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[Daniel Browning]

So if all my lenses are f/4 or faster I should be reasonably ok with precision screen it sounds like. A good excuse to upgrade the 700-200 from f/4 to f/2.8!...

I used the 70-200 f/4 all the time indoors with the precision screen and personally I didn't mind the darkness, but I think a lot of photographers really would dislike it a lot. (Some even upgrade to full frame in part for the brighter viewfinder.) But don't let that stop you from getting an f/2.8.

[Sheiky]

Sheiky--would a Katzeye focusing screen work well for him?

I hadn't heard of them before, but I see my local shop now has them as well. In theory they seem like the perfect deal especially if you're using multiple lenses with different max apertures(higher and lower than f2.8). However they are steep priced compared to the Canon focusing screens. They cost more than 1/3rd of a Canon t2i here I would almost be crazy enough to say to buy a second t2i with a different focusing screen just for fast lenses

I used the 70-200 f/4 all the time indoors with the precision screen and personally I didn't mind the darkness, but I think a lot of photographers really would dislike it a lot. (Some even upgrade to full frame in part for the brighter viewfinder.) But don't let that stop you from getting an f/2.8.

I do mind indeed. With the 50mm prime it's awesome, but with my two other lenses 24-105(mostly used) and 70-200 f4 it's just too dark for my likings. That being said, having AFMA and knowing that my 50mm focuses spot on is easier to work with IMO than a darker viewfinder.

[ChadS]

I would almost be crazy enough to say to buy a second t2i with a different focusing screen just for fast lenses

Another perfect excuse why I need to upgrade my body AND my lens... (somehow I don't think my wife will buy this argument). I don't think I'd be interested in a full frame unless it was body #3 (assuming I keep the T2i as a backup). I shoot 90% sports or children playing so frame rate is king. Sure I wouldn't turn down a 5D II but I wouldn't buy one. Now, the 1DX does everything I want in a camera - somehow I don't think the misses will go for that one either.

In terms of shooting with the 85L f/2.1 I doubt I'll use it much. It's going to get incorporated into an experiment and stay there. I was just doing some ... testing - you know, to make sure the lens works and all that... (even though it's going to get parked at minimum focal distance and set to manual focus for the rest of its life).

Thanks for the info on the screens. That's good to know regardless.

[Sheiky]

Glad to help out a little.
To be fair I shoot a lot of action and sports-related stuff and I never felt that the 5D2 was holding me back. I could use a faster frame rate from time to time, but it simply rocks in other things. When I compare it to my girlfriends 40D I don't get regrets on buying a 5D2...even for sports.

About the 85mm f1.2L. The testing you did was very good. You have to realise that it ages faster if you don't move it around. It needs at least 1 hour per week AF-training to keep the lens in good shape. The last thing you want is to have it turn into one piece of big heavy bulky glass...keep it in shape! I also know a good training and rehabilitation center in the Netherlands if you can't get the job done yourself. Just PM me for the adress