alabau Loc: Ft Lauderdale, Florida

I have used both the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM and the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art. I find that both have comparable image quality at the center with the Sigma having better image quality going towards the peripheral ends. I did find that the Sigma had some auto focus issues in low light and when using outer focus points. I tried calibrating the Sigma using Focal and it still continued to have auto focus issues. After extensively using both lenses I finally decided on the Canon, the pin sharp auto focus and IS can't be beat, and sold the Sigma. Check out https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-85mm-f-1.4L-IS-USM-Lens.aspx for a comprehensive review of the Canon 85.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Smokes?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Maybe they are referring to the bokeh.... swirley, smokey....

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I guess so

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

Thank you for your input. I read the digital picture review. Very impressive lens. I really like the 85mm focal on my full frame body. I do have the 100mm f2.8L also. I still am undecided. But, I appreciate everyone's comments.

gwilliams6

He is correct here

DalinG

Canon 85mm f1.4 exists!

johnst1001a Loc: West Chester, Ohio

I don't know why people say the 85/1.4 does not exist. Amazon has them. $1599. For that price, get the 1.2.
One thing that I did not see mentioned is with a f1.4 lens you should be able to use a higher shutter speed to eliminate camera shake or motion, unless you are shooting in a darker room. Use a shutter speed of 1/500.
I have the 50mm 1.4, as well as the Sigma 35 1.4. All are good lenses. I use a 16-35 also, a 2.8. I can get great, clear landscape shots, but it is an old lens, 1990's. I also have an old 20 mm. My new toy will be
a 24 mm 1.4. I will likely get the Sigma version. Why 24, well, most of the time I shoot the telephoto at 24mm. If you read up on that lens, 24 is supposedly the sweet spot.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

For me, the IS would not be a big deal - but if you expect to actually be shooting @1.4, OR following action - where fast/accurate AF matters, then Canon is the one to have !

..

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

True! I won't be doing that.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You might find this interesting.... https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2017/12/comparing-the-canon-85mm-f1-4l-is-against-the-competition/

Summary for those who don't want to follow the link and read the whole review...

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM offers the dreamiest background blur and is best able to separate subjects from a background. It's also moderately heavy, but balances well because it's relatively short. It's the least sharp (slightly) of these three... has slower, noisier autofocus.... and is the most expensive of these three (currently on sale at $1850).

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is the sharpest of the three wide open (slightly) and has reasonably fast AF. It's less expensive ($1200), but significantly larger and heavier than either of the Canons.

The NEW Canon EF 85mm f/4L IS USM is the lightest of the three, but physically a bit longer than the Canon f/1.2L so can actually feel a little more nose heavy. It's the mid-priced of these three ($1600... too new for discounting) and has the fastest focus... the IS adds a whole other dimension to the usability of this lens, which neither of the others have.

The sample images are interesting... in the words of the reviewer, with them all stopped down slightly to f/1.8, the images from these lenses are virtually indistinguishable from each other.

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

It was interesting. Thanks for posting the link.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Bryan's review at https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-85mm-f-1.4L-IS-USM-Lens.aspx is also interesting and compares to the Siggy Art and Canon f/1.2L II.

Plus you can use his lens comparison tools to see for yourself how any two lenses fare against each other.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

You wouldn't be the first. That lens is so new it was still under my radar and I have a pretty decent collection of Canon lenses but I haven't been keeping up with the times since I retired a few months ago, about the same time the new lens hit the street.