85mm f1.2 real life experience

[crosbyharbison]

I rent it for anything that I know is going to be really dark. Bands for example:





iso 1600, 85mm, f/1.2, 1/200 sec





iso 1600, 85mm, f/2.0, 1/125


When I do choose to rent this lens with the conditions I shoot in, I don't think any lens would auto focus well so I'm happy using manual focus. Coming from the 70-200 and 24-70 weight is not a concern but it does have a higher density.


For most of what I do my other 2 lenses get the job done(especially the 24-70; I don't use the 70-200 much i.e. keith).

[Colin]

I love this lens, but for me, it isn't that versatile by itself. It's a great prime to have with another camera with another focal length, but it's long enough that things can be simply too close, or if you are close, and you want to get closer, the minimum focusing distance isn't that great. It's physically large as well.


However, the image quality is absolutely astounding. At F 1.2, in low light there's nothing flippin' like it. I recently sold mine as well as my 24-105 because I wasn't really using them and money took priority over having them in the closet, but despite the things about it that make it not the last lens I'd give up, I'll surely miss it. Should the economy improve, and business follow, I'd certainly be interested in picking up another.

[Keith B]

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The 85L is currently #8 on my personal lens wishlist, but it'd be #5 if "the Mrs." didn't also shoot Canon, and it'd probably be #2 if I didn't have easy access to borrow it (#1 is a 24-70 to replace my 24-105).

Grumble, grumble. Just found out that my "easy access" to the 85L is moving to Houston this summer. Time to totally rethink my lens wishlist. He laughed when I told him about the list above.

Sorry to hear that peety.
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I rent it for anything that I know is going to be really dark. Bands for example:


When I do choose to rent this lens with the conditions I shoot in, I don't think any lens would auto focus well so I'm happy using manual focus. Coming from the 70-200 and 24-70 weight is not a concern but it does have a higher density.


For most of what I do my other 2 lenses get the job done(especially the 24-70; I don't use the 70-200 much i.e. keith).

I wish there was a place closer to me I could rent from. I have to drive 70 miles to rent gear.


I'm finding I'm getting decent hand held shots at 1/40 with 85 1.2. It feels very natural and stable to me.

[crosbyharbison]

I wish there was a place closer to me I could rent from. I have to drive 70 miles to rent gear.
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The internet!

[Keith B]

I wish there was a place closer to me I could rent from. I have to drive 70 miles to rent gear.

The internet!

I know, but with the shipping and not having a ONE day rate it kind of eats heavily into the profits of a couple hour shoot.