85L Down The Aisle

I'm just wondering if anyone else uses the 85L to capture the down the aisle shots? I feel the reward is great for capturing a shot with that lens (even stopped down a bit) but it's definitely a challenge and potentially risky. The 5D3 makes it a hell of a lot easier however!

Curious to hear peoples opinions!

Example: 85L @ 1.2 on a 6D taken by me a while ago as a second shooter:

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/plain' | Byte size: ZERO

I don't own one, though I've used a friend's just a little bit.

Isn't it relatively slow to focus?

nathancarter wrote in post #16722291
I don't own one, though I've used a friend's just a little bit.

Isn't it relatively slow to focus?

Yep, that's where the challenge is. I don't think many people use them for action type scenarios but I'm wondering if any other wedding photographers do now that we have bodies which can make it work.

I wouldnt be caught dead with an 85L on the camera for a processional.....No Thanks. An 85 1.8 Maybe. But I prefer to use a zoom so i can grab 4-5 perspectives while they are walking in.

Even on a full-frame, I would find that far too long. I want shots at the entrance end of the aisle, but also at the front, where I generally move slightly around the corner to get the moment the bride is handed off. If I'm shooting that long I'll miss these shots and the intimacy of that moment. I'm generally using a 50mm, which I find is a decent compromise.

Just one of the reasons I ditched the 85L for the Sigma 85 1.4. Why create a difficulty when I don't need to have one? Why risk missing a shot because a lens focuses slower than man took to evolve from apes (I had a love / hate relationship with my 85L).

I shoot people coming down the aisle on the 70-200 and 16-35... But I also have a 50 and a 36 (equivalent) on my A7s too. Sometimes I'll use the Sigma 85, the 50L or the 24L and even the 70-200 with the 1.4x extender. It really depends on the venue as to what I choose to use.

I always used the 85L for processionals when I primarily shot Canon. The 85L is slow to focus, but once you locked on, it was fine at following focus.

You can get different perspectives when they are at different positions down the aisle.

I love this lens for portraits but would never use it for something like the processional. As already noted, it's too slow to focus. But I also want to take a series of each person coming down the aisle; 3-4 of them if I can. So my preference is the 24-70 II on a crop body. This gives me focal lengths of ~35-105,

For the most part, these are documentary photos and I want to make sure I hit focus and I have the flexibility to shoot as often and when I need so definitely a zoom for me.

Peacefield wrote in post #16723696
I love this lens for portraits but would never use it for something like the processional. As already noted, it's too slow to focus. But I also want to take a series of each person coming down the aisle; 3-4 of them if I can. So my preference is the 24-70 II on a crop body. This gives me focal lengths of ~35-105,

For the most part, these are documentary photos and I want to make sure I hit focus and I have the flexibility to shoot as often and when I need so definitely a zoom for me.

I'd always have a 35mm on my other 5d3 for those shots. Would never do anything with JUST the 85mm 1.2 on.

Simply not true. It is slow to get initial focus, but once it has focus, it does a fine job of tracking. Use Servo mode for something moving like the processional.

I shot dozens of weddings with it. It does work.

From the product description at B&H:

I don't know what you're all on about

Though I don't use my 85L for processionals, if the lens doesn't have to do a full rack then it's fine. I just prefer to use a 70-200 on one camera and a short prime on another.

Thomas Campbell wrote in post #16723952
Simply not true. It is slow to get initial focus, but once it has focus, it does a fine job of tracking. Use Servo mode for something moving like the processional.

I shot dozens of weddings with it. It does work.

I agree with this. I use it on the dance floor when ever possible. problem is, like Nick Mentioned, if you miss and it has to do a full rack, your screwed on a processional. I love the 24-70 2 F/3.5. It does a great job. I can click off horizontal and portrait mode shots all the way down. So 5-8 perspectives easily.

Thomas Campbell wrote in post #16723952
Simply not true. It is slow to get initial focus, but once it has focus, it does a fine job of tracking. Use Servo mode for something moving like the processional.

I shot dozens of weddings with it. It does work.

+1

This is not a wedding photo but 3 shots out of 5 were perfectly focused and those 2 missed ones were the first shots.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …rorautiainen/10​255130086/

umphotography wrote in post #16724168
I agree with this. I use it on the dance floor when ever possible. problem is, like Nick Mentioned, if you miss and it has to do a full rack, your screwed on a processional. I love the 24-70 2 F/3.5. It does a great job. I can click off horizontal and portrait mode shots all the way down. So 5-8 perspectives easily.

Are you saying you shoot the 24-70 mk2 @ f3.5 for processional?

I typically use that option too, +/- a bit, or the 70-200 depending on the venue.. I'd love to try the 85L in a wedding, just don't have the cash to buy it... or the cajones to try and use it given the razor thinness @ 85mm f1.2

I'd also like to use one to try some freelensing since I've heard the rear element is the right shape.