Canon 85L - How difficult is it to master?
keithinmelbourne
Registered Users Posts: 92 Big grins
I'm seriously toying with buying the 85L. I've seen many wonderful shots taken with this lens and would like to join the party. However, having handled one in a shop I'm also aware that it's not the easiest lens to use. What have others experience been? I have the 50L and have been pleasantly surprised by its user friendliness, but the 85L seems to be another level of difficulty.
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I can't speak from experience, but I've heard that lens is great for some indoor sports where you need something super fast and a little bit of reach is welcome.
So I'm left wishing I had a 50mm, but I know the 85 would be fantastic if I could find its sweet spot.
Lenses: Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR II | Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 | Nikon 50mm f/1.4
Lighting: SB-910 | SU-800
What difficulty? Shooting wide open? Perhaps that is what you speak of. I rented the 85L version-2 recently I found it way heavy, way slow to focus, but supreme in image rendering. In fact I shot a video of actors on stage from about 10m @f/2 and found it just crystal! brilliant optics.
To be honest, it's JUST a portrait lens. Your subjects ought to be holding still, you ought to be holding still or better yet, on a tripod / monopod, ESPECIALLY if you'd like to shoot at closer distances and wide open.
Implying, of course, the 85 L is NOT meant to be an action / candid lens. Hands-down, as a wedding and event photographer I would NEVER consider the 85 L over the 85 1.8... The 85 1.8 is sooooo snappy and accurate when focusing, it is just a matter of consistency as a reliable professional tool.
Especially if you're shooting on a 5-series Canon, instead of a 1-series. The 1-series bodies do quite well at focusing the f/1.2 lenses; you still get quite a few shots that are just BARELY out of focus when shooting at f/1.2 or f/2, but not nearly as many as with a 5D mk2 for example.
Disclaimer- I am in fact a Nikon shooter, but I have actually shot extensively with just about every Canon body and lens currently in production. I do prefer Nikon's focus accuracy, and the fact that Nikon makes their pro-grade 85mm an f/1.4 aperture instead of f/1.2, I believe is a huge advantage with focus speed and accuracy..
=Matt=
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Well spoken...
twin Mark IV's & a bunch of "L" glass
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Mumon is right! "Every day is a good day!"
http://www.keithbroadphotography.com/
Take a photograph using your best AF technique, quickly reacquire AF and then take another. The more images you take the better your chances for one that is just as you want it. This is a lot easier to do with a true "model" with experience because they can take direction, but it will work with anyone.
For those times when you have a static subject and you can work with a tripod, use live view to guarantee that prime focus is where you want and need it.
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Ok, here you go. http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=397&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=2&LensComp=106&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0
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Then when I got home took a few of my dog, Ike:
With the 5D2
With the 1DmkIII
These are pretty much straight out of the camera (with a bit of cropping). I found the focus with 85L and 5D2 to be pretty good - not fast, but pretty accurate. I'm very pleased, so far
Mumon is right! "Every day is a good day!"
http://www.keithbroadphotography.com/
twin Mark IV's & a bunch of "L" glass
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The 85 1.8 is ok (although, if I'm honest, I always preferred the 100 f2 sister-lens), but I have to say.... the bokeh ain't nothing like the 1.2. It's my main "wishlist' lens, although I may move up in stages via the Sigma 85 1.4.
But the bokeh that 1.2 lens produces - that and the 135L for sure have "magic dust" ground into the glass!
(PS Gorgeous dog!!)
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Yes, Ike is a lovely old fella. I took all the shots at f1.2.
I should also add that on both the 5D2 and 1DmkIII bodies the lens does not need any micro-adjustment. Maybe Canon tunes the f1.2s more finely?
Mumon is right! "Every day is a good day!"
http://www.keithbroadphotography.com/
Whenever someone scoffs at the idea of using a Sigma lens instead of the legendary Canon 85 L, I just shrug and keep on shooting. The pictures look gorgeous and the focusing is snappy and accurate. :-)
=Matt=
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I've considered purchasing this lens for quite some time & was just looking at it 30 minutes ago. The reviews online collectively mirror your thoughts about the lens as well. Do you have any samples you could share? Thanks Matt.
twin Mark IV's & a bunch of "L" glass
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I'll rent it again before the end of the year; I'm still deciding between the Nikon 85 1.4 AFS and the Sigma 85 1.4 EX. When I do rent it, I'll be sure to do a more appropriate test...
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum