85mm 1.4 if I already have 70-200 2.8?

I used the 70-200 a ton, it was one of my favorite lenses. I purchased the Canon 85 1.4L IS and never touched the 70-200 again - I just sold it. Sure, I'll miss it occasionally, but not worth having just so it can sit. I literally NEVER touched it after I bought the 85. Buy the 85.

Scott

I am a fan of prime lenses, they are usually sharper and lighter to start with. I’ve owned the fast zooms but ended up selling them because the weight simply didn’t work for me. My Canon 70-200/2.8 was sold a couple months ago along with the 85LII and replaced with a 200/2.8II and an 85/1.4 this week. I’ve only had a little time to play with the 85/1.4 but it’s much better than the previous two versions I’ve owned. No regrets for changing my kit.

I agree with what was said by Talley regarding the unique look of fast primes not replicable by 2.8 zooms.

1. f/1.4 allows you to shoot in -2EV lower light than you ever could with the zoom set to 85mm f/2.8
   
2. f/1.4 allows you to shoot with half the Depth of Field than you ever could with the zoom set to 85mm f/2.8
   
3. The 85mm lens smaller and lighter, so less burdensome and also less obtrusive than a white zoom lens
   
4. OTOH, the 85mm lens cannot alter framing without also altering spatial perspective of surroundings to subject, unlike the zoom's ability to do so.
   

For the money, or maybe aside from the money, Tamron 85mm is an excellent lens. Dustin Abbott was correct with he said it has "soul" almost in a way that a Zeiss Otus does.

mdvaden wrote in post #18605006
For the money, or maybe aside from the money, Tamron 85mm is an excellent lens. Dustin Abbott was correct with he said it has "soul" almost in a way that a Zeiss Otus does.

I don't know the Tamron, good or bad, but to my eye, the rendering of the Otus 85 is where Zeiss lost its soul. Specifically, I think Zeiss sacrificed the classic rendering in serrvice of higher resolution and sharpness in answer to ever higher sensor resolution. All lenses are compromises.

The sacrifice is not inevitable. Fuji has managed to retain excellent rendering and great resolving power in its GFX line. So it is possible.