rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Could not have said it better...

The two subjects that seem to dominate the world of amateur photography, the cameras dynamic range and the lenses sharpness. Both important issues but certainly not all that matters. For some I guess what matters more is the numbers, the image, the photograph, is secondary.

When I have the opertunity to do portraits I mount my EF 85 f/1.2L to my EOS 5DSr and let the magic take place. The lenses creamy sharpness compliments the high resolution of the camera. Frankly, a tack sharp lens on a 50 megapixel body isn't going to produce flattering portraits, it going to accentuate every little flaw and blemish and produce a very unflattering image.

Ira

The conversation was about the quality and properties of a lens, nothing to do with art or the critique of a photograph. There are many "Professional Photographers" who have never studied art and have no understanding of composition, color theory, or design, but they call themselves Pros. This has nothing to do with Pros and Amateurs. A real artist doesn't have to delineate between a pro and amateur, his work will speak for itself.

anotherview Loc: California

For my part, I cannot recall reading about any photographer who routinely uses the Canon 85mm f/1.2 lens in his field of photography.

anotherview Loc: California

For my part, I cannot recall reading about any photographer who routinely uses the Canon 85mm f/1.2 lens in his field of photography.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

By definition, most pros are amateurs. The difference is in how one generates income. If a person's primary source of income is generated by the creation of still photographs and or motion pictures or videos with a camera, they are professional photographers.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

The lens has been popular for years with professional portrait, wedding and fashion photographers, as well as with (rich) amateurs who understand the lens' particular magic.

I want one.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I'm not rich but I do have the original version. Occasionally I will check out what folks are selling on eBay. I look for lenses that are described as being in very good condition except for dust or haze. I'll buy the lens if I can get it cheap and then send it to the repair shop I've been using for some time. They do an excellent job of cleaning the lens for a very reasonable price. Sometimes I keep the lens, sometimes I sell them. I bought my EF 85 f/1.2L on eBay for, I think $350. It had a good amount of dust and obvious haze, the hood was scratched and the caps were missing. The repair shop took it apart and cleaned it up for $100 and checked the electronics. The lens works perfectly. I have plenty of rear caps and found a Canon 72 mm front cap in my box of caps. I buffed the hood and it looks and works just fine. I could probably get $1000 for the lens on eBay but I'm keeping this one.
The first time I used it was at one of my daughters baby showers. I used it for the "formal" photos. She and her sisters loved the photos. I used it again at her daughters baptism. The shot of mom dad and their baby daughter at the baptismal font turned out so nice they have a 13 by 19 print I made for them hanging in their dining room.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

the 58mm F1:1.2 is the noct nikkor - very pricey, even today. but cannot be beat by anything for night photography. oops! wait a minute! there is leica's 50mm noctolux for about 5k used and close to 10k new. and i thought my nikkor was expensive!

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

I've rented the 85/1.2 a few times and will eventually buy one. It is certainly a lens with some magic.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

I have the Nikon 1.4 shown and I can say from personal experience that it's a phenomenal lens.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida