Canon 85L II AF speed on 5D III???

[melbournite]

Thanks - you learn something new every day! One more reason to love back button AF...

Neuro, I took your recommendation and tried the back button AF setup a few months ago. I used it for about a week (personal use) and switched back to normal on my first job (I would have been terrified otherwise). I like the idea, and it's very useful in situations but not sure I can use it for long enough to get really comfortable with it.

 

[Studio1930]

To my way of thinking, if you're using it much above f1.2, then you're not getting anything out of it you couldn't get with the faster focusing f.18 or a 70-200 2.8...

This is a common comment on lenses but it is not accurate. The 85L shot at 2.2 is not the same as the 1.8 version shot at 2.2. Just like the 70-200 shot at 200mm f/2.8 is not the same as the 200 f/2 shot at f/2.8. You will get more light with these more expensive lenses and focusing is usually much better. I have done side by side comparisons and there is definitely a difference and an advantage to the more expensive lenses, even when stopped down.

Now whether it is worth it to you for the more expensive lens is subjective.

 

[pdirestajr]

I'm also a huge fan of back button AF. I only use it on my 5DII because I only use the center AF point. I feel with this camera it becomes extremely useful with all the focusing and recomposing needed.

It also is great when mixing MF with AF, as the shutter button won't try to refocus after you just made an adjustment. It really allows full time manual focus to be useful.

 

[ahab1372]

Thanks - you learn something new every day! One more reason to love back button AF...

Neuro, I took your recommendation and tried the back button AF setup a few months ago. I used it for about a week (personal use) and switched back to normal on my first job (I would have been terrified otherwise). I like the idea, and it's very useful in situations but not sure I can use it for long enough to get really comfortable with it.

I learned to like it because I now can have AI Servo on all the time. If I need to focus-recompose, I just take the thumb off the button. No more need to switch back and forth between One Shot and Servo

 

[jasonsim]

Love the AF performance on my 1Dx. I need to check it out on my 5D III, where I've only used it for portraits.

Got these a few week's ago:

I am very pleasantly surprised by the results from the 85mm f/1.2L II on the 1Dx in AI Servo.

 

[Harry Muff]

I just tried a 85 1.2L on a 1DX and it was still really slow. Accurate though.

 

[Dylan777]

To all 5D III owners,
How do you like the AF speed of Canon 85L II on your 5D III?

I'm thinking adding this lens to my gear.

Thank you,
Dylan

Thanks everyone for your feedbacks. Rental will arrive this weekend. Decision will be made once I played with it. I will keep everyone updated; buy or not buy 8)

Dylan

 

[Vossie]

AF on the 85 L II is slow. Certainly not fast enough to capture kids moving around. With the extremely shallow DoF accurate focus is very critical. I think this adds to the slowness of the AF as refocussing is needed after the slightest move.

It is not an easy lens to get good results with; it requires some time to get used to. S during your rental make sure you review your results regularly on a PC. In addition this lens really needs AFMA to get the most out of it.

 

[asmundma]

Here is one image by the lens

 

[meenanm]

Tiny bit faster than with the 5D3 than on my 1DSM3, seems to be about the same for both my 5D3 and 1Dx. I have never used it for Action so the speed really has not been a huge issue for me.
-Mike

 

[ksagomonyants]

Guys, I didn't want to start a new thread but does anyone know how much slower the 85 1.2 i version as compared to version ii?

 

[privatebydesign]

Guys, I didn't want to start a new thread but does anyone know how much slower the 85 1.2 i version as compared to version ii?

Much slower, on pre 2012 bodies the 85 1.2 MkI is really AF in name only.

 

[ksagomonyants]

Guys, I didn't want to start a new thread but does anyone know how much slower the 85 1.2 i version as compared to version ii?

Much slower, on pre 2012 bodies the 85 1.2 MkI is really AF in name only.

That bad? Ok thank you for your response.

 

[birtembuk]

To all 5D III owners,
How do you like the AF speed of Canon 85L II on your 5D III?

I'm thinking adding this lens to my gear.

Thank you,
Dylan

Thanks everyone for your feedbacks. Rental will arrive this weekend. Decision will be made once I played with it. I will keep everyone updated; buy or not buy 8)

Dylan

I bet you: you try it, you'll keep it ! Happy shooting ...

 

[iso79]

I love my 85mm f/1.2 L but if you want quick AF the non-L 85mm f/1.8 is just as good.

 

[ksagomonyants]

I love my 85mm f/1.2 L but if you want quick AF the non-L 85mm f/1.8 is just as good.

Thanks for your input. No, I'm not into action photography, so my primary interests are portraits with great subject separation and bokeh. From what I've read so far, it seems that version i is very similar to ii, except it's slower in focus and also more prone to flare.

 

[Loswr]

I love my 85mm f/1.2 L but if you want quick AF the non-L 85mm f/1.8 is just as good.

Rather, if you want quick AF in an 85mm prime, the 85/1.8 is better than the 85L. But the 85L has better IQ.

 

[Dylan777]

To all 5D III owners,
How do you like the AF speed of Canon 85L II on your 5D III?

I'm thinking adding this lens to my gear.

Thank you,
Dylan

Thanks everyone for your feedbacks. Rental will arrive this weekend. Decision will be made once I played with it. I will keep everyone updated; buy or not buy 8)

Dylan

Love the IQ, but hate the AF speed. I'm going to skip it.
Dylan

 

[TM]

The main advantage is you can use other AF Points other than center on the 5d III... Haven't noticed a difference in focusing speed. I love my 85L II for portraits and have rarely missed a shot and isn't really an issue. For sports, I'll grab another lens. Let us know your experience once you've rented it!

 

[Dylan777]

To all 5D III owners,
How do you like the AF speed of Canon 85L II on your 5D III?

I'm thinking adding this lens to my gear.

Thank you,
Dylan

Thanks everyone for your feedbacks. Rental will arrive this weekend. Decision will be made once I played with it. I will keep everyone updated; buy or not buy 8)

Dylan

Love the IQ, but hate the AF speed. I'm going to skip it.
Dylan

The lens is now returned. I'm looking at photos I took with 85L II, the IQ is so dam amazing. If the AF speed is like my 50L, I should have no problem buying one.

All suddenly, I'm so into prime lenses - WHY? ???