The 85mm f/1.2L II, while one of the most stunning portrait lenses ever made, does have some significant disadvantages expressed by users that can pop up even in portrait scenarios (especially portraits during events or outdoors):
85mm f/1.2L II disadvantages:
* Durability - exposed rear element near flush with mount resulting in precarious lens changes in the field, focus motor susceptible to damage when barrel extended and powered off, lack of weather sealing
* Autofocus - Slow on most bodies (1D excluded) due to higher voltage required to drive motor efficiently with large elements & extending barrel
* Manual focus by wire - some dislike this style of focusing, as it may feel less responsive and does not work when camera is powered off
The 50mm f/1.0L had virtually all of these disadvantages and Canon was able to rectify virtually all of them by releasing a slightly slower 50mm f/1.2L, which retains most of the look of the f/1.0 but with increased sharpness and less distracting flare. While the 50mm f/1.2L is not the most popular lens as it is challenging to use and not the sharpest, it is both far easier to use and sharper than the 50mm f/1.0L. The 50mm f/1.2L is currently my go-to lens for event portraits; I wish I could also regularly use the 85mm f/1.2L II but some of its design characteristics do not appear compatible with the often hectic and unpredictable events that could occur during an event.
Given the design similarities between the 50mm f/1.0L and 85mm f/1.2L II, what if the same revisions could be done with the 85mm f/1.2L II using design cues from the 50mm f/1.0L > 50mm f/1.2L revision? Would you accept the below disadvantages in exchange for all of the deficiencies listed in the first paragraph being completely rectified - with the same or greater sharpness & similar "look" with lower weight/size as a bonus:
Known disadvantages of next 85L being f/1.4 instead of f/1.2:
- 50% less light entering lens wide open
- 14% less DOF isolation capability wide open
Potential advantages of next 85L being f/1.4 instead of f/1.2 (using 50L f/1.0>f/1.2 design cues):
- Better protected rear element
- Lens barrel does not extend when focusing
- Weather sealed, easier to accomplish due to lack of extending lens barrel when focusing
- Faster autofocus, similar to speed of 50mm f/1.2L, due to lack of extending barrel and smaller lens elements
- Full time manual override, does not require camera to be powered on
- Lower weight
- Smaller size
- Potential minor increase in sharpness
- Potential minor reduction in flare
- Lower price as less expensive to make
- Overall "look" is similar, but not identical to the 85L f/1.2L II; like the 50L f/1.2L and 85L f/1.2L II, the lens design would be for portraits and hence not overcorrected/clinical.
Thoughts?
85mm f/1.2L II disadvantages:
* Durability - exposed rear element near flush with mount resulting in precarious lens changes in the field, focus motor susceptible to damage when barrel extended and powered off, lack of weather sealing
* Autofocus - Slow on most bodies (1D excluded) due to higher voltage required to drive motor efficiently with large elements & extending barrel
* Manual focus by wire - some dislike this style of focusing, as it may feel less responsive and does not work when camera is powered off
The 50mm f/1.0L had virtually all of these disadvantages and Canon was able to rectify virtually all of them by releasing a slightly slower 50mm f/1.2L, which retains most of the look of the f/1.0 but with increased sharpness and less distracting flare. While the 50mm f/1.2L is not the most popular lens as it is challenging to use and not the sharpest, it is both far easier to use and sharper than the 50mm f/1.0L. The 50mm f/1.2L is currently my go-to lens for event portraits; I wish I could also regularly use the 85mm f/1.2L II but some of its design characteristics do not appear compatible with the often hectic and unpredictable events that could occur during an event.
Given the design similarities between the 50mm f/1.0L and 85mm f/1.2L II, what if the same revisions could be done with the 85mm f/1.2L II using design cues from the 50mm f/1.0L > 50mm f/1.2L revision? Would you accept the below disadvantages in exchange for all of the deficiencies listed in the first paragraph being completely rectified - with the same or greater sharpness & similar "look" with lower weight/size as a bonus:
Known disadvantages of next 85L being f/1.4 instead of f/1.2:
- 50% less light entering lens wide open
- 14% less DOF isolation capability wide open
Potential advantages of next 85L being f/1.4 instead of f/1.2 (using 50L f/1.0>f/1.2 design cues):
- Better protected rear element
- Lens barrel does not extend when focusing
- Weather sealed, easier to accomplish due to lack of extending lens barrel when focusing
- Faster autofocus, similar to speed of 50mm f/1.2L, due to lack of extending barrel and smaller lens elements
- Full time manual override, does not require camera to be powered on
- Lower weight
- Smaller size
- Potential minor increase in sharpness
- Potential minor reduction in flare
- Lower price as less expensive to make
- Overall "look" is similar, but not identical to the 85L f/1.2L II; like the 50L f/1.2L and 85L f/1.2L II, the lens design would be for portraits and hence not overcorrected/clinical.
Thoughts?
