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

Started Mar 13, 2014 | Discussions thread
Timbukto Veteran Member • Posts: 4,988
Re: 85mm f1.8 vs 200mm f2.8 bokeh or portriat

Its not about IQ or bokeh, its about astoundingly different form factor, intimidation factor or walkaround factors.

One is f1.8 at 85 the other is f2.8 70-200...one is light and relatively compact, the other is not.

FYI the Canon 85mm 1.8 will start to have polygonal bokeh when stopped down.  70-200 not so much, but then again it doesn't go to f1.8...so still apples vs orange comparison.

There are more optical corrections built into the 70-200s, compared to the simpler 85...but there may be things about the 85's rendering you like more (i.e. potentially less clinically sharp wide open for sure).  But again f1.8 vs f2.8.  If you want to compare the tele end of the 200mm for bokeh purposes than you are getting more compression, flatter look, and probably only headshot only framing?  f2.8 on 70-200 will still get you plenty thin DOF shots...with probably less CA to boot, the question is just the size and weight and form factor penalties/preferences.

 Timbukto's gear list:Timbukto's gear list
Canon EOS M Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
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