1DX or 85mm 1.2?

[RLPhoto]

85L > 1Dx.

 

[Studio1930]

I own the 1DX and the 85 f/1.2 II and I can say that I would probably stick with matching camera bodies and buy the 85 if you had to spend money on something. Having matching bodies is very important unless you have crazy skills and can effortlessly switch between bodies when shots have to be made instantly (weddings can move fast). The 85 is a great lens but I find that it can be a bit unpredictable on some bodies. The DOF can be very shallow at MFD when shot f/1.2 to f/5.6 and I find it a bit slow on focus and accuracy so I would not trust it for the money shots unless they are posed. When that lens does hit, it really hits and produces some of the best shots I have ever seen (par with the 200 f/2 and 135 f/2 of which I own both).

As a side note, I have not found a church yet that had f/8 light when the bride walked down the isle (at a reasonable ISO) unless you are using flash which most are not. It must be dark here in the Midwest. :-\

 

[charlesa]

Chicken or egg question really... lens quality always supersedes body but do you do mostly fashion requiring that shallow DOF at 1.2 or fast action needing the 12 fps and the weather sealing of the body??

 

[Dylan777]

Chicken or egg question really... lens quality always supersedes body but do you do mostly fashion requiring that shallow DOF at 1.2 or fast action needing the 12 fps and the weather sealing of the body??

A friend of mine got his 1D X last friday...we went to Pomona racetrack in CA. 1D X AF+fps makes my 5D III looks like a kid toy but when we got back to Hungtinton Beach to get some sunset shots, both 5D III & 1D X IQ are neck-2-neck in term of IQ.

If you don't need speed(fps), I think add 85L to your kit is a better choice. My 2cents

 

[Tcapp]

The 85 is a little slow but if your just worried about getting a bride walking down the isle you should be fine with the 5D3. I found the lens to be extremely slow on a 5D2 so I used to keep it on a 1D4 for weddings and I even used it for college basketball at times. Now I have the 1DX and the combo is pretty dang awesome. Go for the 85L first because your missing a lot by not having this lens in your bag, you will have a hard time removing it from your camera once mounted

85L for sports
http://markwebbphoto.com/photojournalism2012/h3c590e38#h3c590e38

I love your shot of the firefighter with the hose in his hand. Amazing capture!

 

[Tcapp]

I have more than what I need to take amazing pictures in almost any situation but I after I buy something I find myself looking to the next thing to buy. I don't know what is wrong with me it is like a disease. I know I am crazy and should just be content with what I have. So if you were in my situation and you were going to buy something new would you sell one of the 5D3s and get a 1DX or would you buy the 85mm 1.2? I am a little afraid the 85mm 1.2 will be a little slow focusing at receptions similar to the 50mm 1.2.

Well, I think most of us here feel exactly the same way. I know I do!

I'm not a Wedding Photographer, but I was a Wedding Videographer for a few years, so I can relate to the importance of capturing those once in a lifetime photos. There's no do-over. I have the 85mm f/1.2L II and I shot my friends Wedding as a second shooter, but unaffiliated with the wedding photographer, so I was able to play around and let me tell you I would not trust the 85mm 1.2 for critical moments during the ceremony or reception, but it definitely can find a place in your kit, for portraits, candids, rings, non-critical reception shots, flowers and things like that.

Of course you can nail great shots with or without pre-focusing and I have, but I wouldn't trust it down the Aisle. It's heavy, the DOF is thin, and it's slow, but when you do nail it, it's spectacular.

The 1DX is obviously an Awesome Camera and I can certainly see you selling one of your 5DIII's for it, but it's also a bit heavy to shoot with all day, and you should also consider that if you shoot with two cameras at the same time, then switching from the 1DX to the 5DIII quickly may present some confusion, and the 1DX will definitely feel heavier on your shoulder, especially with the 85mm f/1.2L attached.

However, I really do love the 1DX and 85mm f/1.2L II. I'm not trying to talk you out of either. I'm just adding some of my thoughts for you to consider.

If I did have to pick one then I would recommend the 85mm 1.2L II.

Rich

Please elaborate on how the DOF is thin on a lens? If my basic photography understanding is somewhat accurate, wouldn't that depend on aperture?? Bride down the aisle is no problem with f/8. You just have to know where to meter.

Wow. As a wedding photographer myself, the only time I ever shoot anything near f8 is when I'm doing a macro with the rings and i need some extra DoF. I shoot 90% of my photos on f2 (or 2.8 with my 70-200). The rest are at f1.4. (Yes, big group shots are stopped down a tad bit more, but certainly not to f8).

My advice for the OP is to get the sigma 85 1.4. The difference between that and the canon are small, the sigma focuses faster, and it way cheaper. I love it and so will you. Shoot it wide open and be amazed. It has a significantly higher keeper rate than my canon 50.

 

[Richard Lane]

Quite a few well deserved votes for the Sigma 85mm 1.4, as it has a fine reputation as well!

Here's a nice little review comparing the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 to the Canon 85mm f/1.2L II:

http://darwinwiggett.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/sigma-85mm-f1-4-vs-canon-85mm-f1-2l-ii/


Enjoy,
Rich

 

[bdunbar79]

I have more than what I need to take amazing pictures in almost any situation but I after I buy something I find myself looking to the next thing to buy. I don't know what is wrong with me it is like a disease. I know I am crazy and should just be content with what I have. So if you were in my situation and you were going to buy something new would you sell one of the 5D3s and get a 1DX or would you buy the 85mm 1.2? I am a little afraid the 85mm 1.2 will be a little slow focusing at receptions similar to the 50mm 1.2.

Well, I think most of us here feel exactly the same way. I know I do!

I'm not a Wedding Photographer, but I was a Wedding Videographer for a few years, so I can relate to the importance of capturing those once in a lifetime photos. There's no do-over. I have the 85mm f/1.2L II and I shot my friends Wedding as a second shooter, but unaffiliated with the wedding photographer, so I was able to play around and let me tell you I would not trust the 85mm 1.2 for critical moments during the ceremony or reception, but it definitely can find a place in your kit, for portraits, candids, rings, non-critical reception shots, flowers and things like that.

Of course you can nail great shots with or without pre-focusing and I have, but I wouldn't trust it down the Aisle. It's heavy, the DOF is thin, and it's slow, but when you do nail it, it's spectacular.

The 1DX is obviously an Awesome Camera and I can certainly see you selling one of your 5DIII's for it, but it's also a bit heavy to shoot with all day, and you should also consider that if you shoot with two cameras at the same time, then switching from the 1DX to the 5DIII quickly may present some confusion, and the 1DX will definitely feel heavier on your shoulder, especially with the 85mm f/1.2L attached.

However, I really do love the 1DX and 85mm f/1.2L II. I'm not trying to talk you out of either. I'm just adding some of my thoughts for you to consider.

If I did have to pick one then I would recommend the 85mm 1.2L II.

Rich

Please elaborate on how the DOF is thin on a lens? If my basic photography understanding is somewhat accurate, wouldn't that depend on aperture?? Bride down the aisle is no problem with f/8. You just have to know where to meter.

Wow. As a wedding photographer myself, the only time I ever shoot anything near f8 is when I'm doing a macro with the rings and i need some extra DoF. I shoot 90% of my photos on f2 (or 2.8 with my 70-200). The rest are at f1.4. (Yes, big group shots are stopped down a tad bit more, but certainly not to f8).

My advice for the OP is to get the sigma 85 1.4. The difference between that and the canon are small, the sigma focuses faster, and it way cheaper. I love it and so will you. Shoot it wide open and be amazed. It has a significantly higher keeper rate than my canon 50.

Really? Why? I'm not doubting your success one bit. I just prefer on most of my shots to have a deeper DOF. Close ups and portrait shots sure, I'll shoot very wide. But some shots, like bride up the aisle, I like background in focus too. It's just my personal preference. Again, many have different styles that work for them. I use a lot of flash and I can shoot at pretty high ISO values. I won't be doing many weddings as my task has now been devoted to sports. I prefer sports because it's more fun to me personally and there's a lot less pressure than a wedding

 

[Tcapp]

I have more than what I need to take amazing pictures in almost any situation but I after I buy something I find myself looking to the next thing to buy. I don't know what is wrong with me it is like a disease. I know I am crazy and should just be content with what I have. So if you were in my situation and you were going to buy something new would you sell one of the 5D3s and get a 1DX or would you buy the 85mm 1.2? I am a little afraid the 85mm 1.2 will be a little slow focusing at receptions similar to the 50mm 1.2.

Well, I think most of us here feel exactly the same way. I know I do!

I'm not a Wedding Photographer, but I was a Wedding Videographer for a few years, so I can relate to the importance of capturing those once in a lifetime photos. There's no do-over. I have the 85mm f/1.2L II and I shot my friends Wedding as a second shooter, but unaffiliated with the wedding photographer, so I was able to play around and let me tell you I would not trust the 85mm 1.2 for critical moments during the ceremony or reception, but it definitely can find a place in your kit, for portraits, candids, rings, non-critical reception shots, flowers and things like that.

Of course you can nail great shots with or without pre-focusing and I have, but I wouldn't trust it down the Aisle. It's heavy, the DOF is thin, and it's slow, but when you do nail it, it's spectacular.

The 1DX is obviously an Awesome Camera and I can certainly see you selling one of your 5DIII's for it, but it's also a bit heavy to shoot with all day, and you should also consider that if you shoot with two cameras at the same time, then switching from the 1DX to the 5DIII quickly may present some confusion, and the 1DX will definitely feel heavier on your shoulder, especially with the 85mm f/1.2L attached.

However, I really do love the 1DX and 85mm f/1.2L II. I'm not trying to talk you out of either. I'm just adding some of my thoughts for you to consider.

If I did have to pick one then I would recommend the 85mm 1.2L II.

Rich

Please elaborate on how the DOF is thin on a lens? If my basic photography understanding is somewhat accurate, wouldn't that depend on aperture?? Bride down the aisle is no problem with f/8. You just have to know where to meter.

Wow. As a wedding photographer myself, the only time I ever shoot anything near f8 is when I'm doing a macro with the rings and i need some extra DoF. I shoot 90% of my photos on f2 (or 2.8 with my 70-200). The rest are at f1.4. (Yes, big group shots are stopped down a tad bit more, but certainly not to f8).

My advice for the OP is to get the sigma 85 1.4. The difference between that and the canon are small, the sigma focuses faster, and it way cheaper. I love it and so will you. Shoot it wide open and be amazed. It has a significantly higher keeper rate than my canon 50.

Really? Why? I'm not doubting your success one bit. I just prefer on most of my shots to have a deeper DOF. Close ups and portrait shots sure, I'll shoot very wide. But some shots, like bride up the aisle, I like background in focus too. It's just my personal preference. Again, many have different styles that work for them. I use a lot of flash and I can shoot at pretty high ISO values. I won't be doing many weddings as my task has now been devoted to sports. I prefer sports because it's more fun to me personally and there's a lot less pressure than a wedding

i would love to do sports.

I shoot wide open because im a 99% natural light shooter. I need to let the light in. And I LOVE that thin DOF. Brings the attention all on the bride. And we KNOW brides like attention.

 

[bdunbar79]

Tcapp,

I understand. You probably make the faces/people sort of "pop" out from the background? In retrospect I wish I had done more of that style in the past. This is one reason I joined this site so that I could improve and learn in all of my weak areas. Sports is quite a bit different from weddings and I'd say if I had to choose, weddings are more difficult in all areas of photography.

 

[Tcapp]

Tcapp,

I understand. You probably make the faces/people sort of "pop" out from the background? In retrospect I wish I had done more of that style in the past. This is one reason I joined this site so that I could improve and learn in all of my weak areas. Sports is quite a bit different from weddings and I'd say if I had to choose, weddings are more difficult in all areas of photography.

I agree. Sports do look fun. But hard to get into. How do you find someone willing to pay you to take sports photos. And how much money do you invest in long, fast lenses? This site really is great to learn more about our profession.

 

[bdunbar79]

Total luck. I am a graduate of the school in north central Ohio and the sports and media director was looking for a photographer for the media website and knew I was one. Ironically it turns out I knew the guy, Al, in the past. Funny how things work out. Money won't be that much. I could make more money doing weddings, easily. And yes, buying expensive zoom lenses isn't fun. I paid $9500 for a 300 f/2.8L IS I and 400 f/2.8L IS I awhile back and that was NOT fun. But how can you not have those lenses for those events, especially football and track? I would like to shoot weddings as a backup photographer instead now, when I can, because I have another full time job. But it's hard around here because, believe it not, I'm seeing a lot of wedding photographers with no backup so I am not needed in this capacity. The ideal situation would be sports fall, winter, spring, with intermittent backup wedding jobs, and in the summer doing some lead and backup wedding work. I like weddings for the pure enjoyment of the challenge, but being backup takes at least some pressure off of me. So I wouldn't mind one darn bit being backup on every wedding I went to. I just like it because I think it's fun and challenging, and I like to learn.