Nikkor 85 mm Experience???

Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I am looking for recommendations from the community in regards to Nikon's 85 mm lens lineup. I'm leaning towards either the AF-s f/1.4 or the -D f/1.4, but I could be swayed toward the f/1.8 lenses , as well.

Does anyone have experience with any of these lenses that they are willing to share?

​WM
 
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FastGlass

Senior Member
I have the 1.4g version. It's an incredible lense. Don't know enough about the others to comment on but from what i've read you can't go wrong with any of them. The 1.4g is tack sharp, extremely fast and the bokeh it's simply amazing. This lense by far is my favorite prime.
 
C

Cowleystjames

Senior Member
Paired up with my D800e, the 1.4g is simply amazing. I've had prints blown up to A2 and they are just awesome with the broken being the best that there is. I hesitate to say this but I think it even outguns my new 58mm f1.4g.
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I love my f1.8g, but have heard nothing but raves for the 1.4 and its sharpness. That said, I always pass along this bit of advice I got from a pro when asked about the 1,4 lens, "The f1.4g is a marvelous lens, and so is the f1.8g. When shooting wide open, realize that the depth of field is so narrow on the 1.4 that if you're shooting handheld it's extremely easy to lose your focal point unless you're absolutely rock solid - focus on the eye, get the edge of the nose. You also need to consider if the 1.4 is more than 3 times better than the 1.8, because you're paying more than 3x as much for it. My advice is, if you have to ask and aren't absolutely certain already that you want and need the f1.4, save your money and get the f1.8."

My take away from that is that if you're not making money taking and selling portraits then you're probably not going to notice the difference. Combine that with this piece by Nasim and fuel the debate in your head. Nikon 85mm f/1.8G Review - Page 5 of 8

I am by no means knocking the 85mm f1.4g, or d, as I've never shot with either. I just haven't found anything lacking with my f1.8g, or read or seen anything that would sway me towards ever wanting to pay to trade up.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I'm shooting on a DX body and haven't had as much time with my 85mm f/1.8G as I'd like but... The time I have had with it has left me very, very impressed. It's a chubby little lens but the sharpness and bokeh have been fantastic. Nothing but good things to say about this lens from me.

......
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Thanks for the responses, everyone. They all added to my thought process and were factored into my decision. I really wanted the AF-S f/1.4, but don't really think the difference in price gets me that much. I ordered a refurbed f/1.8 this afternoon after much thought and research. (I need it for Friday night, so I had to pull the lever quite quickly.)

Again, thank you all.

​WM
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Hooray for B&H and FedEx! My new lens arrived about an hour ago, taking less than 44 hours in transit.

It is mounted on my D700 and seems to operate as it should. Since I've got to leave immediately, I don't have time to fine-tune the focus, so I'm hoping it doesn't need it.

I look forward to giving it a workout this evening under the lights if the weather cooperates. (The band won't march if it is raining due to damage the water does to some of the instruments.)

Then maybe some more this weekend.

​WM

WM
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Yes, I got the 1.8 G, and so far, it looks like a great purchase. (Over 400 shots with it last night.) This is a refurbished lens, but I can't see anything about it that isn't like a new lens.

The first thing that makes this lens such a winner is its speed. With an aperture of f/1.8, I was able to shoot my D700 hand-held, 1/160 sec at ISO 640-1000, without flash. (The range of ISOs due to inconsistent lighting around the stadium.)

The clarity and sharpness were also fantastic, although this is partly helped by the speed of the lens. On some of my shots, taken of people walking on the turf, you can see small bits of turf flying up as a result of their feet impacting the turf. But no matter, this lens is optically fantastic, as far as I'm concerned, and that is even after using it only wide open. I can't wait to see what it can do stopped down!

WM
 
V

Vincent

Senior Member
Not my experience, but a test:

I was looking recently at dxomark reviews:


The main was looking at the lenses for the D800:
Nikon D800 and standard lens choices - DxOMark
In the 85mm the f1,8G comes out at the same result as the f1.4G, the best lenses around.


Separate:
Best f1,4G
Tests and reviews for the lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G - DxOMark
Almost same f1,8G
Tests and reviews for the lens Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G - DxOMark


Still quite good:
Sigma f1,4 Tests and reviews for the lens Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Nikon - DxOMark
f1,8D Tests and reviews for the lens Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D - DxOMark


Carl-Zeis scoring even less:
Tests and reviews for the lens Carl Zeiss Planar T 85mm f/1.4 ZF2 Nikon - DxOMark
Worst Nikon f1,4D
Tests and reviews for the lens Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF - DxOMark
 
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