Next Portrait Lens: 85L or 70-200 2.8 IS II?

[neuroanatomist]

Canon's 85mm f/1.2L II is their quintessential portrait lens. The 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II is certainly an excellent and versatile lens, and portraits are one of it's many uses. But, portraits with the 85L stand out from the rest. The subject isolation at apertures of f/2 and wider is noticeably better than that you'll get at f/2.8. I say get the 85L now, since you want to shoot portraits now.


I have both lenses, but note that I'm using them on a 7D, not a FF body (yet). Here are a couple of recent examples from my 7D and 85L:








Either way, they are both excellent lenses - good luck with your decision!


--John

[Tom Wertman]

John,


Excellent shots. Composition, exposure, bokeh, are superb.


Tom

[neuroanatomist]

Thanks, Tom!! [:$]


The second shot would have worked with the 70-200 II, I think - there was good subject to background physical separation, and it was an open space so I could have stepped back and used a longer focal length as well. But the first shot is an example of where the 85L really shines - my daughter was standing in a field of flowers, the background was no more than a couple of feet behind her, and backing up any further would have meant too many distracting foreground elements.

[Rodger]

A photographer I've worked with in the past has the 85L. It's to die for. Especially on the 5dmkII. GET IT!