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85L II

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ezlyf

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Is this a good walk around lens on a 1.6 crop body knowing it's got about 135mm or so equivalent to 35mm format? I'm debating on which platforms to start on Nikon or Canon and right now even though I'm wowed by the bells and whistles of the upcoming D300, I cannot get rid of the itch to buy the 85L II which is what keeps drawing me back to the Canon camp. I'm mainly going to be using this for indoor portrait and candid shots of my little baby. I just don't see any Nikon lenses that even come close to the shots I've seen in most galleries of the 85L. Is it really wise to buy into a system due to an "unbearable" need for one particular lens? Can someone please give me some input this from personal experiences.
 
The 85mm L 1.2 is a stunning lens...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000EW9Y4M/02-4686-20

But at close to 1700, I'm not sure it's a walk around lens with a crop body to be your only lens. I'd be concerned about have a 135mm lens effectiveness and being able to "back up" enough to get your subject. It depends on what you're shooting of course. I love my 24-70mm for a walk around, despite how heavy it is.
ezlyf said:
Is this a good walk around lens on a 1.6 crop body knowing it's got
about 135mm or so equivalent to 35mm format? I'm debating on which
platforms to start on Nikon or Canon and right now even though I'm
wowed by the bells and whistles of the upcoming D300, I cannot get
rid of the itch to buy the 85L II which is what keeps drawing me back
to the Canon camp. I'm mainly going to be using this for indoor
portrait and candid shots of my little baby. I just don't see any
Nikon lenses that even come close to the shots I've seen in most
galleries of the 85L. Is it really wise to buy into a system due to
an "unbearable" need for one particular lens? Can someone please
give me some input this from personal experiences.
Click to expand...
 
85mm on a crop sensor could be a tad long indoor. Another thing to consider, it might be okay when your baby is young but as soon as they start walking/running, the slow AF of 85L II might be a problem for you. That said, 85L is a fantastic lens and I use it whenever I can as it delivers stunning results.
 
I've rented this lens, and it's fantastic. Sometimes a little bit long indoors, but you can defintely get great head shots, especially of a baby, and if you can back up, all the better. The trouble is that the AF can be a little bit slow.
 
I've only had mine for a few hours, but I'd agree that as a walkaround lens it's a bit long (but I don't think I'll be taking it off my camera any time soon. I posted a photo a few minutes ago from my 1.6 crop XTi and I was about 4 feet away. It also doesn't focus closer than 3 feet or so. I find the 50mm 1.4 to be even a bit too long as a walkaround. On the other hand, I find my kids do a lot better if I'm not in their face when I take their pictures. I say buy a good used one. If it doesn't meet your needs you can probably sell it for what you paid in a few years.
 
I think you're doing the right thing by letting your lens dictate the choice of body. Bodies come and go in a couple of years, while some of the top lenses have been around since the early 90's (e.g. 35L). I think the quality of the lens has far more impact on the final image than a body does.

I was just doing some indoor head shots tonight. It's fine for that, though anything more and you might want to go outside.

Regarding AF, I find when the toddlers are zooming, even the fast 85/1.8 focus can be slow. On the 85L, while it's slower, it's just fine. I often pre-focus when I can such that the final focus is only a slight quick turn. I also happen to like the fly-by-wire manual focus.

fwiw, a nice complement to the 85L is the 35L.

enjoy,
Dave
 
I agree the 35L is great walk around, in fact more so than the 85L but you should get both eventually... but if I had to choose I would have to get the 35L

you can always get the 85 1.8 which is still a great lens and many love it but nothing compared to its L counterpart.

maybe im bias but canon is way to go, the successor of the 5D will probably come out next year and it will be excellent upgrade for the 40D.... full frame is really the best way to go because the professional lens are made for them so you get more flexibility... same goes with nikon.

Their full frame camera is excellent but cost more than the 5D.

Its fair to say Nikon around $2000 and lower is superior but when it comes to full frame canon is light years ahead of them.
 
I recently switched from the D200 to the 40D and I LOVE my 85L lens. It is an amazing lens for taking photos of people. However it does have issues beyond cost: it is heavy, too long for small rooms, and cannot focus on close up objects.

It takes a while to get to know it, but it is worth the effort.
 
The reason I'm leaning towards the 85L is that I'm actually looking further into my photo life and preparing myself to the good possibility of full frame sensors becoming a standard. Given the fact that I don't even own a camera body yet, I'm waiting to see the actual cost of canon's 5D replacement when they hopefully announce it at PMA. I'm just trying to take advantage of the incredibly low prices for this lens with the canon rebates and other coupons. If all fails.... i may just take advantage of the dropping prices of the 5D. Nothing like a proven product.
 
Then perhaps the best choice, even better than the 35L or 85L (for a walkaround) would be the 50L, 50mm is "the" standard walkaround prime for the FF. I have a 5D and all those lenses, just got the 50 and can tell you it's a very nice FL for more situations than the other two. more is what your looking for in a walkaround....right?
--
The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do
 
I purchased my Ef 85 1.2L in 1993.

It caught one pebble of sand on the beach and scratched the paint in one single line in 1993. In 1994, I dropped it at a wedding and cracked the case, canon sent me a new case and I put it on myself. Other than simple cleaning, I have used it almost daily to date with no issues at all.

--
I love photography
http://www.jpringlephoto.com
 
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