Uppgrade to 70-200 Mk II or get a 85 1.2.

I have:

5D Mk II
17-40 L
24-70 L
50 1.4
70-200 4 L IS

I mainly shoot people/portraits. I shoot a little BMX racing and a little bit of figure skating, but 90% of my shooting is portraits, both in natural/available light and strobist style.

On planned shoots I mainly use my 24-70 and my 70-200 but I for everyday shooting I almost always use the 50 1.4.

Now I want to get a new lens and I'm torn between the 70-200 Mk II and the 85 1.2.

Any suggestions?

Cheers,

Edit: I have the 50 1.4 not the 1.2. Sorry.

Well you could sell the brick + the F4 IS and get the 70-200MKII and still shoot some pretty nice portraits with the 50/f1.4 and the new 70-200MKII.

But if money is no problem having the 85/f1.2 & the 70-200MKII with your FF body would really be nice.

Just a thought.

Regards,

I own both the 85L II and 70-200 II for use on both my 7D and 5Dc...

Both lenses are incredible on both cameras. The 70-200 II will focus faster (if that matters) and more versatile. You can sell off the 70-200 f/4 to help knock $1000 off the price. The 85L has incredible sharpness at f/1.2 and is a fun lens to use... However, if its bright out, you are best to stop it down to f/2 to f/2.8 to prevent bad color fringing. One downfall with this lens (and many wide aperture lenses, as you probably know with your 50 f/1.2).

If I had YOUR lens lineup, and going by what you shoot... My decision would be the 70-200 f/2.8 II.

This might sound crazy but...
1) Sell 17-40
2) Sell 70-200
3) Buy 70-200 IS I or II and the 85L

Thanks for your comments. I have the 50 1.4, not the 1.2, sorry.
If I decide to get the 70-200 Mk II I will sell my f/4. Not selling the brick though as I really like it.

I guess the big question is wether the 70-200 Mk II is that much better than the f/4 IS to justify getting it over the 85 1.2 L

I think the IQ is very close between the f/4L IS and the f/2.8 II... If you don't NEED the f/2.8, then no... The extra weight and cost over the f/4 is not worth it for IQ alone.

85L, given the 90% portrait stat

When i had the 70-200 is mki, I was going thru the same problem as you. I ultimately sold my 70-200 and 24-70 and that left me with a 85L and 16-35mm.

Each lens (70-200 and 85) has a purpose so if you can find a way to keep both, do it. It's really hard to say which one to get because its like comparing apples to oranges.

I just bought the 70-200 mkii a couple of days ago...so yeah.. tough choice. lol

I have both and I use the 85 1.2L II about 95% of the time for portraiture, only call for the 70-200 2.8 IS II when I really needed the flexibility. but do expect a lot more throw away shots with the prime because f/1.2 can be a bit tricky, but the result you get is stunning so I think the trade off is worth it to me, therefore if I have to pick between the two I'd get the 85L II.

In my opinion the 70-200 2.8 IS II is a killer lens, worthy of all the hype given it's IQ improvement performance at 2.8. I owned (and sold) the mkI version given my addiction to shooting wide open & w/o flash. That said, the 85 1.2 is really THE lens for portraits and should be your next add.

If it was me, I'd get both and sell everything but your 24-70 2.8. You'd then have three of the strongest pieces of glass for your style and an amazing body!

Grendizer wrote in post #12063868
I guess the big question is wether the 70-200 Mk II is that much better than the f/4 IS to justify getting it over the 85 1.2 L

Sold my F4 IS the same night i received my 70-200MKII if that means anything to you and believe me alot of other folks that needed the extra stop did also. You get used to the weight real quick, and the MKII accepts extenders exceptionally well.

In fact alot of folks sold there 135L`s after getting the MKII also.

Regards whatever your decision,

I have both the 85L & 70-200 2.8L IS II. Both are remarkable lenses. However, I use the 85L a lot more because I shoot mainly portraits and I think it's a better lens for this purpose. At least for me it is. With your lens lineup, I would keep the 70-200 F4 IS and pick up the 85L. Perhaps sell the 50 1.4 because you won't be using it much after you've tried out the 85L.

Both.

I got my 85mm f/1.2L II last Oct/Nov, and I honestly don't use it as much as I would have hoped. I always end up using my 70-200 f/2.8L IS II for portrait shoots simply for the versatility. I use studio strobes so I stay at 1/200sec or slower. So I end up not shooting wide open. I did buy the 85L for more natural light work, but this time of year has been bad because I've been shooting mostly indoor locations/sets.

Definitely get a Vari-ND filter if you get the 85 f/1.2L and need to shoot at sync. I'm trying to get into the habit of doing that.

If it matters, the 85L has a notoriously slow AF due to the motors having to move the serious glass. So it really limits the BMX stuff. Portrait wise, since you do 90% portrait work, I'd grab the 85L.

Not to skew results, it is hands down the sexiest lens that Canon makes, only if you take the 400 2.8 out of the picture.

Get the 70-200. Way more versatile lens!