Canon 50 1.2L or 85 1.2L?

squareballoon

I've been shooting with a friend's 85mm 1.2L and have fallen in love. I really want to buy one but with such a hefty price tag I want to make sure it's the best one for me. I only shoot people. Mostly children indoors and occasionally weddings and I love to shoot wide open. These are the kinds of pictures I like to take if it helps

If there is anyone out there who has both lenses, is the compression better on the 85 to make it worth the higher price or is the 50mm 1.2 as nice? I'm thinking I may be better with the length of the 50mm for shooting indoors anyway.

I currently have a 50mm 1.4, a 24-70 2.8L and a 135 2L and shoot with a 6D

lazza14

I don't have them, but have used the 85mm 1.2 L and I own the 50 1.4

For what you do, I reckon the 85 1.2 L would be better .

For portraits it's perfection.

Then again, I've never used the 50 1.2 so not 100% here...

Actually, I myself was thinking of getting the 135 F2 L ... its good ?

squareballoon

Thanks for that Lazza. I like the 135 but I don't love it. I sold my 70-200 to buy it and I regret it. It's sharper (I had an old 70-200 model) but it's not as nice.

gloobag

I have both. I use the 85mm for most of what I do. I hardly ever use the 50mm these days, maybe the odd time for video. I might even be willing to sell it.

To be honest I have a love/hate relationship with both lenses. They're heavy and pretty much unusable at f/1.2. You'll ruin a lot of shots trying to shoot them wide open. But they sing like angels from about f/2.8 to f/11, which is the range I usually keep them in these days.

It's easy to get fooled by the temptation of f/1.2 (I did), but the reality is that there is very little difference between that and f/1.4, or f/1.8 even. Clients definitely won't be able to tell the difference. At the end of the day, if you want super shallow depth of field, you really need to go medium format or large format film.

Don't get me wrong, optically they're both fantastic lenses, and can produce stunning results when stopped down, but I wouldn't buy them just for f/1.2.

Then again, this is just my opinion, based on what I like to see in my own images. I'm a stickler for razor sharpness, at the very least in the eyes.

I love the 135mm myself. It's probably my favorite Canon lens. To my eyes it produces a shallower depth of field than both the f/1.2 lenses, while being sharper and much quicker to lock focus. I don't get to shoot it that often though as I just don't have the room in the studio to really use it for anything other than a headshot.

squareballoon

Thanks so much for such a detailed reply, Gloobag. Really interesting stuff. I think if I do get the 85 (and I'm thinking that's probably best now) I will have to force myself to shoot at around 2.8. I just love the sharpness of the lens that I definitely don't get with my 50 1.4. It's an old one which could probably just do with being serviced.

stcstc

i find the 85 1.2 to be dog slow to focus, i think its slow enough that you can miss shots because of it

does give really nice feel to background blur though

Borderfox

85L all the way, beautiful lens.

Myksyk

The new Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art is supposed to be special. Reviews suggest it is better than the 1.2L and as good as the $4000 Zeiss Otus 50mm 1.4. Price tag announced this week is $950 which was a shock to everyone as a tag similar to the Canon was expected ($1700).

Whammy!

I own the 85mm f1.2 and have used the 50mm f1.2

I'm not saying to get the 85mm. I'm just giving my experience with it.

The 85mm f1.2 is a wonderful lens. It will be a bit slow to focus compared to some other lenses but that doesn't bother me as I always shoot on manual focus. On a lot of camera you can change the focusing screen for one that works better with super fast lenses. Makes it easier to see what is actually in focus.

Personally I use the 85mm a lot wide open and close to wide open. I find it completely usable around those settings. Sure if you want to get every bit of sharpness out of it stop it down but at the end of the day you are paying for Canon L glass and the lens looks beautiful wide open.
Actually while I am on that point...
The lens wide open has it's own characteristics. Going medium or large format for super shallow depth of field obviously works. But this lens has it's own character to it. The way it renders the background out of focus is unique.
The lens gives you a specific look and if it's what you are after then it's a prefect choice. If not then the money can be better spent.

If you want examples of the 85mm wide open check out my flickr page.
I normally write what lens I use in the description. 90% of the time I'll be using the 85mm wide open.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dirtyhamster

As for the 50mm f1.2
Well lets put it this way. I own an old lens (manual focus) from the 60s/70s.
It's a 55mm f1.2. Wide open this lens is soft. I still use it for times when I actually want softness but I will be upgrading to the 50mm f1.2 as I feel it's completely usable wide open.

Actually the 50mm f1.2 would be an upgrade to your 50mm f1.4.
Wide open the 1.4 is visibly softer than the 1.2 wide open to the point that I wouldn't use the 1.4 wide open (and i love shooting wide open). The 1.2 wins in turns of sharpness and pleasing bokeh.

MarkN

Can I ask why you would manually focus all of the time? I'm just curious!

AnimalRights

135L is my favourite lens too and referring which lens to get, from the vast reading I've done on many sites the 85 is meant to be the better, if I had the money I'd love to buy either.

Borderfox

Need I say anymore, just glorious

squareballoon

Thank you so much for your help everyone! And thank you Whammy for your long reply. It was really useful. I'm going to save for the 85mm

Whammy!

MarkN wrote: »

Can I ask why you would manually focus all of the time? I'm just curious!

I just feel more comfortable with it. I was brought up using old manual focus lenses and the habit has stuck.
But I do find I'm quicker and more accurate when shooting wide open at 1.2

I don't own any other auto focus lenses. Maybe I'd change my mind if I used a lens with a faster auto focus.

the_monkey

Borderfox wrote: »

Need I say anymore, just glorious

Que bokeh hombre !!

the_monkey

Damn .. now I want that 85 1.2 L ..

squareballoon

So as you may have seen, I got the 85 1.2, it was stopped in customs, I had to pay €400 to get it released but I still think it was worth it. It's such a beautiful lens.
Here are some of the shots I've taken with it so far and they're all pretty much sooc. I just have to remember not to shoot wide open all the time, especially when there's more than one person that should be in focus
Thanks again for the great advice everyone.

DaireQuinlan

Gorgeous look to it.

deadanonymau5

squareballoon wrote: »

So as you may have seen, I got the 85 1.2, it was stopped in customs, I had to pay €400 to get it released but I still think it was worth it. It's such a beautiful lens.
Here are some of the shots I've taken with it so far and they're all pretty much sooc. I just have to remember not to shoot wide open all the time, especially when there's more than one person that should be in focus
Thanks again for the great advice everyone.

Beautiful pics.

400 Euro :eek::( Where did you order it from?

M.J.M.C

deadanonymau5 wrote: »

Beautiful pics.

400 Euro :eek::( Where did you order it from?

400 euro for it to be released from customs, so 400 on top of what was paid for it

squareballoon

Yes, 400 on top of the 1600 I paid for it. So €2,000 altogether.

pixbyjohn

squareballoon wrote: »

Yes, 400 on top of the 1600 I paid for it. So €2,000 altogether.

A saving of €225 on Irish shop price. Beautiful lens, best of luck with it.

MarkN

I've had one for the weekend, have to give it back today. Truly stunning optics. Have to find the cash for one somehow now....

deadanonymau5

deadanonymau5 wrote: »

Beautiful pics.

400 Euro :eek::( Where did you order it from?

M.J.M.C wrote: »

400 euro for it to be released from customs, so 400 on top of what was paid for it

squareballoon wrote: »

Yes, 400 on top of the 1600 I paid for it. So €2,000 altogether.

I know it was the customs fee.

Can I ask where you ordered it from?

Moreilly

Sweet lens, would be on my wish list......just need to win the lotto !!, cheapest ive seen it online for is €1600 from onestop digital. Ive only used them once before for a 600rt flash and had it withing 3 days from ordering, item was perfect and delivery was free.

squareballoon

deadanonymau5 wrote: »

I know it was the customs fee.

Can I ask where you ordered it from?

Sorry yes, I got it from Kea Photo in HongKong

AnimalRights

This place is safer and in this particular case cheaper....I've used it twice for expensive lens. (no hidden or added taxes)

http://www.flashcamera.co.uk/canon-ef-85mm-f-1-2l-ii-usm-autofocus-lens/

Myksyk

This site gets extremely good customer reviews and the price is great.

http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-ef-85mm-f12l-ii-usm-497-p.asp

MarkN

The only problem with them is (I've used them before) they don't seem to use PayPal.

Homer

OK so I just missed out on a 85mm 1.2 on adverts by about 24 hours and I'm pretty much intent on picking one up. On the off chance that anybody has one and is thinking of moving it on let me know. Also if anybody lives near Dublin airport and wants to let me test theirs out before I pull the trigger I'd be extremely grateful

Wailin

Hi, I'm in the process of saving up for a lens for portraits and am torn between the 85mm 1.2L or the 70-200mm 2.8L II. I see that you had both and was wondering could you give your opinion on both and which do you think is overall the better lens, if it's even possible to do that! Love the pics by the way, classy work. Thanks in advance.

squareballoon

I did have the 70-200L but not the II and I also didn't have IS. For that reason I prefer the 85 1.2 but I do miss the versatility of the zoom in the 70-200.

M.J.M.C

Wailin wrote: »

Hi, I'm in the process of saving up for a lens for portraits and am torn between the 85mm 1.2L or the 70-200mm 2.8L II. I see that you had both and was wondering could you give your opinion on both and which do you think is overall the better lens, if it's even possible to do that! Love the pics by the way, classy work. Thanks in advance.

If your portraits are anything like the rest of your pics mate, they'll be great.
I'd personally go for the 85

deadanonymau5

squareballoon wrote: »

Sorry yes, I got it from Kea Photo in HongKong

Thanks

AnimalRights wrote: »

This place is safer and in this particular case cheaper....I've used it twice for expensive lens. (no hidden or added taxes)

http://www.flashcamera.co.uk/canon-ef-85mm-f-1-2l-ii-usm-autofocus-lens/

Myksyk wrote: »

This site gets extremely good customer reviews and the price is great.

http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-ef-85mm-f12l-ii-usm-497-p.asp

Those 2 websites dont look great. Prices look really good though!!

Effects

Flash camera is supposed to be reliable but he takes ages to respond to emails and you have to remind him of things as he gets mixed up a lot. I had to keep reminding him that I was in Ireland and not the UK and that I wanted to pay with paypal after he kept asking for payment by cheque or bank transfer. In the end I bought the lens here as I was worried he'd make a mistake and I wouldn't get the lens on time.

AnimalRights

Flash is 100% legit and never had a problem with him when I purchased 2 very expensive lenses.... (several years apart)

deadanonymau5 wrote: »

Thanks
Those 2 websites dont look great. Prices look really good though!!

'Don't' ?

In what way, do enlighten me?
and I see you thanked effects post, guilty until proven innocent what what?

If you were a long term user here you know that Kerso (flash) posted here b4 and sold quite a bit b4 he went to the official website route.

AnimalRights

Effects wrote: »

In the end I bought the lens here as I was worried he'd make a mistake and I wouldn't get the lens on time.

You have plenty of money so, to buy a lens here is horrendously expensive, I saved over 500E alone on one lens last year, for someone who struggles to survive with our present economy that is an amazing saving for 2-3 days extra wait.