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Archive 2011 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?
  
 
John64
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p.1 #1 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


Hi I need help, those two lens, which one you like and why? thanks!


Dec 17, 2011 at 06:42 AM
wickerprints
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p.1 #2 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


How can anyone recommend either one if we don't know what you intend to shoot, what conditions you shoot in, what other lenses you own, and your aesthetic style? What works for me isn't necessarily going to work for you. I say this in all earnestness not because I am trying to antagonize you, but because I think it would ultimately serve you far, far better to think about these questions and understand that an informal poll isn't going to provide you with meaningful information.

I've never understood these "which lens do I buy?" threads. If the question has to do with finding lenses to suit a specific goal, then all that one needs to do is look at the specifications and imaging performance and choose the most suitable match. If one is unclear about what they want to shoot or how to weigh their selection criteria, then soliciting others' opinions isn't going to change that indecision. The only real way to discover what works for you is for you to try it out. Otherwise, you could end up choosing something without ever knowing whether the other option(s) might have been even better.

For what it's worth--and from the above, it's not worth much if anything--I use the EF 85/1.2L II over my EF 70-200/2.8L IS. But that has no bearing on what YOU should use, even if I explain in detail what I use this lens for and how I use it.


Dec 17, 2011 at 06:54 AM
Daan B
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p.1 #3 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


Akward question. Fast primes and zooms serve different purposes. So, what do you want to do with either of these lenses?


Dec 17, 2011 at 08:27 AM
ohsnaphappy
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p.1 #4 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


Best answer ever - both! Problem solved


Dec 17, 2011 at 04:14 PM
helimat
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p.1 #5 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


ohsnaphappy wrote:
Best answer ever - both! Problem solved
Dec 17, 2011 at 05:27 PM
Grantland
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p.1 #6 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


John64 wrote:
Hi I need help, those two lens, which one you like and why? thanks!

i can answer your question. doesn't seem too unreasonable.

for the past 5 years I have used the 85L I & II for senior portrait work. very sharp, great color and beautiful bokeh. I typically shoot at f/2.0. very seldom would i shoot f/1.2.

this summer i picked up the 70-200 f/2.8 II and i was amazed by it's quality. i did a senior shoot with it and it too was very sharp, great color and had beautiful bokeh. not quite the same as the 85L at f/2.0 but darn close. so close a typical customer of mine would not notice. it got me wondering if i really need the 85L for what i shoot. i think most wedding people would NEVER sell their 85L due to it's light gather ability.

i love the 85L and am not willing to part with it at this time but . . .





Dec 17, 2011 at 05:54 PM
halie
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p.1 #7 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


I had both, but kept the 70-200 f/2.8 II because, though 90% of my shots with it are at 85mm, I really like f/2.8.


Dec 17, 2011 at 05:58 PM
PetKal
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p.1 #8 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


I suppose that kind of a question is related to one's desire to have both lenses, yet at the moment he/she is prepared to acquire only one of them. Clearly, both lenses are excellent in their own right, and it is hard to choose.

However, if we were following the lens focal length (FL) consideration alone, I could save a goodly amount of money by getting 28-300L, and then selling the following FL redundant lenses :

35L
50 f/1.2
50 f/1.0
85L
100L
135 SF
135L
180L
200 f/2.8
200 f/1.8
200 f/2 IS
300 f/4 non-IS
300 f/2.8 IS
28-80L
70-200 f/2.8 IS MkII


Edited on Dec 17, 2011 at 06:23 PM · View previous versions
Dec 17, 2011 at 06:20 PM
Jonathan Huynh
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p.1 #9 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


Daan B wrote:
Akward question. Fast primes and zooms serve different purposes. So, what do you want to do with either of these lenses?

Yes ! Very Akward question.


Dec 17, 2011 at 06:23 PM
Mirek Elsner
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p.1 #10 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


John64 wrote:
Hi I need help, those two lens, which one you like and why? thanks!

I liked both, the 85 for the very shallow depth of field on a relatively wide angle and smooth background blur, the 70-200 for the ability to shoot under any conditions. Here are some observations that might help you decide.

The 85 is really "just" a portrait lens:

  1. Has very slow AF, not great for action
  2. May show veiling flare under certain conditions
  3. May require gentler manipulation than most L lenses
  4. Has very smooth out of focus areas
  5. With some training, you can use the shallow DOF to create a "special" look to your pictures, but that look is perhaps becoming a cliche


The 70-200 is very versatile:

  1. Does not change size with focusing and zooming, is weather sealed and is built to withstand harsh conditions
  2. Has very fast AF
  3. Is image stabilized
  4. The bokeh is not outstanding
  5. Resolution is comparable to primes
Dec 17, 2011 at 07:19 PM
 



Copypaste
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p.1 #11 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


Indeed, get both! You'll love 'em


Dec 17, 2011 at 07:27 PM
Psychic1
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p.1 #12 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


The 70-200L IS II is a staple and would be my first purchase.

The 85L is a specialty lens which should be purchased the following week.

24-70L, 85L and 70-200L IS II should cover most of your needs.

Next year...


Dec 17, 2011 at 09:40 PM
VinnieJ
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p.1 #13 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


I don't shoot much that requires a tele-zoom but I do shoot in poor lighting conditions all the time. So it's the 85L for me but obviously your needs may be different.


Dec 18, 2011 at 04:12 AM
James Taylor
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p.1 #14 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


I like the 85L - it can set your work apart from everyone that uses a 70-200

JT


Dec 18, 2011 at 06:07 AM
dmcharg
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p.1 #15 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


Depends what type of photography you want to do. Neither lens is small or light weight. Its also worth considering the 70-200 F4LIS and the 85 1.8 both of which are a fraction of price and much more portable. The zooms are far more flexible so if you don't already have something in the 70-200 range then you will not be disappointed with either lens thats for sure. Personally i would get one of the 70-200 zooms and see how you go. If 85 really works for you then try the 85 1.8.


Dec 18, 2011 at 09:25 AM
kdlanejr
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p.1 #16 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


ohsnaphappy wrote:
Best answer ever - both! Problem solved

+2

I have both, use both...



Next question.


Dec 23, 2011 at 12:47 AM
h00ligan
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p.1 #17 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


Everyone here is trying to make everyone else broke bad advice people!


Dec 23, 2011 at 02:17 AM
RobertLynn
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p.1 #18 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


Well if you're looking at the 70-200 2.8IS II and also the 85 1.2....

I could assume you are looking at,

85 1.8
100 f/2.8
100 f/2.8 IS
135 f/2
that soft focus thing
a 200 f/2.8

and if you're able to get by with the 85 and not the 70-200, why not a 50mm then? hell, why not a 50 1.8.

I saved you like 1500+ dollars...so you can mail me 200, buy the lens, and be ahead of the game.


Dec 23, 2011 at 02:25 AM
PetKal
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p.1 #19 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


wickerprints wrote:
For what it's worth--and from the above, it's not worth much if anything--I use the EF 85/1.2L II over my EF 70-200/2.8L IS.

Like, what do you really do ? Like....duct-tape 85L on top of 70-200 f.2.8.....for that spaceshuttle-atop-747-transporter look ?
Dec 23, 2011 at 03:53 AM
wickerprints
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p.1 #20 · 85L 1.2 II or 70-200L 2.8 II?


wickerprints wrote:
For what it's worth--and from the above, it's not worth much if anything--I use the EF 85/1.2L II over my EF 70-200/2.8L IS.

PetKal wrote:
Like, what do you really do ? Like....duct-tape 85L on top of 70-200 f.2.8.....for that spaceshuttle-atop-747-transporter look ?





No, actually. When I say "over," I mean I've got this nifty 77mm front filter-to-EF mount adapter off eBay, which i use to attach my EF 85/1.2L II to the front of my EF 70-200/2.8L IS. That way, I get the creamy f/1.2 bokeh of the 85L PLUS the image stabilization of the 70-200! You should try it sometime, it really works!


Dec 23, 2011 at 04:06 AM
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