Help with purchase decision

I am needing help with a new purchase. I will start off by saying there is definitely some GAS involved on my part. With that being said, I have been given the go-ahead by my CFO (wife) to make a large purchase.

Even though GAS is involved, I would still like to make a purchase that would best improve my work. I do mainly portraiture and weddings, with a little bit of sports on the side.

I currently use a 1DXII for sports, weddings, and some portraits, and a 6DII for portraits. The main glass I own right now is the following:
Canon 24-70 f/2.8 II
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II
Canon 85 f/1.4 IS
Canon 16-35 f/4 IS
Canon 35 f/2 IS

Here are the 2 choices I am considering:

1. Canon 200 f/2 - Not a lot to say against this, other than the cost. It definitely would give a look that is impossible to get with what I have now. (Although I can get close)

2. Sony A7RIII + a native portrait lens. - This would give me eye AF and a lot more resolution than what I have right now. I would not need it for sports, since I will definitely be keeping my 1DXII.

While I am not going to pretend that I "need" either of these 2 choices, which choice would I be able to see a biggest improvement?

Please feel free to suggest something else, or tell me I am crazy, and neither will improve what I have now.

Here is a sample of recent work I have done with my 6DII
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm​8Pkhus

Also, here is a link to my web page with more samples of my work.
www.timrichardsonphoto​graphy.com

tim1970 wrote in post #18592683
I am needing help with a new purchase. I will start off by saying there is definitely some GAS involved on my part. With that being said, I have been given the go-ahead by my CFO (wife) to make a large purchase.

Even though GAS is involved, I would still like to make a purchase that would best improve my work. I do mainly portraiture and weddings, with a little bit of sports on the side.

I currently use a 1DXII for sports, weddings, and some portraits, and a 6DII for portraits. The main glass I own right now is the following:
Canon 24-70 f/2.8 II
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II
Canon 85 f/1.4 IS
Canon 16-35 f/4 IS
Canon 35 f/2 IS

Here are the 2 choices I am considering:

1. Canon 200 f/2 - Not a lot to say against this, other than the cost. It definitely would give a look that is impossible to get with what I have now. (Although I can get close)

2. Sony A7RIII + a native portrait lens. - This would give me eye AF and a lot more resolution than what I have right now. I would not need it for sports, since I will definitely be keeping my 1DXII.

While I am not going to pretend that I "need" either of these 2 choices, which choice would I be able to see a biggest improvement?

Please feel free to suggest something else, or tell me I am crazy, and neither will improve what I have now.

Here is a sample of recent work I have done with my 6DII
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm​8Pkhus

Also, here is a link to my web page with more samples of my work.
www.timrichardsonphoto​graphy.com

Sell your 80D and 6dmk2 as they only have 1 memory card slot. I'd strongly suggest using a camera with dual memory cards for hired events/portrait work. Buy a 5dmk4 to pair with your 1dmk2.

To feed your hardware G.A.S. also buy a Sony A7R3 and a sigma MC-11 adapter. Most of your lenses (except 70-200) will almost work like native Sony glass. This way you feed your G.A.S. and have a new toy to play with that will give you more MP.

I think your 85 f/1.4 is already a stunning lens and I don't think your going to suddenly earn more respect using a higher MP Sony A7r3 with a Gmaster 85 f/1.4. If you require more mega pixels the Sony will satisfy your needs.

I am patiently waiting for my pre ordered A7iii and I am going to see if I like Sony enough to buy a Sony A7R3. My problem is I love my Canon gear and truly trust the auto focus in pitch dark rooms while trusting the red focus assist light from the external flash.

The biggest improvements? Any new hardware acquistion will probably make you very happy

If your using your gear more for portraits and slower moving subjects I think the Sony route will do you just fine with a Sigma adapter. I do feel your single memory slot camera's should be replaced with at least a dual memory card slot body since such redundancies exist.

Go with your 1dxmk2.....5dmk4 and Sony A7Rmk3 with Sigma adapter. This way your done for now until you start buying Gmaster Sony glass.

That'll satisfy your G.A.S.

The 200L f/2IS will not make your images worlds apart from what you already have.

Have fun spending your money

Tim, you should shoot all this by Talley. He sold his 200/2 and bought an a7riii.

Of course, the 200/2 is legendary and an itch that is worthy of scratching. The a7riii has the crazy resolution and freaky-good eye-AF. Match up that body with one of the new Sigma 105/1.4 Art lenses and it would give you something to rival the 200/2. However, slap a 200/2 onto your 1DXii and you're living the dream.

Tough call, but two excellent choices.

AlanU wrote in post #18592700
Sell your 80D and 6dmk2 as they only have 1 memory card slot. I'd strongly suggest using a camera with dual memory cards for hired events/portrait work. Buy a 5dmk4 to pair with your 1dmk2.

I need to update my signature. I sold the 80D and bought the 6D2 when it was on sale from Canon refurbished.

tim1970 wrote in post #18592705
I need to update my signature. I sold the 80D and bought the 6D2 when it was on sale from Canon refurbished.

Looking at the family portrait shoot you've taken I do not see any benefits buying a 200 f/2IS. Your already getting creamy bokeh with your current lenses. The 70-200 has "ok" bokeh but it's contrasty in some situations. The 85 f/1.4 has great smooth creamy bokeh.

The thing about bokeh is the choice of getting enough separation from the background but it's not always the best story telling for family portraits. Also you can sometimes have too shallow dof having soft focus on some of the family members.

I think you'd get more out of having more megapixels and detail with the Sony. However on the flip side you do not need that much MP for your average size prints.

Sigma glass is heavy and bulky as heck and it defeats the purpose of the smaller form factor Sony. The beauty of the A7r3/A9/A7iii is the choice of having a small setup or bulky "big guns" with sigma or Gmaster sony glass.

Your probably going to get more out of the Sony vs the 200L. You might as well just buy a cheap 135L or boat anchor Sigma 135 ART for a different focal length with gorgeous IQ. This is where you can use those lens with sigma adapter for a Sony or use native mount on your 1dxmk2.

mickeyb105 wrote in post #18592702
Tim, you should shoot all this by Talley. He sold his 200/2 and bought an a7riii.

Of course, the 200/2 is legendary and an itch that is worthy of scratching. The a7riii has the crazy resolution and freaky-good eye-AF. Match up that body with one of the new Sigma 105/1.4 Art lenses and it would give you something to rival the 200/2. However, slap a 200/2 onto your 1DXii and you're living the dream.

Tough call, but two excellent choices.

Whats hasnt Talley baught and sold

tim1970 wrote in post #18592683
I am needing help with a new purchase. I will start off by saying there is definitely some GAS involved on my part. With that being said, I have been given the go-ahead by my CFO (wife) to make a large purchase.

Even though GAS is involved, I would still like to make a purchase that would best improve my work. I do mainly portraiture and weddings, with a little bit of sports on the side.

I currently use a 1DXII for sports, weddings, and some portraits, and a 6DII for portraits. The main glass I own right now is the following:
Canon 24-70 f/2.8 II
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II
Canon 85 f/1.4 IS
Canon 16-35 f/4 IS
Canon 35 f/2 IS

Here are the 2 choices I am considering:

1. Canon 200 f/2 - Not a lot to say against this, other than the cost. It definitely would give a look that is impossible to get with what I have now. (Although I can get close)

2. Sony A7RIII + a native portrait lens. - This would give me eye AF and a lot more resolution than what I have right now. I would not need it for sports, since I will definitely be keeping my 1DXII.

While I am not going to pretend that I "need" either of these 2 choices, which choice would I be able to see a biggest improvement?

Please feel free to suggest something else, or tell me I am crazy, and neither will improve what I have now.

Here is a sample of recent work I have done with my 6DII
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm​8Pkhus

Also, here is a link to my web page with more samples of my work.
www.timrichardsonphoto​graphy.com

You are set up almost exactly as I am set up for what I do

Im going to throw a monkey into your thought process

Get a 135L or get the sigma 135. You can get clean used 135Ls dirt cheap.....The 135L is the closest you are going to get to the 200L and for a 1/2 body shots is super close in looks

I almost bought the 200L this year as well. But after using a 135L for the past 6 yrs and comparing to the 200L......I just could not spend the $$$. The 135 is very close

Its never going to be a 200L but the 200L is a very very limited lens. You can only use it outside. Pretty much useless inside.

Im seriously looking at the Sony A7111 and a sigma adapter to use with my canon glass

a Sony and a 135L is going to be a better choice for what you do and you will still have 2K in your pockets

The Sigma 135 is turning heads. I would be inclined to get it over the 200L. Bokeh is outstanding and its razor sharp. nikon shooters are in heaven with this lens

I loved the 200L....just cant spend the $$$ with a 135L in my bag

umphotography wrote in post #18592730
I loved the 200L....just cant spend the $$$ with a 135L in my bag

A client will not pay you 2-3 times the fee due to using a 200L f/2IS. Not disrespecting the lens but the tech involved in nano coatings of new generation glass is impressive in the new gen Canon (not talking about the old 135L) and ART glass. The 135 ART is 1600 bucks Canadian while my US neighbour pays $1399 usd.......

Sony A7r3 and adapter seems to be the way to go if you you want more MP. I want the sweet spot of 24MP so I'm waiting for my A7iii.