85mm 1.2L Centre focus and recompose

Hi, this is my very first post on here

I currently use the Canon EOS 5 (yep, the film one) and also a 5D. We have also just ordered the 5D mark2 (at least my husband has and if he gets to use my lenses then I get to use his mark2!)

I would really like to invest in the 85mm 1.2L but I think I've read too much on the internet and I'm worrying that I will struggle with the focus.

My main subject will be informal portraits of children using available light.

I've used my 85mm 1.8 for years and have been really happy with it but I always focus with the centre point and recompose. Will this be a problem with the 1.2? I've always done it with AF cameras, it's just the comfortable way of working for me but I've got it in my head that I can't be doing it with this lens.

Maybe I'm just having a panic abut spending all that money

Any advice would be great,

Liz

according to here
http://www.dofmaster.c​om/dofjs.html
with f1.2 at 10ft, you only have .3feet of acceptable sharpness in the DOF.

so i'd be wary of moving it around too much

If you are shooting either lens at f1.8 then the DOF is the same. You shouldn't have any different results then you get now. If you shoot at 1.2 your DOF is cut down quite a bit and yes, you probably will struggle.

Perhaps a better thing to do would be change you focus method whenever practical and compose and then use the focus point that is relative to the part of the subject you want in focus.

Hi Liz,

Lizzy7 wrote in post #8108731
Hi, this is my very first post on here

I currently use the Canon EOS 5 (yep, the film one) and also a 5D. We have also just ordered the 5D mark2 (at least my husband has and if he gets to use my lenses then I get to use his mark2!)

I would really like to invest in the 85mm 1.2L but I think I've read too much on the internet and I'm worrying that I will struggle with the focus.

My main subject will be informal portraits of children using available light.

I've used my 85mm 1.8 for years and have been really happy with it but I always focus with the centre point and recompose. Will this be a problem with the 1.2? I've always done it with AF cameras, it's just the comfortable way of working for me but I've got it in my head that I can't be doing it with this lens.

Maybe I'm just having a panic abut spending all that money

Any advice would be great,

Liz

First of all, welcome to the forum!

Regarding your question: if you do focus and recompose with the 85 F/1.8, you will also be able to do so with the 85L.

The reason I say this is because in order to do so with the F/1.8 at very wide apertures, you must adjust your composure rather often to get proper focus, or focus on a point at the same distance to your subject, otherwise you won't nail it. It is maybe a little harder with the 85L, but not very much more. Actually, it might even be easier, because the 85L is sharper at F/1.2 than the 85 F/1.8 at F/1.8.

I would suggest you get an EE-S focusing screen for the 5D, and an Eg-S for the 5D II, however. It makes judgment of focus really a lot easier. The -S types of focusing screens are designed for use with fast lenses (F/2.8 or faster), to judge DoF better, and especially on the 5D II it makes it a breeze, if you ask me.

Kind regards, Wim

Thank you

I'm more often likely to be shooting between F2-F4.

Lizzy

I like taking candid shots of people, especially my 5 year old grandsons. Using 5D/85L at low ISO, I get very sharp images at 1.2.... I often use center point and am able to crop. The bigger problem for me is getting the kids to hold still when shooting at 1.2. Previously I had an 85 1.8 and after borrowing a friend's 85L for a week, I sold the 1.8 and bought the L..... I'm extremely happy with it.

edit:... Welcome to potn!

Hi Wim....sorry, I posted before I saw your post.

Thanks for the advice about the focusing screens, I'll certainly be looking at those.

I've been really pleased with the results from the 1.8 and I've only ever used centre focus and recomposed.

Lizzy xxx

Thanks for the welcome Poppy Guy.......know what you mean about getting kids to keep still. Add to the challenge!!

Lizzy xxx

Focus and recompose can work out OK Liz. But I'd still recommend picking the nearest focus point you've got to the point you actually want in focus. But like everything else in life it's always a compromise and sometimes it will work out fine and at other times it'll be a total mess. And you don't always have the time to select specific points anyway, especially with kids, you should see my Grandson move!

I will say one thing though... you're really going to love that lens! And welcome of course

cheers

In the world of very shallow DOF, I never trust focus and recompose unless things are very, very still and I've not had too much coffee. MF is what I rely on.

once your get your hands on that 5d II, practice using the live view and manual focusing.

i find using the live view, especially w/ that high resolution screen on the 5d II is the way to go w/ the big apeture primes.

Lizzy7 wrote in post #8108731
My main subject will be informal portraits of children using available light.
Liz

gasrocks wrote in post #8109501
In the world of very shallow DOF, I never trust focus and recompose unless things are very, very still and I've not had too much coffee. MF is what I rely on.

bigcountry wrote in post #8109899
once your get your hands on that 5d II, practice using the live view and manual focusing.

i find using the live view, especially w/ that high resolution screen on the 5d II is the way to go w/ the big apeture primes.

I really would like to see how you do informal portraits of children focusing manually

i am a canon zen master. they pay me to be in their CPS program.

For informal candids, the focus/recompose will not work at 1.2. It's a wonderful lens and will give you the added stop when you need it. I find you have to focus spot on at 1.2 to get the sharp focusing I want. Obviously, if you stop down, you have more forgiveness on the focus point. You won't regret getting the lens and when you get that awesome shot, you'll understand what everyone raves about.

the 85 1.2 is a lovely lens .. it is truely glued on my 5d well along with my 135 "just got it " but it is hard to do the recompose but you get used to it pretty quickly. hope you understand there is a learning curve with this lens but once you get it. WOW results are just great! you will love it but it is costly and the 85 1.8 is a fantastic lens.