Can the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II Lens be used for Sports Action Photography?

[neuroanatomist]

Bryan just posted an article, Can the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II Lens be used for Sports Action Photography? This has been the subject of discussion here and elsewhere. Bryan's conclusion is 'yes'. That echoes his review of the lens, actually.

However, it's worth pointing out that in his review of the lens, his sports testing was on a 1DsIII, and for this recent article, he is using the 1D X. Chuck Westfall has stated, "...the EOS-1D X achieves a higher lens motor drive speed with select L-series USM telephoto lenses than the 5D Mark III because of the 1D X’s more powerful battery pack." Personally, I've noticed that the 85L II does focus more rapidly on the 1D X than on the 7D or 5DII. I wonder...would the same conclusion that the 85L II can be used for sports/action photography be reached if one was using a non-1-series body?

[sedwards]

if you send me yours to try i can test it on a t4i lol

[Keith B]

One of my favorite shots to do at the beach is too have models running and splashing in the ocean. My favorite is when the they run right at me, I put my 1DsIII's AF in servo and with 85 @ 1.2 and click away. It locks on and stays on the model. It looks very cool to see all the water splashes with varying degrees of OOF and then the ones that are in focus look very cool.

Not always the fastest moving subjects but it gives me a lot of sharp sharp keepers.

[Steve U]

One of my favorite shots to do at the beach is too have models running and splashing in the ocean. My favorite is when the they run right at me........

That would be one of my favourite shots as well, especially if they were Victoria Secrets models......it would probably be OK if I didn't have my camera with me too....

[HDNitehawk]

That would be one of my favourite shots as well, especially if they were Victoria Secrets models......it would probably be OK if I didn't have my camera with me too....

I bought the wife a T4i with a kit lens for her trip to Florida. She texted yesterday and said she was at the beach and there were girls sunbathing naked.
I guess I should have sent her with one of the telephoto lenses as well. All I got were crummy cell phone pics from several hundred yards away.

[shutterdown]

I guess I should have sent her with one of the telephoto lenses as well. All I got were crummy cell phone pics from several hundred yards away.

If you had the 85/1.2, you'd still be in trouble. At the distance you'd need to be, you'd be close enough to get slapped. And, who cares about bokeh with the subject matter, eh?

[Keith B]

I bought the wife a T4i with a kit lens for her trip to Florida. She texted yesterday and said she was at the beach and there were girls sunbathing naked.
I guess I should have sent her with one of the telephoto lenses as well. All I got were crummy cell phone pics from several hundred yards away.

What part of FL?

[HDNitehawk]

What part of FL?

Jacksonville,

girls weren't actually naked, they had skin colored bathing suits.

[clemmb]

...it would probably be OK if I didn't have my camera with me too....

So you could frolic around splashing water in a skimpy bathing suit with them? I can see you doing this too

[Steve U]

So you could frolic around splashing water in a skimpy bathing suit with them? I can see you doing this too

Heheh