Looking for some advice

Mooseknux

Senior Member
I recently bought a 70-200 2.8 vrii, I also have an 85 1.8g.. Now that i have 85 covered with the 70-200 i was thinking about selling the 85. Would this be a smart move in your opinion, or would you hang on to it?? Thanks in advance.. Mackenzie
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I would not sell it. While the 70-200 is a great lens, it will not match the razor sharpness of a prime and the 85 is spectacular for both sharpness and Bokeh.
 

WayneF

Senior Member
I would not sell it. While the 70-200 is a great lens, it will not match the razor sharpness of a prime and the 85 is spectacular for both sharpness and Bokeh.

I think you have to judge it on other than sharpness. Do you want f/1.8 or not? The zoom may not do f/1.8, and it might be heavy and large and expensive, but it will do 70 through 200 mm. That's a big plus. And it is exceptionally sharp.

I suspect "sharpness" of prime vs zoom is a dated old notion, at least not true of todays good f/2.8 zooms, which do compete very well with primes. The 70-200 is one of the best ones, I'd sure regret seeing it go.

See the numbers in these two lens tests at Nikon / Nikkor Full Format Lens Tests / Reviews

On measured resolution, the 70-200 VRII at 70 mm (not tested at 85mm), its resolution very slightly excels over the 85mm f/1.8. Not enough more to matter, but it certainly compares EXTREMELY WELL.

And this is NOT unusual. Compare the 14-24mm zoom with a good 20mm prime, etc, etc. But of course, one is a fraction of the size and weight and cost of the other... which that and f/1.8 are the advantages of the prime.
But it is NOT about image quality any more.

Here is a 100% crop of my 70-200 VR I at 120 mm. (click it to enlarge it) The newer VR-II is said to be improved.

crop2.jpg


85mm would have had to stand too close for perspective, i.e., zooms are wonderful things. :)
 
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