Why no 85mm f/1.4?

Canon has a 50mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4, and 50mm f/1.2.

They have an 85mm f/1.8 and an 85mm f/1.2 for over 5x more cost. Why the gap from 1.8 to 1.2? Why not an 85mm f/1.4?

Sorry if this has been discussed.. I searched and couldn't find anything.

evan_d wrote in post #3026781
Canon has a 50mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4, and 50mm f/1.2.

They have an 85mm f/1.8 and an 85mm f/1.2 for over 5x more cost. Why the gap from 1.8 to 1.2? Why not an 85mm f/1.4?

Sorry if this has been discussed.. I searched and couldn't find anything.

I guess there are enough 85's. Nikon's 85 1.4 is pretty nice for the $ though.

because itd be a bit extreme to have 3 lenses all withing a 1/3 stop of each other.

august23 wrote in post #3026810
because itd be a bit extreme to have 3 lenses all withing a 1/3 stop of each other.

Extreme... or genious?!?!?!

No, probably just extreme.

august23 wrote in post #3026810
because itd be a bit extreme to have 3 lenses all withing a 1/3 stop of each other.

No more extreme than having a 50 1.2 , 50 1.4 and 50 1.8.

Choderboy wrote in post #3027178
No more extreme than having a 50 1.2 , 50 1.4 and 50 1.8.

True that.
85 1.4 would be interesting with USM. The 85 1.2 is nice, however, it's focusing is too slow to make it practical for a lot of uses (I guess too much glass), and the hefty pricetag makes it on the dreamlist for a lot of us.

Zeiss has a nice 85/1.4 that can be adapted to EOS

Lightstream wrote in post #3027402
Zeiss has a nice 85/1.4 that can be adapted to EOS

Only really for the aficionado though, what with no AF, manual stop-down/ metering, using an adapter etc.: however good it is.

I for one would buy it... Full stop faster then my 100/2.0
(By the way; from 1.8 to 1.4 is 2/3 of a stop )

the 85 1.2 MKII has much faster AF than the MKI.
I want this lens soooo much. It's phenominal wide open.

I think that there probably would be one if the 85 1.8 was a budget lens like the nifty is. With the 50 1.4, you go up a step in build, 2/3 a stop, faster focusing etc from the nifty, whereas there wouldn't be a huge amount to encourage you to pay for a 1.4 85mm over a 1.8, as the build of the 1.8 is already pretty good, with usm etc.

Remember....the 50 f/1.4 was the fastest lens for a long time in the 50mm range....the 85L has been out for years and years.

In fact, I'm pretty sure that if the 50 f/1.8 weren't so incredibly cheap, the 50 f/1.4 wouldn't exist right now. There are a LOT of pros who won't shell out for the 50L because it is such a minor upgrade in speed (woo hoo, 1/3 stop!) and the f/1.4 is nearly the equal of the 50L optically, so what's the point? However, a lot of people need a fast 50mm prime, but don't want to spend $1500 on it, but will drop the extra $250 for the f/1.4...they also wont use the 50 f/1.8 because of the super cheap build, harsh bokeh and weak focusing.

Because of that, I wouldn't be surprised if Canon kills the 1.4 pretty soon and revamps the f/1.8 again, giving a 50 f/1.8 III USM for around $250. You could do a 50mm built like the 85 f/1.8 and the 28 f/1.8, with ring USM and the bokeh of the 1.4, but with only f/1.8. That way, you get the quality of the 1.4, but you'd still be tempted to upgrade to the 50L if you were a pro for the full stop of light gain.

I think the line up of the 50s is a vestige of the past. The "kit" lens used to be a cheap 50...1.8 or 2.0. Canon has always had at least 3 50-55mm lenses in their lineup. 50 f/1.4 was a pretty good upgrade in those days. My first Canon FX came with the FL58mm f/1.2 which was not a very good lens, optically.
The 1.8 is obviously cheap to make and because of forums like this, they probably sell every one they make within a few days.

Jman13 wrote in post #3027707
Because of that, I wouldn't be surprised if Canon kills the 1.4 pretty soon and revamps the f/1.8 again, giving a 50 f/1.8 III USM for around $250. You could do a 50mm built like the 85 f/1.8 and the 28 f/1.8, with ring USM and the bokeh of the 1.4, but with only f/1.8. That way, you get the quality of the 1.4, but you'd still be tempted to upgrade to the 50L if you were a pro for the full stop of light gain.

That would tempt me back to the 50. It would be interesting to see how that one plays out. And I want real ring USM this time. I've got ring USM on my 28/1.8 so sure, it can be done even on a small prime.

KCMO Al wrote in post #3028511
The 1.8 is obviously cheap to make and because of forums like this, they probably sell every one they make within a few days.

Very true.. my local camera shop has nearly half a dozen on the shelf at one time, because they really do go through that amount of stock every few days! They can't say the same about any other lens though.

peatoire wrote in post #3027560
the 85 1.2 MKII has much faster AF than the MKI.

Faster- yes
Much faster- no
Still time to make a cup of coffee whilst you wait : there's just too much glass for any motor to move around rapidly.