Ron--I hope you're still following the other thread on this, there's a great tip about the Canon 100 2.8 macro there too!
The 85 1.8 is a steal, really. It's a very good all-round lens, without the out of focus mojo of the 85 1.2. But for the money, if you must buy new, then it's a deal, no two ways about it.
I'm not sure what you mean about coverage. Both 85s cover the same thing. You have a 5d, right? So you can easily "use your feet" to change the coverage for individuals, couples or small groups.
If you want to work in closer with larger groups (more than 4 or 6) well, I take it you have a standard 50mm lens, right?
Sometimes you can get caught with the wrong lens. The attached shot is the 85 1.2 @ f3.2. I couldn't back up any further with this shot, though I really wanted to (wall was in the way), and we were very rushed at this point; no time to change the lens. So I missed it where a 50 would have been right (even an 80 would have been a tiny bit better).
But I still like the look of the 85...
The only other lens I'd consider if money is limited and you want a new one is the 100mm 2.8 macro, which is a wee bit more money but an excellent lens as well.
A good comparison of the 85s is here:
http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/85mm/index.htm
And a comparison of the 85 1.8/100/135 2.0 (one of my faves) is here:
http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/rev..._135/index.htm
They don't tell the whole story, because what the 85 1.2 does between 1.2 and 1.8 is worth the price, in my opinion.
Anyway, read those reviews carefully and you'll see the 85 1.8 and 100 f2.8 are true bargains for portraiture.
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