85 f/1.2L II is a DREAM COME TRUE!

carlk wrote:

The fact it's a great lesn does not mean it should be an easy to use lens. No lens is but this one is particular tough with it's super thin DOF when wide open. You have always keep the perfect focus or it will be oof where you don't want it to.

I shoot 80%+ of my 85L shots wide open. How do I do it? First I make sure MAF is set up perfectly for cameras that have it. Then I never use f&r. Not only that I never shoot in one shot mode either. I always shoot in AI servo with the AF point kept at the object. A slight movement of the camera or the object after focus lock, if you shoot in one shot mode, would throw the focus off. If you still could not get sharp wide open picture with these practices then you should send your lens to the service. Think about it, why Canon would bother to make this lens if it does not allow you go create good images at f1.2?

As usual always take a look at the user before you blame it on the equiment.

gatorowl wrote:

It is a very special lens indeed for Canon. I occasionally shoot it at 1.2 but generally find the sweet spot for acceptable DOF to be 1.4-1.8. I shoot at 1.2 for "fun" but find most of my keepers at the smaller apertures.

Again, please share some of your 1.2 samples. I'd love to see how you manage and exploit the incredibly narrow DOF that 1.2 produces. I suspect that I'm not the only one who could benefit from your samples.

Acemetric wrote:

I don't think I'll ever use this lens at anything but 1.2. And therein lies the difference between it and the 1.8. It's just plain magic wide open. Just wow.

Thanks for the advice on technique.  I assume that your reference about "blaming the equipment" is  standard boilerplate you use when discussing this lens.  I haven't noticed anyone on this thread criticizing the IQ of this lens especially not me.

Also, I have no problem getting the desired area of my shots in focus at 1.2.  Rather than technique, I suspect that my problem is one of composition.  Having a single eye in focus is rarely the most pleasing shot for me.  Thus, rather than a problem with technique (and technique is even less of a problem with the 5DIII), my problem is one of composition.

I really would like to see samples of strong shots taken at 1.2, especially shots that would not be the same--or better--at 1.4.

Group shot with 85 at 1.2

thelensmeister wrote:

Group shot with 85 at 1.2

Lovely shot. However, I'd prefer more background blur. Either frame your group tighter or move them closer to your camera to get more separation from the background.

Also, if I daresay, with the suggested movement of your subjects, 1.4 or 1.6 might get you sharper focus on the lovely young ladies with a background that makes the shot "pop" more.

Scott Larson wrote:

carlk wrote:

Well (unintentional) one eye in focus and the other eye not certainly qualifies as an user error. Just get both eyes on the same plane when or if you don't want that.

Not always possible in candid shots. Humans move their heads.

Shooting under condition that could produce purple fringes and do not know how to get rid of them in photoshop is definitely another one.

Yes you can mask the purple fringes in software but sometimes that has side effects. I have not found any way to mask the green fringes I get in bright backgrounds.

I was hoping a $2,000 85mm lens would have fewer CA issues than a $400 85mm lens but that's not the case.

I've seen nothing presented here that would convince me to change my shooting style with this lens.  Sorry, but I actually enjoy the freedom of shooting portraits without always having my subject facing me straight on like in a police or DMV mug shot.

Also, the 85 1.2 isn't at its sharpest at 1.2.  Generally not an issue when the background is blurred, but there are times when I want my subject in sharper focus.  Stopping down to 1.4 or even 1.8 gives me the sharpness I want without horribly compromising the bokeh.

The lens is a tool.  There are a lot of different variables that I can manipulate in order to get the look I want. Limiting one of those variables in such an extreme manner ("only shoot at f1.2") for no good reason just strikes me as silly. It's akin to photographers who only shoot primes (oops, am I stepping into it with this comment?). I love my primes--recently went to the Art Institute, Chicago where my Sigma 35mm 1.4 performed amazingly--; however, as soon as I left the museum, I immediately switched to a zoom.

Appropriate tool for the occasion, and appropriate camera settings for the shoot.

This is just my opinion; YMMV.

gatorowl wrote:

thelensmeister wrote:

Group shot with 85 at 1.2

Lovely shot. However, I'd prefer more background blur. Either frame your group tighter or move them closer to your camera to get more separation from the background.

You dont think i was pushing it enough shooting a group at 1.2 without making the dof even shallower with your suggestions?

Also, if I daresay, with the suggested movement of your subjects, 1.4 or 1.6 might get you sharper focus on the lovely young ladies with a background that makes the shot "pop" more.

indeed.

For 85mm L , this is tricky lens to focus at wide open. I happened to watch on creativelive that Brett Loren uses Continous Focus (on his Nikon) when shooting wide open. Even you have strong hand, but the DOF is very shallow at wide open and a slight movement with throw thing out of focus.

I have tried 85mm L II from a friend and i agree this lens is excellent for shooting portrait, especially in studio and on location.

Love to get 85mm L II but i must save for 70-200mm L II first since i shoot event all the time and zoom lens gives me the flexibility.