Holy hand grenade

Congrats on the purchase

I'm sure it's a fine lens, but what I don't get is that do you actually think that any of those photos wouldn't look better with it stopped down a bit? You can't even keep a whole beak in focus. Hell, can you even get a persons whole eye in focus?

P.S. I still want one and can't afford one, just not sure how usable F/1.2@85mm actually is.

phreeky wrote in post #8871501
Congrats on the purchase

...what I don't get is that do you actually think that any of those photos wouldn't look better with it stopped down a bit? You can't even keep a whole beak in focus. Hell, can you even get a persons whole eye in focus?

P.S. I still want one and can't afford one, just not sure how usable F/1.2@85mm actually is.

Well, I think you should NOT purchase the 85L if "not enough DOF" is what you think with the pictures

That's a great bird shot! The cat under the table has kind of crummy lighting so not much you could have done with that...(and the WB seems a tad off)

Enjoy your lens! I'm stuck with the f/1.8, but I dream about the L from time to time...

The only 2 downsides really are the CA and chopped bokeh. Love the 85L!

yeah, what is with the football bokeh and the heavy green fringing?

majipoor wrote in post #8871656
Well, I think you should NOT purchase the 85L if "not enough DOF" is what you think with the pictures

Since when is stopping down and wanting the subjects properly in focus become taboo?

I'm sure it has its artistic merits in certain situations, but I guess like most of the ultra expensive primes the use becomes quite specific.

P.S. That really is some severe fringing. The bokeh is unusual but I don't think it's ugly as such.

the thread title is funny! this lens is a tank and yes it really does deliver! I stop down all the time with this lens and it still delivers!

Don't show me cute kitties...now I HAVE TO BUY the 85L.

Congrats, enjoy and take a lot of snaps with that keg...

Jason C

phreeky wrote in post #8871910
Since when is stopping down and wanting the subjects properly in focus become taboo?

I'm sure it has its artistic merits in certain situations, but I guess like most of the ultra expensive primes the use becomes quite specific.

P.S. That really is some severe fringing. The bokeh is unusual but I don't think it's ugly as such.

It is obviously not taboo, but I don't see a good reason to purchase a 85L and use it most of the time at f/2 or more.

You say "the bokeh is unusual but I don't think it's ugly as such." while I LOVE the bokeh you get at f/1.2. Why would you purchase such an expensive lens if you find the bokeh just "not ugly"?

The fringing is indeed an issue at f/1.2, but same issue with other ultra fast lenses wide open.

majipoor wrote in post #8872320
It is obviously not taboo, but I don't see a good reason to purchase a 85L and use it most of the time at f/2 or more.

You say "the bokeh is unusual but I don't think it's ugly as such." while I LOVE the bokeh you get at f/1.2. Why would you purchase such an expensive lens if you find the bokeh just "not ugly"?

The fringing is indeed an issue at f/1.2, but same issue with other ultra fast lenses wide open.

The DOF is great, the bokeh (out of focus light highlights) is not that great. Near the bottom of the frame, the highlights get chopped and on the left/right, you get funny shapes. However, the lens makes up for it with DOF control, light gathering abilities, and sharpness.

The helicopter shot above demonstrates the strange bokeh results, and on the bottom 1/3 of the shot, you can see where something chops the top off the highlights, like the shutter curtain or something? I cannot remember what was determined to have caused this, there are other threads on this.

majipoor wrote in post #8872320
It is obviously not taboo, but I don't see a good reason to purchase a 85L and use it most of the time at f/2 or more.

that's pretty much how I use this lens (f/2 and higher) and love it - it is an extraordinary lens

Nice lens

lol, when a bird lands at MFD from your face you tend not to ponder the correct settings; it was gone in a second.

Indeed, I took that pic inside someone's basement also, the lighting was really actually yellow/warm, more so than in the pic.

And seeing as that day was my first time using it, I'd say not bad for a first time prime lens user. obviously, once I get over "wow this is so cool" I'll stop shooting f/1.2 all the time. at least it's not a fisheye.
As for the CA, I'm sure you can get rid of it with a bit of PS work, but I didn't spend more than a minute on any of these.
The chopped bokeh actually doesn't bother me at all, and really, non of the other "problems". one doesn't get a lens this expensive unless they know what they're getting into.

this lens sucks! you should sent it to me!!

on another note if i didnt do weddings i would sell my 24-70 and my 70-200 for this lens and call it a day!