Canon 25-105 vs 85mm comparison?

Hey Folks,

After 1 year retired 100% from photography (I'm sure nobody remember me ), I can't take it no more and I'm pulling the trigger with a 6D with the 24-105L lens but my budget is tied.

Back in the day I use to love the sharpness of my 85mm 1.8 and background compression for portraiture.

With that being said...

Does the 24-105 has similar sharpness and background compression as the 85mm at 85? I know there is nothing like primes but my options are the following...

6D with 24-105 and the 85mm and no lights for now

or

Sacrifice the 85mm and get some lights and softbox with that money?

I mainly shoot Portraits and Automotive

I'd say the 24-105 and lights, because I think shooting automotive with an 85 you'd have to be across the street. And the 24-105 does a good job as a portrait lens in it's own right. The 85 is relatively cheap, so you'd probably be able to grab one in short order.

Especially with a tight budget get refurbed bodies and lenses from Cano USA store. Trade in an old Canon body in for hundreds off. They come 1 year warranty.

i would go with the 24-105 for what you shoot. its a great performer and very versatile.

Compression is the same for all lenses with the same focal length, so it will be the same for the 24-105 @ 85 as for the 85/1.8. The 85 is probably sharper, and, of course, it goes to f/1.8,which the 24-105 cannot.

xarqi wrote in post #16651724
Compression is the same for all lenses with the same focal length, so it will be the same for the 24-105 @ 85 as for the 85/1.8. The 85 is probably sharper, and, of course, it goes to f/1.8,which the 24-105 cannot.

This.

My copy of the 24-105 was very sharp though IMO. The 85mm is definitely sharper, but not to the point that you'd be dissapointed in the difference. Get the 24-205mm and get the 85mm later, it's a fairly cheap lens, I got mine for $330, but sent it back in favor of the Samyang (which was only $250).

I never liked 24-105mm. Unless one is shooting in studio I dont see the point. Buy another lens for automative with the money saved. I mainly shoot portraiture now a days.