I could have given this review the title, "In Praise of the EF 85mm f/1.8 Lens." It does almost everything that the EF 85mm f/1.2 L does faster, cheaper, lighter and smaller. There are a few notable exceptions. The 1.2L lens gathers more light, and it produces outstanding diffuse background blur (bokeh) and an associated exceedingly narrow plane of focus that can produce a unique look that is very attractive for portraits and useful in many indoor sports/action photography applications. However, unless you have a need to shoot at apertures wider than f/2 (f/1.4 or f/1.2) and/or are a portrait photographer, the EF 85mm f/1.8 lens will meet almost all of your needs for a fast 85mm lens.

With the introduction of the EF 85mm f/1.2L Mark II, Canon has made major improvements in their legendary f/1.2L lens including:

1. 1.8x faster autofocus: Autofocus in the EF 85mm f/1.2L Mark II is now fast enough to use in sports and other fast moving action photography;
2. New lens coatings: Flare is markedly reduced which results in better image contrast in unusual lighting situations;
3. Round aperture diaphragm to f/2.5: Results in smoothed out of focus aperture diaphragm patterns at apertures from f/1.4 to f/2.5
4. Electronics changes to support E-TTL II flash function

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II (left) and EF 85mm f/1.8

Externally, the Mark I and Mark II EF 85mm f/1.2L lenses look identical. Information on lens size, weight and price Lenses used in test: EF 85mm f/1.2L II (Manufactured March, 2006, purchased new) EF 85mm f/1.2L (Manufactured December, 2003, purchased new, mint condition) EF 85mm f/1.8 (Purchased new, 2001, Excellent condition)

Lens Resolution Tests on Film

Resolution curves on film for the three lenses can almost be superimposed upon each other. Small differences in recorded resolution are not photographically significant when you consider the variable effects of autofocus error. That is, any slight differences in resolution between lenses probably has less effect than autofocus error and photographer error under most conditions.

Methodology for the resolution test is here.		All autofocus camera bodies have autofocus error. The above test was run with the EF 85mm f/1.2L mark I and the EF 85mm f/1.8 lenses. In tests with the Mark I and Mark II f/1.2L lenses, autofocus error was closely comparable with an EOS-1v body.

Note on autofocus accuracy: I have read accounts on the internet of inaccurately focusing EF 85mm f/1.2L lenses and specific comments on the mark II. I have owned 4 copies of the mark I f/1.2L and extensively tested my current mark II. All lenses have autofocused flawlessly within the limits of camera-based autofocus variability. The mark II lens has autofocused accurately with the following cameras: EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS-1v, EOS 20D.
Note on lens to lens variability: Of the 5 85mm f/1.2L lenses I have owned, 3 were purchased new and 2 lenses were purchased used/refurbished. Film resolution curves of the 3 new lenses could be superimposed upon one another. The two used lenses gave very poor film resolution tests that couldn't be improved by step focusing (i.e., problems weren't autofocus related). The refurbished lens purchased from a highly reputable dealer had to be stopped down to f/8 to produce a sharp image (you could see lack of sharpness in images of news print). The used lens had to be stopped down to f/4 to produce useable images. The EF 85mm f/1.2L lens is heavy and complicated lens and probably subject to lens misalignment if dropped. While I have no evidence of factory-based quality variablity, used copies in cosmetically like-new conditions vary in quality. It is wise to test the sharpness of an 85mm f/1.2L lens when you received it and to have a return option with the buyer if it is found to be damaged/misalighned upon receipt.

Lens 50% MTF and Contrast with EOS-1Ds Mark II

50% MTF (modulation transfer function) or microcontrast and contrast at 10 lpm (line pairs per mm) were compared among the three lenses using a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II body. Images for this review were shot in RAW mode and converted to tif images for analysis using Phase One Pro software.

Click here for methodology in determining 50% MTF and Contrast

Center-Weighted 50% MTF Center of Lens and Edge of Lens Field Performance		Center Weighted Contrast at 10 lpm Center of Lens and Edge of Lens Field
Perceived image sharpness is more closely related to the spatial frequency (lp/mm) where MTF is 50% (i.e., where contrast has dropped by half) than to resolution alone. The 50% MTF values were calculated according to this method using EOS-1Ds Mk II images converted from RAW.		Image contrast at 10 lpm. The 1.2L lens outperforms the 1.8 lens in this analysis. Differences between the mark II 1.2L and the Mark I are not associated with detectable differences in image sharpness and contrast.

Other Tests on Vignetting, Edge Sharpness, Chromatic Aberration

Are differences in 50% MTF and Contrast Visible in Photographs?

Visible Contrast and Sharpness Differences (Full Table for all 3 lenses from f/1.2 to f/8))	Eye Detail at f/2 for the f/1.2L and f/1.8 Lenses

Differences in contrast and sharpness are barely detectable at f/2 between the f/1.8 lens and the 1.2L lenses. However, at other apertures differences are not visible. In repeated tests, there were no consistent differences detectable in constrast and sharpness between images produced by the mark I and mark II 1.2L lenses except for differences that were attributable to flare in the mark I lens.

Autofocus Function

In my tests, the mark II f/1.2L was approximately twice as fast as the mark I lens in autofocusing. (Canon specifies 1.8x faster focusing speed in the mark II over the mark I). Details: the EF 85 f/1.2L mark I takes approximately 1 second to re-focus from infinity to 2 meters. The Canon f/1.8 lens takes approximately 1/8 to 1/4 second. The EF 85mm f/1.2L II lens takes approximately 1/2 second.

Improved Autofocus Function of the EF 85mm f/1.2L II Lens Assessed at 2006 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships
The 1.8x increase in autofocus speed of Mark II lens makes it better suited for gymnastics photography. Previously, I had been very reluctant to use the mark I EF 85mm f/1.2L lens for floor events and uneven bars because of its slow autofocus speed. I missed critical shots. The mark II was sufficiently fast to photograph gymnasts at the 2006 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship on floor and uneven bars. Other photographers shooting faster action sports such as basketball may find the Mark II f/1.2L to be too slow since it still only autofocuses about half as fast as the f/1.8 lens.

April Burkholder, Louisiana State University 2006 NCAA Championship Floor Exercise Canon EOS-1D mkII, EF 85mm f/1.2L II lens@f/2 ISO 800 1/800 sec

Out of Focus Background Blur (Bokeh) and Background Out of Focus Diaphragm Pattern

Controlled Comparison of Out of Focus Background Blurring and Contrast (click here)

In addition to demonstrating background blur and aperture diaphragm patterns, the photograph series shows the decrease in contrast in images produced by the Mark I 1.2L lens associated with flare (f/8 and f/16)

Effect of Round Aperture Diaphragm in the EF 85mm f/1.2 II

The primary effect of rounded aperture diaphragm in the Mark II lens is to round diaphragm patterns in out of focus background lights. This effect is most noticeable at apertures wider than f/2.8.

	f/1.4
	f/2.0

Improved Lens Coatings in the EF 85mm f/1.2 II Greatly Reduce Flare and Internal Reflections
Images are exposed by monolight flash at 1/250th second with a monolight with snoot firing into the lens in the background.

EF 85mm f/1.8 @ f/2.8	EF 85mm f/1.2L Mark I @ f/2.8	EF 85mm f/1.2L Mark II @ f/2.8

Birefringence (purple fringing) produced by the 3 lenses

Birefringence patterns produced from f/1.4 to f/4 with the 3 lenses on an EOS-1Ds Mark II are shown here. No differences among the lenses were detected in birefringence induced in metallic/reflective objects at wide apertures with the three lenses using the 1Ds Mark II or an EOS 20D (20D images not shown).

Portrait Application

The EF 85mm f/1.2 L lens is prized by portrait photographers for its ability to produce diffuse background blur with the subjects popping out of the blur. This effect is created at apertures from f/1.2 to f/1.4. It has little to do with high MTF performance or high resolution in this aperture range. The narrow plane of focus with average resolution and contrast against a low-contrast, blurred background creates the stunning visual effect.

Background at f/2.8 EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS @ 100mm and f/2.8 EOS-1D mark II

Background blurred at f/1.2 EF 85mm f/1.2L mark I lens @ f/1.2; EOS-1Ds. This image benefits from fill flash not used in the f/2.8 image. Narrow plane of focus blurs background but also creates a problem (males ears are out of focus).

Examples of background control and image sharpness with a mannequin (Mark II 1.2L lens)

f/8

f/2.8

f/1.4

All mannequin images are cropped and resized out-of-camera jpgs using automatic white balance at ISO 100 with an EOS-1Ds Mark II see details

Conclusions

You should draw your own conclusions based on your photographic objectives and the need for light gathering capacity, background blur in out of focus areas (bokeh), and for autofocus speed as well as cost and weight considerations.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II (Mark II)
Strengths: This lens along with the original mark I f/1.2L lens produces excellent out of focus background blur (bokeh). Combined with super-shallow depth of focus and the greatest light gathering capacity at f/1.2, it offers capabilities that other lenses cannot match for low-light photography and artistic portraits with stunning appearance and for blurring backgrounds in other applications. Mark II autofocus function has been improved compared to the mark I lens, and autofocus is perfectly adequate for many action photography applications. The mark II lens is very resistant to flare because of its improved lens coatings.
Weaknesses/Challenges: This lens weighs 2.4 times more, costs 6.2 times more and focuses only about 1/2 as fast as the EF 85mm f/1.8 lens. The greater weight and significantly slower autofocus function than the f/1.8 lens may make it a challenging tool for some action/performance photography applications such as basketball.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L (Mark I)
Strengths: For most portrait applications of the EF 85mm f/1.2L lens, the Mark I lens has optical performance that is roughly equivalent to the Mark II lens. Exceptions are minimal differences in background out of focus lighting patterns and the absence of electronics to support E-TTL II flash function. At the time of the review, there are stocks of new mark I lenses available that are significantly less expensive than the Mark II lenses. Many high quality Mark I lenses are available in the used market at excellent price.
Weaknesses/Challenges: In addition to higher weight and cost issues, the Mark I f/1.2L lens autofocus is only about 1/4 as fast as the EF 85mm f/1.8 lens. Application of the mark I to action/performance photography can be very challenging due to sluggish autofocus. The Mark I lens is very prone to flare compared to either the Mark II f/1.2L lens or the f/1.8 lens.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8
Strengths: Overall, this is an incredibly sharp and good contrast lens with superior autofocus function in either single focus acquisition or tracking focus mode. Out of focus blur at f/2 (bokeh) is very pleasing for an 85mm lens. It is a very light and compact lens that provides high performance at a relatively inexpensive cost.
Weaknesses/Challenges: None within the aperture limits of the lens for most photographic applications. At apertures wider than f/2.8, the f/1.8 lens has slightly lower contrast and sharpness than the f/1.2L lens.

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© 2001-2006, W.L. Castleman
First Edition Posted 22 August 2001; Second Edition Posted 23 July 2004; Third edition posted 11 May 2006, updated 15 September 2007