A New 85L is on the Way [CR2]

[Canon Rumors]

We’re told that Canon is actively working on a new 85L, and we should see a replacement some time before 2016 is over, and possibly for Photokina in September of 2016.</p>
<p>The new 85L will incorporate the blue spectrum refractive element of the recently announced <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/preorder-the-new-canon-ef-35mm-f1-4l-ii/">EF 35mm f/1.4L II</a>.</p>
<p>The new lens will be weather sealed, have a new manual focus system, a faster autofocus system as well as being lighter.</p>
<p>Could the new 85L be f/1.4 instead of f/1.2? It’s possible, they went slower moving from the EF 50 f/1.0L to the 50 f/1.2L. Although, having the lens at f/1.2 does give Canon some bragging rights for DSLR lenses.</p>

 

[meywd]

Hmm a match to the Otus with AF, that would be amazing.

 

[Maximilian]

The thought of that makes me drool.

I'd like to see a new 85/1.8 and a new 85/1.2L will make that come sooner.
And of course I'd like to see what such an 85L update will deliver in performance increase (IQ and AF).

Edit: I don't know how much one would miss the 1.2 instead of an 1.4 there. That's about others to tell.

 

[NorbR]

Well, I'd better start saving my pennies (something tells me I'm going to need a lot of pennies for this lens ...)

 

[JohanCruyff]

The Sigma 85mmm 1.4 ART should be on the "work in progress" list... Let's see.

 

[Haydn1971]

Thud ! Was that the sound of a £2500 price tag ?

 

[distant.star]

.
This is news I can use, given that I'll keep my 5D3 as an alternative to my Fuji stuff.

I've been dissatisfied overall with the 85mm offerings. They all have some game-stopper drawback, and I want more than simply adequate in that important focal length. I complain to Sigma every chance I get. Since they put out the 35A it seems they've done everything they can to avoid offering an 85A.

I hadn't expected Canon to change much given the performance of their 85 1.2L. But they must be looking for a place to use their new blue tech and where better than that lens! That would make all the difference for me. Drop to 1.4 or even 1.8 if necessary and pick up the AF speed a notch, I'm all in.

 

[CarlMillerPhoto]

Please god let it have IS. I know that's a stretch even if they drop it to f/1.4, but that's the type of ingenuity i would love to see from Canon. Sigma has a FF f/2 zoom, Tamron has stabilized f/1.8 primes. Come on Canon, give us an 85mm f/1.4 IS L. Weight savings going from f1.2 to f/1.4 should be about an even trade for the weight gain of IS mechanics.

 

[Eldar]

The thought of that makes me drool.

I'd like to see a new 85/1.8 and a new 85/1.2L will make that come sooner.
And of course I'd like to see what such an 85L update will deliver in performance increase (IQ and AF).

Edit: I don't know how much one would miss the 1.2 instead of an 1.4 there. That's about others to tell.

I am currently shooting with the 85/1.4 Otus, having had a number of 85 1.2L, both vI and vII, before that. 85mm is probably my favourite focal length. Personally I find 1.2 on an 85mm focal length to give too shallow DOF in almost all cases though. The Otus is a fantastic lens, but it is big, heavy and manual. So, if Canon fix weight, AF speed, manual focus and CA, but go for f1.4 on the new 85, I´ll preorder on day 1.

 

[wockawocka]

A new 85l would be welcome. I love my Mkii but the af is so slow relative to my other lenses that I'd be totally made up with a new model.

Doesn't need is though (think of the weight) but the 135l could use an is motor.

 

[privatebydesign]

Anything that gets rid of focus-by-wire would be welcome. Whilst I haven't had any serious interest in the 35L MkII (the 35 f2 IS is just too good) a decent 85mm f1.2 portrait lens would work well for me.

 

[CarlMillerPhoto]

Anything that gets rid of focus-by-wire would be welcome.

Big +1 on that.

 

[StudentOfLight]

85L-next sounds so enticing... and I haven't bought anything since Nov 2014. GAS alert!

 

[R1-7D]

I really hope they keep it at f/1.2.

Also, maybe this will make the current one cheaper on the used market. I'm quite fond of the current one and I have wanted to get my hands on one for awhile.

 

[Maiaibing]

Please god let it have IS.

+1 - it would be a serious selling point for many people especially if it was still f/1.2.

 

[danski0224]

Maybe Canon will stick the Blue Glass in everything.

All of the lenses need updating

 

[Maiaibing]

Also, maybe this will make the current one cheaper on the used market. I'm quite fond of the current one and I have wanted to get my hands on one for awhile.

Often used prices go up when new lenses arrive at somewhat higher prices. Check out the drift for 35L I listings.

 

[rs]

reducing the MFD will make it more useful

 

[N2itiv]

Maybe Canon will stick the Blue Glass in everything.......

Well, the L glass anyway. That would still give lower tier L lenses another good differentiator over non-L glass.
Looks like I have plenty of "save for" time.

 

[IsaacImage]

That's very interesting news.
Very curious what update they can bring to the table.
1 - reduced weight ?
2 - Sharper image ?
3 - IS ?
4 - reduced MFD
5 - Faster AF speed ?