love your comparison! going through which one to get first for weddings right now, and it's tough... but i love your comparisons that include things other reviewers don't, like weight on the far end of the zoom, and the bulkiness of the 85. looking forward to other comparisons in the future!
Thanks for the video. The items you discussed were exactly the things I was wanting to know more about, especially the balance and feel an IS with each lens and control ring position. I’m not surprised that the Canon-quoted IS stop for the 70-200 was exaggerated. Thanks for being very transparent about your v thoughts! I’m thinking the ideal lens compliment here is to keep the 70-200 but pick up the 50 f/1.2 (same 77mm filter!).
I normally would not sit through a 21 minute review but yours was an exception. I really appreciated the information you provided. Very nice video. I was in the same fix, 85 or 70-200. I bought the 70-200. I'm sorry to hear about damage to your lens and hope you were able to get it fixed.
Thanks for watching! I had it repaired at a local camera shop because canon’s repair centers were closed at the time due to covid lockdowns. The repair cost $900 but was much better than buying a new lens. It came back as good as new, as though nothing ever happened. Use a filter, the filter threads on this lens are surprisingly flimsy plastic. I was able to keep the old damaged parts and I plan to break them on camera to demonstrate how important a filter or hood is with this particular lens
I literally was debating between these two and landed on this review. Enjoyed the debate between the two. Normally i wouldn’t spend 21 min on a review but you definitely made the debate interesting. I have an EF 35mm , 24mm and 100mm and have been trying to decide which route and after your review I think I’m going with the RF 70-200mm to add since I don’t have a zoom and don’t want to cover what I have already. I will day this after I get the 70-200mm I’m going to get the beast RF 28-70mm f2. Sorry to hear about the lens but glad you got it fixed.
Very cool review. The way you review it resonates well with me, and probably a lot of others too. The experience of owning the lens is just as important as its performance. I’m in much the same position as you were ... I have a few EF L lenses and every morning I wake up thinking about trading those lenses for an RF L. But I’d only be able to get one RF lens so it’s a very difficult decision. However you video is kinda moving me closer towards doing. Anyway, great job and sorry to hear about the accident with the 70-200. Hope all is well after the repair.
I completely agree with you about the *CONTROL RING LOCATION* because I'm still using my EF lenses with the Control Ring Adapter, and the control ring is in the same spot for all my EF lenses. I picked up the RF 35mm lens and always have to reach for the control ring Interesting about Exposure Simulation affecting focus. I'll have to check that out. I went from the 5D Mk4 to the EOS R and now the EOS R5. I'm fully mirrorless now and will never go back to DSLR.
This was a really helpful video. My wife told me I could get a RF lenses and I have been torturing myself trying to figure out which of these two would be worth the arm and leg to get. This definitely answered questions that I didn't even realize I should have been asking myself.
This lens is something. Ive seriously thought about the R system ever since I first seen this lens announced. This lens made me buy the Eos R after I had to sell my other beloved gear for money. But I needed a camera system and really want to build on this system. The 70-200 this size is an unbelievable staple and Canon is really putting all its horses into their R system. Fantastic lenses, and now they’ve seen how its doing, they’re completing it with some fantastic bodies. Can’t wait for the R5/6!
If I could make a video with same questions and answers... this would exactly be it. First 3 mins of genuine talk and bam I hit that like and subscribe button coz you kept it real and straight forward. I wish you success and happiness.
This is so me. Just sold my EF lenses 50mm 1.2, 100mm 2.8 macro, 135mm f2, 70-200 2.8 II and replaced them with an RF 85 1.2 & 70-200 2.8. Lost a few pounds but worth it.
Finally someone has the same thoughts as me regarding the control ring placement! Baffles me why they did not just put them at the back for all lenses.
Amazing and simplified review, Andrew - well done. I had bought 85 mm f1.2 and then I watched your video :(.....nevertheless, i am encouraged to try and save for 70-200 mm as my NEXT/MUST HAVE lens....thx again!
Thank you! My most common criticism on my videos is that I “talk too much about myself” and should just stick to the lens specs and sample photos. When I look for reviews I specifically look for the ones where people say “this gear was easy to use, here’s why” or “this gear was hard to use, here’s why.” In fact if I don’t have a personal sort of feeling about any gear then I won’t review it, if all I’ve got is the same list of tech specs that everyone else has access to, then what can I even add to the conversation?? 😂
The 70 -200 is my everyday lens. I shoot a large variety of content from portraits to warehouses so the focal range is key. I have the 50 and 85 coming in next week and excited to try them.
Man right at the end there I said out loud “but what did you choose!?” Then BAM, there it was hahaha. Great vid from a personal perspective, I typically appreciate these types of videos over the scientific ones. I don’t care what it says on paper, what’s the experience like?? So well done, thanks! I’m currently deciding between these two right now.
I don't know if anyone mentioned, but seeing you feel both lenses have too sharp bokeh rings.... please know that there is a RF 85mm F1.2L DS. Where DS stands for 'Defocus Smoothing'. Basically a built in edge-ND before the aperture blades. Works best wide open, but makes quite a difference indeed. It does, however cost about 2/3 to a stop of light. By the way, what you describe as contrasty and jittery is actually the bokeh rings having sharp edges. This makes repeated patterns. Having the edges attenuated like a circular grad filter (do they exist?) makes them into vague blobs instead of circles.
Bought both. Use the 85 more as a portrait photographer. There's something magical about that piece of glass. I love the 70-200 for landscape work, however.
I have the RF 28-70mm f2, the RF 85mm 1.2, and the EF 200mm f2. I’ve always been a big fan of large aperture prime lenses, but with the launch of the 28-70mm f2, I saw a mix of versatility with prime characteristics. And to some extent, this happens. As for the RF 70-200 2.8 and the EF 200mm f2: I see that only the RF 85mm could come close to the 200mm f2, but at the same time, I understand that the versatility of the 70-200 must be sensational. It’s an endless question. Very hard to decide this.
This is hands-down the best comparison and review of these lenses I’ve seen and I have watched lots of them. This is actually my second time through watching this one. The first time helped me make the decision for the rf 70-200mm. The 85mm is a specialized lens that does one thing really well. It gives A beautiful rendering and shallow depth of the field at 85mm. It does that better then the 70-200 ever will but the 70-200 does a lot more. It’s a workhorse that feels better in hand and is very versatile. None of your clients will ever know the difference but here I am going back to this video and thinking I’ll also pick up the 85mm. Here is my reasoning for the 85mm: I shoot a lot of environmental portraits and love the nuances of shallow depth of field done well. Not just a soft blown out background but seeing the fall off focus and more of the environment. I shoot medium format (film) a lot and it gives me the ability to include more in my frame while still having total control of my depth of field. I want that on my canon and think the 85mm might give it to me.
Thank you! I’ve actually borrowed the 85 a few more times and ended up opting to buy sigma’s 85, 105, and 135 art (all used) instead of the RF 85 1.2 because the Sigma 85 was cheap ($700) and is insanely good for the price (not as good as RF) but both the 105 and 135 can offer looks that no 85 can touch. I mean there’s something nice about having fewer nicer lenses but also something nice about having lenses you don’t completely stress about getting lost, broken, or stolen. I find myself rarely using the 70-200 because I just can’t afford to have anything happen to it but if one of my sigmas eats it then it’s only a slight bummer.
@@andrewdoeshair I hear that I used to work assignments in some pretty extreme conditions and think I found my right amount of babying/not being over protective of gear. My 70-200 gets a good amount of use for me but there’s just something special about shooting primes. When I go to grab my 35mm or 50mm, I’m framing out my perspective before I even take off the lens cap. The challenge of having to move to find your angle and composition opens up other doors and the end result just feels different. Zooms like the 70-200 on the other hand, always nail the shot and keep clients happy. It almost feels like cheating to me - like I’ll just sand hear and nail 15 different angles. Especially the RF 70-200 with it’s closer focusing capabilities. That lens can stand in for a tighter 50mm or even macro if needed.
@@andrewdoeshair That's exactly my fear: buying a lens and being afraid to use it won't be useful either. A Sigma 105mm f1.4 is half the price of a Canon 85mm f1.2. Although I have an R6II, having a Sony A7C + Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art (630g) would keep everything much lighter without sacrificing quality. That's why I'm even thinking about leaving Canon.
Now that the RF 70-200 f4 is out, I wonder if you would be interested in a comparison. I have the EF 70-200 f2.8 but I think it is far too large adapted to my RP. Because size matters! Thank you for a real look at the lenses, not a spec chart/sharpness lecture.
I’ve been using an R5 for a few days, borrowed it from a friend, and the functionality killlllls my EOS R, it was just designed so much more thoughtfully (more buttons, more ways to customize them, more shortcuts and quick changes). But I’m finding the file sizes to be a pain and I have zero need for 8K, so it’s very likely I’ll be getting an R6 in the next few months. I just hope it has most of the same convenient programmable features the R5 has (like you can register the AF ON or * buttons to each use a different focus mode, and that is amazing because the R requires me to toggle focus modes with another button). Sorry, long winded reply there, but basically yes. R6 will be a dream
hahahaha ps I kept the 70-200 damn.. I was waiting for you to side with it!! would be a bit sad if you chose 85. I mean both excellent products but for me, 70-200 is more versatile, 85 is bit too specialised
I realized after making this video that the 70-200 and the 85 are identically sized near the mount- if they’d put the ring on the back of the 85 it could have felt exactly like the 70-200. I bet the 50L and maybe even the 28-70 are similarly sized at the back. I recently got the 24-70 and didn’t think to check on that size until this comment, but same thing goes there, it would have felt way more intuitive to have the ring at the back
Thank you, I appreciate the kind words. When I’ve tried to be more technical and less conversational I don’t have fun, and I feel like I’m just putting out the same information that other camera reviewers have already put out. All I’ve got to separate my videos from the other reviewers is my own thoughts and feelings about the gear, so I try to focus on that instead of just listing spec’s off canon’s website
Speaking of inconsistency, each RF generation camera body has a different set of control, the R got the weird bar, R5/6 rolled back to the old dial, and R7 moved the dial to the top. Switching between them is such a pain
😂😂😂 this video TOTALLY speaks to me. I mean, you sound like my inner voice. Thank you for making this. I bought the R5 after going back and forth (just as you’ve described) with the a7Siii. I knew I wanted the 24-70, but now, I’m looking at the 70-200 and I keep eyeing the 85. Thank you again.
A few days after I recorded this I had a zipper failure on my backpack, and the 70-200 fell out front-first, shattering the front element. I'm devastated... But soon to come is a video about the experience, what it's like getting a $2,900 (after taxes nd shipping) lens repaired. Hopefully canon is able to impress and keep the high value feeling strong through such an unfortunate circumstance...
update: my local camera store (Image One, in Riverside, California) was able to repair the lens, but it cost me $900... Still much better than having to buy a new one... But I sold my EF 50mm F1.2L to cover the repair because stupid covid stopped my income for the past four months... I still think at $3,800 (2,700 plus 200 tax, plus 900 repair) this lens will be worth it. And I just bought a nice filter in case of future bumps...
Now you should test the RF28-70 f2. It is my favorite for events and Weddings. It just has a different look. I have a 70-200 and don’t shoot it as much as I thought.
I just ordered one yesterday and I was happy to find you liked it. Can I make a suggestion for a video? How do you take a photo and get it to your social account quickly? I would love it if someone would show the process. Your delivery is great.
The other workaround to low-light focusing is to switch to One-Shot AF mode, where the camera will automatically brighten the picture while focusing. When it is in Servo AF, it cannot do that.
Both RP and R5 do that for me in default Settings in both modes. Only difference is that so he shot focus works better on low light situations but that’s a usual benefit of one shot
I did the same lol. I sold all of my nice EF lenses and got the 24-70 and 70-200. I think I’m satisfied with these for all of my needs. But I agree, I woke up one day telling myself “alright im doing it. Goodbye lenses” 😂
Since you were transitioning to RF glass, I'm curious as to why did/ would you sell your *RF* 24-105? Is it because it's not an F2.8 (fast enough)? Or is it because it's considered a "kit" lens/ L glass?
I liked it a whole lot for studio work, where I tend to shoot around F4-F5.6 anyways, and I liked it a lot for video, but I sold it because simply needed the cash to afford the 70-200. I tend to work between 85 and 135 most often so the 24-105 wasn’t as good a fit for me as the 70-200… incidentally, after I recorded this (and recouped some funds) I got the RF 24-70, but I basically got it specifically for stabilized 24mm F2.8 without an adapter. I Plan to sell that one the minute canon offers a smaller/faster 24mm prime (now that I’ve got IBIS with my R6)
Just curious why you chose 70-200? I’m too deciding which lense to buy? I have RP camera and few lenses RF24-70, EF 100 macro 2.8 IS USM L series, EF 135 f2 and RF 35 f1.8 macro, I also thinking about RF 50 too , can you tell me with all the lenses I got which lenses make sense to buy RF 50- RF 70-200 or RF 85?
I went with the 70-200 because I wanted to streamline and simplify, I wanted less gear, and I wanted to make sure whatever I kept would be most useful most often. My dream became having a more flexible kit with as little lenses as possible. As of right now I’ve got a Sigma 24-35mm F2, an EF 50mm F1.2L, and this RF 70-200... I thiiiiink my next moves may be to swap the Sigma for an RF 15-35, and swap the EF 50 for the RF 50, although there’s a good chance I’ll be dropping the 50 1.2 and going with whatever little cheaper fifty they release for RF
@@andrewdoeshair While this RF 70-200 is indeed unique, I'm more lean toward the EF 70-200 mark iii due to the ability to use the 1.4x and 2x teleconverter. Canon really had chose compactness over functionality for this iteration of 70-200, I hope the next 70-200mm will come back to the old design.
I really love how you were thinking with buying the both, getting the experience with both, see how they are like, and understand what fits best for you. Regarding the focusing in low light situation with the expo simulation, you need to think that now with mirrorless, there is no separate sensor for focusing and the main sensor for displaying on the screen or in the viewfinder. It's just one sensor, compared with 2 (actually 3) sensors as it used to be in dSLRs. So, the one and only sensor, needs to based on the settings to display whatever it sees and also provide the info for focusing. So, it is at certain sensibility for viewing purposes, it will use the exact same settings/sensibility for focusing as well. That is why disabling expo simulation in such low light situations might be benefic, especially if you are also using any kind of flash lighting. The focus, while filming, it's a bit jumpy. You can adjust it to be more sticky on the man subject, meaning your face. I don't know where the setting is on the RP, but on my R6, when in camera mode, if I go to the menu -> AF purple -> the 3rd one -> Movie Servo AF track sens(ibility) -> I put it at -2, more towards the left locked on, instead of leaving it at the default in the middle. This way if you speak with your hands as I do :D the focus stays ono my face instead of doing tiny or more drastic focus shifts. Those focus adjustments might make the viewer dizzy :)
Man long term you probably did the right thing but damn you Canaan for making this man give up all that good glass for one lens. You will make masterful pics with it tho. #onelensbandit
It’s very likely I’ll be slimming down the kit even further to somehow attain the RF 15-35mm F2.8L, too! Dream kit is the 15-35, the 70-200, and some kind of modestly priced fast 50mm to sit in between (currently using the EF 50mm F1.4 but would swap it quickly for the rumored stabilized RF 50mm F1.8)
I have both. My 70-200 is sharpest at f4. My 85 is sharpest at f1.8 tho difference is negligible to f1.2 The 70-200’s collar is great. If u put the collar on, put the lens hood on, extend the lens, and you will find: the whole system (including a R5 body) balances on the collar perfectly! I totally agree with the control ring. The 85 is so heavy if I want to use the ring I have to move my left hand forward to use it and support the whole weight of both camera and the lens with my right hand only. The sheer amount of torque generated by the heavy lens is insane! I wish the ring is at the back so I can hold it and use it at the same time. 70-200 ring is good.
Lolol I was near the end and was like is he not gonna tell which one he kept? I would have chosen the same. I’m new to all these but wow prime focus loudness is not some thjng I have expected or experienced and I can’t say I’m a fan. Especially on af, it’s like constant. Eeeeeeek 🙈
Was waiting for that P.S. LOL! I debated with myself which of these very lenses to buy, and eventually got the 70-200. My main deciding factor was the versatility of the 70-200 vs. the 85. Really love this lens...but maybe will get the 85 next time I get rich! BTW, really enjoy your videos. I like hearing about all your internal debates and why you make the decisions you do.
Yep! I feel like the 85 is a very good, probably even the best, version of what an 85mm can be, but it’s not unlike any other 85 in most regards. It’s an 85 that does 85ing very well. The 70-200 is unlike any other 70-200 because of the size. It’s a total unicorn, a redefinition of a staple, not just a very nice version of it. It just felt a lot more special to me than the 85
@@andrewdoeshair I as debating, but I decided to go with the Samyang 85mm 1.4 AF which i s waaay cheaper than the canon 1.2 and shooots beautifully! you may want to look into the samyang
These are mirrorless camera and autofocus happens on the sensor not in the lens that’s the reason it create issues when exposure simulation turned on in darker conditions because now the sensor is all black.
When I saw the RF 85mm F2 announced it was bittersweet. I think it’s a brilliantly priced and spec’d lens that would pair wonderfully with the RF 35mm F1.8 as a mid range kit that is versatile and stabilized, but the bummer for me is that said 85mm is almost pointless for someone who already owns the RF 70-200... I mean I’m sure the 85 is smaller but the 70-200 isn’t exactly huge, and F2 beats F2.8, but it’s like, a stop, not anything game changing like an F1.4 next to an F2.8. I feel like I’d have a redundant area of kit if I had both of those lenses
@kelly if you’ve already got the EF 70-200 then what I’d consider is how often you’re using it and if having a smaller form factor would mean you’d use it more. For my work I figured I could use the RF 70-200 literally every day and for virtually every project (haircut portrait, haircut video, and even chatting to the camera like this) and while I could also do that with an 85mm I just thought the added flexibility of the zoom range and the ridiculously fast AF would make the lens more useful more often. I guess what I’m trying to say is if you believe you’ll use the lens for everything, then it’s worth the price and might be a solid entry into RF. If you work more on the wide end maybe get the cheaper 85mm then look at the RF 15-35 or RF 24-70...
Goals! Which do you find yourself using more often? My plan was to eventually own both, but now for the first time ever I'm actually drooling over bodies more than lenses so I need to get an R6 before I go back to looking at the 85
@@andrewdoeshair 70-200, it’s much more versatile for what I do. And the fact that it’s more narrow and lighter 😂 I was almost going to make this same video, still might for the main channel but not a priority yet.
