How sharp/unsharp is 70-200 IS II compared to 85L

when both of them are shot at f/2.8?

I currently use 85L for my dance floor shots, but I find it extremely slow to focus at times when people are going crazy dancing (I use al servo) lol

Just wondering how quick (in focus) and how sharp is 70-200L IS II compared to 85L when used for this application and shot at around f/2.8?

First of all people that owns the 85L do not tend to shoot at f2.8. That's really not the reason why people buy that lens in the first place imho.

85L is mainly for controlled portrait, not for dance floor when people are constantly moving. Seems like a case of wrong tool for the wrong job.

The zoom is just as sharp and AF is worlds apart.

The versatility alone is enough reason to use the zoom for your intended purpose.

The sharpness at same aperture is the same, but people get the 85L to use it mainly wide open at 1.2 (and its very sharp there too). In a dark dance floor, I would think f/2.8 might not be fast enough but I could be wrong. Different tools for different jobs. The AF of the 70-200 is much faster to be sure, as it is commonly used by sports photographers. If you like the fast aperture range of the 85L but find the AF limiting you, why not the 85 1.8 or the 135 f/2?

Christina.DazzleByDesi​gn wrote in post #14941219
The sharpness at same aperture is the same, but people get the 85L to use it mainly wide open at 1.2 (and its very sharp there too). In a dark dance floor, I would think f/2.8 might not be fast enough but I could be wrong. Different tools for different jobs. The AF of the 70-200 is much faster to be sure, as it is commonly used by sports photographers. If you like the fast aperture range of the 85L but find the AF limiting you, why not the 85 1.8 or the 135 f/2?

f/2.8 isn't really an issue.. since I use OCL almost every time i shoot a dance floor.. I like the versatility, because at times 85 is too tight.. and that 70-85mm could be just right for those shots.. while at other times when people are sitting down, I can't take candid pictures with the 85L because, well, 85mm isn't tight enough for candids. Almost every time your subject knows you are taking their picture and its hard to get those natural candids.

Was just wondering how good its sharpness is (and how quick the AF is) around the f/2.8 because I think il mainly be using it in that f/2.8 - f/4 range most of the time.

5W0L3 wrote in post #14942077
f/2.8 isn't really an issue.. since I use OCL almost every time i shoot a dance floor.. I like the versatility, because at times 85 is too tight.. and that 70-85mm could be just right for those shots.. while at other times when people are sitting down, I can't take candid pictures with the 85L because, well, 85mm isn't tight enough for candids. Almost every time your subject knows you are taking their picture and its hard to get those natural candids.

Was just wondering how good its sharpness is (and how quick the AF is) around the f/2.8 because I think il mainly be using it in that f/2.8 - f/4 range most of the time.

Well you don't have to worry about sharpness with the 70-200. Or the AF speed. Why don't you rent one to see if it is what you are looking for?

i agree with both the above posters

85L is rarely shot stopped down for me.

i find that my 70-200II @ 2.8 is pretty damn close to my 85L at 1.2.

they're both extremely sharp and my 70-200II pretty much lives at 2.8 because of this.

The 85L can be a difficult beast at 1.2 sometimes, but man...when you nail that focus.... its so sharp, lol, it still surprises me. I've stopped it down to maybe f/2 but I dont think any more then that. I can't imagine it gets any sharper stopped down, its just great all through the range.

And the 70-200 is also very sharp at its wide open end. If you want the range and the AF speed, then go for this one. You can't go wrong with either But I've used my 85L with AI Servo on horses, dogs running, etc. with no issues. I think that chalks up to the body you are using and the body's AF abilities. What camera do you have?