Low light lens for Full frame

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Low light lens for Full frame

Postby DebT on Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:24 am

Hi, looking for a low light lens for 5D11 and after some feedback on what users recommend and use
Have looked into 35 1.4, 50 1.2, 85 1.2 - yes I'm a brand snob and prefer L series but vcan only afford 1 (have the 24-70 2.8 but looking for a great prime for low light and great bokeh to make poitraits pop
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Re: Low light lense for Full frame

Postby fozzie on Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:01 pm

Hi Deb,

My thoughts are EF 85/1.2L or EF 135/2L for new toy 5DMII, congratulations.

Please note: new firmware just released.
http://canon.com.au/en-AU/Support-Servi ... I-firmware
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Re: Low light lense for Full frame

Postby robert on Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:35 pm

I dont have a nice portrait prime yet...but i think the 85 1.2 is just about the holy grail for us.

As far as low light, since getting my 5d mkII i just bump the iso- I am amazed by how little the image degrades.

If you dont have a tele zoom yet, maybe think about the new 70-200 2.8II IS, $500 more than the 85 at $3k, but gives a bit of versatility.

As far as DOF and pop from background, I was surprised to see f4 on full frame can give shallower area of focus than f2.8 on a crop body.
If you take the equiv 1.6 factor into account- ie FF at 135mm f4 @3metres = 0.11m, vs 7D at 85mm f2.8 @3m = 0.13
or FF 50mm f4 @3m =0.43 vs 31.3mm f2.8 @3m = 1m. see http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

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Re: Low light lense for Full frame

Postby gstark on Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:13 pm

fozzie wrote:My thoughts are EF 85/1.2L or EF 135/2L for new toy 5DMII, congratulations.


Mine too.

For a crop sensor camera, the 85 is brilliant. For FF, 105 - 135 has always been regarded as the ideal portraiture length.
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Re: Low light lens for Full frame

Postby dviv on Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:20 pm

I use the 50 1.4 (couldn't afford the 1.2). I use it on a crop body (40D) but from all reports it's pretty good on FF too.

I realise it's not an "L" but it's still a great lens. Highly recommended.
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Re: Low light lens for Full frame

Postby devilla101 on Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:57 pm

For portraits go with 85mm 1.2. You won't be sorry
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Re: Low light lens for Full frame

Postby DebT on Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:13 am

Thanks guys always good to hear from those that have used ...off to purchase nice pre-loved 85
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Re: Low light lens for Full frame

Postby PiroStitch on Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:42 am

85 is a great lens.

Just be aware that with all that glass, AF maybe a tad slower than with the non L lens.

Enjoy the search and eventual photo takin with the lens
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Re: Low light lens for Full frame

Postby devilla101 on Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:19 am

PiroStitch wrote:85 is a great lens.

Just be aware that with all that glass, AF maybe a tad slower than with the non L lens.

Enjoy the search and eventual photo takin with the lens


Most definitely. The AF is piss slow. Personally I don't use it for 'action' shots and I rarely use 1.2.

Also allow extra time when PP images taken with the lens. Its freakin' sharp even wide open!
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Re: Low light lens for Full frame

Postby Big V on Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:57 pm

Deb look forward to seeing that bad boy in action, it will be interesting to compare the 1.2 to the 1.8
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