85mm vs 70-200mm – Which Lens Should You Buy for Weddings & Portraits?

Hey everyone, I’m Tim Gowling — a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Eastern Ontario. In this video, I’m diving into a real-world comparison between two of the most debated focal lengths in photography: the 85mm prime and the 70-200mm zoom. Whether you're shooting weddings, events, or portraits, picking the right lens can be a game-changer. I shoot with the Canon R5 and R3, and I’ve used both of these lenses extensively on real jobs. In this video, I’ll walk you through: Pros and cons of each lens What situations they’re best suited for Bokeh and compression differences Practicality and handling during long shoots Autofocus performance and low-light reliability My personal recommendation if you can only choose one If you’re torn between these two powerhouse lenses, this breakdown should help make the decision easier. 👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments — do you prefer the simplicity of a prime or the flexibility of a zoom? 📸 Gear Mentioned: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 (EF mount, adapted) Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 (EF version, adapted) Canon R5 & R3 mirrorless cameras 👍 If you found this helpful, hit that like button and consider subscribing. More lens comparisons and wedding photography content coming soon! #85mmvs70200 #lenscomparison #weddingphotography #canonr5 #sigma85mm #70200zoom 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:56 Use Cases 00:04:03 Image Quality & Bokeh 00:06:23 Practicality & Handling 00:11:11 Autofocus Comparison 00:13:08 Cost 00:16:06 The 135mm Question 00:17:32 Thought & Recommendations 00:22:08 Outro