Canon 85mm 1.4L IS vs Canon 85mm 1.2L II vs Sigma 85mm Art

[@chasepedigo]

OMG you are amazing. No music, no rambling, no shots at 5.6, no shots in a studio with studio lighting. Everything scientific. Freaking yes man.

[@Artfulscience1]

No shots at 5.6 😂 I love it

[@gemmaregalado]

Hahahah no shots at 5.6 tho

[@Isaacimage]

Amazing Video ! Exactly what I was waiting for. Thank you so much for all your hard work!

[@feelinjive]

Great comparison and methodology! I think the new Canon 1.4 wins out over the Sigma not only on weight and size but also the 77mm diameter. I can use the NDs and polarizer I already have for the most common Canon zooms.

[@FranklinLiranzo]

thats exactly what i said when he mentioned the 77 diameter... i can use all of my filters for the 24-70 and 70-200.

[@castshooting]

I pre-ordered the Canon 85 f1.4 two weeks ago and can’t wait to try it. I had to choose between it and the 1.2. The IS made me choose the new lens.

[@LoranPolat]

Are you satisfied with the Canon 1.4

[@LoranPolat]

@ren gen Are you satisfied with the Canon 1.4

[@leelhgfx5546]

That was a GREAT comparison, so often people aren't as precise with the comparisons and side by sides.. the presentation was perfect. Best I have seen actually.

[@hanyramgt]

That is the best lenses review and comparison I have ever seen. Sharp, well covered, to the point,..... Keep it this way...

[@lensprotogo]

I will thank you!

[@bjarkihalldors]

Great review and comparison. I only watched it for curiousity reasons, since I own the 85mm f1.2L II and absolutely adore it. The slow focusing speed doesn´t bother me, since I mainly use it for portraits. I have photographed an indoor gymnastics competition with good results. It´s only slow if you want to change focusing distance a lot, but if you´re tracking the subject before the shot it is snappy enough.

[@lensprotogo]

Thank you and thanks for your insight!

[@melik5398]

Great review! Thanks for taking the time to make this. Excellent comparisons.

[@lensprotogo]

Thank you!

[@billhasson4528]

Thank you for the comparison I have a sigma 35 mm and it is incredibly sharp the 85 is such a big lens and I’m loving the reviews on the canon 85 1.4 so probably going to go with that one thank you for the review

[@Bombatron]

Exceptional review - you structured it very well, and covered everything that was critical. Bravo! Subscribed!

[@WendlandPhoto]

Nice review, great info. I shoot with the 85 1.2L II a lot. I never have problems with autofocus, it's not slow and always right on, and it is razor sharp even wide open. I use it on both a 5D mark 3 and on an A7iii with an adapter. I shot the Art, but it just doesn't have the type of rendering I prefer - the 1.2L has a much more natural look to it. I would say my 1.2L is slightly sharper, but I have to pixel peep to see it. For real world purposes you can't tell the difference. I haven't shot the 1.4L, so I can't comment on that one. If your AF is slow with the 1.2, you are likely trying to use it as a sport or action lens, which it isn't. I grab the 70-200 for that. The 1.2L is simply the finest portrait lens one can buy right now outside of the 200 1.8L, which is in a class (and price range) by itself.

[@ischinitomoreno]

how about on events? Does the AF of 85mm 1.2 is a good lens?

[@timsteele1123]

What you miss is the rendering...the 1.2 is just the most wonderful lens in the way it captures...yet no mention

[@AndreasLudwigPhD]

Great video. Have got both Canons and really struggled with the 1.2 for anything but very steady portrait shoots. IS and fast focussing makes such a difference.

[@lensprotogo]

Yeah the 1.2 is not a fast lens but it does look pretty :)

[@stantraianedes3847]

I have shot extensively with the sigma 1.4 and the canon 1.4. I found the canon locked focus more often and correctly than the sigma. Sigma does appear to have a cooler rendition of all scenes and creates the "appearance of sharper images. However the sharpness looks like results from noticeable oversharpening in post processing. I've bought the canon 1.4 . After 200 portraits with this, in the studio and location, it has become a key item of equipment next to the 70-200 and canon's sharpest prime, 135mm f2. Recommended

[@Francisfphoto_]

135 f2 is sharper than the EF 85 1.4 L II?

[@stantraianedes7714]

@@Francisfphoto_the different focal length , each at the widest apertures, will give this appearance to the 135mm.

[@Francisfphoto_]

Stan Traianedes I know, I’m asking about which one is the sharpest

[@stantraianedes7714]

@@Francisfphoto_ both optics produce very sharp images at around f2.2. Your inference that one is sharper than the other is misguided. The 85mm with the current lens coatings does have improved contrast over the 135. For the purposes of your enquiry , increased "sharpness" may be perceived with the 85mm.

[@Francisfphoto_]

Stan Traianedes hahaha bro, I’m just replying to your sentence (2 years ago) “Canon’s sharpest prime, 135 f2”

[@EpicsodeOne]

I bought the 1.4 L IS USM one week ago. I'm even using it for Jewellery. Very very satisfied with it.

[@garyroberton4826]

Very informative and straight to the point. Brilliant examples and comparisons. Thank you.

[@freshboimusik313]

I'll take the Art over the Canon. Thanks for a great review. You've earned a sub 💪🏿👍🏽

[@harmony8785]

Dude. So perfect and exactly what I was wanting to know. I've shot with the 1.4 and the 1.2 and I swear I could have fired off 4 shots on the 1.4 before the 1.2 auto-focused.Thanks!

[@healing2gether]

Great video, but I’m really interested in knowing if you still use your 5ds?? And what’s your feedback on it? Thanks, Adam

[@theastrokash8319]

I used the 85 1.2 and I wasn't really impressed with it. The bokeh is nice yes but it's not sharp and there's a lot of flares and chromatic aberration for such as expensive lens. I ordered the sigma art 85 and it's due to arrive in a week. I'm really excited.

[@thisis5123]

Try it again and look at the whole picture. the 1.2 is killer sharp unless you are talking about the very very absolute corners wide open ( something i would never place a subject in) The sides sure, I would place a subject there, but not against the absolute corner like that. The 1.4 canon and sigma look very dull and 2 dimensional with lack of micro contrast in order to score well on resolution sites that think they can reduce a lens value to a single number to make the consumer feel good about their purchase. most people cant afford to be scientific and own 2 lenses of the same focal length and truly test them side by side, so they rely on a single number to evaluate worth. Besides, chromatic aberration is 100% fixable with the click of a button with no disadvantage.

[@TT-dz8zf]

You pretty much covered everything I was curious to know. Thank you for keeping it brief and straight to the point! Subscribed!

[@swoop7777777]

great video that doesn't get bogged down in the tech crap that so many reviewers spend time on that really has minimal, if any impact, on day in day out use.

[@pegshealth]

You're a very good reviewer - it's great to get so much information so quickly. Thank you.

[@shaqhoque4801]

The Canon is definately the winner due to IS. Canon's IS is fantastic! And the 85mm is a portrait lens, so when you don't use flash and it's a bit dark, I'd much rather use IS to have a 1/40 at ISO 800 than 1/100 at ISO 2000. IS helps you get a much cleaner image and especially why you're eye focusing at 1.4, where DOF is very think. . To me, the IS plus the overall quality of Canon lenses is the way to go.

[@NoahStephens]

Great comparison. This sells me on the Canon 1.4.

[@lensprotogo]

Good choice that is my go to as well.

[@guillandanthony711]

Really good review! Simple and full of information! No I know which one to pick.

[@MarkGrevers]

Just a clean comparison, one of the clearest ive seen! Thanks

[@travelwithus3732]

hi which one should i buy Sigma 85 or Canon 85 1.4? Please help thanks

[@ericmiller4271]

Great vid, I just ordered the 85 1.4, arrives today! Looking forward to seeing how my R5 IBIS works w/ the IS of this lens.

[@KennyGPhotography34]

I started watching your video because of the lens comparison, but what caught my attention was the tractor. I grew up on that EXACT same model of tractor. I have no pics of it, sadly, but I have years of memories of 12+ hour days on that tractor. And anyone who includes pics of an Allis Chalmers 7040 in their blog WILL get followed by me!

[@OsbourneChin]

Thanks for this. Just to add that the Sigma is also weather sealed.

[@stevenmeansphotography3861]

It is

[@abc61315]

Love the auto focus speed test !

[@ArcanePath360]

Great video. Info was everything I needed without knowing I needed it, thanks

[@RozelyLindim]

IDK. I still prefer the color and luminosity rendition from 85 f.12. The new 85 F1.4 are much more sigma-like. Chromatic aberration still correctable in PP.

[@thisis5123]

hands down agreed, the 1.4 and sigma look dull. who cares if you can crop into the detail at the edge of the frame and see more ( only when wide open though, stopped down the 1.2 actually bests both these when stopped down in corners)

[@rudolfherwig7279]

Hi Greg, you did a fantastic job when realizing this very informative video! You spent a lot of time for it and I learned a lot from this video. Thank you!

[@peetje28021970]

Good review, I bought both of the Canon’s, for different applications.

[@dregister01]

Nice job on the quality. Top notch!! Just subbed

[@ArtKingjr]

I want to know what lens and camera you're using for this video.

[@lukmie2769]

Excellent review, thanks mate.

[@phoenix7289]

Did you really test the mark ii of the 85 1.2 lens?

[@pwilson4726]

what camera are you shooting on for your videos man?

[@EnamKunutsor]

Wonderful comparison, definitely getting the new Canon 85mm soon

[@lensprotogo]

Good choice!

[@conchimddadda1]

Thanks, I've been waiting for this review before making final decision

[@DanielFazzari]

Cool video, enjoyed the comparisons! I bought the Canon 1.4 and just love it!

[@theunorthodoxreview1849]

What camera and lens combo did you use to shoot this video? It focused so fast with creamy bokeh

[@lensprotogo]

Canon 1dxMKII with a Sigma 24mm ART f1.4

[@aofekfarangi4676]

which gear you use to shoot this video?

[@Digi20]

So there´s around 2/3 to maybe even one stop more light for the old workhorse due to better transmission and that third of an f/stop wider aperture? heck, i hate how slow it focuses, but that one stop is what saves you on a dark wedding dance from having to use flash.

[@EstiloInAction]

I use my 1.2ii for specific shots at events. I've shot a ton of kids running around at parties and still manage to get sharp focus at 1.2. Shooting portraits at a studio i have all the time in the world 😎. That 85 1.4 looks to be the new workhorse for sure! I'd get that if I didn't already own the 1.2ii.

[@AlexOvechkinSucks]

Good point. I had to edit my previous statement because I took screen grabs and tried to line up the exposures in lightroom. It's about 1/4 stop brighter in the center but much darker on the edges due to vignetting, which makes it difficult to assess, especially considering the 1.2 will vignette differently wide open. After blurring it in PS, I got pretty close to +0.4 stops (which was still center weighted but less so), so that, with the addition of the extra 1/3 stop you get at 1.2, I'd say about 3/4 stop difference. Still, I'd trade IS (4 stop advantage handheld), waaay faster focusing, smaller, lighter body, and a slightly grainier image for 3/4 stop any day, but that's me. Anyway, it's a shame that it's not as good as advertised, hence the slightly lower price than most people expected at $1600.

[@JCJR0411]

I recently picked up a canon EF f/1.4L and was amazed at the results! Tremendous sharpness and ease of focusing.... I highly recomend it for portrait photography! I retired my EF 50mm f/1.4 🤣🤣

[@alfvq]

Thank you. This is exactly what I needed

[@NatashaJBella]

These are actually the 3 lenses I'm trying to choose from. Really useful video, thank you,

[@IronCan88]

Hi I have the opportunity to buy a used like new 85mm 1.2 Mk II for $1200. What do you recommend $1200 for f1.2 or $1600 for 1.4 IS?

[@tahoeturk]

Well done. Moves fast which I like. Almost too fast when switching from result to result. I just sold my Canon 85 1.2. I still find myself going back to their 85 1.8 because of it's size, speed and weight. Less expensive and still tack sharp. Traded that 85 1.2 for the 17 T/S. Sweet!

[@tahoeturk]

Last year I worked on two big projects. One was a book on Historic Homes of Alabama for the state's 2019 Bicentennial and the other was a website for a new U. S. Civil Rights Trail. Sixty one historic sites across 10 states. That site launches Jan 15 at civilrightstrail.com Lots of interiors in big spaces and architectural exteriors. I used my 24 T/S extensively, often doing stitched shots with it to get a wider look.

[@charlesazevedo4849]

Forgetting about IS which one do you feel is the best? Which one has delivered the best AF, IQ, micro contrast, etc?

[@kenmcdougall6106]

Great review and really good use of technology on your part, makes the differences very clear.

[@lensprotogo]

Thanks, Ken. Always trying to make it as easy to understand as possible.

[@petrvokurek2286]

Excellent, no bullshit video, thanks! Looks like yours is about the first review of the new Canon 85mm that actually counts:)

[@hjd9157]

Thanks a lot for doing this test!😊

[@faisallouzan9411]

On this video what is the camera that u use it

[@charlotteramoore880]

What a great review! Concise, helpful, without all the extra crap THANK YOU!

[@joebledea]

Awesome comparison, thank you so much, was debating whether to "upgrade" my 1.2 85 L, new subscriber

[@林雋庭-n8b]

Very informative review! I am considering to adapt the canon new 85mm f1.4 is to my Sony a7r2. I wonder how it performs against the sony gm 85mm f1.4.

[@Ernny99]

What lens did you use to shoot the intro?

[@malindastuart9151]

Great video, wish you included Zeiss in your comparison. Thanks!

[@BJJreview]

Nicely done. Very helpful, thoughtfully presented, no editorial, no BS. Thank you! I'm for the Canon 1.4 :) ... shooting with fast shutter speeds, no IS, and indoor sports.

[@lucaraimondo5967]

amazing video, short and detailed.. thanks man!

[@lensprotogo]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@waygone6657]

Nice job, very well presented and very good comparisons. Keep up the good work. Based on what you have shown here I would choose the Canon 1.4

[@FranklinLiranzo]

fantastic review. to the point and VERY helpful!! the 1.4 is (canon) it is!!! thank you!

[@robertfairer]

Great video - thank you for taking the time to put it together.

[@yanpermana8685]

Great detailed review! But I didn't find any comparison between the RF 85mm f2 STM vs EF 85mm f1.4 L which I very curious about the optical quality when mounted on EOS R series. Could you do comparison of these 2 lenses?

[@silvavideosphotography9267]

What did you shoot this videos with?

[@SShaBazzz]

I think he shot it with a camera. I do believe.

[@shashcooks]

This was incredible. Thank you!!!

[@MTaylorUS]

Excellent review! Very well done! Could you compare the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L lens to the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS lens? Thx!

[@videosuperhighway7655]

Great review, Straight to the point and actual testing. Subbed. Looking forward to see how fast it autofocus on a 1DX m3

[@iancurrie8844]

The sigma seems to be weather sealed as well. I own one. Strange to list that as a pro or the canon.

[@m.m.3845]

Thank you very much for that great comparison!

[@PhotographerSen]

Nice video. Good comparison! Well, 400 backs can give me an entire solo short trip, where I can carry that heavy art lens. So, It's a big deal, when others features and outcomes are similar.

[@mariusfoca2.0]

Woow !!! This video is fantastic !!! Even in 2020! Thank you man ;)

[@MichaelLaing71]

I must admit to being impressed by the Canon 85mm f/1.4L IS (and I say that as a Nikon shooter). For me the IS really puts the Canon 85mm f/1.4L over the Sigma and older Canon f/1.2. IS is really useful on an 85mm for certain kinds of photography and us definately worth the extra $400 dollars, plus the weather sealing is always worth having and the Sigma is a big heavy lens and the 86mm filter thread is a bit of a pain. Of course another option is the Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Milvus which is another great lens (I own the Nikon version). of course it is heavier (even heavier than the Sigma) and it doesn't have auto focus but its rendering is wonderful and its build makes the other lenses feel like toys but it isn't a lens for everyone and you need a camera with great range finder system to make the most of the manual focus (without using the rear screen).

[@hanss9239]

Wish the Milvus was Auto Focus...

[@MichaelLaing71]

Yep, it is a real pain. I pretty much always use it on a tripod for when I am either doing portraits or environmental portraits but it was getting so frustrating, I ended up buying the Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E, which not 100% up to the Milvus optical ability, it is very close).

[@hanss9239]

Cool good to know.

[@madmanmedia4018]

Agreed, the WS and the IS makes the canon 1.4 the winner in my book. Canon has lens profiles we can use to mitigate artifacts and issues with each lens.

[@yitzchallevi8208]

You asked: I like the 85 1.2 L best since it has real character.... the other lenses are great but a bit clinical in their rendering.

[@hanss9239]

I disagree, try working with the 1.2 in a professional setting. It's​ a bad lens.

[@richardpcrowe]

I shoot with a Canon 85mm f/1.8 (because of cost) however, I would choose the Canon f/1.4 out of these three. However, one thing that I do like about the f/1.2 is the full DOF scale and IR focus point which seems to be missing on the other lenses...

[@UnratedAwesomeness]

Can you please do a video centred review of the lens? I'm looking at this lens and really need to know about things like focus breathing, if it's focus by wire, how it looks to shoot handheld with the IS, etc (you understand video idk why I'm explaining so much). But yeah it would be much appreciated. This is such a common lens for wedding photographers, and I want to be able to use it as a wedding VIDEOgrapher as well

[@FloatingOnAZephyr]

It isn't focus by wire, thank goodness. IS will help your footage look smoother, for sure, but don't expect it to act like a gimbal for walking shots etc.

[@UnratedAwesomeness]

FloatingOnAZephyr hey thank you a lot :) I expected such

[@levinmenger_bewegtbild]

Amazing comparison! I was stunned by the lack of chromatic aberration and the image stabilisation of the Sigma. I´d say its worth the "few" extra bucks..

[@averobinramos1496]

Nice review

[@UnratedAwesomeness]

So happy to see Canon finally stepping up there game to come out on top. Maybe because they’re reliant on their lens ecosystem to drive sales? Either way it’s nice to see them BEAT the competition for once

[@FloatingOnAZephyr]

I'd say they've been ahead in lens design for 30 years. Even the incredible Sigma 35 ART doesn't match the new Canon 35L II. Also, only Canon makes 1.2 lenses at any focal length. They need to up their game in other areas, but they're still superb at making glass.

[@benpykephotography]

I’m not sure why you think the canon came out on top , he pretty much said it was a toss up

[@UnratedAwesomeness]

In terms of sharpness, not in terms of image stabilizer, and maybe even focus breathing (i dont remember)

[@Danisumi1]

Canon is the only one making 1.2 lenses, because they are the only one who can use it. Nikons mount is capped at 1.4. Therefore it makes no sense for third parties to make 1.2 lenses who can only be used on canon's, instead of making 1.4 who can be used on all other cameras as well

[@AlexOvechkinSucks]

Canon lens quality and selection are easily the best in the world. I'd love to see more 2.8 IS zooms at the wide end though.

[@csbb1983]

nice review! Good job

[@jeejay98]

Nice video. A bit late and was just looking for an 85 1.4 and I am convinced to shell the extra $300-$400 for the weather sealing and stabilization. Thanks.

[@lensprotogo]

Good choice!

[@DIGIPIX55]

Like many others said nice video, the way they should be done!

[@darksidephotography2701]

great work! thanks for your sharing very valuable information this is what I need I will go to EF85 1.4 because -IS -similar sharpness (85ART)

[@madrnano7964]

i m planning to switch from m34 to canon though among the reasons to switch is that sigma lenses art series are gr8 from comments i see many complaints about them !! strange how people change their words anyway om planning to buy 11-24 f4 L 35mm f1.4 Lii 85mmF1.4 L ----- SIGMA 14 F2.4 ART 138MM F1.8 ART ARE THESE SIGMA WORSE THAN CANON ONES ?

[@dansaghin1]

what about the rendering and the overall image?! many pros hold to their 85 f1.2 and consider it the best portrait lens ever, sometimes sharpness and focus speed is`n`t everything

[@thisis5123]

it depends on how you define "sharpness" too. Most people use Resolution and Sharpness interchangeably. But to me and other people who i know way way more experienced than me note that micro contrast (eg.Pop, tonality, zeiss pop, 3D) plays into the sharpness. Here while the the Canon has the typical global contrast loss wide open( easily 100% fixed) it pops much more and looks shinier and clearer. The others look muddy ish to me by comparison.

[@thisis5123]

The sigma looked awful by comparison when viewing the whole image in my personal opinion. Just looked dull to me. They make it have tons of resolution for pixel peeping, but mainly to score good MTF scores which almost always never translate into real subjects with this company.

[@jalexanderevans]

Can't see what lens is up when I'm watching this on my phone. Text is too small.

[@lensprotogo]

Thanks for the note next time i'll add some additional bigger text.

[@susanreneebright6804]

I have an EOS 5D Mark III using a Sigma 24mm-35mm lens and love it for family photos, senior photos and landscapes. I borrowed a Canon EF 85mm f/1.4 L IS USM lens while shooting models in Bali and was impressed with the bokeh, quality and confidence. Debating the Canon 85mm f/1.4 L IS USM vs the Sigma 85mm. You make great points....i'm off to the camera store to ponder:)

[@NittyGrittyMums]

I rented the Sigma for a shoot last year and liked it a lot, but the sheer weight of it made it a no-go for me, so I patiently waited... and waited... and finally the Canon 1.4 arrived and I bought it. Absolutely love it; so sharp; eyes look amazing and that IS really works well. And even though it's still a weighty beast, I don't find that a problem as it feels better balanced on the camera (5d mkiv) than the Sigma. SO my vote goes to Canon 85mmf/1.4 all the way.

[@BooTangClan]

Super helpful & thorough. 👍🏼👏🏼🦖

[@JakeWeisler]

Great review! Keep it up, you got me subscribed!

[@emman3k]

Been looking for a decent review and this is by far the best one I've seen. Thanks Still going with the Sigma, but the 85mm with IS is a game changer. Looking forward to the 50mm 1.4 with IS landing in 2018

[@woldya]

Amazing test! Thank You!

[@林川-o7h]

Good VID! NOW EF IS became a shortage for R5, R6 and R6ii

[@lifetimesofamultiplemediam1003]

Brilliant review; just hits the points, no BS!… Impressed by the Sigma, a lot… but been dreaming about that Canon 1.4 since I heard of it's existence. Weight is a consideration for me, and that IS since I shoot video as well as photography.

[@oktayatl7169]

Great review!!

[@BernardoGarcia]

Nice video. I have a Canon 5dsr and the 85 sigma art.