RF 24-105mm f4 vs 85mm?

[bhantared]

So I prefer the 85mm focal length for most of my pictures and was planning to just get it as my main prime lens. I really wanted to try Canon's L glass; however the f1.2 version is out of my price range ($2500) so I was just going to get the f2 ($500). Also, the 85mm f1.2 is quite a bit larger than what I wanted to carry.

Then I realized that the 24-105mm f4 L lens is more affordable than the 85mm f1.2, and a similar size as well to the 85mm f2. Obviously the option to have other focal lengths is nice as well (although not my priority).

I'm not a portrait photographer, so I don't need an aperture as wide as 1.2, although I'm not sure if f4 is still a bit high https://speedtest.vet/ .

Should I get the 24-105mm, which includes my preferred 85mm focal length, or stick with the 85mm prime? (I know the 85mm would probably have better 'compression,' but would this be a super noticeable difference? What about image quality between the two?)

[shadowsports]

Greetings ,

What camera are you intending to use either of these lenses with?

Do you own any other lenses currently?

If you are not planning to take portraits almost exclusively, get the 24-105. Unless you own other lenses, I'm confident you'll be much happier.  

[p4pictures]

Unless you only want the 85mm and prefer to shoot in low light where the 2-stops faster f/2 aperture is vital then would recommend the 24-105mm F4L for its much greater flexibility for all sorts of photography. Both lenses have great image quality, the 85mm is certainly very sharp. But I would see the 85mm as a second lens to a standard zoom rather than instead of it. In my experience the focus is slightly faster with the 24-105mm than the 85mm. 

[Tronhard]

I can only agree with my respected colleagues.  One tends to get a fixed focal range lens for the specific benefits such a limited focal range offers, such as specifically for portraiture.  Given you have not indicated that this is the case, the flexibility of the RF 24-105 f/4 far outweighs any advantage of the extra stop of light.  If you need more light, you can up the ISO far more than with older gear such as DSLRs, and if you want a shallower DoF, you can step back and use the f/4 along with the longer focal length.  However, the zoom capability will reap rewards in the sheer range of subject you can encompass - from landscape, through street, to portraiture.  There is a good reason why this focal range is considered the most commonly used.

[ebiggs1]

This isn't even a question get the 24-105mm f4. Way even far and a way the 24-105mm f4 is a better choice. Besides the rather hefty price tag a new person is very much likely to struggle with the 85mil f1.2. I have the EF version as well as the EF 50mm f1.2 model. I love them both but they do bring along their own little quirks.

Zooms always over a prime.