Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM - The Keg

GMCPhotographics wrote in post #6558174
Have you considered the 50L? It's better suited to the 40D. I have a 85L and a 40D and it's a bit long. I get regular AF issues at f1.2 which I don't get with my 85L on my 5D or 135L on my 5D either.

I don't mean to muck up the thread with questions, but this is the first I've heard of focus issues with the 85L on a 40D - what sort of AF issues do you mean? Is it just the slow AF? I thought that was an inherent issue of the lens and not the body.

AF issues due to a super thin focal plane can happen. I don't think it's lens specific however.

For example, if your 85L focuses properly on the 5D and on your 40D it's giving you issues:
- It may be a camera related problem (either the 5D or 40D is front focusing or back focusing accordingly)
- Your 40Ds AF might be off at f/1.2.

The most prevalent issue with the 85L and 40D happens to be a battery drain issue not a focusing one.

My 85IIL is a battery drainer too, but no more than a 70-200mm f2.8 IS. IS units kill batteries too. I have a Ee-S screen fitted to my 5D which really helps with focussing the 85L on my 5D. I have a stock screen in my 40D and the 85L is a SOaB to focus accurately. In the VF, you just can't rely on it wide open. But I don't have the same issue with the 135L and a 40D. I get far better results, I think that the fly by wire AF system and the 40D isn't so well suited. But that's just my findings.

It is a not a AF issue with the 40D, more of a battery issues. It must have to do with the circuits in the 40D because it uses the same battery as the 5d and 30D. There is something about the 40D and 85L combo that kills that battery in 5 - 10 shots. I have never tried it on a 40D so I am only going by what I read on line....and you know how that goes...

In the spirit of Halloween...

"Frankie Relaxing..."

Harleypugs wrote in post #6564484
It is a not a AF issue with the 40D, more of a battery issues. It must have to do with the circuits in the 40D because it uses the same battery as the 5d and 30D. There is something about the 40D and 85L combo that kills that battery in 5 - 10 shots. I have never tried it on a 40D so I am only going by what I read on line....and you know how that goes...

They may have fixed the problem with subsequent releases of the 40D, but I've read that you can modify the battery compartment to avoid the issue.

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/66141​6

Includes advice & pictures.

Hope this helps

Phil

Here is a couple that I shot with my 85 last weekend. Funny that this battery issue is coming up, because I discovered the battery "drain" issue as the bride was walking down the isle! Talk about being flustered the rest of the ceremony... I brought 4 batteries which was overkill to begin with, but I thought they had really drained and that I was on my last one before the ceremony was over! I just got this lens about a month ago and hadn't taken a whole series of shots with it. So yeah, 40d users beware! This sort of issue is not what I'd expect from Canon on Canon equipment.

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Second one is awesome!!!

I never had focusing issues with my 40D and 85mm 1.2 mkII before I sold the 40, but I did notice the battery drain. I left the battery grip on mine full time with 2 high cap batteries and I still dont think I ever got over a 100 shots. but then again, I dont think I have even taken 250 with this lens since I bought it in june. Im using it now on either 1D body with no issues what so ever. Can't wait to try it on the 5D mkII! I'll let you know if it's the winning combo I think it will be around thanksgiving.

-cheers

thanks radiohead! i like that one a lot too...i think it was shot at f2 or 2.8 using my brothers 20d

cherrymoon wrote in post #6557627
Planning to buy a 85L but i'm equiped of a 40D. Some of you guys have this combo. I heard about problems when shooting : after 5 shots, battery is empty. The test i made in my store reveal this problem. He use a noName battery (official Canon dealer already ! - in France).

Do you use noName batteries and have this problem ? Do you have problem shooting 40D+85L ?

ive had this problem its been at canon and still has the problem DOH so its back to canon and im without my 40d for 3-4 weeks more ahh Problem isnt with the batterys cherrymoon as i tested different batterys and i tested the lens on my 300d with no probs deff 40d 85l specific problem imho

It doesn't matter if you use Canon or other brand (in my case, Impact brand). The battery reports as dead but really has a full charge. After the "drain" you can pop the battery out and back in, put on a 24-70 as in my case, and shoot 700 additional pics in RAW. Canon doesn't admit there is a problem, so if you've got the issue, just sell something because you won't get anywhere. The closest answer to a resolution I got was that it *might* be fixed *someday* with a firmware update but no plans to do so yet. I wasn't about to give up my 85 so I just sold my 40d and bought a 5d. Too bad Canon decides to screw the patrons that are investing heavily into the brand.

By the way... if you ever get a chance to use your 85 on a 5d... (words can't describe)

85 @ 1.2

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I just love this lens!

Cheers!


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