85L Down The Aisle

jmikolich wrote in post #16724342
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.

24-70 Version 1

and typically im at F/3.5 so both are in focus.

love my 85L but prefer to use the 70-200 when the party is coming into the isle. the zooming out is a lot helpful. esp when the bridesmaids all cluster closely. i can take my pick by zooming into the people.

my other camera will have a wider prime like the 24 or the 35 in it.

70-200mm for me.

For the processional I have two 5D3 bodies. One with the 35L and one with the 85L. The 85 gets more use until the couples walking down get close then I use the 35L'ed camera. I've never had a problem with the 85L as couples walk down. It is my preferred lens for that.

Ken Cravillion wrote in post #16726300
For the processional I have two 5D3 bodies. One with the 35L and one with the 85L. The 85 gets more use until the couples walking down get close then I use the 35L'ed camera. I've never had a problem with the 85L as couples walk down. It is my preferred lens for that.

That's almost exactly my setup!

I would use a zoom for that since the people are moving. Either the 24-70 or the 70-200 depending on how much space you have.

the 85L is a slow focuser when it needs to hunt and goes across the range to try to get focus...
at a processional, no one's running or moving fast (really, you're only racing against time here) and once you focus on your subject, as long as the lens has something to focus on and doesn't start hunting, you won't have any issues

And remember that the camera is looking for contrast to focus with. Aim your focus point at the point where the guy's jacket and shirt come together in the V so you have nice contrast. Aim at the neckline of a woman's dress if it is solid.

Thomas Campbell wrote in post #16731920
And remember that the camera is looking for contrast to focus with. Aim your focus point at the point where the guy's jacket and shirt come together in the V so you have nice contrast. Aim at the neckline of a woman's dress if it is solid.

Thanks, good tip. My inclination is to aim for the face, which often means cropping later... time to retrain myself to look for what's most appropriate, instead of always at the face.

I use it for the processional, but always carry a second body on me with a 35mm on it, which I switch to when they get close.

I don't have any issues with nailing focus: as others have mentioned, once the 85mm is near enough to focus it's pretty fast to lock on. There's always a slight delay between focus and shutter - my trick is to focus on the bouquet, and the subject usually steps into the perfect spot as the shutter goes. I also tend to shoot a little bit more stopped down (around f/2.8) than I normally do just to make sure. I wouldn't shoot at 1.2 for the processional, I don't really see the risk/reward value there.

No zoom can match the quality of the image you can get from the 85 1.2, so it's worth using it IMHO.

(Nice photo Iro! Been following your work on facebook, lovely stuff!)

The 85L has suited me fine for shooting the processional. The two reasons I slap it on are to knock out a distracting background or if light is an issue. Given the choice, the 70-200 is a better fit, but the difference between 85 at 2.8 and 1.2 is huge.

I have tried multiple times to love the 85L. I can't do it. I love it for portraits, but hate it for events. When I had an $2000 85L 1.2 in the bag and reach for the $400 85 1.8 to make sure I got the shot...

An overlooked magical lens in the lineup is the 135L. It is too long for processionals, but it gets that gorgeous, undefinable beauty of the bokeh in the background without using the maddening 85L. YMMV

coryparris wrote in post #16753350
I have tried multiple times to love the 85L. I can't do it. I love it for portraits, but hate it for events. When I had an $2000 85L 1.2 in the bag and reach for the $400 85 1.8 to make sure I got the shot...

An overlooked magical lens in the lineup is the 135L. It is too long for processionals, but it gets that gorgeous, undefinable beauty of the bokeh in the background without using the maddening 85L. YMMV

What did you dislike about the 85 1.2? I wouldn't consider it a great lens for a reception or fast moving event, but for portraits or even ceremony shots, it does a spectacular job for us.

Trent Gillespie wrote in post #16753668
What did you dislike about the 85 1.2? I wouldn't consider it a great lens for a reception or fast moving event, but for portraits or even ceremony shots, it does a spectacular job for us.

That is what bugs me. Just the AF speed. The image quality rocks. If I could get the quality of the 85 1.2 with the AF speed of any other Canon lens I own, I would have one permanently attached to my camera. I shoot quickly, change subjects quickly, move around a lot, and the 85L just drives me nuts to use. I completely understand that this is a fault that makes the 85L a no go for me, but wouldn't even phase someone else.