Canon 85mm 1.8 or 85mm 1.2?

The price difference is huge. Is the performance worth the difference?
Telephoto EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Autofocus Lens


Telephoto EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Autofocus Lens

$355 vs $1,840

I'm hoping the replies all say the price spread is worth it because the 85L is going to be my next lens.

i love my 1.8.... but thats me... i think i would keep the 1.8 over the 1.2... thats my personal preference...

Worth what? Subjective again. Here's what makes the difference: If you shoot often at wide apertures and wish you had something wider than f/1.8, it's probably worth it. If you shoot often at apertures f/2.8 thru f/11, it's probably not worth it.

For me, it's worth it...I just don't have the money right now since I just bought a 5D and not too long ago a 70-200 f/2.8 IS.

Well, from a standpoint of clarity - Is there a significant difference? I know it's L glass, vs other, but still ...

What would make someone want to shoot at 1.2 vs 1.8? Is that difference really noticable?

Clarity? the main advantage of the L is the extremely narrow DoF that puts the background and even the back of someone's head into a soft blur which helps isolate exactly what you want the focus to be on. Yes the difference is noticeable, and significant.

What's the MFD on the 1.2? I know the 1.8 needs around 9 feet or something like that. It really forces you to stand far from your subject.

Image quality is pretty high in the 1.8, but CA can get pretty bad wide open. I understand the L deals with this better.

Keep in mind build in teh L must be superior, and has focus-by-wire.

Also keep in mind the AF speed of each lens if it matters to you. The 1.8 focuses much faster than the 1.2. If the features of the L really matter to you then definitely get it, If not, you could always go with the 85 1.8 AND a 135L for less than the 85L.

This guy does bokeh comparisons pretty often and you can see the effect on highlights and background detail at various apertures:

http://www.wlcastleman​.com …okeh_2/oof_back​ground.htm

As well as some general side by side comparisons: http://www.wlcastleman​.com/equip/reviews/85m​m/index.htm

Sure if most of your photos are from f/1.2 to f/2 (obviously portraits can be shot at f/5.6 as well, but then the 85 1.8 will match the quality since that is a lot of stopping down). What are you looking to shoot?

IMO, having owned both:

85 1.8: best value lens out there made by Canon. Sharp at f/1.8, very nice bokeh, lots of CA wide open, but tack sharp and CA-free by f/2.8. Super fast AF.
85 1.2: best lens I've ever used, best AF portrait lens ever made IMO. Sharp at f/1.2, superb bokeh, lots of CA wide open, but tack sharp and CA-free by f/1.8. Slow AF.

The 85 1.2, IMO, is nowhere near as good value for money as the 85 1.8, but it's better, and it smokes the 85 1.8 at f/1.8, which is saying a lot because the 85 1.8 is an EXCELLENT lens. If you shoot lots of portraits, the 85L is more than worth every penny. If you need light and fast AF, the 85 1.8 is the better choice. Don't worry about just sharpness, both lenses are almost too sharp.

I think that the very fact that you are asking this question means that the 85 1.8 will probably be a better choice for you though, you probably won't notice much difference. Depends what you wanna shoot with it though, sharpness is not everything.

Thanks very much for that!

Nick. Like everything, you get what you pay for.
L lenses are great
I, like many, have the 85 1.8. I think it's one of the best lenses for the money anywhere. I am very pleased with it.
I have not had the opportunity to try the 5 1.2 L

I had 1.8, and over all happy with it. I bought 1.2 with all the intention to sell it. ended up selling the 1.8.
1.2 is very sharp at 1.2, has better color and contrast, and much more ca resistant. its truly remarkably sharp at 1.2. the subject separation is fantastic. Its bigger, heavier, and slower focusing, and a lot more expensive. after having the lens for 6 months, I realized many of my favorite images have been taken by it, where as my 85 1.8 was not getting as much use. whether its worth the diferrence in price or not, depends on you.