Have an 85L, thinking about switching to 85/1.8. Am I crazy?

So I've been kicking this idea around for a little while, and I'm on the verge of selling my 85L. My main reason is that while the bokeh at f1.2 is ridiculously cool, the keeper rate for my particular type of shooting is very low (lots of kid/toddler shots) and I'm usually stopping down to f/2.8 or more anyway. So, I'm kind of thinking that the faster AF of the 85 1.8 could be a blessing, and of course the big chunk of change I'd have in my pocket could be put to use buying more goodies like teleconverters and what not.

Has anyone made the switch from the 85L to the 85 1.8? Am I completely insane for thinking about giving up this lens?

I owned the 85L for ~two years and I was convinced it was the best lens ever and that nothing could compare.

I bought an 85/1.8 to shoot basketball, and after using both lenses side by side for about four months I came to realize that it was very difficult to spot any difference between them.

After I switched to the 1D Mark 4, I reached the point where I can shoot indoor sports at f/2.8, so I bought the 24-70 and 70-200/2.8 II for indoor sports.

I analyzed my (non-sports) usage of the 85L, 85/1.8 and 135L and discovered that I was almost never using any of these lenses below f/2.8, and below f/2 never. So I sold all of my primes and consolidated to just four main zooms between 16mm and 400mm. Since you have a 70-200/2.8 II, you could skip the 85mm prime too, unless you are wanting it for the lighter weight while shooting.

Unless you really need/want primes, I don't know why you need an 85 at all with your line up. You have excellent zooms especially if you're chasing kids around!

If I didn't use the lens, I'd sell it for something I would use. That said, the 85 1.8 is a fine lens. I had one that I used for sports and ended up selling it once I started using the 70-200 II. My 85L is only used when I want/need apertures wider than 2.8.

I think you would enjoy the 85/1.8. You have great zooms and it's a nice prime to have.

Dr.Pete wrote in post #11546415
So I've been kicking this idea around for a little while, and I'm on the verge of selling my 85L. My main reason is that while the bokeh at f1.2 is ridiculously cool, the keeper rate for my particular type of shooting is very low (lots of kid/toddler shots) and I'm usually stopping down to f/2.8 or more anyway. So, I'm kind of thinking that the faster AF of the 85 1.8 could be a blessing, and of course the big chunk of change I'd have in my pocket could be put to use buying more goodies like teleconverters and what not.

Has anyone made the switch from the 85L to the 85 1.8? Am I completely insane for thinking about giving up this lens?

Sounds like a very good idea to me. You really really have to need f/1.2 badly to buy that lens.

In comparison, 85 1.8 is a very sweet bargain

Fodowsky wrote in post #11546461
Unless you really need/want primes, I don't know why you need an 85 at all with your line up. You have excellent zooms especially if you're chasing kids around!

Yeah, I tend to agree-both the 24-70 and the 70-200 II are amazing in terms of IQ and are more versatile. Even now, the 85L only comes out rarely when i want to play with narrow DOF/bokeh/etc. From looking at the image archives I get the sense that the 85/1.8 will still give me what I want in that regard, while lightening my bag quite a bit. I also think that if I'm going to have an L prime, the 50L is where it's at for me in terms of focal lengths I like to use most frequently.

If you only need f2.8, sell the 85L and use the 70-200 MK II instead. I found once I got this lens, that my 85 f1.8 was no longer used and thus sold.

jrscls wrote in post #11546512
If you only need f2.8, sell the 85L and use the 70-200 MK II instead. I found once I got this lens, that my 85 f1.8 was no longer used and thus sold.

I already have the 70-200 Mk2, and part of the reason I find myself debating this is because the 85L isn't getting nearly as much use anymore as a result of that purchase... still nice to have a prime in the bag from time to time though.

I had both and kept the 85 1.8 and sold the L. The L was EXCELLENT when used within it's limitations. But I found the 1.8 had less limitations to compromise on for my needs. Especially considering the 1.8 is still no slouch at at in image quality. It is also the best performing lens I have in terms of autofocus speed, consistency, and accuracy. Better than any of my L lenses. "Old faithful" would be a good name for this lens.

That and you can buy a used 85 1.8 and 50L set for the price you can sell it.

...to further muddy the waters ... JefferyG response makes a lot of sense. His post was a good example of how shooters kind of morph through lens choices over time. He now prefers zooms over primes. I'm still, for the most part, in the primes stage. Neither is right or wrong, just personal preference based on experience and shooting requirements.

I've not owned the coveted 85L, but do own the 85 f/1.8 and am very impressed with it. Just last week, I picked up Sigma's 85 f/1.4 and am overboard impressed with this lens. It's a stunner.

Not sure what you can flip an 85L for these days, but the Sigma is about half the cost (new) and MUCH more impressive than my 85 f/1.8 which will go up for grabs when basketball season concludes in Feb. 2011. Canon's 85 1.8 is still quicker to focus and a bit more accurate locking onto moving targets, (basketball players) than the Sigma, but again, I'll be out of that biz in Feb. so keeping the Sigma makes more sense to me right now.

Choices. Too many, for sure!

dave

If you want to have your cake and eat it too, sell your L and get the new Sigma 85 1.4. According to reviews and users on its thread here at POTN it is virtually just as good as the L, but with better AF and costs half as much.

Mookalafalas wrote in post #11546899
If you want to have your cake and eat it too, sell your L and get the new Sigma 85 1.4. According to reviews and users on its thread here at POTN it is virtually just as good as the L, but with better AF and costs half as much.

I would take a look at that. I have the sigma 85 and I'm very happy with it!