Prime advice

Not to keep harping, but manual focus cannot speed up this lens because the 85L uses a focus by wire design. When you turn the manual ring that tells the motor to move the optics. AF or MF this lens is focussed by the motor.

I love the 85L, but it costs a lot more money than the 85/1.8 which is a good performer and flexible in application. I would not casually recommend the 85L to someone who hasn't at least considered the other cheaper primes in the range.

JeffreyG wrote in post #4607528
Not to keep harping, but manual focus cannot speed up this lens because the 85L uses a focus by wire design. When you turn the manual ring that tells the motor to move the optics. AF or MF this lens is focussed by the motor.

I did mention pre-focus.

I actually recommended the 85 F/1.8, and added the 85L in the mix. Note the disclaimer I put in my original message: if you can afford it.

Regards, Wim

If you are shooting a lot in the 100-150mm range, the 135L is about as good as you can possibly get. Super fast AF, incredible image quality, large aperture, etc. Also, it takes a 1.4x TC very well, to give you a 189mm f/2.8. Go for it!

Thanks again for all the advice. I've got the 200L arriving tomorrow morning - can't wait Also, snow's forecast for tomorrow so might be an opportune excuse to go out shooting.

The plan is to pick up the 135L and 85 1.8 in a month or two when the funds become available. I have to say, from what I've read I think the 1.8 will be good enough for the time being. I've seen some absolutely fantastic shots from the 1.2L, but then again I don't think I can readily justify the cost and there have been equally fantastic shots from the 1.8

But most of all I think I'm going to need a bigger bag

Hope you are loving the 200/2.8LII. GIve us a sample shot when you have a chance.

Dave,

I take the 85 f/1.8, 135L and the 200L to my grandkid's concerts and they work out great. At the last concert my 135 was backfocusing so I don't have any sample shots with it, but here are a few shots with the 85 and 200 taken without a flash.

This one was taken with the 85 at f/1.8

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Nice shots bob, and thanks for the advice.

The 200L arrived yesterday. No snow unfortunately but I did get a chance to test it out: