Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L vs. Canon 85mm f/1.2 L

[Alis]

Hi Sedali,

Perhaps they're referring to the possibility of vignetting if you don't get the slim varient?

Is this what you're meaning?

Thanks, Colin. Even on Canon website, it says 82mm filter 0.75 thickness. I am not sure about the reason but I was worried that if I get the wrong type it won't fit and touch the front element as it sort of sticks out.

I guess, I go for the slim type since you have the lens and you are using that one.

[Colin Southern]

Thanks, Colin. Even on Canon website, it says 82mm filter 0.75 thickness. I am not sure about the reason but I was worried that if I get the wrong type it won't fit and touch the front element as it sort of sticks out.

I guess, I go for the slim type since you have the lens and you are using that one.

Hi Sedali,

- I have that lens
- I use that filter
- It doesn't touch the front element

In fact, Canon go so far as to say in the manual the the weather sealing isn't complete UNTIL a filter is attached.

[phuongnlh]

Hi both,

I have seen your long discussion and now i need your pro advise.
I am using canon 5d MkII body with grip and my purchased 24-105 in 2007.
In general i love this lens, good range.

BTW, i am considering between 70-200f2.8 IS and 85f1.2.
Reason: i will make more foto for my current 6 years daughter and new coming baby in jul.
So i don't know which one should be the best for some situation: low light, moving, focus, etc. I have my Metz 48AF1C then it is perfect in low light with flash. I am going to get Canon 580 EXII or Metz 58AF1C as master and controller also.

Can you please advise.

Thanks and regards,

Phuong from Vietnam

[Colin Southern]

BTW, i am considering between 70-200f2.8 IS and 85f1.2.

Phuong from Vietnam

Hi Phuong,

Based on what you've told us, I would go with the 70-200/2.8L IS because with your flash and high ISO capability of your 5D2 it should mean that it won't be difficult to get a good exposure with either lens - but the 70-200 being a zoom is far more versatile.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Phuong,

I agree with Colin, the zoom is far more flexible.

The focal length of the 85 prime doesn't give you anything you can't do with the 24-105, other than shoot in lower light with less Depth of Field because it is probably 2+ stops wider than the 24-105.

Regards,

[peterb533]

Hi Phuong,

I agree with Colin, the zoom is far more flexible.

The focal length of the 85 prime doesn't give you anything you can't do with the 24-105, other than shoot in lower light with less Depth of Field because it is probably 2+ stops wider than the 24-105.

Regards,

Generally I would agree with you BUT I find that if I know what sort of situation I'm going to be shooting in i.e. indoors or outdoors, easy access with plenty of room or crowded I can be more creative with a prime lens as it forces you to think more about the composition, DOF and view point. Just my pennyworth to confuse things.

Peter

[phuongnlh]

Hi Colin,

I have borrowed the 70-200f2.8IS from friend for some wedding photos of my young brother and some moving pictures of our children. In general it is perfect bokeh, quick focusing lens and even very heavy. But i could manage that lens (i bought the Hama Omega Carbon II but rarely uses since i am busy then i could not take much night scence photos. We will do in next holiday for beach and landscape).


But can you tell me more advantage of Canon 85f1.2 you are using, or you can share some photos with us. I might think that 85f1.2 works smoothly indoor withour any flash, but maybe low focusing as its mentioned in some forums (I don't have any friends using this guy, otherwise i will try to make some photo).

Hi Dave,

That is why i tried to keep 24-105 (don't want to upgrade to 24-70) but you are all professional and huge experiences then please give me best advise. Of course DOF at f1.2 should be crazy difference with f4 in my standard zoom 24-105.

looking forward to hearing from you then i will go ahead.


Phuong
http://www.xomnhiepanh.com/gallery.p...view&id=102719

[Colin Southern]

But can you tell me more advantage of Canon 85f1.2 you are using, or you can share some photos with us.

The "advantage" of the EF85/1.2L USM II is that it's a faster lens - so you can enjoy higher shutterspeeds in low light situations, but you need to remember that this is at the expense of Depth of Field (which in some cases is just a few millimeters). If the subject is some distance away then it's not usually a problem, but if they're up close your likely to have a BIG problem shooting at F1.2 (you might find for example than 1 eye is in focus whilst their other eye and the tip of their nose and their ears are all out of focus. I think that people tend to forget about this side of things until they discover it the hard way. Of course if your WANTING a tight D of F then that's fine - it'll do a better job than a slower zoom.

The other "advantage" is that generally primes like this are sharper and have better contrast than zooms, but people need to keep this in perspective; it's not like the 85/1.2L is "good" and the 70-200/2.8L" is "bad" - it's more a case of the 70-200/2.8L being superb, but the 85/1.2L being even better. In either case, correct sharpening technique makes for a much bigger difference.

The biggest problem with the 85mm lens is the fact that at it's longest focal length it's 85mm and at it's shortest focal length it's 85mm. In terms of the extra speed in the F1.2 to F2.8 region, I don't think it is going to be a big advantage to you - you've got a flash - you've got a camera with excellent high-ISO performance - so my guess is you'll be needing a variety of focal lengths far more often than you'll be needing the wider apertures.

Here's a sample shot that you asked for, although please be aware that there's no way you can judge the sharpness and contrast of the lens from low-resolution shots like this - these are lenses that you can produce shots 2 feet high and 3 feet wide that are still tack sharp with.

Hope this helps!

[phuongnlh]

Hi Colin,


http://www.flickr.com/photos/phuongn...82235/sizes/o/
I shot that one via 70-200.

Your daughter is so cute in the lighting, atmosphere and of course the pro-lens.
So which lens do you use so often since i am considering we always mount of proper lens on the move. I love these 2 guys but i can go ahead for 01 first. Then maybe i will take both in near future.

Please advise.

Phuong

[Colin Southern]

Hi Colin,


http://www.flickr.com/photos/phuongn...82235/sizes/o/
I shot that one via 70-200.

Your daughter is so cute in the lighting, atmosphere and of course the pro-lens.
So which lens do you use so often since i am considering we always mount of proper lens on the move. I love these 2 guys but i can go ahead for 01 first. Then maybe i will take both in near future.

Please advise.

Phuong

Hi Phuong,

The lens I use most often is the EF 16-25/F2.8L USM II, but then again, I'm primarily a landscape shooter.

For a general walk-about lens, the EF 24-70/F2.8L USM is very hard to beat, with the 16-35, 24-70, and 70-200 being the usual "trilogy" of lenses I recommend to most people starting out (although the order will depend on what your shooting).

The likes of the EF85/1.2L are more specialised in their use - if I get a change I'll take a shot at F1.2 to show you the depth of field (or rather lack of it); it's not really a good walk-about lens - more of a specialist portrait lens.

[phuongnlh]

Thanks Colin,

So I keep 24-105 and go ahead for 70-200 (not borrowed one ).
And waiting for your shoot at 1.2 for my next consideration.

Cheers,

Phuong

[Colin Southern]

Thanks Colin,

So I keep 24-105 and go ahead for 70-200 (not borrowed one ).
And waiting for your shoot at 1.2 for my next consideration.

Cheers,

Phuong

Hi Phuong,

You sound like you REALLY want to buy that EF 85/1.2L

Do a test - zoom your borrowed 70-200 to 85mm and leave it there for a week whilst shooting the kinds of things you want to shoot. If the lack of zoom isn't a problem, then you have my permission to buy the 85/1.2L!

Can't get much fairer than that!

[Colin Southern]

PS: Just to make the decision even harder, here's a portrait I shot for a customer a few weeks ago with the EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM ...

[phuongnlh]

Yes Colin!
I have seen you shot on 18.05 via your 1DsMk III.
I kept the borrowed of my friend in 2 months but it was returned him already.

And i have reviewed the photos shot by 85L on fredmiranda. That is why i will still consider this lens.

So, the amateur always mix up for lens

But we should control the device and dont let device controls us

Any advise for 70-200, please !

[phuongnlh]

And the lack of zoom, i had tried 50f1.8 (cheap one) in a month then i sold it since the quality, built in focus but i can accept fix( but we always need close subject ).
So 70-200 must be with me in this time ( ), then 85f1.2 will be evaluated later

[Colin Southern]

Any advise for 70-200, please !

Hi Phuong,

Best advice I can think of at this stage is "Don't try to choose between them based on image quality" ...

... both lenses have superb IQ, and are both most definately in the"more than adequate" category.

In summary, the 85/1.2L has a speed advantage, but with your flash and low light capability, I don't think you'll need it.The 70-200/2.8L IS is a lot more versatile - it has IS - AND you can still your your flashes & Hi ISO capability with it, and is - in my opinion - the clear winner.

When we talk about the 85/1.2L being sharper and with better contrast what that means in practice is the 85/1.2L needs a little less post-processing to bring the image up to the highest possible standards - or put another way ...

... The finished image from an 85/1.2 including PP is pretty much the same as one from the 70-200 including PP - I'll bet I could shoot and process an image from both and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

[phuongnlh]

Thanks Colin!

It is clear that I go ahead now for 70-200 f2.8 IS.
The price recently in Vietnam is 1700 US$ and it is cheap in US 1530 US$ only.
I am looking if we can buy there or we buy in Vietnam. (In hongkong or Singapore they quote me also expensive).

Cheers,

Phuong

[Colin Southern]

Thanks Colin!

It is clear that I go ahead now for 70-200 f2.8 IS.
The price recently in Vietnam is 1700 US$ and it is cheap in US 1530 US$ only.
I am looking if we can buy there or we buy in Vietnam. (In hongkong or Singapore they quote me also expensive).

Cheers,

Phuong

No worries Phuong - let us know how you get on!

[phuongnlh]

Thanks Colin,

I have asked several shops here and hope that this lens will be with me this month - then we will share the photos I can shoot via your kindly advice.

Enjoy your weekend and regards from hot weather in Hanoi Vietnam,

Phuong

[phuongnlh]

Hi Colin,

Finally i fot my 70-200f2.8 IS ( i took the UW12) since i could not wait for UX.
This motor is same as my other 70-200f2.8 IS which i borred from friend: it sounds when focus, even not so noise
So i will do more photo and ask you for experience.

Regards,

Phuong