85mm 1.2 ii vs 85 1.4 is

not too beat a dead horse, I've tried using the search engine on here to get reviews between the two..couldn't find anything. Ok, far as image quality only is their any difference? I understand the 85mm 1.4 is better overall, looking at only image quality. Thanks guys for any help and hope all is well.

The f1.2 has a 3D like bokeh which the 1.4 can't get to.

Comparing the "look" of a lens is like trying to describe how a wine tastes LOL In my experience, the 1.4 is a cleaner, sharper image, more clinical... the 1.2 is moody and full of character, but flipside is that you deal with the (sometimes striking amount of) CA when compared to the 1.4. This is essentially the most important difference, and why some will choose the 1.2 over the 1.4: that rendering.

Obviously the 1.4 has IS, which to me is the biggest differentiator and reason to choose it over the 1.2.

1.4 has MUCH faster AF.

1.4 has a more useable closer MFD.

1.4 is a more modern lens that's really well made and solid.

I felt that the look/rendering of the 1.4 is a cross between the 85 1.2 and the 135L: sharp and corrected, but with some character mixed in. The 85 1.2 is just... *Italian chef finger kiss* classic.

aashitron wrote in post #18907226
The f1.2 has a 3D like bokeh which the 1.4 can't get to.

Please. According to who

Bokeh is no distinguishable

I owned them both but now only the 1.2.

AF speed is a moot point given what the lenses were designed to do (IMHO)
Image stabilisation is a plus but not a be all and end all.

If I had to pick an attribute where the 1.4 wins out it would be environmental sealing. I don't care to use my 1.2 in any adverse conditions.

As a final observation, both optics produce a very different look and, if you hadn't guessed, I prefer the 1.2.

I had the 1.2 and traded it for the 1.4. To me the 1.4 balances better (on my 5D4's). The focus is much quicker and its weather sealed. IS is a bonus but not that critical in studio situations. Image quality is a bit better plus I didn't take that many head shots at 1.2 since the DOF was so very shallow. I feel I gave up nothing converting to the 1.4 lens.

I also asked myself several times what the best choice could be.
They are two completely different lenses, I believe that the image that counts is the image that returns, on this there is no comparison, the 1.2 is the best, it has a bokeh that no Canon lens has.

I've owned all three versions of the 85L and they simply get better with each update. The colors, contrast, sharpness and AF improve as they're updated. The speed between F1.2 and 1.4 is so minimal that who can tell the difference? I'd love to see a test comparing them with the same subject, distance and background. Show me the bokeh between the three versions and how 1.2 and 1.4 are so different and I'll believe it. I found the addition of IS and reliable AF to be enough to replace my 85/1.2LII. I never used AF on either of the previous versions mainly because of the distance I shoot subjects and apertures I shoot.

Check out DP Review
Here is a link with the comparison you need.

I don’t need numbers, it’s all about the images they produce. Anyone can lookup specs. Besides, I made my decision more than two years ago and was thinking about others like the OP.

85L II images look better. No questions asked.

it's like a miniature 200mm F2

Two different lenses for different types of photography with the only similarity being the focal length. I’ve contemplated the 85 1.4 many times and the examples I see are rather stark looking. The 85 1.2, to my eyes, look warmer, with a different characteristic.

If the op needs fast focusing, then the 1.4 is the pick. If the 85 is to be used for portraits and the op’s photography doesn’t need quick AF, then the 1.2 is the one. I like the bokeh of the 1.2 better. The 1.4 has IS if that’s a consideration. The aperture, 1.2 vs 1.4 is not a consideration IMHO. If the op uses ai servo always, the 1.4 would be better suited.

Hate to say it but......it depends on your style of photography and the images you want create.

To each his own, I think that this is going nowhere. I'm quite happy with the images the 1.4 produces and don't think they're inferior to other versions.