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