A New 85L is on the Way [CR2]

[Dick]

A new 85L sounds interesting. The 85L II is maybe my favorite lens, but the CA and LoCa (or what ever) are extremely annoying. The 85L II also isn't that sharp. It feels like the 5D3 has too many megapixels for that lens.

Having 1.2 allows subject-background separation when the subject is far away, and you can include their surroundings in the portrait. The effect can be simply fantastic.

I don't really agree. Besides, if the 85L II is set up to focus well when distances are "normal" it will not focus on distant targets.

Dick, not one statement you've made regarding this lens is true in my copy of it. Other than focusing speed and MFD being a bit longer than I like, this is a flawless portrait lens.

So you have a copy that doesn't produce those annoying (and commonly known as issues of the lens) red and green edges around subjects that are out of focus?

It is indeed a great portrait lens, but one must also know its limitations. This is why I said that it is not a lens that should be used to focus on distant subjects. If used on distant subjects wide open for subject seperation, it produces an ugly mess, because even the "sharp" bits look quite bad. There are better lenses for that kind of use, whereas the 85L II is the greatest lens when used for portraits for example.

 

[Viggo]

A new 85L sounds interesting. The 85L II is maybe my favorite lens, but the CA and LoCa (or what ever) are extremely annoying. The 85L II also isn't that sharp. It feels like the 5D3 has too many megapixels for that lens.

Having 1.2 allows subject-background separation when the subject is far away, and you can include their surroundings in the portrait. The effect can be simply fantastic.

I don't really agree. Besides, if the 85L II is set up to focus well when distances are "normal" it will not focus on distant targets.

Dick, not one statement you've made regarding this lens is true in my copy of it. Other than focusing speed and MFD being a bit longer than I like, this is a flawless portrait lens.

Yeah, the "doesn't focus on distant targets." is simply untrue, it may apply to your copy, but then it's faulty.

It's slow to focus, but unless subjects move its very precise.

What bothers me is the CA and distortion in the corners, they bend quote a bit. And sharpness wide open, although better than the 50 L, the 50 Art has spoiled me a lot.

 

[BL]

LOCA on the 85II is pretty awful. Not to mention the really long MFD.

Fix those two and I'd look hard at the mkIII...

 

[Dick]

Yeah, the "doesn't focus on distant targets." is simply untrue, it may apply to your copy, but then it's faulty.

I have 2 copies. After setting the AFMA to work with portrait distances, they won't nail the focus on distant subjects.

 

[Pookie]

I've read this entire thread and I am sure this forum is mostly hobbyist based in experience and knowledge. Either that or everyone here has by most unfortunate circumstance picked up the worst copies of this lens ever. No lens is perfect but this lens is stellar for portraiture (what it was made for). If you know how to use, it it will shine like none other. It's a money maker for sure... all day, everyday.

No matter how much you spend, or buy the latest and greatest... nothing will make up for poor technique and lack of experience.

 

[infared]

The "know it all" egos in this thread are really revolting.

 

[romanr74]

Some of the most mindblowing photographs I've seen were made using the EF 85mm f/1.2 L. These might fit into a niche, but there is nothing wrong with that in my mind.

Would I welcome an update with some of the draw-backs fixed? Yes I surely would!

Would I want to compromise on the amazing images the lens is able to produce (in its niche)? No I would not, since for me this was the reason the get the lens in first place...

 

[niels123]

Some of the most mindblowing photographs I've seen were made using the EF 85mm f/1.2 L. These might fit into a niche, but there is nothing wrong with that in my mind.

Would I welcome an update with some of the draw-backs fixed? Yes I surely would!

Would I want to compromise on the amazing images the lens is able to produce (in its niche)? No I would not, since for me this was the reason the get the lens in first place...

Agreed. I just ordered the 85L II last week and I can't wait to receive it ;D

 

[Viggo]

Yeah, the "doesn't focus on distant targets." is simply untrue, it may apply to your copy, but then it's faulty.

I have 2 copies. After setting the AFMA to work with portrait distances, they won't nail the focus on distant subjects.

Calibrate at 4250 cm and it will work on all distances.

 

[GMCPhotographics]

Some of the most mindblowing photographs I've seen were made using the EF 85mm f/1.2 L. These might fit into a niche, but there is nothing wrong with that in my mind.

Would I welcome an update with some of the draw-backs fixed? Yes I surely would!

Would I want to compromise on the amazing images the lens is able to produce (in its niche)? No I would not, since for me this was the reason the get the lens in first place...

Agreed. I just ordered the 85L II last week and I can't wait to receive it ;D

It's great lens, but very hard to fully master. I can imagine that a manual focus Otus would be really hard to use with a viewfinder that is DOF limited to f2.8. The 135L is far more forgiving with it's DOF and a lot easier to use. But the 85II has a look and feel to it's images which are beautiful. I like it's less telephoto compression for portrait work and it's good to consider this lens a primarily a portrait lens.

 

[YuengLinger]

Some of the most mindblowing photographs I've seen were made using the EF 85mm f/1.2 L. These might fit into a niche, but there is nothing wrong with that in my mind.

Would I welcome an update with some of the draw-backs fixed? Yes I surely would!

Would I want to compromise on the amazing images the lens is able to produce (in its niche)? No I would not, since for me this was the reason the get the lens in first place...

Agreed. I just ordered the 85L II last week and I can't wait to receive it ;D

It's great lens, but very hard to fully master. I can imagine that a manual focus Otus would be really hard to use with a viewfinder that is DOF limited to f2.8. The 135L is far more forgiving with it's DOF and a lot easier to use. But the 85II has a look and feel to it's images which are beautiful. I like it's less telephoto compression for portrait work and it's good to consider this lens a primarily a portrait lens.

Hear, hear.

If a new 50mm 1.2 performed optically the same, I'd buy it. I'm sure the new lens coatings will only improve things.

Excellent image all around, GMCPhotographics! Knowing which parts of an image should be sharp and which OOF is an art, elusive to those who stodgily insist on f/16 for everything.

 

[Eldar]

... I can imagine that a manual focus Otus would be really hard to use with a viewfinder that is DOF limited to f2.8 ...

I can confirm that. In fact it does not work, unless you stop it down. On my 1DX I use Canon´s Ec-S precision focusing screen and on the 5DIII I have a custom made S-screen from Focusing Screen (Taiwan). With those I get a good keeper rate, even at f1.4. But the process is a bit slow and whatever you´re shooting, better stay still.

If the new Canon 85mm deliver what we´re hoping for, I´ll order as soon as possible.

This is shot handheld with 5DIII, Otus 85/1.4 @f1.4

 

[Larsskv]

Yeah, the "doesn't focus on distant targets." is simply untrue, it may apply to your copy, but then it's faulty.

I have 2 copies. After setting the AFMA to work with portrait distances, they won't nail the focus on distant subjects.

I'm afraid I had the same issue on my 6D. Perfect within portrait distances after AFMA, but focus issues at longer distances.

I will have a go and try to calibrate at 425 cm, as Viggo suggested. (or did you actually mean 4250 cm, Viggo?)

 

[sanj]

I love this lens as is and would be delighted to see it improved.

 

[Viggo]

Yeah, the "doesn't focus on distant targets." is simply untrue, it may apply to your copy, but then it's faulty.

I have 2 copies. After setting the AFMA to work with portrait distances, they won't nail the focus on distant subjects.

I'm afraid I had the same issue on my 6D. Perfect within portrait distances after AFMA, but focus issues at longer distances.

I will have a go and try to calibrate at 425 cm, as Viggo suggested. (or did you actually mean 4250 cm, Viggo?)

I did write 4250 cm 8) 4,250 meters or 50x focal length.

 

[meywd]

Yeah, the "doesn't focus on distant targets." is simply untrue, it may apply to your copy, but then it's faulty.

I have 2 copies. After setting the AFMA to work with portrait distances, they won't nail the focus on distant subjects.

I'm afraid I had the same issue on my 6D. Perfect within portrait distances after AFMA, but focus issues at longer distances.

I will have a go and try to calibrate at 425 cm, as Viggo suggested. (or did you actually mean 4250 cm, Viggo?)

I did write 4250 cm 8) 4,250 meters or 50x focal length.

you mean 4250mm

 

[Viggo]

Yeah, the "doesn't focus on distant targets." is simply untrue, it may apply to your copy, but then it's faulty.

I have 2 copies. After setting the AFMA to work with portrait distances, they won't nail the focus on distant subjects.

I'm afraid I had the same issue on my 6D. Perfect within portrait distances after AFMA, but focus issues at longer distances.

I will have a go and try to calibrate at 425 cm, as Viggo suggested. (or did you actually mean 4250 cm, Viggo?)

I did write 4250 cm 8) 4,250 meters or 50x focal length.

you mean 4250mm

LOL! Yes I do...

 

[Maximilian]

...
you mean 4250mm

LOL! Yes I do...

Dumb European metric (International) System of Units
Always so distracting while calculating 8)

 

[can0nfan2379]

;D

 

[Maximilian]

;D

Thanks for your support ;D
I think I'll have to keep this great graphic.
Should help me arguing next time as I am from the SI system party.