Canon 85 F1.8 VS 85 F1.2L Lens

[Killer Angel]

Between the Canon 85 F1.8 and 85 F1.2L lenses,which focuses faster?
Thanks.

[Panopeeper]

The f/1.2 Mark II is faster than the Mark I was, but it is still slower than the f/1.8 is (this is according to people on the DPReview forum; I don't own the f/1.2).

[macgyver]

1.8

[Andy M]

I used to own the f1.2 II, but even that was slow to focus, in the extreme if compared to the 135L etc.

[sojournerphoto]

I used to own the f1.2 II, but even that was slow to focus, in the extreme if compared to the 135L etc.
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My 1.8 seem to focus well enuogh on a 5D

Mike

[Sheldon N]

I've had both the 1.8 and the 1.2L (Mark I).

The 1.8 is much faster to focus (almost 4x faster), but the results on the 1.2L are worth waiting for.    

[stanney2001]

i had the 1.8 focuses a lot faster due in part to the fact it isnt moving as much glass have a look at the glass on the 1.2 and youll understand why, i changed to the 1.2 mark II and the images came as a revelation to me had so much use out of it, but it can hunt a lot in focusing which can be frustrating if you need speed the 1.8 is the answer  

andrew stanney

[jjj]

I tried an f1.2 in a shop recently and assumed the appalingly slow autofocus was due to the model being defective [it was being returned as it had spots in the lens].
Now after eading the above, it may be that the lens is in fact a slug when it comes to focusing. You'd think the wide aperture would aid focussing, not impair it.

[Panopeeper]

IYou'd think the wide aperture would aid focussing, not impair it.

The wide aperture does aid focusing accuracy, but not the speed. The f/1.8 weighs only 425gr, while the f/1.2 is 1025gr. The mass of the glass elelements to move makes a huge difference.

[stanney2001]

canon improved the speed of the mark II over the mark I but really if you get hold of this lens take off both caps and look through it, beautiful  tho it is you get a sense of its weight. there is also the depth of field at 1.2 very narrow. in use the hunting can be frustrating especially if you capturing a moving scene good lighting is key and close examination of playback so you can come back to a shot. learn to live with the lens and when you come to print ive often been delighted with what i have

[Sheldon N]

I've found the accuracy of the AF on my 85 f/1.2 to be very good. My workaround for the slow focus is to zone prefocus (using the autofocus) to set the focus in the vicinity of where I anticipate that I will need it.

If I try to focus from four feet to fifteen feet and shoot a frame all in one motion, odds are that I will miss the decisive moment. If I see and anticipate that my next shot is going to be in that range, I will AF on something roughly in that vicinity without firing a frame off. Then, when I need to capture a moment, the lens has to move only a short distance and is very responsive and capable of capturing a shot quickly.

[eronald]

I use mine on a 1Ds and it's reasonably fast there - my EOS 1DII couldn't handle it.
I sold the camera, kept the lens

Edmund

I've found the accuracy of the AF on my 85 f/1.2 to be very good. My workaround for the slow focus is to zone prefocus (using the autofocus) to set the focus in the vicinity of where I anticipate that I will need it.

If I try to focus from four feet to fifteen feet and shoot a frame all in one motion, odds are that I will miss the decisive moment. If I see and anticipate that my next shot is going to be in that range, I will AF on something roughly in that vicinity without firing a frame off. Then, when I need to capture a moment, the lens has to move only a short distance and is very responsive and capable of capturing a shot quickly.
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