Can't Decide Nikon 85mmF1.4 or Nikkor 135mmF2d DC

slowpoke

Senior Member
Wife wants me to get into Wedding photography.Any suggestions would help.I have heard great things about bothe lenses but I can only get one for now.Thanks
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
85 1.4 would be my choice between the two you mentioned. But the 85 1.8 is quoted almost as good as the 1.4 and so much cheaper that this is the one I got. With today's high iso capacities, the aperture difference is negligible IMHO.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Wife wants me to get into Wedding photography.Any suggestions would help.I have heard great things about bothe lenses but I can only get one for now.Thanks
Ok..... wait just a cotton pickin' minute!;) Your wife wants you to get into wedding photography, but she's letting you buy only one lens?
 

slowpoke

Senior Member
Ha Ha Hi,Pete.I got the other lenses.70-200 F2.8,50 F1.4 so I wanted something really fast for medium range.Hens the 85 or 135.I will have bothe someday but only one for now.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
The main draw, IMO, for 85mm f/1.4 is the out of focus creaminess and bokeh (two different things). Other than that, the 85mm f/1.8G is the slightly better lens despite it's lack of gold ring.

I do soooo badly want a copy of the 135mm DC but I just can't bring myself to do it. As 480Sparky points out, it IS a beastly lens. So much fun to shoot with though!
....
 

slowpoke

Senior Member
OK so,I went out today and bought the Nikkor 135mmF2 DC lens $1300 taxes in and a set of 72mm Hoya filters for it.The 85 will just have to wait.lol Thanks to you all for steering me in the right direction.
 

slowpoke

Senior Member
Post some pics when you get a chance, Joe. I've never tried that lens. Have the 85mm 1.4 and the 105mm 2.8 macro VR.
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JGP_0591.jpg
A couple for you,Blade Canyon
 

Blade Canyon

Senior Member
Thanks for the pics! Impressive macro ability.

Hate to be pushy, but I would also love to see some portraits when you start shooting people with it. Enjoy your foray back into weddings.
 

Krell0

New member
Get the 1.8g and the 135 right now and upgrade the 1.8g to a sigma (or nikon if you want) 1.4

Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
new sigma 135 1.8 was announced. supposed to be AMAZING IQ and priced $1200. worth a look. that 135 dc is older lens tech and not able to take advantage of your d810. it also has heavy ca. sigma is boasting the 135 can resolve 50mp sensors. after they boasted that their 50 and 85 will be on the otus level, I believe them. if the dc can do half that, say thanks. in a video a sigma rep says it will be better then the 85 art although were talking so high end already, its pety.

the af speed is lightning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmwD8MhBBNU

im getting the 85 art first then 135 later.
 
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Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
new sigma 135 1.8 was announced. supposed to be AMAZING IQ and priced $1200. worth a look. that 135 dc is lens tech and not able to take advantage of your d810. it also has heavy ca. sigma is boasting the 135 can resolve 50mp sensors. after they boasted that their 50 and 85 will be on the otus level, I believe them. if the dc can do half that, say thanks. in a video a sigma rep says it will be better then the 85 art although were talking so high end already, its pety.

the af speed is lightning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmwD8MhBBNU

im getting the 85 art first then 135 later.
I was all about the 85' Art right up until they announced the 135mm; what a combo that will make on my D750! But then there's the G2 version of my current workhorse lens, the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 and I can't afford both right now so I don't know what I'm going to do.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
all 3 lenses you mentioned are in my scope. 85 then 135 and if the g2 can do it better then my 70-200 vr1 then im in. I am on the lookout for the 24-70 g2 as well. but if sigmas releasing a 105 1.4 competitor then zoom are moving aside. the primes I have now are alright, but no zoom will kick it up a notch like the look a prime can give. it would be hilarious if at the end I wind up with only tamron and sigma lenses in my bag and no nikon. im already sans nikon flashes and I couldnt be happier.

this gives a sad but realistic look at the situation we have today. tamron and sigma are delivering fantastic gear. because of performance but not SOLELY because of price. years ago youd choose a sigma and realize the performance was as good as the price you payed. im shocked at what sigma and tamron are putting out. killer performance and good prices and even ridiculous vs nikon.

btw, 135 is hard to use and u need space to go back. go out and put your lens on 135 and shoot as is and see that it has its specific use but limiting. the 85 is versatile. and its not like the 135 will create a much more amazing image. the 85 can do that as well. I use it for sniping cnadids at weddings. its great for nice isolation shots on the dance floor as well. shooting "through" the crowd of people. gives a feel like your peeping in from afar.
 
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