50 1.8G or 85 1.8G

Peter7100

Senior Member
Looking for anyone that has experience with both lenses. I am slowly building up my Nikon gear and have decided that one of the above will be my next addition. Have to admit I have been shooting with Canon gear for decades (I can feel the boo's :eek: ) but recently got the chance to purchase a D7100 at a great price, and have been impressed with it so far. I have been spoiled with some really good Canon primes in the past but my current budget limits me to look at the cheaper Nikon's at the moment. I did fancy the 180 IF-ED or the newer 300PF but that is for the future, maybe after I sell some Canon gear :D.
I am aware of all the focal length differnces and crop factors on my current body, so really just looking for pointers as to which one of the two is best all round performer based on sharpness, microcontrast, resolution etc.
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.
We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

You might also consider telling us some more of want type of photography you do. Lens recommendations will vary greatly between portrait, landscape, Birds in flight, etc. photography. Also, what if any lenses do you currently have for your D7100?
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
I have both... other than the focal lengths, they're pretty identical in results. I shoot mostly a full frame body though... The 50mm lives on an Infrared converted D200 mostly because that body was calibrated for that lens...
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
@Peter7100
As far as "the best all round performer" based on sharpness, etc., Dxomark has this to say about the comparison between the two. Even though the 85 ranks higher, it is only better if it suites your needs. Personally, I went with the 50mm 1.8g as my first prime because its kind of a swiss army lens and I have never been disappointed with the results. I did not go with Nikon's 85, I got a Tamron 85mm 1.8 instead, mostly because of the vibration compensation. I found both to be a bit too narrow for indoor use, so I went with the Sigma 18-35 1.8. Its like a 35mm with feet! Best to use a zoom that covers the focal lengths you want- to see what focal length you like best and go from there. Any differences between modern lenses will be very difficult to distinguish unless you blow it up real big and compare side by side of the same shot.
 

Patrick M

Senior Member
Looking for anyone that has experience with both lenses. I am slowly building up my Nikon gear and have decided that one of the above will be my next addition. Have to admit I have been shooting with Canon gear for decades (I can feel the boo's :eek: ) but recently got the chance to purchase a D7100 at a great price, and have been impressed with it so far. I have been spoiled with some really good Canon primes in the past but my current budget limits me to look at the cheaper Nikon's at the moment. I did fancy the 180 IF-ED or the newer 300PF but that is for the future, maybe after I sell some Canon gear :D.
I am aware of all the focal length differnces and crop factors on my current body, so really just looking for pointers as to which one of the two is best all round performer based on sharpness, microcontrast, resolution etc.

Congratulations. I had the D7100 for over 4 years! I loved it!
Both those lenses get good reviews, but it depends what you shoot of course, but the 85 is great for portraits while the 50 is the great aok-rounder. Imho


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I have the 85mm f/1.8G and the 50mm f/1.8 AF-D (so not quite an exact comparison). Haven't really used either on any DX body, but because I really like creamy bokeh, the 85mm wins hands down. Neither has VR in case that influences your decision. Both are VERY light. The 85mm is somewhat plasticy but it's never been an issue for me. Love this lens. :)

I also own the Nikon 180mm f/2.8 AF-D and the 300mm f/4 PF. The 180mm is stellar although slow to focus. If you are looking to use it for fast action, keep looking - the AF just isn't fast enough. BUT if you are looking for sharp and creamy bokeh, look no further. It's light weight but no VR. It lacks a rear glass element, but as long as you are careful to keep the rear covered by a lens cap or keep it on a body, there isn't any problem. The 300mm is exceptional and definitely worthy of its price. It's light enough to handhold for long periods of time and also yields incredible images (just like the 180mm).

In all honesty, you won't go wrong with either the 85mm or the 50mm. It really depends on which focal length will work best for what you are shooting.
 

kevy73

Senior Member
I own both in the f1.4 series but can't remember the last time I picked up my 50mm... both are great len's but I just prefer using the 85mm... for me the focal length gets me further away from the subject which suits my shooting style, but I know others that own both that swear by their 50mm... there is no right answer to your question. Perhaps try renting each for a few days and see which 'fits' and suits your style.
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
How lucky was I that you own all four lenses I mentioned and have basically answered my future questions on the 180 and 300 PF. Thanks for your detailed reply hark.
 
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Peter7100

Senior Member
Don't seem to be able to multi-quote thanks to everyone and I guess that is due to being a new member, but thanks to everyone anyway.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
How lucky was I that you own all four lenses I mentioned and have basically answered my future questions on the 180 and 300 PF. Thanks for your detailed reply hark.

You're welcome. Since you have several lenses you want but cost might be a concern while filling your camera bag, have you considered the Nikon 300mm f/4 AF-S? It doesn't have VR and is heavier than the 300mm f/4 PF, but the images it yields are stellar. In fact, the sharpness of mine edges out the PF by a hair. I am surprised to see it's been discontinued. It's the size and weight of the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRii.

My 300mm PF started having problems so I switched back the this lens. I am SO glad I didn't sell it because it is amazing (purchased both of my 300mm lenses as preowned). Granted I much prefer the weight of the PF plus the fact that the PF has VR, but this AF-S lens isn't overly heavy compared with the super zooms such as the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6. And both the PF and this AF-S accept the 1.4x and 1.7x teleconverters.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/207356-USA/Nikon_1909_Telephoto_AF_S_Nikkor_300mm.html

There is also a Nikon 300mm f/4 AF-D lens that was the original 300mm lens. That one is also incredibly sharp but is slow to focus. And it isn't compatible with a teleconverter.

Just putting the 300mm f/4 AF-S on your radar in case you haven't considered it. Like the 180mm, the 300mm f/4 AF-S lacks a rear glass element, but I've never had any issues because of the design. I always keep a rear lens cap on it when it isn't mounted on a body. Anyway...you will find many of us Nikonites like to spend others' money. ;)
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
I had looked at the 300mm f4 AF-S but rulled it out due to size/weight.
Thats a pity your 300mm PF is starting to have issues.

I also looked at older manual Nikon lenses as there seems to be plenty of good bargains about and I don't have an issue using a manual lens. Having said that I decided against it after learning that several contain Thorium. I realise there is a case that you would have to use these an awful lot to even come close to the amount of radiation that would be a similar exposure to an standard xray, but it is the thought that puts me off.
Another issue is that I have came across is that there lists that are supposed to contain all these Thorium lenses, only to find other ones listed elsewhere that are not included in the original list. If there was a difinitive list then I might take another look at non Thorium manual lenses.
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
I decided on the Nikon 85 1.8G and I am delighted with the bokeh and colour this lens produces. Just a couple from my local park as we are currently in a lockdown situation due to covid and unable to travel far.
85e.jpg
85d.jpg
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I decided on the Nikon 85 1.8G and I am delighted with the bokeh and colour this lens produces. Just a couple from my local park as we are currently in a lockdown situation due to covid and unable to travel far.
85e.jpg
85d.jpg

Congrats on making your choice. The 85mm f/1.8G offers incredible bokeh plus it is lightweight.

Stay safe over there in the UK and have fun with your new lens! :)
 
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