70-200L IS or 85L?

[Peter Mendelson]

Ok, I have the 70-200L IS and the 85 1.8, and I used to have the 85L mkI. I am thinking about selling/trading the 70-200L and the 85 1.8 for the 85L mkII.

As you can see from my sig, I also use the 24-105L, 100-400L, 35 f/2, 90mm TS-E and 135L. When I got my 5D I found my 70-200L IS was too short and picked up the 100-400L, which I love. I generally use the 70-200L IS when I want a longer zoom indoors or in low light, which isn't that often since I usually use the 24-105L indoors with flash, or a fast prime. There were a couple of occasions, like my daughter's dance recital, when the 70-200L IS came in handy (I was shooting at ISO1250).

My main photographic subject these days is my family and friends (candids in natural light), and the 85mm focal length is probably my most used focal length. While my 85 1.8 is great, I am feeling the pull again of the 85L despite the size, weight and focusing speed penalties. I have looked through my images and can often immediately spot the photos taken with the 85L. Basically, it feels silly for me to have spent a lot of money on cameras and lenses, and not to have the best lens at the focal length I shoot the most. While the 100-400L is a lot slower than the 70-200L, I do have the 135L to use as a telephoto in low light, which is one of my favorite lenses (I could get the 1.4x tc to use with it and have a 190mm 2.8 lens too).

So what would you do? Sell the 70-200L and 85 1.8 and get the 85L mkII? Or get the mkI and maybe keep the 85 1.8?

Thanks!

Peter

 

[lon10c]

A good used 85L mkI will probally fill the bill. (I don't think the mkII is worth the extra $) But, on the other hand, I would hate to sell a perfectly good 70-200L IS in order to buy it.

Your call. The 85L is addicting, isnt it.

 

[Daniel Harrison]

hmm it seems you have alot of overlap in lenses currently. I would think long and hard about what your needs are. I know what mine are, but that is irrelavent!

Having said that... Why a 85L ? I doubt it will be much sharper, will certainly focus slower. Better build and faster yes. But I doubt the build is worth the cash, and I would struggle with the DOF at 1.4

I could never ever let go of a 70-200mm IS L if I had one. never! to me I want some flexability and I find that it is the most flexable lens out there. Good range, low light capability and sharp.

And why would you want two 85mm!!!!

But I am rambeling. Only you know what you need. but personally I don't see the need in your line up for a 85mm L. I would just leave it as it is! having said all that I'll say it again

only you know!

 

[Daniel Harrison]

of course if you aren't using your 70-200mm then I guess it isn't of much use. And if you find yourslef shooting most of the time at 85mm then you might as well get the L (i assume from your previous post you have used it and know what you are getting into).

I guess it would make sence!

 

[Peter Mendelson]

Thank you - I appreciate the replies. I was the one who was rambling - this is a kind of "thinking out loud" post. I think my rational mind knows you are right, although my irrational mind thinks the 85L will all of a sudden give me keepers I couldn't get with my other lenses. Actually, I was shooting handheld with my 90mm TS-E this evening and loved the results. While it's harder to maintain focus since it's a manual focus lens and sometimes I like to use a bit of tilt, it's an incredibly sharp lens and provides a lot of creative opportunities.

I will probably stick with the 70-200L IS.

Peter

 

[Deleted member 55]

Hello Peter,

I have both the 70-200mm f2.8 L IS and the 85mm f1.2 L mk I.

I would consider selling many things before selling ether of them other than an upgrade on the 85.

They are 2 outstanding lenses.

I have many keepers from both.

The two photos of mine on the home page that Asher selected are both from the 85.

I have many that are from situations that you would not think ether were the right lens for the job and turned out fantastic.

I would consider taking on more work and keeping the 70-200 and upgrading the 85mm f1.8.


Hope it all works out good for you,

 

[Tom Yi]

Not to muddy things up, but how about a Zeiss 85mm f1.4ZF with a Nikon to Eos Adapter? It' cheaper than the 85mmL MII, I think, and optically it maybe just as good or better. The 85mm f1.2 MII seems to suffer from a lot of CA till stopped down a bit to about f2.0 or so. There was a link on POTN showing the CA of the 85L MI, MI, and f1.8 version that showed quite a bit of CA for both of the f1.2 versions till about f2.

 

[Ralph Eisenberg]

I would wholeheartedly endorse most of what Will Thompson has said, but I would amend it somewhat: regularly using the 70-200/2.8 and the 85/1.2 mk 1, both superb lenses, on certain days the bag is just too heavy, and I feel that the 85/1.8 would be a viable alternative to bring along. So it is worth considering keeping what you already have, particularly if they are excellent copies, and adding an 85/1.2.

 

[Stan Jirman]

I would definitely advise against selling the 70-200 to get the 85L. I have both, and use the 85 more, but I would miss the 70-200 too much. It's very versatile and very fast; IMHO the 100-400 can not substitute for it.

 

[Tim Armes]

Ah yes, a great question.

I'd eventually like both the 85 Mk II and the 70-200 2.8 IS, but these sorts of lenses take me a lot of saving for and so it'll take me a very long time before I can get both. I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about exactly what I want so that, once I have the money, I'll know which one to get first.

Personally, I've decided to go for the 85mm f/1.2 Mk II. I love the look of f/1.2, and I know that it'll give me far more pleasure than the 70-200. The latter is a fantasic workhourse, but the 85 is a lens that you own with your heart!

Tim

 

[Nicolai Grossman]

The questions I ask myself in situations like these are:

How exactly is "better" defined in this situation? Sharpness (and at what apertures), overall contrast, microcontrast, CA, rectilinearity, light fall-off, lens speed, AF accuracy, AF speed, AF noise, size, weight, filter size compatibility with the rest of my workhorse lenses, FTM focus ability, sealing, etc.? What, exactly are you going to get with the Mk II that's better for you specifically that makes up for the increased cost, size, weight, and possible loss of a lens that sounds quite versatile for you?

Is the answer to the previous question worth it?

What will it enable me to do that I can't do now? Is that something that I'm realistically going to make use of given my interests and shooting style, or is it something that I'll use a few times out of excitement and then duty and then shelve?

Could the money be better spent on something else that fills a more pressing photographic need or saved altogether?

I've talked myself both into and out of a lot of purchasing decisions by asking these questions. I think it's important that only you can answer these questions as everyone has different needs, preferences, and styles. (If there were one absolutely best combination of kit, we could all save up and buy it, and that would be that. But horses for courses, and everyone's course is different.)

 

[Asher Kelman]

Peter,

It all boils down to this: would your quality of life suffer if you just went out and bought an 85 1.2L I or better a 50mm 1.2L?

Remember, that such a purchase isn't any real risk. It will be close to what you pay for it now, even in 5 years time, unless Canon changes the lens mount or puts in a fast motor.

Great lens are mere commodities that one can easily resell any time you want.

The quality of life is more important than the $1000 or so for the lens (if it doesn't mean the dog can't get fed or you have to have no heat in the winter).

Before you do this, I'd seriously think about the 50 1.2L in November.

For $1600 this may become one of the most remarkable portrait lenses with better DOF than the 85 1.2 and perhaps a modern new fast motor.

The 24-105 is a fine lens, but, at f 4.0, very limited in challenging light situations. I use it when I'm messing around or on vacation. For careful work, what can beat your 70-200 even with a 1.4 extender?

Just keep a diary of which lenses you use over the next year and sell what you haven't used and always have the very best.

So rent and wait for November's reports, is my advice for both you and myself!

Asher

 

[Peter Mendelson]

Well, I posted the original post back at the beginning of June. Since then, I found a scratched up 85L for $1050 (the glass is fine) so I couldn't turn it down - it performs perfectly and I use it all the time. I am still keeping my 70-200L 2.8 because it is so useful, although the new 70-200 f/4 IS looks great for travel.

Thanks for all the responses.

Peter

 

[Deleted member 55]

Peter, Post some samples!

Please DO!

 

[Asher Kelman]

Peter,

The 5D and the 85 1.2 sounds like a dream combo! I'd love to see a portrait, even casual; or better casual. I'm thinking of getting the both 1.2 lenses.

Asher