January 14, 201115 yr Author 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.
January 14, 201115 yr 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.
January 15, 201115 yr 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.
January 15, 201115 yr 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
January 15, 201115 yr ...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.
January 15, 201115 yr 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......
January 15, 201115 yr 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.
January 16, 201115 yr 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
January 16, 201115 yr 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.
January 16, 201115 yr 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
January 16, 201115 yr Speaking of 35L I think newegg was/is having a mini sale on it. That's one lens I'd love to try.
January 16, 201115 yr Author 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.
January 16, 201115 yr 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..
January 16, 201115 yr The Newegg sale is tempting, especially with the rumors about Canon raising prices on February 1.
January 16, 201115 yr Canon raising prices on February 1. Whaatt??! Don't they ususally make some official announcements before actually raising prices?
January 16, 201115 yr 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, 201115 yr by Salt Peanuts
January 16, 201115 yr 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.
January 16, 201115 yr 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, 201115 yr by Salt Peanuts
January 17, 201115 yr 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
January 17, 201115 yr 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.
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