85L vs 85 f/1.8

ive never tried the 85L, none around me to actually try it. i want to know if it is worth it for me to invest in the 85L. i mostly shoot indoors at events (meetings, presentation, get togethers...) i guess equivalent to a wedding...in terms of lighting and photo opportunities. will the 1.2 really focus that slow? i dont usually shoot high speed action during these events, which is why im considering the L. how is the DoF on the 1.2? is it really all that necessary? how does color, saturation, contrast, sharpness compare to the f/1.8?...is that worth the extcra $1000. moving on...is it worth getting a MkI for what i do...or do i need MkII?

sorry for all the questions, but i just want to be sure before i drop the money. thanks everyone

Here Is some Lite Reading for ya

F1.2
http://www.photozone.d​e …ses/canon_85_12​/index.htm

F1.8
http://www.photozone.d​e …ses/canon_85_18​/index.htm


Cam

Much has been written about the subject. If you search this forum or any other forum for that matter, you shall find plenty....I mean really PLENTY.
I have two pieces of advice for you though:
(1) Rent the lens for a weekend, see how you like it.
(2) If you decide to go for it, get the MkI (B&H currently have a condition "10" used lens for $1399.)

From what I understand, the 85L is a great lens and would be well worth the money if you are going to use it. I am not there yet, and the 85 1.8 is a great lens for under $400. If I ever bump into one of you guys with the 85L, I may be terribly tempted to get it someday.

85L is awesome, but so is the f/1.8. I think the f/1.8, focussing speed will come in handy. And size too (the 1.2L is a hunk of glass)

KevC wrote in post #2088734
85L is awesome, but so is the f/1.8. I think the f/1.8, focussing speed will come in handy. And size too (the 1.2L is a hunk of glass)

Ditto. The 85 f/1.8 won't disappoint you. The f/1.2 is specialized and is not suitable to speed-critical shooting. It's just too slow to focus.

genewch wrote in post #2088950
Ditto. The 85 f/1.8 won't disappoint you. The f/1.2 is specialized and is not suitable to speed-critical shooting. It's just too slow to focus.

I got this from dpreview

http://www.dpreview.co​m …06022112canonef​85f12l.asp
Canon’s latest Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), the lens is expected to be popular with professional photographers shooting indoor sports.

So there must 3 different 85's

The hardest part of using the 85L isnt the slow focusing (only if you go from near to far, then its slow). If you stay in the same general range, it's pretty quick. The hard part is actually obtaining what you want in focus, in the focal plane. The DOF is so shallow that shooting at f1.2 is a challenge, really, it's hard. You get used to it after a while, but its difficult.

If you need that extra stop, nothing can beat it. Its a HONKIN lens. The 85 1.8 will seem like the fastest focusing lens Canon makes after you compare both of them.

Carsanbballs, yes, there are 3 85 primes. 85 1.8, 85L mk1, 85L mk2.

Petkal wrote in post #2088433
Much has been written about the subject. If you search this forum or any other forum for that matter, you shall find plenty....I mean really PLENTY.
I have two pieces of advice for you though:
(1) Rent the lens for a weekend, see how you like it.
(2) If you decide to go for it, get the MkI (B&H currently have a condition "10" used lens for $1399.)

why do u say get the MkI? i plan to use this for indoor events...will the MkI be suitable for that? AF speed wise?

flipm3 wrote in post #2089315
why do u say get the MkI? i plan to use this for indoor events...will the MkI be suitable for that? AF speed wise?

Optically, I do not think there are too many folks who can tell those two lenses apart. If I am wrong here, I'd love someone to set me straight (yeah, I've read Castleman's review too .)
The AF speed of both MkI and II are in the same ballpark....nowhere near the 85 f/1.8. However, that should not be a problem for indoor events at all, unless we are talking basketball and such.
I have used the MkI to shoot medium to large birds in flight....not an unsurmountable problem at all.

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When building my kit, I considered the 85L, but I ended up buying the 85 1.8... plus the 135L and the 50 1.4... All for about the same price.

I read that the 85 1.8 gives 90 % of what the 85L gives, but the other 10% is "magic"... I believe I can also get that 10% of magic from the 135L.

I am quite happy with my choice. I think my kit is far more versatile for the same amount of money.

For the type of photography that you mention, a 50 1.4 (or a fast wide angle) may be also useful (particularly on a 30D).