85mm f/1.2L II - Whoops!

I broke down. I am weak of character.

Look what fell into my shopping cart...

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Well,

that can happen .... enjoy your new tool

Best regards,
Andy

Thanks, Andy!

I was really struggling between this lens and the 50mm f/1.2L. If I had a full frame camera it would have probably been an easier choice... But since I don't, and I already have the 35mm f/1.4L - the 50mm would've been a little too close in focal length. I can use the 85mm focal length more, especially for the intended use.

So it's not weathersealed... Which I really like having. But then neither is the 35mm. I can deal with that. The fly-by-wire MF is a little weird but I almost never use MF anyway. The clip on lens hood I can also deal with, as I'll mod the lens the same as my 35mm - 72->77mm step-down ring, 77mm Canon lens cap and a rubber lens hood. This way I can easily move my 77mm CPL around all lenses and not have to deal with yet another hood.

When it came down to it, I figured the extra money for the Mark II was well spent. Between the better coatings, faster AF (heh) and circular aperture blades...

Yes, I'm rationalizing.

I hate it things like this happen.

Congrats, I think you will absolutely love this lens. Here are a couple of recent pics. I have yet to shoot any outdoors , can't wait for spring.

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Jealous!! Very nice. Though I've been neglecting my primes of late.

Thanks, everyone!

I'm really a primes kinda guy. My old school FD system was pretty much all primes. Even with a couple of L zooms, you can definitely see the sharpness from a prime (in my case the 35mm). You just can't get an f/1.2 zoom...

Looks like it'll be great for low-light (my biggest interest) and even capturing the occasional faster-moving targets. I don't shoot sports and I don't know that I'd try using the 85mm for it if I did... But the above hoops shot and Castleman's gymnastics shots gives me enough hope that I can capture similar action.

I'm still choking on the price. If this lens didn't have such a reputation or fill such a unique niche...

It compliments the rest of the glass you have. Your line up is probably the best range one can ask for. Very nice.

No regrets with this lens, Without doubt the best portrait lens on the planet today..

Enjoy it mate.

Thanks, Tony!

I thought long and hard about my line-up. The only other lens I really see myself getting is a 300mm f/2.8L IS - but that's not happening *any* time soon. Maybe a nice macro lens like the 100mm but again, no rush there...

I look at lenses as an investment. I plan to have these for the next 20 years probably (much like my FD collection). I don't want to have to think about optics anymore for a long time.

I think you made a good choice. The pain from the high price goes away after a while, but the pleasure when you get a shot right with it just goes on and on. Of the lenses I've got this is by far my favourite one.

cheers
Bill

I would agree... When I spent the cash on the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS I was a bit beside myself as well. Today, I couldn't imagine NOT having that lens. The results are well worth it, IMO. Solid, reliable and no complaints. If the picture is crap - I'll know it's certainly MY fault.

Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

Double Negative wrote in post #2785683
Thanks, Tony!

I thought long and hard about my line-up. The only other lens I really see myself getting is a 300mm f/2.8L IS - but that's not happening *any* time soon. Maybe a nice macro lens like the 100mm but again, no rush there...

I look at lenses as an investment. I plan to have these for the next 20 years probably (much like my FD collection). I don't want to have to think about optics anymore for a long time.

I'm looking to get the same line up as you. I have all but the 35 and 85. Because I tilt towards sports more than anything else, the 300 2.8 is next hopefully hanging from the 1DIII. With my 70-200IS on my 1DN and 300IS on the 1DIII I'll be strutting the sidelines like a rampant peacock.

Man, that's just not fair. Congrats on your purchase! You said you don't have a FF camera. The 1D Mk2 N isn't FF?