Nikon 85mm Primes

Mr. Photographer

Mr. Photographer

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Lucien Hughes
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Hi,
I'm looking at getting a 85mm prime for my D7000, but I'm not sure which model to go for.

I can't afford the F/1.4G so it's a really a choice between the F/1.8G and the F/1.8D.

Now for me the obvious choice would be a G, as it's the newer version, had a SWM and can focus closer. But after looking into it I've found a lot of people prefer the D, for it's metal interior, 9 aperture blades as opposed to 7 and all round better build quality. As well as the fact you make a saving of around £80.

Recommendations?
 
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I had the 1.8D, nice lens, it is very sturdy. But it suffered really bad CA in my experience, especially wide open. If i was buying again, I'd get the G. I also had the chance to shoot with the 1.4 on a photowalk. To be perfectly honest, I couldn't see any difference between it and the 1.8, besides slightly better bokeh. Not worth the mad extra expense in my book.
 
I hade the D version and now the G version. Wide open I would say the G is slightly better but not by much. It certainly is a shock when you open the G version, the packaging isn't as good, the lens doesn't feel as sturdy and is allot lighter. The D version is slightly noisy when focussing where the G is really quiet. I'm happy with the G version even though I don't think it will take the punishment of the D version. If you haven't used either then I'm sure you will be very happy. Stopping down to f2.2 sees it get even better.
 
To be honest I like to have something you can feel the weight of, after shooting so much with my 50mm f/1.8D I've almost forgotten what it's like to own a proper lens.

Ultimately though I'm looking for the best overall image quality for portraits and bokeh.
 
Mr. Photographer said:
To be honest I like to have something you can feel the weight of, after shooting so much with my 50mm f/1.8D I've almost forgotten what it's like to own a proper lens.

Ultimately though I'm looking for the best overall image quality for portraits and bokeh.
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Although looking again there's only a 30g weight difference, which is nothing.

The G also has newer optics and more elements...
 
People like metal lenses, I love them myself. But truth is, plastic is pretty damn tough too. When is the last time you seen a lens crack or break? even the cheapest nifty-fifty? I've seen people drop full plastic [kit] lenses on concrete, not a scratch.

I think the whole metal-plastic thing is all in the mind. Sure they feel sturdier, but unless you're playing football with them, no major difference ;)
 
Considered the Samyang 85mm f/1.4? I know it's manual focus, but a very popular lens and well within the budgets you are working on.

Mr. Photographer said:
Although looking again there's only a 30g weight difference, which is nothing.

The G also has newer optics and more elements...
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More elements doesn't necessarily mean higher IQ... not at all.
 
The Samyang is a brilliant lens if you're not shooting fast moving things.
 
The Samyang lenses are supposed to be brill for video. They even have video versions of some of their models. Where the aperture ring is smooth, no clicks.
 
freecom2 said:
Considered the Samyang 85mm f/1.4? I know it's manual focus, but a very popular lens and well within the budgets you are working on.
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I don't think I could sacrifice autofocus for the sake of £30-40, even with the larger aperture. I do a lot of quickfire portraits and street photography as well as a bit of sports, so for me a fast AF is pretty useful.
 
Cheers mate be nice to see some from the g if possible..Give you an excuse to get some shots of Bailey;)
 
Mr. Photographer said:
Hi,
I'm looking at getting a 85mm prime for my D7000, but I'm not sure which model to go for.

I can't afford the F/1.4G so it's a really a choice between the F/1.8G and the F/1.8D.

Now for me the obvious choice would be a G, as it's the newer version, had a SWM and can focus closer. But after looking into it I've found a lot of people prefer the D, for it's metal interior, 9 aperture blades as opposed to 7 and all round better build quality. As well as the fact you make a saving of around £80.

Recommendations?
Click to expand...

I can't comment on the other versions I have the 85mm f/1.8d.

I found it a bit long on a crop sensor. It really shines on ff though in fact it sings sharper than a sharp thing and lovely bokeh. Somebody else mentioned ca have never noticed that and it has zero distortion and is super fast to focus.
 
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The AF-D does suffer CA. The only time I see it appear is when shooting wide open with a strong backlight

Few lenses are perfect! This on full frame is an absolutely amazing portrait lens
 
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As requested a few shots with the 85f1.8G lens. All shots were taken at 1/60th, ISO200 and i will add the f number above each image.Mostly shot at near the closest focussing distance to push the lens, all handheld, non have been sharpened.

And before anyone comments-Yes my model was grumpy this morning and it shows in the shots :lol:

f1.8-focus on the eyes
Unsharpened2.jpg


f1.8 focus on the nose-
Unsharpened1.jpg


f2.2-
Unsharpenedf22.jpg


f2.8-
unsharpened28.jpg
 
:lol: Love that last one Mark..a look I am all to familiar with:D Certainly looks lovely and sharp!How olds Bailey now mate?
 
Stuart he is now just turned 10 months old. Eating much better again. No more growth plates in his legs so at his max height and for the past few weeks he has been filling out nicely..When the weather gets better i will get a few few full body shots to let you see him. Hows your big un getting on?
 
TonyNI said:
The AF-D does suffer CA. The only time I see it appear is when shooting wide open with a strong backlight

Few lenses are perfect! This on full frame is an absolutely amazing portrait lens
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Interesting I have never came across any.

I read up a bit about ca on these online and apparently the G version also suffers from ca in the same conditions so no difference between the 2.
 
markyboy.1967 said:
Stuart he is now just turned 10 months old. Eating much better again. No more growth plates in his legs so at his max height and for the past few weeks he has been filling out nicely..When the weather gets better i will get a few few full body shots to let you see him. Hows your big un getting on?
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Glad hes eating better again mate.:thumbs: Daves doing great but still filling out,he is bloody huge :lol: Look forward to seeing more pics of yours,he is turning out lovely.:cool:
 
StuartH said:
Glad hes eating better again mate.:thumbs: Daves doing great but still filling out,he is bloody huge :lol: Look forward to seeing more pics of yours,he is turning out lovely.:cool:
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Back at the breeders today to get an honest assesment of him and his weight.Breeders just got a 3rd in a European champ show with one of theirs and seems to win everything it goes for here in the UK, good thing is they are honest with us and have told us 2 months ago he wasnt show ready yet as his weight was 5kgs undr and made him slightly leggy--thats sorted now so hoping for the go ahead to show him at the next show.
 
I've used the f1.8d version for about 3 years. As soon as I first opened the box I wanted to love this lens but initially found it a little too long when I was using a DX body. Since going FX the lens has acquired a new lease of life. It's gone from my least used to most used lens overnight. Mine does exhibit some CA at larger apertures but, so far, nothing I haven't been able to fix easily. It is beautifully sharp, particularly stopped down a bit. I haven't used the g version to be able to comment on that.

Photozone.de has reviews on the d and g versions using a D7000 as test camera.

One other thing that may be relevant to you, the d version has a screw on lens hood. It's only a minor point but it means it can't be reversed on the lens. It also makes filters and lens cap a bit fiddly. I assume the g version would have a bayonet hood.
 
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Thanks for all the opinions, I think I'm going to go for the G in the end. The build quality is meant to be good even though it's plastic and the optics are supposed to be better.
 
Mr. Photographer said:
To be honest I like to have something you can feel the weight of, after shooting so much with my 50mm f/1.8D I've almost forgotten what it's like to own a proper lens.

Ultimately though I'm looking for the best overall image quality for portraits and bokeh.
Click to expand...

Have you considered the Sigma 85mm 1.4?

That can be had for less than £600 new outside the UK and has both solid build quality and half a stop extra.

The main disadvanatge compaired to the Nikon 85mm 1.8 G seems to be that you need to stop it down a bit to get the same boarder performance but for portraits that doesnt seem much of a negative.
 
I wanted the Sigma but in the end went for the G, the price was the deciding factor in the end. The G is excellent value imo.
 
If you focus-recompose or like to override the AF from time to time then F lenses can become a pain. The G has a M/A setting which is really useful.
 
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