Optical Dilema

AllMyOwnTeeth

Hi,

I'm trying to decide between a 50mm f/1.2 or an 85mm f/1.2 lens (canon) for indoor low light work (mostly people). It will be wedded to a canon 5D. Does anybody here have any experience or advice regarding either of these pieces of glass?

oshead

Before i buy a lens i always check out Fredmiranda. Heres a link for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM and for the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM.

Both look like they are superb pieces of kit. With a toss of a coin i'd go for the 85mm on a 5d. Good focal lenght for people shots.

Dave

AllMyOwnTeeth

Cheers Dave - the 85mm does appear to have the edge according to the comments on that site - thanks!

Fajitas!

Do you need fast AF?

Obviously both of them are fantastic lenses, myself and Roen have used the 85 1.2 on a 5D. I don't have any experience of the 50 1.2, but use a 50 1.4, going on that, an L lens version would be top quality.

The 85 1.2 is a great lens for portraiture, head and shoulders shots, the 50 isn't as portraiture based on a 5D, but would be a great general purpose lens.

Have you looked at the 135L?

It's a beauty of a lens on a 5d!

AllMyOwnTeeth

AF speed isn't that big a deal for me - I'm happy enough to work with MF when wide open in the dark.

I haven't looked at the 135L - I have a 70-200L which has been doing the business for me in that area. I must check it out though - thanks!

Fajitas!

The AF on the 85 and 50 wouldn't be extremly fast - It has a lot of glass to move!

I would really reccommend the 135, check out Fred Miranda for the reviews.

Do you have a 50mm already?

Edit: Some great shots on your site btw.

AllMyOwnTeeth

oh dear - now you've gone and done it! The 135 looks like a real contender now. And it's cheaper. hmmm... thanks for making me aware of this one.

I've used a 24-70 zoom most of the time for portraiture now - never a 50 prime. I nearly always find myself too close to the subject though which is sometimes fun and sometimes not.

Yeah - I think I'm going to have to take a good hard look at the 135.

Thanks for looking at my blog - appreciate your feedback

Fajitas!

Heh, buy the 135 and a 50 1.4...and you'll still have change compared to buying a 1.2!!

Out of interest, are you buying in Ireland or online?

AllMyOwnTeeth

Not a bad idea.

I've had good experience buying from ParkCameras.com (in the UK) in the past and I'm looking to stick with them. Would you have any vendors that you would recommend?

Fajitas!

Aye, there's a really good chap on ebay called Albert - The shop name is Kea Photo, I think most people on here have bought from him, really competitive prices.

http://stores.ebay.ie/Kea-Photo

If what you want isn't there, give him an email on albert@keaphoto.com he should be able to get it in!

AllMyOwnTeeth

Fantastic! thanks. Have you had to pay duty or vat on any of the purchases? Cheers.

Roen

Have the 85 1.2 and the 135 2 and they are both fantastic. The 1.2 in particular gets shots that no other lens could.

I prefer the FL of the 135 on the 5D, but for indoor work I'd go for the 85 or the 50, all depends on what you'll be shooting and where.
Definitely go for Kea, Digital Rev or Urgalaxy in HK, you'd be genuinely unlucky to get stung for taxes.

Borderfox

If the 85mm f1.8 is anything to go by the f1.2 should be quicker than greased lightning. Some lump of glass

Roen

It's pretty much the slowest of all Canon Lenses to focus, it's pretty much solid glass and the poor motor has a hard time turning those BIG elements around.

It also focuses by wire, which means you must have power to the lens before you can manually focus it. This means that you must have your finger on the shutter button at half pressure before twisting the focus ring.

AllMyOwnTeeth

Thanks for all your feedback guys. Very much appreciated.

I thought I 'wanted' a fast f/1.2 lens but now I realise I 'need' a fast f/1.2 and a 135 f/2 bugger. Better get my head down.

Fajitas!

Heh...yeah, that tends to happen here alot...