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85mm f1.8 vs 200mm f2.8 bokeh or portriat

Started Mar 13, 2014 | Discussions thread
Kevin Jorgensen Contributing Member • Posts: 745
Re: 85mm f1.8 vs 200mm f2.8 bokeh or portriat

davidli wrote:

Background of my questions:

I have a 6D and intend to buy 70-200 f4L IS or 70-200 f2.8L IS. I mainly take leisure picture when walking around city or nature treks. The f4L is my preference because it is lighter and 6D has very good low light and low ISO performance. However, about 1% of my photo are head shot portriat.

I intend to travel with 2 full frame bodies, 17-40 f4L, 70-200 f4L and 85mm f1.8, somewhat like Karl Grobl's setup. http://karlgrobl.com/blog/advice/equipment/retiring-my-canon-mark-ii/

My question:

In your personally judgement, does the 85mm prime at f1.8 gives better bokeh or portriat than the zoom at 200mm & f2.8?

They're both excellent. Better? Different is probably a better way to describe them. I haven't used my 85 since I purchased the 70-200f2.8L IS II, 100f2.8L IS Macro and my latest low light lens, the Sigma 35f1.4''A''. You must also remember that while the 85 is a good lens it doesn't have IS or weather sealing like the zoom. Granted the zoom is heavy but you get use to it and 2.8 is great for stopping the action. I recommend you consider the 24-70f2.8L II and the 70-200f2.8L IS II.

 Kevin Jorgensen's gear list:Kevin Jorgensen's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM Canon EF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM Samyang 14mm F2.8 ED AS IF UMC +2 more
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