85 L vs 85 L II

Can anybody tell me the difference between the 85 L & the 85 L II ? Thanks

Version II has:
1.8x faster autofocus.
New lens coatings: Flare is markedly reduced which results in better image contrast in unusual lighting situations.
Round aperture diaphragm to f/2.5: Results in smoothed out of focus aperture diaphragm patterns at apertures from f/1.4 to f/2.5.
Electronics changes to support E-TTL II flash function.

As described here: http://www.wlcastleman​.com/equip/reviews/85m​m/index.htm
Optically, they are identical, so unless you really need the features noted above (mainly AF performance) you'd be better off with the original.

The 85LII's AF motor still has 2x more "steps" then similar lenses in this focal length range, so AF takes about twice as long as on my 70-200 f/4 IS, for example (similarly it takes 2x as much turns of the focus ring to go from infinity to MFD.)

Kolor-Pikker wrote in post #9891812
Version II has:
1.8x faster autofocus.
New lens coatings: Flare is markedly reduced which results in better image contrast in unusual lighting situations.
Round aperture diaphragm to f/2.5: Results in smoothed out of focus aperture diaphragm patterns at apertures from f/1.4 to f/2.5.
Electronics changes to support E-TTL II flash function.

As described here: http://www.wlcastleman​.com/equip/reviews/85m​m/index.htm
Optically, they are identical, so unless you really need the features noted above (mainly AF performance) you'd be better off with the original.

The 85LII's AF motor still has 2x more "steps" then similar lenses in this focal length range, so AF takes about twice as long as on my 70-200 f/4 IS, for example (similarly it takes 2x as much turns of the focus ring to go from infinity to MFD.)

Thanks for the quick reply. I really don't know if I do need the extra options & faster AF. Would you concider the 85 L slow?

I posted a similar thread a few weeks ago. I used to have the Mark I which I sold - wanted to know whether it was worth getting the Mark II over another Mark I now that I needed the focal length again.

I ended up getting a Mark II as the used prices weren't that different. The focus is slightly faster than I remember the original to be but if you have to wait for it to go to infinity and back it's still painfully slow. The trick is to make sure you focus on something that will acheive a lock first-time.

The other improvements are minor but noticeable in the right situation. It's nice to be able to stop down a bit and still get pretty-much circular oof highlights.

Kolor-Pikker wrote in post #9891812
Version II has:

The 85LII's AF motor still has 2x more "steps" then similar lenses in this focal length range, so AF takes about twice as long as on my 70-200 f/4 IS, for example (similarly it takes 2x as much turns of the focus ring to go from infinity to MFD.)

I don't see why having more steps would necessarily mean it focuses slower. More likely the size and weight of the moving elements which probably explains the focus by wire so any relation to turns vs movement is purely the decision of the design team. They could make it 180 or 360 degrees without changing any hardware, other than adjusting the electronic paramamters, I would think.

Trudaroof wrote in post #9891882
Thanks for the quick reply. I really don't know if I do need the extra options & faster AF. Would you concider the 85 L slow?

Both versions are slow, it's just that version I is slower. I purchased Version I used and for me, the difference between the two versions wasn't worth the price spread. Since it's a hobby for me, I'm happy to have a great lens at a good price. I didn't "need" the features of version II. You'll have to determine if you need any of those features for what you shoot.

EcoRick wrote in post #9893304
Both versions are slow, it's just that version I is slower. I purchased Version I used and for me, the difference between the two versions wasn't worth the price spread. Since it's a hobby for me, I'm happy to have a great lens at a good price. I didn't "need" the features of version II. You'll have to determine if you need any of those features for what you shoot.

I'm just shootin' freinds & family.... so with a $500 difference the 85 L I will have to do. As always You guys are a great help. THANKS

As long as your subjects are posing, the version 1 will deliver awesome pictures

alainvd wrote in post #9893671
As long as your subjects are posing, the version 1 will deliver awesome pictures

You make it sound as though the 85 L I is painfully slow????

I had the MKII and it was about just as slow as the MKI which is what I have now. The MKII I had I bought used and even though it was in great condition it had a spec inside it didn't come up in pics but it was there and my MKI is as clean a 85L as I've seen.

I was shooting a party last might and it was a kids party and the MKI kept up pretty well you just have to keep it focused close to the action so it doesn't have to do a infinity and back focus.

Whichever version you choose they are both magical.

Trudaroof wrote in post #9893784
You make it sound as though the 85 L I is painfully slow????

Not painfully slow. But if your body miss the focus, it goes to infinity and back to MFD. that takes about 3 seconds on my bodies. Which is quite long if you want to shoot action and fast paced kids running everywhere

Trudaroof wrote in post #9893784
You make it sound as though the 85 L I is painfully slow????

It is pretty slow, when I used it the lens was the slowest to focus of all the lenses I've used. (I've only used the mark I) But the pictures from it are gorgeous.

bohdank wrote in post #9892483
I don't see why having more steps would necessarily mean it focuses slower. More likely the size and weight of the moving elements which probably explains the focus by wire so any relation to turns vs movement is purely the decision of the design team. They could make it 180 or 360 degrees without changing any hardware, other than adjusting the electronic paramamters, I would think.

I think the 85L was deliberately made to focus slower as f/1.2 and 85mm make for a pretty extreme combo, so it's more proper to call the lens "accurate" than slow.

Since modern AF systems work by racking focus back and forth until the area of contrast that you are focusing on appears "sharp" to the AF sensor, a slower speed is needed as there is a very small window where the AF sensor would be able to detect any sharpness at all, especially at MFD (which is probably why half of the focus scale is dedicated to distances from just 0.95~1.7meters).

Also, I can't remember where, but I once read that the 85L uses a large USM as used in Canon's super-telephoto lenses to help push the lens elements around... could be wrong though.

Kolor-Pikker wrote in post #9898354
I think the 85L was deliberately made to focus slower as f/1.2 and 85mm make for a pretty extreme combo, so it's more proper to call the lens "accurate" than slow.

Since modern AF systems work by racking focus back and forth until the area of contrast that you are focusing on appears "sharp" to the AF sensor, a slower speed is needed as there is a very small window where the AF sensor would be able to detect any sharpness at all, especially at MFD (which is probably why half of the focus scale is dedicated to distances from just 0.95~1.7meters).

Also, I can't remember where, but I once read that the 85L uses a large USM as used in Canon's super-telephoto lenses to help push the lens elements around... could be wrong though.

So this lense really dials in for super IQ? I like that. It's a shame that in the 85 L sample photo forum nobody distinguished between the 1st & 2nd version. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on this one. Looks like I can get one for about $1200-$1300

alainvd wrote in post #9894236
Not painfully slow. But if your body miss the focus, it goes to infinity and back to MFD. that takes about 3 seconds on my bodies. Which is quite long if you want to shoot action and fast paced kids running everywhere

You can disable it racking AF if it can't lock on. I do this - then I'll nudge the focus ring closer or further and re-AF. Much faster than letting it rack full in and full out.