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85mm lens dilemma

Started 4 months ago | Questions thread
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marcus photo New Member • Posts: 1
85mm lens dilemma

Hi

I'm reading these forums for some time, but this is my first post here.

I have a dilemma about 85 lenses. Can you check my thought process? Maybe I'm missing something.

I mostly do studio portraits and events. I also do family / travel photography.

I used to be happy A7 III user and the Sigma 85 f/1.4 was my most used lens. But A7 IV was totally not what I needed. I just wanted better AF - but we got bigger files, Eye AF issues, and slower frame rates. I was actually hit by Eye AF issues and returned the body. But my A7 III was already gone.

I didn't want to buy another A7 III, so I decided to try R6. I bought it with RF 85mm f/2. I missed aperture ring and rattling AF motor was puzzling. But this combo brought me a lot of good photos. AF is noticeably better than A7 IV + Sigma, especially for people walking towards me (at same aperture).

Soon I realized that I miss f/1.4 look in many of my images. I began renting RF 85 f/1.2 when needed. This is incredible lens optically... but AF is not as swift as with RF 85 f/2. I'd say it's on pair with Sigma on A7 IV.

And now I have this dilemma how to get that f/1.4 look for 85mm?

I couldn't find Canon 85 EF f/1.4 to rent. On the net they say it is not as good as current RF lenses. And it is big with adapter. And I don't like investing into previous mount.

I tried that older Sigma for DLSR on R6 with adapter. Optically it is pretty good. But AF is worse than Sigma on Sony and both Canon RF 85 lenses. And is big with adapter.

Samyang 85 f/1.4 is discontinued. Couldn't find it to test.

If I keep f/2 and add f/1.2, I will have two lenses for same focal length. I do not want to carry them both. Especially since f/1.2 is big and heavy.

If I replace f/2 with f/1.2 I'll get that look of f/1.4 but I'll lose swift AF. And the lens is big, heavy and expensive. Actually I get similar performance with Sigma on Sony (rented it to compare) for less money, wight and size. This is pretty crazy.

It's a pity there is no new Sigma for Canon R.

Do I miss something? I hope I do.

ANSWER:
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Canon EOS R6 Sony a7 Sony a7 III
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