85 1.2 L II First Impressions

[Keith B]

Out of the box it is a brick and very intimidating. All that huge glass makes you very aware. You do need to be very careful with rear element and due to its size and form it is a little awkward to attach. The clip on hood is different and is a little distracting when i rotates.


After a little Micro Adjustment (just +2) I was ready to go.


This lens is quickly on it's way to being my favorite lens. The focus is not as slow as I expected. If it has to go from minimum to max or vise versa it takes time but if it is the vicinity it will lock in pretty quick. In servo attached to my 5dII, it tracked seemingly as well as any lens I have. I have yet to take it off 1.2 and I haven't had a problem with the shallow DOF. I think my time with 1.4 lenses has helped me with that.


The manual focus ring is definitely funky, you have to holed the shutter halfway to engage it.


Couple shots of the dog. All I had a chance to shoot yet.


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A little gross, I know.

[freelanceshots]

Are these straight out of the camera? Looks like an amazing lens. Definitely want one along with the IS Macro.

[Keith B]

Are these straight out of the camera? Looks like an amazing lens. Definitely want one along with the IS Macro.






Pretty much. I did bump contrast and the saturation a bit in Aperture to match the Canon output. No sharpening was done.


I put off purchasing this lens for so long, since I had the 70-200 2.8 IS. But I really don't like the feel of the 70-200. It is just uncomfortable for me to shoot with. So I just pretty much tried to shoot everything with my 24-70 but for portraits I'd have a distance I like to be but at 70 I found myself creeping in so I figured it was time for the 85. I'm pretty sure I can use this for indoor sports too. It focus short distance fairly quickly and once it locks on in servo it tracks really well.

[Sean Setters]

When are we going to see a model shoot with that thing?

[Mark Elberson]

Wow!!! I am seriously jealous :-( $1,900 on a lens...no wonder that poor dog has an old beat-up ball ;-)


That DoF is sureal. Talk about making your subject pop! I think this lens would be amazing for weddings. Maybe I'll start an 85mm f/1.2 <span style="color: #ff0000;"]L fund and dump a couple hundred bucks from each wedding I shoot...maybe by 2012 I could buy one ;-)


I can't wait to see what else you do with this setup. Keep them coming Keith!

[peety3]

Maybe I'll start an 85mm f/1.2 <span style="color: #ff0000;"]L fund and dump a couple hundred bucks from each wedding I shoot...maybe by 2012 I could buy one ;-)





If you're going that route, stay away from the forums and do not, I repeat do not rent the lens. You will put your family through a barren Christmas before you wait an extra day for the 85L if you've actually shot with one.

[weclickyoupick.com]

Keith,


I have this lense also....and feel that I may need a micro adjustment. I've never done this before. How do you shoot the images from one setting to the next. Do you "bench" the camera and shoot the exact same thing.....in the exact same light?....or do you just feel your way through it? I get really sharp images at 1.8 and above.....but 1.2 is hit and miss. Am I just dealingwith learning to work the razor thin DOF? When i do get what seems a sharp part of the image at 1.2....it still doesn't seem as sharp as say at 2.


Thanx in advance,


Jeff

[neuroanatomist]

There are a couple of possible methods for AF Microadjustment. In all cases, you've got the camera on a tripod with good, even illumination of the focus target - same target for all testing. Use Av or manual mode and a low ISO, and adjust with the aperture wide open.


Here is Canon's recommended procedure ("http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0812/tech-tips.html) (via Chuck Westfall's Tech Tips - scroll down to the second question). The 50x focal length distance to target would be 14 feet with this method, test target would be a sheet of text or something like that.


Personally, I use a LensAlign Pro ("http://www.lensalign.com/), and follow their instructions. Their recommended distance to target is 25x focal length, 7 feet for an 85mm lens.


You can also blend the two procedures (and save $$) by using a printed chart like this one ("http://www.focustestchart.com/focus21.pdf) at a 45&deg; angle to the camera - follow Chuck Westfall's steps, but instead of the flat target, tape the sheet to a door that you can open to a 45&deg; angle. In choosing between the differentsuggested distances, you can use your normal shooting distance with the lens as a guide (e.g. if you usually shoot tight portraits with it, adjust at 7 feet).


Also, the 85mm f/1.2L II is pretty sharp wide open, but it does get noticeably sharper when stopped down to f/2 or so. That means it's important to differentiate between slightly soft due to wide open aperture, and soft due to missed focus. The focus testing will help sort that out.


After you do the AF adjustment, definitely shoot some 'real world' shots to make sure it works in practice.


I can tell you that almost all of my lenses have some amount of AF microadjustment applied, ranging from -5 to +6 depending on the lens.


--John

[Keith B]

When are we going to see a model shoot with that thing?






Well Ahlea is over me photographing her so it could be a few days. Saturday I actually have a candle lighting ceremony to shoot and this lens is written all over it. I have some work to do for a modeling agency coming up in the next week too.









Wow!!! I am seriously jealous :-( $1,900 on a lens...no wonder that poor dog has an old beat-up ball ;-)


That DoF is sureal. Talk about making your subject pop! I think this lens would be amazing for weddings. Maybe I'll start an 85mm f/1.2<span style="color:#ff0000;"]Lfund and dump a couple hundred bucks from each wedding I shoot...maybe by 2012 I could buy one ;-)


I can't wait to see what else you do with this setup. Keep them coming Keith!






Mark,


I think this would be a phenomenal wedding lens. I was pleasantly surprise at the AF. I read so much about how slow it is, but I think once you are use to it there isn't anything you couldn't shoot reliably with it. I will admit manual focus is weird. I don't care that the power needs to be on or that you don't have full time manual focus but the undampened ring is a little squirrelly.


Oh and that ball is only a week old. That dog wants to play ball all the time. Also listen to peety, he is dead on.












Keith,


I have this lense also....and feel that I may need a micro adjustment. I've never done this before. How do you shoot the images from one setting to the next. Do you "bench" the camera and shoot the exact same thing.....in the exact same light?....or do you just feel your way through it? I get really sharp images at 1.8 and above.....but 1.2 is hit and miss. Am I just dealingwith learning to work the razor thin DOF? When i do get what seems a sharp part of the image at 1.2....it still doesn't seem as sharp as say at 2.


Thanx in advance,


Jeff






Jeff,


I set the camera on a tripod next to a table, high enough to get a decent oblique angle downward. Then I put a ruler down and focus on a number, take a shot and see if it is in focus. I judge by the amount of lines before and after the number to see if it is dead on. If you get an equal number of lines sharp or equally sharp your lens should dead on. Lock up the mirror and use a remote cord or the 2 second time so you don't get any vibrations. I star with it zeroed out and then go in 5 step increments, reshoot and then adjust accordingly. If you shoot this lens wide open it is a necessity.

[peety3]

I was pleasantly surprise at the AF. I read so much about how slow it is, but I think once you are use to it there isn't anything you couldn't shoot reliably with it.





If you're in poor focus-acquisition conditions and the lens goes hunting in the wrong direction, you're going to miss the shot unless you've got lightning reflexes to get a selected focus point onto a contrasty spot, possibly even releasing your focus trigger (whether it's half-press of shutter, AF-ON, or whatever you've rigged up) and re-pressing it.


I tried using it for a bicycling event last month. There was a zone of no return: depending on speed, once the bike/rider got close enough, focus couldn't keep up. Certainly not wedding conditions, except for the limo leaving, but close-ups during dancing could be disastrous without a "sports" lens.

[Keith B]

I was pleasantly surprise at the AF. I read so much about how slow it is, but I think once you are use to it there isn't anything you couldn't shoot reliably with it.





If you're in poor focus-acquisition conditions and the lens goes hunting in the wrong direction, you're going to miss the shot unless you've got lightning reflexes to get a selected focus point onto a contrasty spot, possibly even releasing your focus trigger (whether it's half-press of shutter, AF-ON, or whatever you've rigged up) and re-pressing it.


I tried using it for a bicycling event last month. There was a zone of no return: depending on speed, once the bike/rider got close enough, focus couldn't keep up. Certainly not wedding conditions, except for the limo leaving, but close-ups during dancing could be disastrous without a "sports" lens.






Good points. I shouldn't speak with only 15 minutes experience. I haven't shot moving stuff in poor light yet. I think I'm just a bit giddy.

[Sheiky]

Great stuff Keith, indeed what a killer DOF! I was thinking my 50mm 1.4 had tiny DOF on FF, but this is even shallower! Enjoy your lens! [H]


Jan

[Mark Elberson]

If you're going that route, stay away from the forums and do not, I repeat do not rent the lens.
I was seriously considering renting one for my next wedding! I guess this should have been warning enough:

"Roger&rsquo;s take: Be warned: This lens is hugely addictive. Strong photographers have wept standing in line at the post office to return it. Please don&rsquo;t let your tears fall on the return label&rsquo;s bar code &ndash; it slows down return shipping when the scanner can&rsquo;t read it."

[Keith B]

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Great stuff Keith, indeed what a killer DOF! I was thinking my 50mm 1.4 had tiny DOF on FF, but this is even shallower! Enjoy your lens!/emoticons/emotion-11.gif


Jan






Thanks Jan!
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Yeah I guess it's higher compression of the 85mm. I don't know how much effect the 1/3 stop plays into it. I don't know but I like it.






I was seriously considering renting one for my next wedding! I guess this should have been warning enough:

"Roger&rsquo;s take: Be warned: This lens is hugely addictive. Strong photographers have wept standing in line at the post office to return it. Please don&rsquo;t let your tears fall on the return label&rsquo;s bar code &ndash; it slows down return shipping when the scanner can&rsquo;t read it."






Roger's Takes are always deal sealers for me. He has cost me thousands. I would definitely be sad returning this lens. My alternative to shoot this range with, the 70-200 2.8 IS, was never fun. I didn't get excited about the images and I definitely don't like the feel but the 85L just cradles in your hands and just feels natural and un-inhibiting. I'm going to give it a couple weeks and then probably throw the 70-200 to the auction block and maybe a year or so down the road pick up the 200/2.0.

[Jon Ruyle]

Congrats, Keith! I don't doubt you'll enjoy the 85 for years to come.

[btaylor]

Good stuff Keith. I would absolutely love that lens but I think if my camera bag gets any heavier I'll have to get a shoulder reconstruction (and plastic surgery to fix my head after my darling missus beats me over the melon with a 70-200mm f/4L IS[:'(] ).


Also, my wallet gets exponentially lighter as my camera bag gets heavier [:S]

[Keith B]

Good stuff Keith. I would absolutely love that lens but I think if my camera bag gets any heavier I'll have to get a shoulder reconstruction (and plastic surgery to fix my head after my darling missus beats me over the melon with a 70-200mm f/4L IS[:'(] ).


Also, my wallet gets exponentially lighter as my camera bag gets heavier /emoticons/emotion-7.gif






Thanks!


Ah, the benefits of being single and stupid. No open to hit me with stuff when I make insane purchases. I just couldn't pass up the rebate and the no interest no payments for 2 years.

[Jarhead5811]

Ah, the benefits of being single and stupid. No open to hit me with stuff when I make insane purchases. I just couldn't pass up the rebate and the no interest no payments for 2 years.
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I wish I'd gotten into photography when I was single (Instead, I bought stereo equipment and guns) but I've been with my wife over ten years and would probably be dying to upgrade all of those old lenses anyway. [;)]

[peety3]

Thanks!


Ah, the benefits of being single and stupid. No open to hit me with stuff when I make insane purchases. I just couldn't pass up the rebate and the no interest no payments for 2 years.
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It's the no-interest stuff that can be my downfall. I've learned that Ritz/Wolf Camera tends to be overpriced, except for the newly-released stuff. I bought my first Canon camera through them on a ten-month plan, then went back for a P&amp;S and 16-35 lens (had to buy $300 of camera to qualify the rest of the purchase.


In an odd way, I'm glad Ritz/Wolf is/was temporarily unable to sell Canon gear (bankruptcy issues), as it kept me from buying a 1D4 too quickly. As a result (and with big financial commitments this year), I found the 7D, and now have two of them. :)

[neuroanatomist]

It's the no-interest stuff that can be my downfall.


Yeah, it's dangerous. That's why fund my gear purchases with cash. I wasn't kidding about the $100s - when it starts getting uncomfortable to sit down due to the thickness of my wallet, I know it's time to get more gear. [;)]

[Sean Setters]

Yeah, it's dangerous. That's why fund my gear purchases with cash. I wasn't kidding about the $100s - when it starts getting uncomfortable to sit down due to the thickness of my wallet, I know it's time to get more gear. /emoticons/emotion-5.gif
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<p style="CLEAR: both"]Such a wonderful problem to have... :-)

[Keith B]

I love the no interest. It's kind of like trying something out while you're making money with it. If it turns out I don't like it, I'll sell before the 2 years is up, pay it off and consider it a cheap 2 year rental. If I love it and keep it then I'll dip into wallet of $100. I'm 90% sure I'm going to unload my 70-200 though and that will cover a lot of it.

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

Congratulations on your recent purchase of the EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM, Keith!


Now, $1,900 is just chump change compares to someone here who shelled out $6500 for the 500 f/4L IS a while back [:D][;)][:P][&lt;:o)] LOL

[Keith B]

Thanks Nate!


I hear you! A lot of the work I have been called for in the last few months has been right up the 85L's alley, so I feel pretty good about the purchase.


I was kicking around the idea of the 500 or the 600 a few months ago when I thought I had a chance at getting a paying gig shooting surfing. I opted for a 7D and cropping instead. I'm glad I did because the surf thing isn't taking off.

[erno james]

canon should cut you a check...i think you just sold a bunch of these lenses for them! great photos. erno

[HiFiGuy1]

Thanks!


Ah, the benefits of being single and stupid. No open to hit me with stuff when I make insane purchases. I just couldn't pass up the rebate and the no interest no payments for 2 years.






I was reading, distantly interested, until the last line. Where the heck did you find that deal?

[Keith B]

Thanks!


Ah, the benefits of being single and stupid. No open to hit me with stuff when I make insane purchases. I just couldn't pass up the rebate and the no interest no payments for 2 years.






I was reading, distantly interested, until the last line. Where the heck did you find that deal?






Amazon.com. I have their store card and camera gear is no interest no payments for 24 months.

[Keith B]

I just checked looks like it has been knocked down to 12 months. Last week it was 24 though.