[P-E]

I always see this lens (85mm 1.2L) qouted as a portriat lens but could it be considered as a general walk around lens ?

[lolyton]

I have always considered portrait lenses to be around about the 135mm mark, certainly above 100mm. However if you place it on a digi slr then unless you have a full frame sensor (which i think you may do) it could be considered a portrait lens. But at 85mm on a full frame sensor you could happily use it as a general lens (albeit the obvious restrictions that a fixed focal length lens will give you [though i'm sure this will be made up for in optical quality])

[Gary Bagshawe]

Back in the days of film I used to use an 85mm in the studio for portrait and model portfolio work and a 135mm for head shots, as mentioned above when you take into consideration the multiplication factor depending on sensor size you would have to work out what suits best.

[P-E]

Thanks for the replies.

Lens would be on a 1DMKII and I wouldn't want to use it just for portaits infact I would be looking to use it as a general walk around prime lens.

[Gary Bagshawe]

Originally Posted by P-E

Thanks for the replies.

Lens would be on a 1DMKII and I wouldn't want to use it just for portaits infact I would be looking to use it as a general walk around prime lens.

Then I think it would be a good choice and as you live in the same city as me I can borrow it.

[lolyton]

And you have to let him borrow it when he asks cos he has more rep points than god!

[Gary Bagshawe]

Originally Posted by lolyton

And you have to let him borrow it when he asks cos he has more rep points than god!

Im not going to live this down am I????

[P-E]

Originally Posted by Gary Bagshawe

Im not going to live this down am I????

Nope

Well it's a toss up between the 85mm 1.2L or the 35mm 1.4L.........

Not sure which one would suit my needs.......anyone any thoughts on the 35mm 1.4L ?

[Gary Bagshawe]

I think that you would get more use out of the 85mm tbh, even if I don't borrow it

[Steve]

Yup on full frame out of the two I would go for the 85mm. It will change the way you approach and shoot though, especially if you have previously been use to using a zoom lens?

[P-E]

Originally Posted by Gary Bagshawe

I think that you would get more use out of the 85mm tbh, even if I don't borrow it

You can borrow it as long as you promise not to get beer on it

Well as I have nothing at 85mm I guess it makes more sense.

Thanks for the advice all

[Gary Bagshawe]

Originally Posted by P-E

You can borrow it as long as you promise not to get beer on it

ME..... Beer....... where did you get that idea from

[P-E]

Well I have still not decided on this one yet

I swayed more towards the 35mm 1.4L the other day.

I have actually now thought of going prime only.......selling the two zoom lenses I have and replace them with the 24 1.4L, 35 1.4L & 85 1.2L primes.

[Dave]

Well if you don't need the speed of changing focal lengths, then your not going to beat the image quality from some primes. I would question the need for such fast lenses though if shooting landscape mainly ? (judging by your shots)