Which portrait lens? (85mm f1.4 or 70-200 2.8)

iamchrisphoto

iamchrisphoto

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Chris Scuffins
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Hey everybody,

I was hoping you would be able to help me make up my mind which lens i should buy, specifically for portraiture and events.

I currently have a D700, Nikon 50mm 1.4, 24-70mm, and 105mm macro VR.

I've narrowed by choices to the Nikon 85mm f1.4 G or the 70-200mm vr ii (or a second hand VrI) I'm not looking at cheaper alternatives, because I can save money by going straight to the ones I need, rather than upgrading gradually etc.

I have my very first wedding next summer, but before then I want to push my portraiture up a level (or 10).

Obviously both lenses are a big investment, and whichever one I get will be my only lens purchase for at least the next 12 months, so I want to get it right!

My head says the 70-200, its a well known wedding/portraiture lens, and it's just an overall more versatile lens. The downside is that its so big and heavy, I cant see myself using it.

But my heart says the 85mm f1.4, well because out of all of my currant lenses, I use the 50mm f1.4 95% of the time.
I love shooting light, and often wide open. I think shooting primes suits me better. But on the other hand, would you turn up at a wedding without lens longer than 105mm?

I'm stuck, if I could have them both I would, but I can only justify one.

Would love to hear from people who own either of these two, or any advice people can give.

Thanks

Chris
 
I think you've more or less answered your own question... I'd turn up with the 70-200 too, you've got the 50 1.4 for now. I've got the 85 1.4 and love it, but not instead of a 70-200, or 80-200 AFS in my case
 
Thanks for the help so far, I suppose I could consider the 85mm f1.4 D, and save some money.

For anyone who has the 70-200mm, do you find it heavy or a pain to use? And what's the depth of field like at 200mm? Would it be comparable to the 85mm at 1.4?

Thanks for the help though, who knew buying a lens would be so difficult! :)
 
70-200 I say. Lovely lens, dont use mine loads, only when I know I will be outside in plenty of space but great when I can use it. 85mm (i have 1.8) is nice and use when want to have range but have a light lens. Like you, I used to use my 50mm loads, but the 24-70 has taken over a bit now. If I could only choose 1, I would go for 70-200, especially for weddings.
 
iamchrisphoto said:
For anyone who has the 70-200mm, do you find it heavy or a pain to use? And what's the depth of field like at 200mm? Would it be comparable to the 85mm at 1.4?
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I've handled the 70-200 VR I on a D300 a few times. It is large, it is heavy, but for assignments you use whatever tools you need and swallow the pain for the pay-check.

The depth of field is not comparable, as the perspective is completely different. 200mm enlarges the background more, which takes your subject more out of context.

The zoom will definitely give you more versatility for weddings. However, if you look around, you'll probably stoop across wedding photographers that do just fine with primes only.

Have you got a second body already?
 
The 70-200mm will come in handy for shooting wedding but it won't be use alot unless you have a second body to use it on. Most of the time it will be either your 50mm prime or the 24-70 you got.

Out of the 85 and 70-200 i vote for 70-200 simply because of the zoom and versatility.

I say go for used gear to behonest so you can buy both ......

Brand new 70-200 f2.8 VR2 cost around £1600-1700

Second hand: 70-200 f2.8 VR1 cost around £1000
80-200 f2.8 AF cost around £500 (depend on taste you want VR or not)
85mm f1.4D cost around £600-700 second hand
85mm f1.8D cost around £250 or £350 new

Personally i would go for use so you can have both :)
 
badboy1984 said:
Personally i would go for used so you can have both :)
Click to expand...

+1 for that! It sounds like your not in a rush so you can afford to wait around for the right ones to come up either on here or eBay.

If it has to be one or the other then it's the 70-200 all the way.

Good Luck,

Dean

P.S - To the chap who mentioned it, you can always rent a second body. There are plenty of places that have D700's available to rent, just in case. No need to invest in that just yet!
 
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Thanks to all of the replies so far.

I think I'm leaning towards the 70-200mm....just.

I may consider the 70-200mm VRI, and save some money, but to be honest I might as well spend another £500 and get a new VRII. I see this as a bit of a investment, no point holding back for the sake of a few hundred quid.

With regards to a second body, I will either be renting another d700 or possibly a bit a D800 if Nikon hurry up and release one!
 
i have both and use the 85 more .due to the weight,size and shallow dof.
mine are used non professionaly though and i would say that although the 70-200 is big and heavy it would be more usefull at the end of the day
 
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