Looking for 85mm for Canon

[Alex MacPherson]

I am looking at getting a new 85mm lens.

How does the Canon EF 85mm/1.8 lens compare to the Zeiss 85mm/1.4?
Is it worth the extra $600?

The 85mm/1.2L is outside my budget.

[zlatko-b]

At this web site you can compare the sharpness of those two lenses at various apertures:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews...FLI=0&API=0
(Canon image appears first; mouse over the image to see the Zeiss)

I have no experience with the Zeiss, but do use both Canon 85mm lenses and the 85/1.8 is excellent for its price.

[Ken Bennett]

Interesting web site, Zlatko. Comparing both lenses at f/1.8, the Zeiss shows more contrast and no color fringing. By f/2.8 they seem pretty equal.

I own both the Canon 1.8 and the 1.2L II lenses, and both are fine performers. For the money, the 85/1.8 is very nice. Great portrait lens.

[marcwilson]

yes great site...it's interesting to then compare the two canon 85mm (1.8 and 1.2) both set at 1.8.
big differences.

Marc

[marcmccalmont]

When I tested my Canon 24-105 against a CZ 24-85 and CZ 35-70 & 45mm  it became apparent that they all resolved equally well
The difference was the contrast, the Canons were more contrasty the Zeiss less so, a bit more natural looking
It all came down to personal taste, I preferred the Canons
Marc

[ashley]

I think most of us are reaching similar conclusions. The primary difference I have found between the Canon and Carl Zeiss lenses comes down to a higher level of contrast in the Canon lenses which you may or may not prefer and perhaps it depends on what you are photographing. Both make fine lenses though.

I have both the Canon 85 F1.8 and the 24-105L. I like them both, however, given the greater flexibility of the zoom and the possibility to focus quite a bit closer at the same focal length I find few occasions now when I would actually need to opt for the 85mm. Just to add my voice to Johannes the 100mm macro is a stunningly good lens right the way across the aperture range. I recently wrote a blog post/review about the 24-105L compared to the Tamron 28-75 and various Canon primes which may be of interest at http://www.nudephotopro.com/blog/2009/08/canon-24-105l/

[Er1kksen]

I have and love the Canon 85 1.8; in fact, it's currently my ONLY lens. There is some fringing wide open, but that doesn't stop me from using it at f2.5 or wider almost all the time. In fact, I do a lot of my shooting wide open, in broad daylight. I find the fringing pretty easy to remove.

In my opinion, it's one of the best sub-$400 lenses you can get if you use Canon.

[ashley]

I have and love the Canon 85 1.8; in fact, it's currently my ONLY lens. There is some fringing wide open, but that doesn't stop me from using it at f2.5 or wider almost all the time. In fact, I do a lot of my shooting wide open, in broad daylight. I find the fringing pretty easy to remove.

In my opinion, it's one of the best sub-$400 lenses you can get if you use Canon.

I agree it's a wonderful lens. I've had mine since 1992 and apart from the 100mm macro it was almost certainly the best 35mm lens I had ever used. The 85mm wins hands down though for speed and none of my other lenses are able to follow fast moving objects nearly so well. I've always used the lenshood though because I suspect it would be prone to flare otherwise with that big front element.

[Alex MacPherson]

Thanks for all your opinions

I went to B&H today and picked up the Zeiss. What the heck... you only live once right?  

I shoot beauty on a tripod, so careful manual focusing is not a problem.

PS. I am in complete agreement with Ashley on the 100mm/2.8 ....sharp as hell. I sold
mine because I wanted something a little longer. I bought the 180mm/3.5L and I couldn't
be happier.
My 3 lens lineup now is 24-105/f4l,180mm/3.5L and Zeiss 85/1.4