Which lenses to pair with Nikon D600/D800 for making short films? 85mm 1.8g?

Roshan

New member
Hello everyone! I need some help here. I'm from Nepal and I'm planning to get either a D600 if the dust/oil issue no longer exists or a D800. I'm into film too so I was wondering if Nikon 85mm 1.8g is a good lens for shooting video? How does the 85mm 1.8g manual focus ring operates? I've been reading that Zeiss lenses are the way to go for shooting video but I can't afford that much and seeing dxomark tests and photozone tests I want to have a Nikon 85mm 1.8g. Even taking still photographs I prefer manual focus. You may ask, "Why don't you go to a shop and check out yourself?". Well I live in Nepal and it's not that possible here. Most of the lenses aren't available here and they need to be ordered. The shop keeper's do not allow to test this lens and that lens. And there's dust issue too. Thank you all in advance.
 

stmv

Senior Member
so you live in a place we dream of going to photgraph! D600 will be amazing for you.

I have the D800, and also fanastic.

a lens to consider is also the older 85 1.8 D AF,, it has a really nice manual focus ring and cost
less. The IQ of the older version is also quite high.

For less money then Zeiss, you might consider getting some older manual focus Nikkor lens, including the Nikkor 85 1.8 or 1.4, the Nikkor manual AI or AIS lens have just as silky focus
rings as the Zeiss, and near as fine optically (some say as fine), and cost a fraction of the
bloated Ziess lens cost. Even use, the Zeiss cost a fortune.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Welcome to the forum. The Zeiss lenses are excellent lenses but are expensive as you've already noticed.

The Nikon 85mm f1.8G lens is a very popular lens for full frame users including the 50mm f1.8G.

Other budget friendly lenses but are MF only are the Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f1.4, 35mm f1.4 and 24mm f1.4. You can search them over at amazon.com for more info.
 

Dave_W

The Dude
Zeiss lenses are awesome but I do not believe any of them are auto-focus lenses. And while I don't know anything about shooting video but it seems like having auto-focus would be very helpful. Of the blogs I've read concerning video and the D800 it seems the primes (28mm; 50mm; 85mm) are what people use the most. I assume this would hold true for the D600, too.
 

Roshan

New member
Thank you! Yes, I live in a place that you dream of coming to photograph, but you have the camera that I've been dreaming to get my hands on ;)

I just did a comparison on two reviews of 85 1.8 D and 85 1.8 G on photozone.de. It seems I can't go wrong with either one, though G seems to be more sharper and better bokeh according to their reviews. Well, I'll start to search for AI and Ais lens. Maybe I can get them in second hand. Thank you once again.
 

Roshan

New member
Thanks Glenn :) I did some research on Samyang and dxo marks too is including samyang as a top 5 lenses for D800. I guess the manual focus ring is good on it. Wish I could try these lenses before I decide to buy.
 

Roshan

New member
Thanks Dave. 85 mm and 50 mm and a 24-70 mm zoom lens is what I'm looking for. The auto focus doesn't seem to be much of help in video mode, though I don't have my own experience. But even in still photography I prefer manual focus unless I'm about to lose a shot without the help of auto focus.
 
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