85 f1.8 or 135L?

[CS TAN]

This thread is slowly becoming "Re: 85 f1.2 or nothing" :bsmilie:

I agree 85L and FF camera will bring out the best of this lens. After all, it is designed for FF cameras as THE portrait lens.

 

[jdbatino]

3. Try the 85 f1.8 on crop factor - get disappointed by the tightness, and weaker colours.

4. Try the 85 f1.8 on full frame - get impressed and perhaps poisoned to full frame.

:

With 85 1.8, will increasing saturation and contrast in picture styles make the output similar to 85 1.2 ? :think: with both on a full frame and and both apertures set F 1.8.

 

[vlg134]

Hehehe... i had the "just hobbyist" thought before i got the 85L f1.2.

You think you will not have a use for it, but if you got the moolah, psycho yourself and get it, because it is a life-changer. Post-purchase, i have been completely poisoned and only shoot wide-open for portraiture.

hahahaha! I am getting there

The guide to getting poisoned by the 85 f1.2L for your case;

1. Try the 50 f1.2L - get disappointed. It's a princess in focus accuracy, and strangely enough, in broad daylight it's bad, if you can live with this, on APS-C it is very similar to using 85L with smaller apertures on a full-frame.

2. Try the 85 f1.2 on cropfactor - preliminary impressed by colours and contrast, not so happy cos tight; start dreaming.

3. Try the 85 f1.8 on crop factor - get disappointed by the tightness, and weaker colours.

4. Try the 85 f1.8 on full frame - get impressed and perhaps poisoned to full frame.

5. Buy a 5D1 or maybe any other FF.

6. Itchy fingers go try a 85 f1.2L again on your 5D1. Complete and final lethal poisoning.

7. BBB. :thumbsup:

!!!!! :sweat:

No. I am happy with my 7D now. hahaa ;p

 

[happydog]

Have not tried a 85 f1.8. I own a 135L which help me a lot in low light shooting, like disneyland night parade and concert performance (without flash). Love the color from this lens.

 

[surrephoto]

With 85 1.8, will increasing saturation and contrast in picture styles make the output similar to 85 1.2 ? :think: with both on a full frame and and both apertures set F 1.8.

Definately not. Dark details and colour renditon is definitely much better on the 85L.

When directly comparing a 85L and 85 1.8, i've noticed that the difference in coating gives the 85 1.8 a distinct "greener" look to the images, and less refined curves in the shadows. This is the differing point of these 2 lens for portraiture use imho.

 

[vlg134]

Definately not. Dark details and colour renditon is definitely much better on the 85L.

When directly comparing a 85L and 85 1.8, i've noticed that the difference in coating gives the 85 1.8 a distinct "greener" look to the images, and less refined curves in the shadows. This is the differing point of these 2 lens for portraiture use imho.

then how far u need to stay away from the object to take a proper foto?

 

[andeelym]

That's why I sold my 70-200 f/2.8 IS+1.4x II ($2,500+$380=$2,880) and get the 135L+Kenko 1.4x ($1,320+$147=$1,467) and still have almost $1.2k spare for another lens...

I am still able to shoot the 135L at f/2.8 with the 1.4x extender at 189mm focal length...

Dun mind me asking, but why did you sell off the 1.4x II instead of keeping it to use with the 135L?

I mean, since you have the Canon 1.4x, why did you sell it off for the Kenko 1.4x? Are the IQ the same? Cos I am planning to buy one to extend the reach of my 85L instead of buying a 135L. Not sure if its a wise choice.

 

[Stoppable]

Why not buy a second (cropped) body (can also use as back-up) to extend reach?

 

[pokiemon]

i think in summary it all depends on how far you are away from the subject.

for me, i would pay alittle more and invest in the 135L. it is a pretty sharp lens with nice bokeh.

 

[CS TAN]

Dun mind me asking, but why did you sell off the 1.4x II instead of keeping it to use with the 135L?

I mean, since you have the Canon 1.4x, why did you sell it off for the Kenko 1.4x? Are the IQ the same? Cos I am planning to buy one to extend the reach of my 85L instead of buying a 135L. Not sure if its a wise choice.

First regarding you 85L with Canon 1.4x - it will NOT work. Canon designed their extenders to work with selected telephoto lens (primes > 100mm and zoom > 70mm). Refer to this LINK from Canon for compatibility. Here is a discussion on 85L with Kenko 1.4x LINK from another forum.

And that is part of my reason to go with Kenko. Kenko will work with all EF lenses (not EF-S).

I sold my Canon extender for around $400 and get the Kenko 1.4x around $150 (gray set with shop warranty). IQ-wise, there is not much difference between the two but Canon has a better built as compare to Kenko

And lastly, the Kenko extender is black in color so it matches my 135mm better.

 

[abcd-1234]

First regarding you 85L with Canon 1.4x - it will NOT work. Canon designed their extenders to work with selected telephoto lens (primes > 100mm and zoom > 70mm). Refer to this LINK from Canon for compatibility. Here is a discussion on 85L with Kenko 1.4x LINK from another forum.

And that is part of my reason to go with Kenko. Kenko will work with all EF lenses (not EF-S).

I sold my Canon extender for around $400 and get the Kenko 1.4x around $150 (gray set with shop warranty). IQ-wise, there is not much difference between the two but Canon has a better built as compare to Kenko

And lastly, the Kenko extender is black in color so it matches my 135mm better.

CS Tan: which shop did you get your Kenko extender from? Do you mind sharing with us? Thanks.

 

[CS TAN]

CS Tan: which shop did you get your Kenko extender from? Do you mind sharing with us? Thanks.

Have sent you a PM on this. Don't want to be seen as promoting for the shop.

 

[vlg134]

i think in summary it all depends on how far you are away from the subject.

for me, i would pay alittle more and invest in the 135L. it is a pretty sharp lens with nice bokeh.

I just imagine if I am to use the 135, the chance is I will fall into sth while trying to find space to shoot :bsmilie:. Don't laugh. I know myself.

Last sat I already climb up things so I can have enough clearance to shoot indoor with the 85mm. LOL.

 

[vlg134]

First regarding you 85L with Canon 1.4x - it will NOT work. Canon designed their extenders to work with selected telephoto lens (primes > 100mm and zoom > 70mm). Refer to this LINK from Canon for compatibility. Here is a discussion on 85L with Kenko 1.4x LINK from another forum.

And that is part of my reason to go with Kenko. Kenko will work with all EF lenses (not EF-S).

I sold my Canon extender for around $400 and get the Kenko 1.4x around $150 (gray set with shop warranty). IQ-wise, there is not much difference between the two but Canon has a better built as compare to Kenko

And lastly, the Kenko extender is black in color so it matches my 135mm better.

how is the IQ when you use with the extender?

woww... you all use prime lens. hahaha... "Canon 5D Mark II | 24-105L | 35L | 85L II | 135L " then gotta bring them all out when you go shoot?

 

[CS TAN]

how is the IQ when you use with the extender?

woww... you all use prime lens. hahaha... "Canon 5D Mark II | 24-105L | 35L | 85L II | 135L " then gotta bring them all out when you go shoot?

IMHO, there is no difference in IQ. That's why I sold my Canon 1.4x.

I normally will bring my 24-105 and one prime lens with me depending on what I will be shooting. For travel, I will just use the 24-105. Am looking at a EF mount Voigtlander Color-Skopar 20mm f/3.5 to bring with me when traveling as it is such a small and light lens to carry in the bag. MF at 20mm is pretty straight forward.

 

[surrephoto]

then how far u need to stay away from the object to take a proper foto?

Anywhere between 1 to 10 metres, depending on what i want to shoot.

 

[andeelym]

Why not buy a second (cropped) body (can also use as back-up) to extend reach?

Additional costs and the hassle of carrying another body around. Also, I feel that the cropped body will not give the same IQ as the main body, depending on what you use. Do correct me if I am wrong.

First regarding you 85L with Canon 1.4x - it will NOT work. Canon designed their extenders to work with selected telephoto lens (primes > 100mm and zoom > 70mm). Refer to this LINK from Canon for compatibility. Here is a discussion on 85L with Kenko 1.4x LINK from another forum.

And that is part of my reason to go with Kenko. Kenko will work with all EF lenses (not EF-S).

I sold my Canon extender for around $400 and get the Kenko 1.4x around $150 (gray set with shop warranty). IQ-wise, there is not much difference between the two but Canon has a better built as compare to Kenko

And lastly, the Kenko extender is black in color so it matches my 135mm better.

Thanks for the links and the rationale. Also, will you still be able to AF with the kenko extender?

 

[CS TAN]

Thanks for the links and the rationale. Also, will you still be able to AF with the kenko extender?

Yes, AF works same as Canon 1.4x - Up to f/5.6 so you can have a f/4.0 lens and AF will still work after you add the 1.4x extender (increase 1 stop to f/5.6).

 

[andeelym]

Yes, AF works same as Canon 1.4x - Up to f/5.6 so you can have a f/4.0 lens and AF will still work after you add the 1.4x extender (increase 1 stop to f/5.6).

And if I use it for 85L f1.2, how much will it be at? f1.4?

 

[CS TAN]

And if I use it for 85L f1.2, how much will it be at? f1.4?

f/1.8 @ 119mm (FF) - still 1/3 stop faster than 135L at f/2.0