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Archive 2014 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

tele_pathic
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

So I'm setting up my studio in my home after a recent move to a new home. Taking some "test" shots this morning (I really got splurge the $50 to post photos). Testing the 85mm 1.8 USM side-by-side with the 70-200 f4 (not even the f2.8 version II). Using Yongnuo manual flash.

And after processing images to my taste in LR5, I gotta say, the 70-200 was much more flexible, allowing for tight headshots that fill the frame and 3/4 body shots, without moving or changing my position or moving my model .

I'm gonna test them outside today as well. That will make up my mind. If I still like the compression/bokeh of 70-200 at f4 vs. 85 at f1.8, then I may have to sell the 85! My biggest worry is that I'll regret selling it, especially as a majority of my work is portraits of many kinds. But the flexibility of the 70-200 is so awesome.

Thoughts? Am I crazy for thinking of selling it? Anyone replace their 85mm with the 70-200 f4 or f2.8?

And I know this thread would be better with pics. As a bonus, if I sell the 85, I could splurge for the upload membership here.

Sep 06, 2014 at 11:33 AM

tonyfield
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

The F4 zoom is extremely good for studio work. Depending on what I am shooting in my home living room studio, I use the 70-200 or the 24-105. However, when I shoot available light portraits, I often use the 85 F1.2 at F2.8 or wider. In my opinion, you should keep your 85 F1.8 ... it adds one additional level of flexibility when shooting portraits.

Sep 06, 2014 at 12:18 PM

sidefunk
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

I love my 85 at f2.2 and for that reason alone would never dream of selling it unless it was to upgrade to an f1.4 lens. Not sure of the 70-200 f4 performance because i haven't used one but the 85 is just so darn sharp close to wide open its crazy (if that kinda stuff is important to you).

Sep 06, 2014 at 01:11 PM

ICE B1
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

In the studio using flash, large aperture glass is essentially a nuisance because it's large and heavy, and you're generally shooting in the f/8 and higher range anyway. On location, with available light, large aperture glass is worth its weight in gold as you can't get the look it can do in any other way. Use your zoom in the studio if you like, but save your big glass for those times when nothing else will do. I'll never give up my large-aperture primes.

Sep 06, 2014 at 03:33 PM

jefferies1
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

I would keep both. Very different uses for each and as business grows you need backup lens and more options for outdoor work or product work that F4 can't provide. You can post images using another image host such as your web page. Just copy the link in the post.

Sep 06, 2014 at 04:20 PM

tele_pathic
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

I can use photobucket?

Sep 06, 2014 at 04:23 PM

tonyfield
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

Most photo repositories such as Flickr, 500px, etc allow their images to be posted by links.

Sep 06, 2014 at 04:40 PM

friscoron
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

jefferies1 wrote:
I would keep both. Very different uses for each and as business grows you need backup lens and more options for outdoor work or product work that F4 can't provide. You can post images using another image host such as your web page. Just copy the link in the post.

Agree 240%!

Sep 06, 2014 at 04:56 PM

tele_pathic
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

Yeah, this was pretty much my thought. I mean, I wasn't selling the 70-200, but I thought I might sell the 85mm. But I'd only get $300, which is what I paid, but in the end, it's not like that will fund another lens purchase. And I don't want to be overly greedy, sell the 85, and regret it later and have to re-purchase, which always is a losing proposition.

Let me try to post some photos here.

The 85:

And the 70-200 f4:

At 70:

At 200:

Sep 06, 2014 at 05:05 PM

tele_pathic
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

I like 'em all. Maybe outdoors later tonight will help make my decision. Oh, I can't believe I've gone all this time without knowing that I could upload via photobucket!

Sep 06, 2014 at 05:08 PM

friscoron
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

If you're into low-key lighting, you're in great shape.

Sep 06, 2014 at 05:27 PM

tele_pathic
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

Hmmm...I think that's a back-handed compliment, so...thank you?

Sep 06, 2014 at 05:33 PM

friscoron
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

Not really. If you're into low key, these are nicely done. Particularly the last one.

Sep 06, 2014 at 05:45 PM

tele_pathic
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

Well thanks Ron. That means a lot to me when such a compliment comes from someone whose work I admire greatly.

Sep 06, 2014 at 05:48 PM

kzoockof
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

For me, this is a no brainer. The 85 1.8, while duplicated to some degree by a 70-200 f/4, cannot be replaced in full by the 70-200. The (low dollar) value of the 85 1.8 makes it easy to keep, if even only using it occasionally.

Will you later regret selling it? I sure would, but can't speak for you or anybody else.

Sep 07, 2014 at 10:08 AM

tele_pathic
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

Ok, so I came up with some criteria:

1. Bokeh: Ok, so I know the bokeh will be different for each lenses at a given aperture. The images on the 85 at 1.8 for portraits, I don't really care for. The images on the 70-200 at f4, I like at least as much as the 85 at f4 or 5.6.
2. Compression and Field of view: I forgot to test these or pay much attention to it over the weekend, so I'll have to give it another go.
3. Colors, including rendering: I love the colors of both
4. Vignetting: apparent on the 85 at 1.8 but gone by f4, 5.6. No vignetting on 70-200 at f4
5. Distortion: none in either lens, as one would expect.
6. Non-tangibles: I like the IDEA of having the 85mm, but I have the 50mm 1.4 which I use as my walk-around lens. I was REALLY impressed with the 70-200 for portrait shots. And while I can see the value of keeping the 85mm, I have to say, given my shoe string budget at the moment, I could use the $250 elsewhere for shizzle (a 2nd and 3rd flash + gels to enhance my studio work, which would help land a particular client [cheerleader T&I photos], which would pay for an upgrade to a 5diii!!!). In fact, of my favorite photos from my shooting this week, they were ALL the 70-200, not the 85mm.

So I'll think on it for the week, shoot a few in order to gauge compression and field of view, and try to make a decision this weekend. I know it seems nearly blasphemous to mention selling the 85mm, but at this point in my business building, the extra flashes and gels would help increase my business more than the 85mm would. Does that make sense?

Sep 09, 2014 at 12:01 PM

kzoockof
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · 70-200 f4 makes 85 f1.8 obselete in studio?

Well tele, if the sale of the 85 is going to generate the revenue you need to acquire "more" necessary equipment that will land you immediate jobs and revenue, then it should be obvious what you need to do.

Assuming you are right, and that revenue produced new equipment will generate a rapid return on that investment, then do it.

The 5D3 is a terrific camera, but just keep in mind, when the 5D (original) came out, there were a lot of professional photographers that used that body to run profitable businesses! And remember the first 1 Series digital body? The wonderful images taken with those bodies are still in the magazines from back in the day. Go back and look at those mags, the images are still breathtaking. But shhh! don't tell Canon that professional images can still be obtained with cameras that "used" to produce professional images.

Sep 09, 2014 at 03:28 PM


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