70-200 f28 and my 85mm f1.8 question, advice needed

So, I don't have enough money to pick up a canon 70-200 f2.8 non-is. I would, though, if I sold my 85mm f1.8. Do you think I would miss the 85mm? I am planning on using the 70-200 for outdoor portrait work, (I use the 85mm for now). I think the 70-200 might be more versitile over the prime.

Anyone else do the same?

Yes, I would say you would.

Although I don't have both, I do have the 70-200 2.8L IS. And I terribly want the 85 1.2. So I'm kind'a coming from the other way...

I did it and I'm glad! 70-200 f2.8 non IS is a dream indoors as well.

I owned the 70-200 non IS and now have an 85/1.8 and would never sell it for another 70-200. i'll never buy another 70-200, period and I had a very sharp copy. It was a great lens, i just found myself at 200mm all the time. maybe you should sell the 85/1.8 and get the 85L. pretty close to 70-200 in price.

Cl!ckFoto wrote in post #8580290
I owned the 70-200 non IS and now have an 85/1.8 and would never sell it for another 70-200. i'll never buy another 70-200, period and I had a very sharp copy. It was a great lens, i just found myself at 200mm all the time. maybe you should sell the 85/1.8 and get the 85L. pretty close to 70-200 in price.

Did the 85 really blow it away that badly? Dang, it seems like every comment I hear about the 85, the more I gravitate towards buying one.

I have the 85 1.8 and would not sell it for anything (besides for 85L of course)! It's money when it comes to outdoor portrait

Im also planning on picking up the 70-200 2.8 non IS next week, but....im really considering getting the 135L instead. Pics ive seen with the 70-200 havent really blown me away like the with 85L or 135L. I'll probably just get the 70-200 and if i dont like it ill sell it for the 135L

Interesting... i always assumed I wanted a 70-200 2.8 but like you said, I haven't seen any pics from it that blew my mind. Maybe I'll shop the 135L's instead.

Maybe settle for a slight trade off? the sigma variant is much more affordable but just as capable.

JWitmer wrote in post #8580383
Did the 85 really blow it away that badly? Dang, it seems like every comment I hear about the 85, the more I gravitate towards buying one.

As far as bokeh is concerned, the 70-200 doesn't hold a candle to the 85 1.8. Sharpness, the 85 probably has an edge. IMHO, the only area that the 70-200 excels over the 85 is its ability to track fast moving targets, thanks to its USM.

nik.hisham wrote in post #8581930
As far as bokeh is concerned, the 70-200 doesn't hold a candle to the 85 1.8. Sharpness, the 85 probably has an edge. IMHO, the only area that the 70-200 excels over the 85 is its ability to track fast moving targets, thanks to its USM.

So, IYO it is the lens for sports?

yes, the 70-200 is well suited for sports. However, its focal length makes it nice for portrait photography as well but I would say its main forte is sports.

nik.hisham wrote in post #8581930
As far as bokeh is concerned, the 70-200 doesn't hold a candle to the 85 1.8. Sharpness, the 85 probably has an edge. IMHO, the only area that the 70-200 excels over the 85 is its ability to track fast moving targets, thanks to its USM.

What about the USM on the 85mm 1.8 ?
It does s great job, maybe better, of tracking also.

I have both and don't wish to part with either! The 70-200 is the IS model and the 85mm is my favorite indoor sports (basketball) lens. So for me, yes, I'd miss the 85mm dearly. But must admit, the 70-200 is definitely the 'go-to' lens in the bag.

dave

i'd get the zoom. the 70-200 in any variant is simply awsome..you will get versatility beyond the fixed 85 mm and the slight difference in image quality is only noticed by the most anal of pixel peepers..and if tastefully post processed no one will be able to tell the difference.

nik.hisham wrote in post #8581930
As far as bokeh is concerned, the 70-200 doesn't hold a candle to the 85 1.8. Sharpness, the 85 probably has an edge. IMHO, the only area that the 70-200 excels over the 85 is its ability to track fast moving targets, thanks to its USM.

actually, from someone who supposedly uses this lens, the 70-200 lens DOES in fact hold a candle in terms of bokeh. granted, it might not be *as* good as the 85mm prime, but by no means does it not produce very agreeable blurring.

you might want to take a look at the 70-200 image lens thread to confirm this...or if you own this lens like you say you do, look at your own shots.

im puzzled why you would have made this remark if you use a 70-200 L lens.

bottom line is, i'd never ever give up my 85 f1.8 but the 70-200 is most definatly my go-to lens on my 1dmkIII..it lives there