Canon 70-200mm f2.8L or canon 85mm f1.4L for portraits?

[McNyat]

Hi, O love my 70-200 for portraits, but heard recently that the 85mm is much better. Can someone give me their opinion on this and the benefits of the 85mm over the 70-200 please?
Would it be worth the investment, when im happy with my own current lens, or would I end up saying, I should have got.the 85mm a long time ago?

 

[TimHughes]

Both good options. 85 1.4 better if you want more subject separation from background and more bokeh. Just note that at 1.4 you might only get one eye in focus if the subject is at any kind of angle. If you have the budget, it's a good addition, but not essential in my opinion.

 

[Phil V]

135 f2 was always my preferred portrait lens, not such a fan of 85mm on FF

 

[McNyat]

135 f2 was always my preferred portrait lens, not such a fan of 85mm on FF

Hi Phil, thanks for your reply, what would the benefits of those lens be over the 70-200?

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Personally 135mm f1.8 and may as well pick up the slightly aged but phenomenal sigma art there.

The very latest z zoom should be passable if you require the variety.

135 > 85, it renders background better and allows longer working distance. Better magnification too if needed, it is like semi macro.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

You can get 50-150 f2 for sony ... Just saying

 

[Phil V]

Hi Phil, thanks for your reply, what would the benefits of those lens be over the 70-200?

Whilst the difference between 2.8 and f/2 might seem like nothing, there’s something special about the f/2 optics.

It definitely has a ‘look’.

I haven’t tried the RF cos I can’t justify the cost , but the ef version is one of the few ef lenses I’ve kept.

Edit for clarity the RF is 1.8 not 2

 

[Phil V]

I wonder if you could hire test drive both the 85 and 135 over Christmas?

 

[A_S]

135 f2 was always my preferred portrait lens, not such a fan of 85mm on FF

How much subject seperation can you get at F2 135 vs 200 F2.8? I am in a position of looking at an 85, 105 or 135 at the moment as well

 

[Phil V]

How much subject seperation can you get at F2 135 vs 200 F2.8? I am in a position of looking at an 85, 105 or 135 at the moment as well

I’d genuinely take advantage of the free loan and see what suits you.

My preferred focal length was always 135, back to my earliest kit. I even had the old 135 SF (was it called that) at one point.

When I shot crop, I absolutely loved the 85mm - effectively a 135.

By the time I retired from weddings my 2 lens setup was 35 and 135.

 

[Dave Canon]

I have a 70-200mm f2.8L Canon which I used to use for portraits when I was not using the 24-105mm. I do not like shallow focus portraits and took most shots in a professional studio so the background could be well back anyway. I think that if you get the right model, pose and correct lighting you will hardly see any difference between lenses.

Dave

 

[Phil V]

I think that if you get the right model, pose and correct lighting you will hardly see any difference between lenses.

This is true whilst working in a studio, but when shooting outside there’s a huge amount of difference between lenses.

To the point where I have shared photos in the past and been met with the comment ‘that’s the 135 f2 isn’t it’.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

How much subject seperation can you get at F2 135 vs 200 F2.8? I am in a position of looking at an 85, 105 or 135 at the moment as well

Technically it should be about the same. So it really depends where you and your subject want to stand, and whether [presumably] the zoom lens would even perform at a similar standard wide open. This is a higher level comparison, not a low level can this even work (it is a YES)