Advise on EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM


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OK one last question and i hope you can bear with me.

For both 40D or 5D, in which order would you buy the following lens supposing it's not in your arsenal yet :-

1)EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM
2)EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM
3)EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM
4)EF 135mm f/2.0 L USM

Bearing in mind the various criteria from the thread so far... i.e Portrait, indoors and outdoors, bokeh ( must be heaps better than the f/4L lenses ) etc etc.

Thanks in advance!

The bokeh for 85/1.2 and 135/2 are great (which I can comment on because I got both of them) but they probably more suited for FF. I would buy 135 first for FF since it is the cheapest in this range.
 

A bit OT, I was thinking of getting a 50 1.4 before reading this thread, but after reading all the praises for the 85 1.8, I am kinda swayed to get a 85 1.8 instead. Now, I am wondering which one should I get first??!! (everytime I visit the forums, I get brainwashed, evil thoughts come pouring in :devil:)

Well for you it's just brainwashed. For me it's much deeper than that. I am being consumed. Assimilated. Just like the borgs. I have way pass the point of no return. If only barter trade still exist, i will offer to be a slave to the princess of japan, just so i can own the entire EOS collection.... hehhe
 

A bit OT, I was thinking of getting a 50 1.4 before reading this thread, but after reading all the praises for the 85 1.8, I am kinda swayed to get a 85 1.8 instead. Now, I am wondering which one should I get first??!! (everytime I visit the forums, I get brainwashed, evil thoughts come pouring in :devil:)

Not OT in my opinion. Or i should change the title to "Advise needed for all Canon prime lens".

The trouble is i am still considering lens to suit my 40D, and while doing that i am trying to make a purchase that will future proof my impending FF body. While the 50L now suits me fine, it's not so for FF. That's why i am in such a dilemma as i only have enough funds for 1 super prime for now. Zooms may be the way but it does not offer the same performance as primes... ... Haiz.
 

If I get ever the 85L, it's because I'm shooting weddings/events which happens in low light condition, so I need that 1.2. But if I were to go out with the family/travel, I would rather bring the 1.8 out as it's lighter and faster. Also if you are traveling and someone stole your gears.. at least it's not that bad compared with losing the 85L. I got the 50 1.4 which I think it's best for 40D. It feels just right. After I got the 5D, I still use the 50 most of time because of the space constraint in HDB. I use the 85 1.8 only when outdoors or in big halls. So my recommendation is to get the 50 1.4 and 85 1.8 together and still have spare change for your next FF cam purchase. BBB!
 

Some of my 85 1.2L shots using 1Ds Mark 3:

lito2emailig7.jpg

bonbonda6.jpg

brucexk3.jpg

leavesra6.jpg


THE POMERANIANS' WERE TAKEN WITH FLASH, ALL APERTURES AT WIDEST - 1.2!
I JUST LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS LENS!!!!
 

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Ok now this is the first post i read so far that states the 1.2L's AF is not that slow. Perhaps so far the comparison is between the 1.2 and 1.8 and relatively, it's slow, i really dont know.

My application is outdoors AND indoors and i am hopeless at manual focusing coz i have "four eyes". Unless i get the bronica with super gigantic view finder, i will still need the AF to do the job for me.

My concern thus far is therefore if the 1.2L is up to the task for photographing my kiddos. Coz that will be the most limiting criteria. Everyone else, including my colleagues ( yeah pingpongsong said that ) will be pretty still unless they are absolutely HIGH... hehe

If your answer is a resounding YES! then i will reconsider the 1.2L again as i really want to have the ultimate for this focal length. :confused:


BTW, I have shot table tennis matches with 85 F1.2LMk2. Cos for table tennis, no flash is allow and high shutterspeed is need to freeze motion. Keeper rate 60-70%, will need to go find which are the shots that I used with the 1.2L. Very nice results.
 

Hey bros, get me offer you guys an insight. while I agree to most people here that the TS has not need the 85mm f1.2 mk2. Its not as slow as everyone in the internet talks about.

I have both versions on the 85mm, f1.8 and f1.2 and I can seriously vouch the lens can focus quick enough for my usage for moving people, etc. The only disclaimer to this is under every low lighting where is hunts, even the 1.8 version will have problems finding its focus too, even though it focus quickly.

The 85mm 1.2 IS NOT THAT SLOW THAT IT CANNOT BE USED FOR ACTION! Lots of people can talk about it but how can have really use the lens enough to understand its REAL strengths?


I also agree that 85/1.2 mk2 is not as that slow as describe by others. At least to me it's decent enough to take my 8 mths old baby
 

Don't get Leaf. You're better off with Phase One.

Plans are still on paper....cos just paid for a trip to Europe....will research on both, and see if I can consider it in 3 years time(when my endowment plans mature).
 

Plans are still on paper....cos just paid for a trip to Europe....will research on both, and see if I can consider it in 3 years time(when my endowment plans mature).

Let's talk on PM/MSN since this is getting OT.
 

Plans are still on paper....cos just paid for a trip to Europe....will research on both, and see if I can consider it in 3 years time(when my endowment plans mature).

May i ask , for a trip like europe. Which body and lens will you take along with you?

Tks.
 

Some of my 85 1.2L shots using 1Ds Mark 3:

THE POMERANIANS' WERE TAKEN WITH FLASH, ALL APERTURES AT WIDEST - 1.2!
I JUST LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS LENS!!!!

Tks for the pics! It's really nice to be able to totally isolate the subject for pic#1. He must be really happy with the pic when you show him the results... hehe

Also i am surprise that at 1.2, it's still quite sharp for the rest of your pics.

Will certainly try to post my own pics as soon as i get mine ;)
 

Haha.. I think he already infected deeply with L lust.. I think no amount of persussion can stop TS from getting 85L. Let's just talk less and shoot more.. hehe
 

Yeah... ... i am Longman's defination of fickle.

Decided to get the L.

Thanks for all your input!

I guess you have a 4th stage of the L cancer like me.....:sweat: No cure for the moment. Easier to find cure for aids then this type of cancer.:what:
 

Some of my 85 1.2L shots using 1Ds Mark 3:

lito2emailig7.jpg

bonbonda6.jpg

brucexk3.jpg

leavesra6.jpg


THE POMERANIANS' WERE TAKEN WITH FLASH, ALL APERTURES AT WIDEST - 1.2!
I JUST LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS LENS!!!!

Welcome to CS!!:)
 

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