70-200 2.8 IS vs 85mm f1.2

[natskis]

Hi All,

I was wondering if I could get some of your opinions out there.
I have been contemplating doing wedding photography... (the pipe dream)
And as such, have been planning camera gear... as you do.

I was wondering what people's thoughts were about the second body lens.
If you had two bodies, the first body would have the shorter focal range...
so the 24-70 on a full frame or equivalent 15-50 ish for wide angles...
And then on the second body a longer focal length.

My thoughts were that the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS L (Mark I or II) or the Canon 85 f1.2 L
What would be people's thoughts on the second lens?
Or would there be a different lens that I'm not even thinking about?

Would the 85 be flexible enough?
What are people's thoughts?

[DebT]

Hi,
I'm lucky enough to have the set and dual bodies 1 X FF ,1 X 1.6 but the trick is knowing when to use what ..
location, conditions, distance between you and the subject , and what your vision for the finished product is
my slant ... two bodies - definately just for contingency if nothing else so might as well have 2 dedicated lenses and no point being 2 the same ...

you have the 24 -70 2.8 - so you want something that can do something different

85 1.2 only taken 100 shots (new) but cant live without it, it's sharp as, great in really poor light, great DOF drop off, great boken - will definately nail the indoor poor light shots and do great outdoor group shots as well, works well with flash but allows you to turn it down to a light fill flash ...only downside (but hardly a negative) you need move yourself to/from subject to fill frame not quite as fast to AF

70-200 2.8 love it especially, predominately for sports and candids but could be too long for weddings depending on the specific location

If you win lotto I'd suggest all 3 and use the 70-200 outdoors then change to the 85 when moving inside /low light PS Never done a Wedding (and not planning on) your braver than I

DebT

[aim54x]

I have only really shot one wedding (non-paid job), and I did it with only one body (D300 + 24-70), but whenever I do event work for mates I ususally bring two bodies (D300 and S5 Pro) and the combination of the either the 17-50 or the 24-70 and the 70-200. i can see where the 85mm would be useful (esp for the wider aperture) but if it had to be one or the other, I would vote for the 70-200 as it is more flexible, and the 70mm end is wider than the straight 85.

Hope this helps.

[padey]

I've got both lenses and shoot weddings.

I'll dig up some wedding shots with both to give you a bit of a real world difference.

[devilla101]

hey there

I would personally go with the 70-200 2.8 IS as it will be more versatile in weddings both indoor and outdoor. It makes a terrific portrait lens and gives you excellent reach when you need it. If your just starting out choose this lens. Once you start earning $$$ from your wedding gigs then get the 85mm 1.2

[ozimax]

The 85mm will give outstanding image quality and razor thin DOF, but for all round versatility (and exceptional image quality) I don't think you can go past the 70-200, which I have and use all the time.

[photomarcs]

i vote the 85mm, the 70-200 can always come after, but once you get an 85mm, it sticks with you really. haha

Previous wedding that i shot, the 85mm was used about 70% of the time. =)

[gstark]

The basic answer is that this is not an either/or proposition; your kit should include both of these lenses.

Within the context of your question though, I would opt for the 85. You already have a zoom on one body; the light weight and optical speed is what you need on the second body.

[ozimax]

If you are short on moolah the present time, why not consider the 85mm F1.8. It is a superb performer and quite inexpensive.

[devilla101]

If you are short on moolah the present time, why not consider the 85mm F1.8. It is a superb performer and quite inexpensive.

Excellent suggesition. The 85mm 1.8 is quite a stellar performer and quite a good bang for buck! Not to mention way cheaper. So with that, get both