85mm 1.2 version I or II

[Pinchers of Peril]

So I've been drooling over the idea of owning an 85mm 1.2 for a long time but I don't know if I can justify spending $2,000 on a mark II version. Used Mark I versions go for about half the price. My question is, have any of you actually shot with a mark I and and mark II? I know the AF is faster on the mark II and I've read that it controls flare better because of lens coating, but as far as other aspects of image quality is it worth twice the price? I've seen lots of posts with images from the mark II version, but does anybody have images taken with the mark I?- Thanks

 

[fohtohz]

qc muscle by fohtohz, on Flickr


Untitled by fohtohz, on Flickr

Shot at 1.2

I got the version 1, very sharp, but quite a bit of color fringing at 1.2 and flares more. I think it's worth it if you can get it at half the price.

 

[dirtcastle]

I think Lee Jeffries shoots with the 85L f/1.2 Mark I, based on checking out his EXIF info.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16536699@N07/
http://500px.com/LeeJeffries

I have the Mark II and would have considered the Mark I, but I wanted the faster focus speed and it is unlikely that there will be a Mark III (with improved focus) for awhile. IMO, the only major thing lacking with this lens is focus speed, and both Marks I and II suck in that department.

 

[wockawocka]

2 every time.

 

[Pinchers of Peril]

@fohtohz- great pics thanks for posting
@dirtcastle- Yeah I was curious if there would be a mark III version released but I think your right in that it probably won't be for a long time

 

[Daniel Flather]

I think Lee Jeffries shoots with the 85L f/1.2 Mark I, based on checking out his EXIF info.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16536699@N07/
http://500px.com/LeeJeffries

I have the Mark II and would have considered the Mark I, but I wanted the faster focus speed and it is unlikely that there will be a Mark III (with improved focus) for awhile. IMO, the only major thing lacking with this lens is focus speed, and both Marks I and II suck in that department.

Thanks for that link.

 

[Viggo]

Never tried mk1, but in those samples above the bokeh looks way crappy compared to the mk2, which is a big reason for buying it.

 

[dirtcastle]

I think Lee Jeffries shoots with the 85L f/1.2 Mark I, based on checking out his EXIF info.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16536699@N07/
http://500px.com/LeeJeffries

I have the Mark II and would have considered the Mark I, but I wanted the faster focus speed and it is unlikely that there will be a Mark III (with improved focus) for awhile. IMO, the only major thing lacking with this lens is focus speed, and both Marks I and II suck in that department.

Thanks for that link.

You're welcome! He's amazing, right?

Almost all of Lee's public images appear to have been shot with Mark I versions of the 24 f/1.4 L and the 85 f/1.2 L, on a Canon 5D body. For me, that's inspiring because he takes equipment that many of us, including myself, love to complain about, but does absolutely phenomenal work with it. He reminds me that the mind, not the equipment, is the most important piece of equipment. ;-)

 

[fohtohz]

Never tried mk1, but in those samples above the bokeh looks way crappy compared to the mk2, which is a big reason for buying it.

maybe the quality of the bokeh is caused by the busy backgrounds, the 1 and 2 actually don't have that big of a difference in image quality/bokeh.

main upgrades are af speed, and flare control, up to the buyer to decide if it's worth the extra money.

 

[Viggo]

Never tried mk1, but in those samples above the bokeh looks way crappy compared to the mk2, which is a big reason for buying it.

maybe the quality of the bokeh is caused by the busy backgrounds, the 1 and 2 actually don't have that big of a difference in image quality/bokeh.

main upgrades are af speed, and flare control, up to the buyer to decide if it's worth the extra money.

..and rounded aperturediaphragm.. i've shot too much with 85 mk2 to just think it's a busy background, that's what i love about the 85, it doesn't show busy background..

 

[wickidwombat]

I think the sigma 85 f1.4 is significantly better than the mk1 since its almost on a par with the mk2

 

[PaperTiger]

I can't imagine the focus on the MKI as it's absolutely hideous on the MKII.

They say slightly better CA and flare control, but the MKII is still bad for both. Purple fringing is just a fact of the matter at F1.2 with the MKII (in high contrast) so you have to shoot to control it.