85mmF1.2 or 135mmF2 for portraiture

[Deadpoet]

"To TS - Price 85f1.2L = 05 x 85f1.8 You decide yourself"

So I thought buying one 85L, I rather get the following items instead based on the budget for 85L.....

I will get the (1)85mm F1.8 (2)EX 430 (3)EX 580 (4)EF 24mm F2.8 (5)EF 35 f2 (6)EF 50mmf1.4....

If money is the only thing criteria, you are correct. And if you do not care about the quality of the glass, how the 85 1.2L gives you that rich color and contrast, and the amazing bokeh, you are absolutely correct.

Otherwise, none of the 6 items you purchase can deliver what the 85 1.2L can.

 

[NorthernLights]

my sentiments exactly.

135 on a 5D is NICE! i actually find 85 on a 5D a little short. i guess it's just what u're used to, or get used to.

Wow...you came over to Canon already?

 

[NorthernLights]

"To TS - Price 85f1.2L = 05 x 85f1.8 You decide yourself"

So I thought buying one 85L, I rather get the following items instead based on the budget for 85L.....

I will get the (1)85mm F1.8 (2)EX 430 (3)EX 580 (4)EF 24mm F2.8 (5)EF 35 f2 (6)EF 50mmf1.4....

If you have used the 85f1.2L, you would be amazed what is meant by "better than excellent."

I would get one zoom to get shots I need to 'deliver the goods' but a legendary like 85L, 90mm TSE to get 'ummphh' shots that mark me out from the rest.

Try an 85L and shoot and see the surreal, rich and oftentimes, dreamy colours you cannot get from 85 f1.8 or any normal lens.

My only complaint us 85L is a cult lens and unless you make money from using it, or you shoot portraiture 4 days a week, it will be too expensive a lens to keep in the day cabinet. Also, focuses too slow and rear lens is flushed with the lens mount. Be very careful not to scratch it.

Until today, I cannot shoot something to reproduce such creamy colours and bokeh from an 85L (colours better than 135L, IMHO):

These are 85L pics shot wide open at f1.2

 

[Halfmoon]

If you have used the 85f1.2L, you would be amazed what is meant by "better than excellent."

I would get one zoom to get shots I need to 'deliver the goods' but a legendary like 85L, 90mm TSE to get 'ummphh' shots that mark me out from the rest.

Try an 85L and shoot and see the surreal, rich and oftentimes, dreamy colours you cannot get from 85 f1.8 or any normal lens.

My only complaint us 85L is a cult lens and unless you make money from using it, or you shoot portraiture 4 days a week, it will be too expensive a lens to keep in the day cabinet. Also, focuses too slow and rear lens is flushed with the lens mount. Be very careful not to scratch it.

Until today, I cannot shoot something to reproduce such creamy colours and bokeh from an 85L (colours better than 135L, IMHO):

These are 85L pics shot wide open at f1.2

I have seen your pictures before... It really is a good lens.... but I would get a 135mm for FF and a 85mm 1.8 for a 1.6 fov... too expensive as a hobby... to justify..... Really surreal, and stunning in color, richness.... hard to justify as hobby to own it....

 

[Halfmoon]

If money is the only thing criteria, you are correct. And if you do not care about the quality of the glass, how the 85 1.2L gives you that rich color and contrast, and the amazing bokeh, you are absolutely correct.

Otherwise, none of the 6 items you purchase can deliver what the 85 1.2L can.

I do not make my bucks from photography, and my income does not justify such outlay on a single lens. May I ask if you a Pro or semi pro???

I never use a L before, so I do not know what it should be like, but I will enjoy photography regardless of the lens I have. Only complain is my Sigma focus is too slow at times. But I'll still enjoy shooting..... Miss some, hit some... that's life...

Yes.... 85L is good.... amazing, but my life does not revolve around photography alone, and this is just one of my interest....

Primes are sharp, bokeh quality is great... 85L premium is only for those who really need that, Pro or people who have too much money and can afford. I will not enjoy a photo session just becos of a great lens... the experience is much more important to me. and having FUN.... Yes..... 85 1.8 is nothing to a 85L... but still.... I think I can achieve a oof and bokeh... right??

Shouldn't photography be enjoyable than just focus on the color, sharpness, and focus on composition, and techniques???

Some old pictures are shot with poor quality lens compared to today, but are also considered as classic due to the emotion it invoke, and is remembered by many.... that is the type of pic I would like to deliver.

In my list, I am able to explore various focal length, and understand more about the focal length difference, and how to frame for different focal length..... and a EX 580 with EX 430 can do a lot in flashing term....

So, 85L strength is the bokeh, color.

But I am exploring so much more areas in photography when I get the other item... is this not logical that you will wanna explore more areas in photography?? And a 50mm f1.4 aperture is very close to 1.2, and you will experience low aperture too.....

Glass quality is good, but you can learn much more with my list instead. Is it worth it in photography sense to forgo these for bokeh and color, sharpest ONLY?? 85 f1.8 is also a sharp lens too... ;p

 

[NorthernLights]

I have seen your pictures before... It really is a good lens.... but I would get a 135mm for FF and a 85mm 1.8 for a 1.6 fov... too expensive as a hobby... to justify..... Really surreal, and stunning in color, richness.... hard to justify as hobby to own it....

Yup, my 85L was sold here at the CS 1.5 years ago to someone more worthy to use it AT least he is a portrait and model shooter. One thing I have never shot is a model shootout that I simply dislike. I only did once during the Wedding photography course by PSS 3 years ago when I was on a Nikon system.

 

[Halfmoon]

Yup, my 85L was sold here at the CS 1.5 years ago to someone more worthy to use it AT least he is a portrait and model shooter. One thing I have never shot is a model shootout that I simply dislike. I only did once during the Wedding photography course by PSS 3 years ago when I was on a Nikon system.

How is the PSS wedding course? I am thinking of taking their studio class.....
:think:

 

[Hacker]

85L sample:

 

[Kongo]

Sorry for poisoning you bro.. :bsmilie:

Almost all the models & mediacorp artiste pics r taken with either 85L or 135L.

Think none in the Travel section are taken with the 85L, either zoom or 50f1.4 or 135L..

so who poisoned me with 135L ? thats Kongo.. http://www.pbase.com/kongo1 he has a mixture of shots made with 135L and 85L.. do check it out

To the TS, If use on a 1.6x crop body for wedding, I will most likely bring the 85L with a zoom in my camera bag, the 135L is a bit too long for indoor shooting..

I love the 135L for outdoor shooting, stage performance and it's one of the lens that I will hug along while travelling (at the expense of the bulky 85L)..

 

[Kongo]

Bro, thanks again for the 85L!! :bsmilie:

Yup, my 85L was sold here at the CS 1.5 years ago to someone more worthy to use it AT least he is a portrait and model shooter. One thing I have never shot is a model shootout that I simply dislike. I only did once during the Wedding photography course by PSS 3 years ago when I was on a Nikon system.

 

[miniUltraman]

Bro, thanks again for the 85L!! :bsmilie:

Brother, you are the one who has poisoned FilterFunk with 135L:bsmilie:
Upz to you.. very nice archives!!! Think I got your poison :sweat: btw what body you using that work best with 135L?

 

[Kongo]

Thanks for your compliments.. :embrass:

Errr.. not qualified to comments on which body work best with the 135L cos until now, I hv only tried my cheapo 350D on it.. all those pics are taken with the 350D plus battery grip..

But logically, the most expensive body perform best.. :bsmilie:

I am still saving money and waiting for the right timing to probably get a 2nd hand 5D, maybe when it's replacement is announced and launched.. I dunno.

I dont shoot events very much so AF speed isnt really a must. The 350D has so far been fine for my chiam-see-tong strategy.

But I do note that it does misses focusing more frequently with the 135L comparing with the 85L, dunno if a higher-end body will improve this though.. :think:

Brother, you are the one who has poisoned FilterFunk with 135L:bsmilie:
Upz to you.. very nice archives!!! Think I got your poison :sweat: btw what body you using that work best with 135L?

BTW, talking about poisoning, this chinese thread is quite toxicating for potential 135mm owner:

http://forum.xitek.com/showthread.php?threadid=425963

Do note that most of the pics are taken outdoor..

 

[miniUltraman]

opps.. more poison but thanks :bsmilie:

 

[litechaser]

85L sample:

excellent colors n bokeh . any PS used ? asking cos wanna see the actual sharpness n colors b4 PS.

 

[calebk]

...
I dont shoot events very much so AF speed isnt really a must. The 350D has so far been fine for my chiam-see-tong strategy.
...

What is your chiam-see-tong strategy? :bsmilie:

 

[Deadpoet]

I do not make my bucks from photography, and my income does not justify such outlay on a single lens. May I ask if you a Pro or semi pro???

I never use a L before, so I do not know what it should be like, but I will enjoy photography regardless of the lens I have. Only complain is my Sigma focus is too slow at times. But I'll still enjoy shooting..... Miss some, hit some... that's life...

Yes.... 85L is good.... amazing, but my life does not revolve around photography alone, and this is just one of my interest....

Primes are sharp, bokeh quality is great... 85L premium is only for those who really need that, Pro or people who have too much money and can afford. I will not enjoy a photo session just becos of a great lens... the experience is much more important to me. and having FUN.... Yes..... 85 1.8 is nothing to a 85L... but still.... I think I can achieve a oof and bokeh... right??

Shouldn't photography be enjoyable than just focus on the color, sharpness, and focus on composition, and techniques???

Some old pictures are shot with poor quality lens compared to today, but are also considered as classic due to the emotion it invoke, and is remembered by many.... that is the type of pic I would like to deliver.

In my list, I am able to explore various focal length, and understand more about the focal length difference, and how to frame for different focal length..... and a EX 580 with EX 430 can do a lot in flashing term....

So, 85L strength is the bokeh, color.

But I am exploring so much more areas in photography when I get the other item... is this not logical that you will wanna explore more areas in photography?? And a 50mm f1.4 aperture is very close to 1.2, and you will experience low aperture too.....

Glass quality is good, but you can learn much more with my list instead. Is it worth it in photography sense to forgo these for bokeh and color, sharpest ONLY?? 85 f1.8 is also a sharp lens too... ;p

The 85 1.2L is not for you apparently, and it's not for alot of people either. TS asked for a comaprison and comments between the 85 1.2L and 135 f2. The 85 1.8 was not part of the discussion until you forced it in.

Btw, if you are measuring the speed of the lens, 85's 1.2 vs the 1.8 of the other 85 and 1.4 of the 50, then you are not a candidate for the lens. having many focal length to explore, is a good thing for some photographer, especially green horns. However, the 85 1.2L is a specialised lens for portrait photographers, who have decided that this is one genre they are going into, and do not mind getting the best.

Of course the cost is steep. Since funds are not unlimited, we must get our equipment to produce what we want. Some will go for the best and get something like the 85 1.2L, and others will settle for a large variety of less quality equipment. Either way is fine, to each their own.

But if you are still searching what you like to shoot, not sure what you like, the 85 1.2L may be an overkill.

 

[Kongo]

I intend to treat the 350D as a backup body after eventually getting a more "presentable" body like the 30D or 5D as my main body.

But so far the chiam-see-tong 350D is quite hor-tong and have served me more than 2yrs as a main body already.. :bsmilie:

What is your chiam-see-tong strategy? :bsmilie:

 

[miniUltraman]

I intend to treat the 350D as a backup body after eventually getting a more "presentable" body like the 30D or 5D as my main body.

But so far the chiam-see-tong 350D is quite hor-tong and have served me more than 2yrs as a main body already.. :bsmilie:

mai tu leow... BBB :bsmilie:

 

[Halfmoon]

The 85 1.2L is not for you apparently, and it's not for alot of people either. TS asked for a comaprison and comments between the 85 1.2L and 135 f2. The 85 1.8 was not part of the discussion until you forced it in.

Btw, if you are measuring the speed of the lens, 85's 1.2 vs the 1.8 of the other 85 and 1.4 of the 50, then you are not a candidate for the lens. having many focal length to explore, is a good thing for some photographer, especially green horns. However, the 85 1.2L is a specialised lens for portrait photographers, who have decided that this is one genre they are going into, and do not mind getting the best.

Of course the cost is steep. Since funds are not unlimited, we must get our equipment to produce what we want. Some will go for the best and get something like the 85 1.2L, and others will settle for a large variety of less quality equipment. Either way is fine, to each their own.

But if you are still searching what you like to shoot, not sure what you like, the 85 1.2L may be an overkill.

Not that I do not know what I wana shoot, but it is definately an overkill for me....

I am a prime, night scene, and going into studio and lighting soon shooter....

So flashes is my focus now, with my primes, and aiming a 50mm 1.4 & 85 1.8... till budget permits.... maybe 85 1.2L..... in future.... when I am earning my money from this...

 

[Halfmoon]

mai tu leow... BBB :bsmilie:

You should change nick to BUY BUY BUY!!! :sticktong