85 1.8 or 135L could have worked as well...but when you're starved for light and pushing into noisy ISO's, that 2/3rd-1 stop of light gathering goes a LONG way.

In general, thanks for all the responses.
most of y'all kind of missed the point of the thread - I find myself liking the pics of the 85 II a bit more than the Sigma 85 in our picture sharing area. I was wondering to myself - if this is maybe selection bias - in regards to skill of the photographer since statistically there may be more people using a more difficult lens to master....

beyond that - it is very difficult to ignore all the glowing reviews and personal opinions.

Except that it does seem mostly like a "one trick pony" in regards to the small DOF and "buttery" out of focus areas. I really like ponies like that!

smorter wrote in post #16657232
The 85L II is one of the finest lenses ever made by Canon.

I am its biggest fan, however I will admit that I have lost shots because of the slow responsiveness of its AF, particularly in low light.

When it nails though, it nails.

yes, the AF problems the 85 II is well known - though there are many who in the end find that the AF is definitely doable and "overstated". I still won't expect the level like even the 100 USM maco....

agv8or wrote in post #16657248
I have owned the Sigma 85 as well as both the 85 1.8 and the 85L II. I still own the 85L and would not mind owning another 1.8 but I would never want another Sigma. I spent over a year and $200 in S/H fees (before Sigma started footing the bill) trying to fix focus issues with the Sigma. The Sigma may be faster to focus but if it cannot focus accurately what good is it? In low light or when focusing close to the edge of overlapping planes of focus the Sigma will still be hunting while the Canon is locked on.

thanks. it would be interesting if Sigma is indeed aiming to use the USB dock for the older lenses as well as their newer groupings. That alone might solve the problem that you mention here.

mR_CaESaR wrote in post #16657253
I was sorry as I had to sell it for financial reasons.

I then purchased the Sigma, was nice and all, but nothing is ever the same once you've had an 85L, so I sold the Sigma and 70-200 MK1 to fund my love for the 85 again.

Now I'm sorry again as I tend to miss A LOT of shots of my kids because I think my camera is broken as I can't seem to get the lens out of f1.2 so it's constantly misfocusing... yep my camera is broke

LOL. pesky kids don't fit in a DOF of mere inches, eh?
Thanks for your experience.

Thorrulz wrote in post #16657317
Careful, by simply bringing up the 3rd party lens you'll have the fanboys fleeing in here to defend it and their company.

On topic though, of the 85L copies I've tried each one was outstanding in being able to lock on and nail the shot. I was thinking of leaving the Canon camp and switching over to another company but the 85L is a hard lens to forget. That and owning the version II of the 24 f/1.4 with my current lens would be pretty much putting me in nirvana.

Nirvana is good indeed. I plan to hit the wider aspects right now with the sigma 18-35. While I understand that you are not a fan of the sigma brand....I think it will be worth while in that 24 on a crop is neither here nor there....and I have no intention of getting FF....

InfiniteDivide wrote in post #16657351
I too am considering this lens, but for fun I read the Helios 85 f 1.5 has very interesting bokeh at 1.5
Two completely different lenses, but both with character.

thanks for the idea. I am interested in AF lenses at this point - though this seems interesting for sure!

Talley wrote in post #16657892
I bought BobbyZ's Sig 85. He assured me it was accurate and sharp.

He is indeed correct. Very accurate w/ 0 micro adjustment and tack sharp wide open. Excellent copy.

Now as far as the 85LII... My friend dislikes the AF speed however it does create magic. IF I had the Canon I wouldn't have the Sig. I chose the sig due to it being pretested and good copy.

not sure what you are trying to say here - are you happy with your Sigma? not happy with your sigma?

eye2i wrote in post #16657978
If you can afford and accept the limitations that comes with it, there should be no reason to regret purchasing it. It's a fantastic lens and is really on a class of its own.


I had the Sigma several times and I've always believed however that it is on par with Canon's 85L. It does however have focus issues. 85L may be slow but when it locks in on your subject, it's locked.

I still have love for Sigma but if money isn't an issue, 85L wins my heart.

I guess the source of the regret would be to get a lens with its known limitations (af speed being one of the top ones) and finding that I won't use it because of said limitations. I don't have a friend with one, or a camera store nearby enough that I can test one to see.

bps wrote in post #16658112
OP,

I have no regrets whatsoever. The lens is incredible and produces magical results...

Bryan

thanks

CanonYouCan wrote in post #16658520
Sold it for a 85 1.8, don't mind to crank up the contrast/colours and love the AF speed as fullframes are slower than crops in general.
Bokeh is also pleasing and sharp wide open as the dof is not so narrow, when a model turns her head a tad 1 eye is only sharp at f1.2 or you have to take straight pics.
I'm more a fan of f1.8-f2, also love my 135L @f2 & 70-200 2.8L II @f2.8 for portraits

thanks for that. It is still an option in my mind too. i.e. to abandon the search for the 1.2 and get a 1.8 at 20% of the price and with better AF and lighter. My biggest worry is the CA which seems to be more pronounced on the 85 1.8 and the nagging concern of the extra stop...

Invertalon wrote in post #16658645
The 85L is a beautiful lens. I keep wanting to buy it back, but deep down I know it's way too expensive for how little I will use it. The slow AF (not terrible, just limiting) is one reason, and the fact the 85 1.8 can be had for $300 and performs almost as well makes it harder. The f/1.2 is really nice, though. You pay for it however!

Amazing lens, but not for everyone. If I did portraits, it would be in my bag for sure.

see above

imagesbybarbara wrote in post #16658672
I had bought the lens and had so much trouble hand holding it that I repurchased the 1.8 and I have never regretted it.

interesting. Can you elaborate on this? What problems did you have? Is it just DOF? the AF? Did you find yourself using it stopped down more than not?

idsurfer wrote in post #16658700
I have the 1.8...I just cannot get over the IQ to price ratio. I think everyone shooting FF that likes 85mm should have the 1.8 in the bag, even if they have the L. I recently bought the sigma for a try. I sold it after one weekend. I just didn't feel it was worth over twice the price of my cheapy 1.8. I just love that little thing.

I've never been blown away by the lens thread for the sigma 85. Seems like the great shots are few and far between. Not sure what to make of this. If they put out an 85 or the rumored 135 1.8 OS that are as good as their 35 1.4, I'll be first in like for another try. Having said these things, I would grab the L in a heartbeat if I was loaded...with $ that is!

i agree about the sigma 85 lens thread...and hence the initial question...
maybe it is selection bias?

coogee wrote in post #16658743
I previously had the Sigma 85 and liked but not loved it. Swopped it out for the 135L.

I craved and saved for 85LII and rented one before buying it. Found it as dreamy and special as everyone says.
Found the focus problems to be very overstated, the electronic focus doesn't feel as nice but had no trouble. Shooting at f/1.2 was the problem in getting perfect focus where I wanted!

Ultimately i decided to blow the 85 fund on a fantastic tripod/pano setup and haven't regretted/missed it. I do have that length covered with TSE90.

I couldn't imagine anyone regretting buying the 85LII, its resale value should be solid, it is just quite a specialised portrait lens imo and shines for that purpose. I decided it was desirable but not essential for me. One $2K lens (TSE24II) is enough for me.

well - I am not aiming for your final solution. And I considered the 135...but right now I prefer the 85 FL to the 135 FL. In addition, until they do add the IS, I think it would end up being very limiting as a daytime outside lens....something that I don't do that often in the first place.

mystik610 wrote in post #16659188
Sometimes I regret it.

Then I shoot something in reply low light and need some reach, and the 85L saves the day.

i.e., a couple of weeks ago I shot a wedding that didn't allow flash....the wedding was at 8PM.

Sigma 35 didn't have the reach, 70-200 2.8II had me at ISO 25600. The whole ceremony would have been a terribly noisy mess if it weren't for the 85L.

Granted the 85 1.8 or 135L could have worked as well...but when you're starved for light and pushing into noisy ISO's, that 2/3rd-1 stop of light gathering goes a LONG way.

you got me exactly in my needs....
and pushed the right buttons with this answer!!

thanks all

Only regret I had was not picking it up sooner. Its not my most used lens, but its def one of my all time favorites.

Just to add...

I had the 85L II for around 6-8 months... I sold it due to lack of use and years later picked up a 85mm f/1.8... I think the IQ is very comparable between the two at the same apertures. The 85L is a little sharper, but at far as CA/fringing they were nearly the same with the 85L being worse below f/1.8... The f/1.8 is very sharp though and I think a better lens overall... Unless you need that f/1.2...

While the f/1.2 is more "fun" to own, the 1.8 makes more sense for most... The immense cost savings, faster AF, comparable IQ, etc... *shrug*

I love the 85L, like I said... But it is not worth the premium over the 1.8 IMO... Especially with the nice clean high ISO ability of the 5D3 and other modern bodies. I would rather own an 85 1.8 and 135L myself for less cost than the 85L II by itself.

kevinstinks wrote in post #16665268
Only regret I had was not picking it up sooner. Its not my most used lens, but its def one of my all time favorites.

If I end up getting it - I expect my situation to be similar to yours.

Invertalon wrote in post #16665296
Just to add...

I had the 85L II for around 6-8 months... I sold it due to lack of use and years later picked up a 85mm f/1.8... I think the IQ is very comparable between the two at the same apertures. The 85L is a little sharper, but at far as CA/fringing they were nearly the same with the 85L being worse below f/1.8... The f/1.8 is very sharp though and I think a better lens overall... Unless you need that f/1.2...

While the f/1.2 is more "fun" to own, the 1.8 makes more sense for most... The immense cost savings, faster AF, comparable IQ, etc... *shrug*

I love the 85L, like I said... But it is not worth the premium over the 1.8 IMO... Especially with the nice clean high ISO ability of the 5D3 and other modern bodies. I would rather own an 85 1.8 and 135L myself for less cost than the 85L II by itself.

you make a compelling point.

It is true that the sharpness of the two lenses is very close. It is also true about the size and the AF speed.

I think you nailed it in regards to the "fun" factor of being able to run the 1.2. I can see myself getting both the 1.2 AND the 1.8 if I end up getting the 1.2 but then I would have to juggle and store even more lenses!

What's with the expectations on the 85L having 70-200 af speed? It's a purpose built, niche portraiture lens. DoF at f1.2 is ridiculously thin. To me that means that when building the lens a compromise has to be made between choosing which is more important; getting tack sharp focus, or getting focus 'good enough' so that it works a lot faster (Sigma 85mm anyone). Seeing as it's a portrait lens, the former would make more sense.

p.s. I own the mkI 85L and have no interest in getting the mkII as the optics (except for improved handling of flare) are the exact same. Work within it's limitations and there are no issues for me. It's this lens that will keep me owning a Canon dslr setup for as long as I'm alive taking photos.

just mounting the lens on your body makes you feel the sensation of the 85L. The lens itself is an absolute beauty, and just a few keepers would have you forgiving the flaws of that lens. Of course it doesnt work well with active kids, might be lucky to get 1/10 sharp compared to the 1.8 version that gets 7/10 sharp, but it really does have distinctly better sharpness and contrast. It also has bad purple fringing.

I definitely would love to own it one day, but I've shot with it enough to get that bug out of my system. For me, it's not that practical, but I loved finding excuses to use it.

Nope, its by far my favorite lens.

FWIW, I've owned both the 85 f/1.8 and Sigma 85. The 85L II is a bit slow in the AF department as other said, but its simply just magic.