70-200 vs 85 1.4 for portraits?

[alyssaf]

I love my 70-200, but I can't seem to get my photos as sharp as I'd like with it. I won't sell it - it's definitely a wedding ceremony lens. But for general portraits... would you say the 85 is better?

I had the 85 1.8 and loved it, but sold it for the Sigma 50 1.4. I don't regret it as I love my Sigma, but I also loved the 85 focal length.

Money is tight, so if I were to get the 85 I'd have to sell the 28-70.

Advice? Sample comparison photos? Etc? :smile:

 

[BlackPhantom]

sell sigma 50/1.4, get sigma 85/1.4

 

[LiorDrZ]

sell sigma 50/1.4, get sigma 85/1.4

+1

 

[euua]

+1

+2

but I am not a big fan of 50mm focal length

 

[Domdog31]

sell sigma 50/1.4, get sigma 85/1.4

yup this is the way to go - I tried to use one or the other (70-200 and 85mm) but always find a use for both. They complement each other nicely

 

[Tony Ad]

I love my 70-200, but I can't seem to get my photos as sharp as I'd like with it.

I wonder why? I'm with the others have suggested. Sell the 50 and get the 85mm.

 

[FotoWerkz]

Is the 70-200 a Nikon lens or?

 

[Mad Hatter]

I love my 70-200, but I can't seem to get my photos as sharp as I'd like with it. I won't sell it - it's definitely a wedding ceremony lens. But for general portraits... would you say the 85 is better?

I had the 85 1.8 and loved it, but sold it for the Sigma 50 1.4. I don't regret it as I love my Sigma, but I also loved the 85 focal length.

Money is tight, so if I were to get the 85 I'd have to sell the 28-70.

Advice? Sample comparison photos? Etc? :smile:

Umm... how come you can't get sharp photos with the 70-200 if you don't mind me asking? What focal lengths are you shooting at, what shutter speeds? Are you focusing and recomposing? Are you using support? The 70-200, both VRI and VRII are sharp enough to cut glass. If your technique is up to snuff then it's probably something wrong with the equipment (front or back focusing either due to the camera or the lens or you've got an element out of alignment). If it's your technique then adding an 85 f/1.4 won't be the solution either, the in some cases millimeters deep depth of field will just expose flaws in your technique.

IMHO the reason to go from a 70-200 to an 85 f/1.4 is not because your photos aren't sharp enough. If your existing gear is working as it should and if your technique is solid you should be able to produce photos that are very sharp with what you have.

 

[mematsu]

sell sigma 50/1.4, get sigma 85/1.4

I did. Love the 85mm.

You may even find your 70-200 getting dusty.

 

[Temba]

Umm... how come you can't get sharp photos with the 70-200 if you don't mind me asking? What focal lengths are you shooting at, what shutter speeds? Are you focusing and recomposing? Are you using support? The 70-200, both VRI and VRII are sharp enough to cut glass. If your technique is up to snuff then it's probably something wrong with the equipment (front or back focusing either due to the camera or the lens or you've got an element out of alignment). If it's your technique then adding an 85 f/1.4 won't be the solution either, the in some cases millimeters deep depth of field will just expose flaws in your technique.

IMHO the reason to go from a 70-200 to an 85 f/1.4 is not because your photos aren't sharp enough. If your existing gear is working as it should and if your technique is solid you should be able to produce photos that are very sharp with what you have.

I agree.

 

[alyssaf]

It's the Nikon 70-200 vr i. I'm sure it's me... A lot of times the photos are very sharp. I think it has to do with being such a big and heavy lens. When I get the focus right, it's super sharp. Other times I think I move it too much or something. I should use my tripod more - I'm sure that would help.

I considered selling the beast to get it because I don't use it too often.

 

[JR Magat]

hmm... my 70-200 VR2 is probably the sharpest lens I have... I always have my VR turned on, and I keep my shutter speeds above 1/100; I usually get good results

 

[Mad Hatter]

It's the Nikon 70-200 vr i. I'm sure it's me... A lot of times the photos are very sharp. I think it has to do with being such a big and heavy lens. When I get the focus right, it's super sharp. Other times I think I move it too much or something. I should use my tripod more - I'm sure that would help.

I considered selling the beast to get it because I don't use it too often.

Are you on DX or full frame?

A monopod, VR on and shutter speeds of at least 1/200 will ensure sharp photos. Just make sure that the VR is off when you get over 1/500. Even with VR a lens that heavy is going to be difficult to shoot without support below 1/100 for some.

 

[DavidKvapil]

Yeah, I was getting good results hand held at 1/30 with VR on at 200mm with my 70-200. I bought the 85/1.4 for portraits, not for the "sharper" results, but for the shallow DOF and the speed of f/1.4. Sold the 70-200 and bought the 200 f/2 for the same reason, and I can get sharp results with the 200/2 with VR on at 1/15 or so hand held. I think technique is the issue here, as you shouldn't have issues not getting sharp results.

On topic though, I would have to agree with most everyone else... lose the 50mm and pick up a 85mm, you will be VERY happy you did.

 

[alyssaf]

Thanks guys. I'm on full frame (D700). Giving up the 50 for the 85 is a good idea, except it leaves a $500-600ish gap that I can't afford to fill.

Better start saving... :tongue:

 

[Mad Hatter]

Yeah, I was getting good results hand held at 1/30 with VR on at 200mm with my 70-200. I bought the 85/1.4 for portraits, not for the "sharper" results, but for the shallow DOF and the speed of f/1.4. Sold the 70-200 and bought the 200 f/2 for the same reason, and I can get sharp results with the 200/2 with VR on at 1/15 or so hand held. I think technique is the issue here, as you shouldn't have issues not getting sharp results.

On topic though, I would have to agree with most everyone else... lose the 50mm and pick up a 85mm, you will be VERY happy you did.

Well physical strength plays a huge role as well. I don't own one but I'm pretty sure that I could hand hold 1/15 with a 70-200VR. I doubt I'm strong enough to hand hold a 200 f/2 VR at 1/15th however.

 

[DavidKvapil]

True, I am pretty strong, I played semi-pro/professional hockey for a little while, so that would definitely play a part in my ability to handhold heavier equipment, especially for long periods of time.

At the same time though, an ex-girlfriend of mine who was about 100 lbs. was getting good results consistently at 1/60 VR-on handheld at 200mm with the 70-200, but couldn't manage it for more than about 20 minutes at a time.

 

[Ronald M]

Brace your elbows on your chest. Read up on how a rifle marksman holds the rifle. Do the same. Hold breath, shoulder angle, foot position. The further out you hold the lens, the better off you are. Left hand goes out on lens, way out.

No doubt an 85 is easier to manage, but you need to do the same thing.

A long zoom on its tripod foot is really no good. It will move like a sea-saw. Trust me. Addition support and cable release are required.

 

[alyssaf]

Brace your elbows on your chest. Read up on how a rifle marksman holds the rifle. Do the same. Hold breath, shoulder angle, foot position. The further out you hold the lens, the better off you are. Left hand goes out on lens, way out.

No doubt an 85 is easier to manage, but you need to do the same thing.

A long zoom on its tripod foot is really no good. It will move like a sea-saw. Trust me. Addition support and cable release are required.

I tried that last night, and it definitely helped. I just have a hard time holding it really still. I think I'll start saving for an 85. My husband thanks you (ha!).

Thanks guys! :smile:

 

[Takeda]

I tried that last night, and it definitely helped. I just have a hard time holding it really still. I think I'll start saving for an 85. My husband thanks you (ha!).

Thanks guys! :smile:

From the problems posted about the siggy 85mm f/1.4, I would look at the Nikon 85mm f/1.4D or G.