Knuckledragger Posted January 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 The 85L only stops down to F/16, and hits its maximum sharpness well before that. I took a few shots with it at F/8, and was floored by the sharpness. Original size, so you can pixel peep your heart out. Generally speaking, any good prime is going to have better optical performance than a good or even great zoom. The 85L is one of the best SLR prime lenses, period. In skilled (and/or patient) hands, it can deliver a great picture of nearly anything that's holding still. If the subject is moving, you'd best look elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laxx Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 At the added cost and less versatility (if you don't need the 85L for it's low light capabilities or portrait shooting), I'd just stick with the 70-200 f4L. You save a ton of money and will get pretty awesome pics still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 if you're not racing, a McClaren isn't as good a choice as a Toyota Camry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falkon Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Some crappy HDR cuz I suck at real photography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Peanuts Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 At the added cost and less versatility (if you don't need the 85L for it's low light capabilities or portrait shooting), I'd just stick with the 70-200 f4L. You save a ton of money and will get pretty awesome pics still. Another thing - for approximately the same cost of 85L (assuming you have 85L II and not original 85L), you can get a 70-200/2.8 IS L II. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 those memorial shots rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon L Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Another thing - for approximately the same cost of 85L (assuming you have 85L II and not original 85L), you can get a 70-200/2.8 IS L II. I wish that were true. Good condition 85 F/1.2L II goes for aound $1500 range whereas 70-200 F/2.8 IS II more like $2100-2200 used on eBay. Even bigger obstacle for me personally is the 2.25 lb (85mm) vs. 3.28 lb (70-200) and the size differential. I sure wish Canon would make 11-105mm F/1.2L IS at 2 lb and at $500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Peanuts Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 ...whereas 70-200 F/2.8 IS II more like $2100-2200 used on eBay. Why anyone would buy a used copy for that much is beyond me when you can buy a brand new one with full warranty for $2300. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beefy Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Why anyone would buy a used copy for that much is beyond me when you can buy a brand new one with full warranty for $2300. Duh, it saves on burn in time...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Peanuts Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Duh, it saves on burn in time...... Burn in and camera - reminds me a guy who had his 1-series camera sensor destroyed at a laser show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon L Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 I had the 85 F1.2L II on the camera when this bird took off. I wish I had a telephoto lens so I don't have to crop off 70% of my photo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Peanuts Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 I had the 85 F1.2L II on the camera when this bird took off. I wish I had a telephoto lens so I don't have to crop off 70% of my photo They have that new 70-300 L out now. Get one and tell the rest of us how you like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon L Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 They have that new 70-300 L out now. Get one and tell the rest of us how you like it. That actually looks great and not too heavy to boot, except it costs like 3x 70-200 F/4L and it's "only" F/4-5.6. Nah, I think I'll try to be a little more sensible with my budget. In the end, I am a prime-lover and still need to get the 35L first methinks.. Model Weight Dimensions w/o Hood Filter Year Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM Lens 24.9 oz (705g) 3.0 x 6.8" (76 x 172mm) 67mm 1999 Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens 26.8 oz (760g) 3.0 x 6.8" (76 x 172mm) 67mm 2006 Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens 46.2 oz (1310g) 3.3 x 7.6" (85 x 194mm) 77mm 1995 Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens 52.6 oz (1490g) 3.5 x 7.8" (89 x 199mm) 77mm 2010 Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS L USM Lens 37.1 oz (1050g) 3.5 x 5.6" (89 x 143mm) 67mm 2010 Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens 22.2 oz (630g) 3.0 x 5.6" (76.5 x 143mm) 58mm 2005 Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM 25.4 oz (720g) 3.2 x 3.9" (82 x 100mm) 58mm 2004 Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Lens 16.9 oz (480g) 2.8 x 4.8" (71 x 122mm) 58mm 1999 Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM 48.7 oz (1380g) 3.6 x 7.4" (92 x 189mm) 77mm 1998 Canon EF 300mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens 42.0 oz (1190g) 3.5 x 8.7" (90 x 221mm) 77mm 1997 Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM Lens 44.1 oz (1250g) 3.5 x 10.1" (90 x 257mm) 77mm 1993 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Peanuts Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Speaking of 35L I think newegg was/is having a mini sale on it. That's one lens I'd love to try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knuckledragger Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Speaking of 35L I think newegg was/is having a mini sale on it. That's one lens I'd love to try. Ooh. Good eye, Salty. Other deals: 16-35mm F/2on sale for $1400. Wacky fun EF-S 15-85mm is also on sale for $717. It's less-interesting cousin, the EF-S 55-250mm is $210. 300mm F/4L is $100 off. 70-200mm DO IS is $100 off as well. BIG DEAL NO ONE BUYS THAT THING DON'T YOU GET IT, CANON? EF 75-300mm is $138. Don't buy this unless you enjoy the challenge of extracting good shots from terrible lenses. Even then, you should probably pass. There's a couple others on sale as well, including the 15mm fishee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon L Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Speaking of 35L I think newegg was/is having a mini sale on it. That's one lens I'd love to try. I saw that yesterday, but Newegg is in CA and the vicious CA sales tax makes it the same thing I wish Adorama, B+H, etc would have a sale instead.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Peanuts Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 The Newegg sale is tempting, especially with the rumors about Canon raising prices on February 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon L Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Canon raising prices on February 1. Whaatt??! Don't they ususally make some official announcements before actually raising prices? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Peanuts Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 (edited) They'll probably make the official announcement on Feb 1. Below is an excerpt from e-mail sent to all Canon dealers. "Canon has always strived to provide our partners with the best products at the best prices' date=' but due to the current economic conditions around the world our cost of business is being severely impacted.[/size'] As a result of the economic struggles and fluctuating exchange rates, Canon USA is forced to take action on the pricing of most EF Lenses and Speedlites, effective February 1, 2011. The changes we are making on Invoice and MSRP pricing is effecting [sic] all partners across the board and will assist Canon in continuing to grow our brand and imaging business for not only ourselves, but for you the dealer as well." From http://www.canonpricewatch.com/ Edited January 16, 2011 by Salt Peanuts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon L Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 They'll probably make the official announcement on Feb 1. Below is an excerpt from e-mail sent to all Canon dealers. From http://www.canonpricewatch.com/ I sure hope their estimates aren't correct. For example they estimate the 50 F/1.4 and 50 F/1.8II will go up by 10%, which is ludicrous for these ancient designs. Canon should own up and give them real USM at least before raising prices that much IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Peanuts Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 (edited) If they add ring USM to 50/1.4, they'll raise the price enough that street price will hit $500. Just think, 50/1.8 cost $75 and 50/1.4 was below $300 less than 3 years ago. Edited January 16, 2011 by Salt Peanuts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPI Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Looked at my 70-200 folder and noticed every shot I have taken with it was wide open so I decided to go out in the cold and try it stopped down. Too damn cold to find anything interesting to photographicate so I just took pictures of crappy stuff. Full Pic 100% Crop Yellow floaty thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinp6301 Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Looked at my 70-200 folder and noticed every shot I have taken with it was wide open so I decided to go out in the cold and try it stopped down. Too damn cold to find anything interesting to photographicate so I just took pictures of crappy stuff. I'm gonna have to steal that from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon L Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5366551004_f2001893ba_b.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon L Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) Edited January 18, 2011 by Jon L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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