Another 50/1.4 vs 85/1.2 Question!

So....I been reading a lot of threads on how the 1.2 has a hard time focusing.

I do mainly night club photography and currently use a 24-70 with 580ex . I talk to a lot of photographers and they have told me to pick up a prime. Some say to do a 1.2 while others say go 50/1.4. I was going to pick up the 1.2 - but then read a lot of threads saying its really hard to focus.

My night club i currently shoot at is extremely dark - so even though i think the subject is in pure focus - the subject comes out blurry.

So....where do i go from here? So confused on which lens to pick!

Zee

I don't think the 85 f1.2 has a tough time focusing...it's just that the large aperture often makes it difficult to nail the focus because of the very narrow DOF. When it comes to this, the 50 1.4 isn't much better...they both have a VERY thin DOF when shot wide open. Of course, in a dark environment, your blurry subjects may not be due to bad focus but slow shutter speeds.

I think you have the 85/1.2 mixed up with the 50/1.2

for the low cost i would pick up a 50f1.4 and try it im happy with mine ,you can always sell it again with little loss.
Rob.

I can tell you that the 85 f1.2 has no problems focusing in low light. As a matter of fact I tried focusing in a pitch black room with only the Cameras LCD light and the AF assist beam from the 580 EX II and had no problems focusing.

I've owned both and the 50L has marginally better focusing in low light. It definitely focuses faster. The 85L is optically better.

Zeeshan0518 wrote in post #4379647
So....I been reading a lot of threads on how the 1.2 has a hard time focusing.

I do mainly night club photography and currently use a 24-70 with 580ex . I talk to a lot of photographers and they have told me to pick up a prime. Some say to do a 1.2 while others say go 50/1.4. I was going to pick up the 1.2 - but then read a lot of threads saying its really hard to focus.

My night club i currently shoot at is extremely dark - so even though i think the subject is in pure focus - the subject comes out blurry.

So....where do i go from here? So confused on which lens to pick!

The question that I have is whether or not you intend to shoot with available light or still use the flash.

If you are going to continue to use flash and the lens you are currently using is working well for you, forget what "a lot of photographers" tell you. They may not have a clue as to what you need to accomplish your task.

If you intend to work without flash, then you need to make some test measurements - preferably with a good handheld meter. You need to determine what shutter speeds you could use at apertures wider than f/2.8 (or whatever the max aperture for your 24-70 is - you didn't say which 24-70). Would those shutter speeds be suitable for your needs? Then, you need to determine whether or not the reduced depth of field using the very wide apertures would be acceptable.

On top of all that, you are asking about two very different focal lengths. Only your experience will tell you what focal length(s) would work for your situation.

Also, IMO both 50mm and 85mm will be way too long for nightclub photography. (Assuming (semi) posed group shots). You need a wide lens and flash for that IMO.

Zeeshan0518 wrote in post #4379647
so even though i think the subject is in pure focus - the subject comes out blurry.

Post an example.

I shoot candids in sometimes very tight environments and my wides get a workout. I think Rene' hit the nail on the head. I shoot with 5Ds and in tight situations the 24 1.4 and the 35 1.4 are the only workable choice.