compare photo quality of MICRO 85MM F3.5 ED VR DX vs AF-S 85MM F1.8 G lens

I am looking at these two lenses. I understand the differences in f stops but is there much difference in photo quality. Which would you all buy??

the 85mm f3.5 is a dx lens, it has macro focusing so you will be able to get to within inches of your subject for a lifesize (1;1) image.
the 85mm f1.8 is a fx lens. you will not be able to get in as close as the former lens. it has a much larger aperture letting in more light when wide open.
either should be good and sharp. the dx being designed for macro and the fx more for portrait work.

85mm f/1.8G is a fantastic lens and is considerably better lens than the f/3.5 lens. I especially like to use this lens when talking portraits.

IF you ever plan to play with macro, I'd try that one; if you plan on going FX sooner than later, you might as well get the FX since there are WAY better macro lenses out there.

bought the 85mm f/1.8 today. seems pretty good but having a minor focusing issue, may be me though. Anyone else having similar problems with this lens?

bandit993 said:

bought the 85mm f/1.8 today. seems pretty good but having a minor focusing issue, may be me though. Anyone else having similar problems with this lens?

Click to expand...

What exactly is the focusing issue??? what were the settings/modes when you had the issue??? Might be helpful if you shared a picture that demonstrates the issue.

Pat in NH

I was trying to photo graph a hummingbird on a clothesline at about 12 feet. The hummingbird filled the little square of the focusing point but it did not want to focus on that point, not always I should add. It was like there was not enough to focus on but I have used other lenses at comparable settings (i.e. 55-300 at about 85mm) and it would focus. but when it does work it seems very good.. thanks