Micro-Nikkor AF-S 105mm f/2.8G vs Sigma 85mm f1.4

paulcamcas

paulcamcas

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Having fallen flat on my face with a 105mm F/2 DC, I'm tempted by the cheaper and apparently sharper 105mm macro. I tried it for a few shots in the shop yesterday and it seemed good all round - sharp, focused okay, lots of contrast.

My main use would be for portraits on my D300s. I tried it against the 85mm f1.4 D and I preferred the length and IQ of the 105 - but obviously the 85 has the benefits of the larger aperture on its side. Mind you at f1.4, the 85 wasn't exactly sharp. The 85mm f1.4G would be great but I can't afford it. The other alternative would be the Sigma 85mm.

The reviews say they are both good but I trust you lot more. Anybody use either or both of these babies? Any good? On a cropper?
 
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Samyang 85 f1.4 (manual only tho) ?

I have the 105micro f2.8. Used for macro mostly as its too close for portraits (normally).

Second fave lens (I like macro a lot) vs the tokina 11-16 .. :D followed by a 50mm trailing in 3rd.

Depends what you are shooting, but the 105 can be macro too so more versatile?

Have you tried a 50mm f 1.4 (either d or g) ? or the 35mm f1.8? Possibly the 30mm sigma f1.4 might be worth checking too. Depends how close you want to get to your subjects...
 
ecniv said:
Have you tried a 50mm f 1.4 (either d or g) ? or the 35mm f1.8? Possibly the 30mm sigma f1.4 might be worth checking too. Depends how close you want to get to your subjects...
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That's the thing, I like to be well out of range of a swift kick :) I like the 135-150mm range for portraits.

I've tried manual focus and I'm completely useless at it or I'd go for the Samyang like a shot.

The 35mm is too short, although I wouldn't mind one in my bag and the 50mm overlaps with my 17-55mm f2.8.

I'm more and more tempted by the Sigma 85mm, I must get to try one when I get back from my hols.
 
Go for the Siggy, Ive never seen a bad shot from one. In fact Im tempted by one on the bay ending today.

*mustresist*
 
I purchased the Nikon 105 last weekend I tried the Sigma 105 but felt the Nikon gave me the sharper images. It also felt a lot better build than the Sigma. Have used it for macro must say its not easy. Also took a couple of portraits and was very pleased with the images.
 
Got back from my hols and surprised myself by taking up an offer of a used Samyang 85 for much less than a quarter of the price of the Sigma. Should arrive tomorrow. I'm very interested to see the iq and hope I'm not as useless as I fear at MF.
 
I considered the Samyang but in the end I went for the Siggy as the Samyang seems to show angular bokeh much more so than the Siggy and I think that bokeh quality is very imprtant in a wide aperture lens.

Hope you get on ok with manual focus.
 
i would get the 85mm if it was one choice

i also have the 105macro and the 105DC [what a beuty]


portraits dont always want to be that sharp especially for girls [ said always]

i took pictures of my niece with my 85mmG £1200 and my 28-105mm £100

yesterday and wondered if anyone could tell the differance :)
 
straycat said:
if its portraits you want the lens for you can consider the nikkor 105mm f2.5 m/f i will never sell mine its one of nikons best.
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Never considered it but should have! Thanks for the tip. If the Samyang bokeh doesn't make me happy, I'll try one.
 
straycat said:
i also have the 105macro and the 105DC [what a beuty]

portraits dont always want to be that sharp especially for girls [ said always]
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It's been very frustrating that I bought the D300s with the 105DC in mind but every copy I tried (one I bought and two at Grays) front focused on my body.

If MF doesn't work for me (and my eyesight is rubbish so it probably won't), I may have to sell a kidney and go for the 85mm 1.4G.
 
The 105 is appalling in low light. It hunts and hunts and hunts and...
 
Tokina 100 macro thought to be a good lens as well? Worth a look?
 
ecniv said:
Hence the in camera light to assist focus?

Oh btw - did you post any pics of the lens you have (samyang/105) yet?
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Well, I used it on a D700 with assist light and it was still carp. Sharp as hell though, but bokeh not a patch on Sigma.
 
ecniv said:
What happened with the samyang? (just curious)

All front focussed? Either you are getting duff lenses or perhaps the body might need recalibrating?
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Samyang just arrived 5 mins ago will try it tonight and let you know how I get on.

After a good session at Grays trying my 105DC on other bodies - where it focused perfectly - and other 105s on my body - which all front focused - we concluded that the problem was with my body. The confusing thing was that other lenses (my 17-55, their 105 macro and 85mm f1.4D) focused perfectly on my body.

I suppose I could have pushed for my body to go back to be sorted but I was off on my hols next day and couldn't be bothered. If I have the same issue with another AF lens, I'll deffo get the body calibrated.
 
It's really not too shabby. Here's a quick snap of supper with it...

6012321499_9e958808b9_z.jpg
 
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