Big f-stop (1.8), excellent background blur (perfect for portrature), strong all metal construction, really crisp clear images.

Lens hood not included and fits loosly to end of lense. USM can labor a bit in poorer light.

I needed a good close prime for average lighting conditions. I'd read the reviews and was impressed enough to pick one up second hand. Razer sharp images, even in poor light, brilliant with plenty of light, and ACCURATE color reproduction. Wide open the depth of field can be a little dramatic, otherwise I'm very happy.

L lens quality w/o L lens price

Hood came with it but Canon is suck at designing it so I don't use it. I wish the minimum focus distance was bit shorter. Not good for close up portrait.

Better than 85mm on EF28-135mm IS USM. Great contrast, sharpness, and handling. Light weight makes EOS 10D easier to bring along. I love this lens.

Customer Service

Not needed so far

Sharpness AF speed Silent AF Price

None, except for the lens hoods should be include at no extra cost. Considering all the independant lens makers includes lens hoods and their products cost less.

This is one of the best lens Canon makes. It's very sharp, has vary fast AF. The Price is very good weight is just right.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Various lenes by Canon and Tamron

- excellent sharpness already at f2.8 - autofocus "jumps" into the focus - relatively lightweight for its aperture

- soft and slightly vignetting wide open - bulky shade

When I shopped this lens as part of a large equipment, I didn´t intend to keep this lens. Why? Photodo rated it much worse than the Zeiss Sonnar 90/2.8 (for the G-system) which I use with my G2. I nevertheless launched my own lens test on Fuji Velvia and all lenses I have. What I saw was very intriguing: Wide open: this lens is a bit soft especially when compared to the 135/2.0 L-lens at f2. Vignetting is visible but by far more decent as compared to the 50/1.8. At f2.8 this lens already develops most of its sharpness and displays very good contrast. The highly rated Zeiss Sonnar (it is new!) was clearly worse. Compared with the 28-80/2.8-4.0 L-USM the results of the L-lens at f4 are very similar to the 85/1.8 at f2.8! At f8 both the Sonnar 90/2.8 and the EF 85/1.8 were nicely sharp although the Canon still holds the edge. That´s why I will trade away my almost new Zeiss Sonnar and keep the Canon plastic-barrel lens due to its superior optical properties.

Customer Service

never needed but: Canon-approved local repair shop is slow (for non-pros) but very reliable and not too expensive

Similar Products Used:

Carl Zeiss Sonnar 90/2.8 (G-system) EF 28-80/2.8-4.0 L USM EF 135/2.0 L USM

-Super sharp -Realatively inexpensive for what you get

-Nada

This is my personal favorite offering from Canon. Lens is sharp and the contrast is excellant as well. I love the "ring" usm, it is fast and quiet. Simply blows the zoom lens away in clarity and contrast. Get it and you will love it!

Customer Service

Not Needed!

Similar Products Used:

Various FD lens EF 35mm 2.0 EF 50mm 1.8 MkII Sigma 28mm 1.8 for Eos

Sharp. Fast. Great price point. Full time manual focus.

Lens hood should be included with Canon lenses. Cost of accessories is high (hood etc).

Very Sharp, beautitul background blur. Gorgeous portraits with my Tiffen Soft f/x 3. 8X12 enlargements scream not to use any other lens but this one. Watch out for shallow depthe of field at f1.8

Similar Products Used:

Canon 28 2.8 Canon 50 1.8 II Tamron 28-200 Super II Macro.

lightening focus speed

great lens. I don't need to say anymore. Most canon users will agree. If you are very rich, 85f1.2L is for you. But it is lesser mobility.

Similar Products Used:

nikon 105mm micro, many canon lens

Compact and light weight. Speedy USM AF. Very sharp even full open at f/1.8

Lens hood is option.

This is a great lens. It is under price. Get it, no reason to thinking any more.

Customer Service

Not try.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 100mm macro. Vivitar 100mm macro.

Speed Size of lens Weight

None

I use the lens to mainly take pictures of my family and am extremely please with the results. This is one of 6 Canon USM lenses I own and has quickly become my favorite. I love the background blur and shoot wide open all the time.

Customer Service

Not required

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 85/1.8

very sharp, high contrast, FAST AF speed, "L" class optics at cheap prices, small, light

none, really! OK, OK, they cost money

Impressive optical performance, as good or better than EF 85 1.2L at 3x price. Comperable optically to Canon''s own EF 100 2USM but the EF 85 1.8USM may have a slight edge. I''ve borrowed and rented EF 100 2USM and the EF 85 1.8USM is usually very slightly sharper. Great classic portrait lens, toss up between the EF 85 1.8USM and EF 100 2USM really in this focal length.

Customer Service

CPS is the BEST! Consumer service is done by same people buy CPS members get priority.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EF 50 1L, EF 50 1.4USM, EF 85 1.2L, EF 100 2USM, EF 135 2L