85mm 1.2l II or 100mm 2.8l macro?

I know it depends on what I'm shooting but between the two which would u get? You can use the 100mm 2.8l as a portrait lens also right? I also know the 85 is like...$600-700 more. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance

To me, 2.8 is not enough for portrait when I want to separate the subject from background. and Macro lens lens is sharp no doubt, but to me it's too sharp to do the portrait shoot. :P

silly question...

85mm f/1.2L any day of the week, infact, given the option and the fund, I won't even think about it

Well it really depends on what you are looking to gain from the lens. If you are looking for macro capability, i think you know which direction to go. If you are looking for a strictly portrait lens, look more towards the 85L. Yes, the 100L can serve as a portrait lens, as long as you are not looking for the extreme DOF effect.

Something else to keep in mind.....
For less than the price of the 85L, you could get the 85 1.8 AND the 100 2.8 macro (non L) and have (nearly) the best of both worlds.

I own both and hae never thought of it as an either or.....two different animals. But I can say which I would keep if I did mostly portraiture. The 85L is hands down my favorite lens. Awesome, awesome, awesome portrait lens. But, the 85L sucks butt when doing macro work. LOL

For portraits, the 85L is the way to go.

powhodee wrote in post #8825545
I know it depends on what I'm shooting but between the two which would u get? You can use the 100mm 2.8l as a portrait lens also right?

You can use a lot of different lenses for portraits.

These are two very different lenses. If you're doing macro photography, get the macro lens. If you need a super fast medium telephoto lens, get the 85L.

whats wrong with your 85 1.8? The 100mm macro has IS which makes it a better lens for low light (not for sports tho)

If you want to play around with macro, the 100 2.8 is the way to go. If you want an awesome, very fast portrait lens, the decision is simple: 85L. These are two very different lenses with different strengths. You probably won't regret either, but I doubt you'd use them for the same shots.

roger767 wrote in post #8826213
The 100mm macro has IS which makes it a better lens for low light (not for sports tho)

Or not for anything where you want to stop movement.

The 85L is over 2 stops faster than the 100L--that's a pretty substantial difference that can make or break your shot if you're shooting something that's moving.

They can't be compared because they are polar opposites as far as purpose.

I have both and if I had the choose, the 85L would not be the one going. Not even close.

If you want to shoot portraits, go for the 85L and don't look back!

JelleVerherstraeten wrote in post #8828183
If you want to shoot portraits, go for the 85L and don't look back!

Yep the 85L for portraits.

djvkool wrote in post #8825723
silly question...

85mm f/1.2L any day of the week, infact, given the option and the fund, I won't even think about it

+1 for that one!