Nikon 85mmf1.4 or 135mm f2 DC

[MindofMel]

Hi all,

I am going to rent wither one of the lenses for a corporate event I am covering nex week. But need as much versatility as possible. i.e I'm looking ta hiring them for candid portrats head and shoulders of one/two people talkingin a crowd, (on my d7000, the 35mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.8 were great for this) as well as the occasional full length portrait (although I have 70/200 f2.8)... any previous experience..

In the bag I already have - d700. 50mm f1.4 AI, 70/200 f2.8 / 33-70f3.3-4.5 / 24mm f2.8

 

[boyfalldown]

The DC lenses are possibly the best portraits lenses Nikon ever produced, but they are a little tricky to use well, and take some getting used to. My 105 produces some of the best results, but the lowest % keepers of any of my lenses. I would be inclined, as your hiring to go for an 85 as a fantastic lens, which is also a little easier to use then the DC lenses

 

[stu_the_flat]

The 135mm DC is on my "lust list" that is lenses that I want and know I will never actuly use.

I have heard many reports of inaccurate focus, But I've never used one out side of a shop so I can't comment

I insttead got the 85mm f1.4G and I quite often bolt it on to my D300 to give me ~135mm.

So I would recommened the 85mm if you have both a full frame and crop camera.

Stuart

 

[Laudrup]

Go for the 85mm.

 

[boyfalldown]

I have heard many reports of inaccurate focus, But I've never used one out side of a shop so I can't comment



Stuart

Alot of the inaccurate focus reports are because people don't know how to use th dc properly rather then issues with the lenses.

They are tricky to use properly which is different from inaccurate.

 

[stu_the_flat]

Alot of the inaccurate focus reports are because people don't know how to use th dc properly rather then issues with the lenses.

They are tricky to use properly which is different from inaccurate.

Thats why I stated that I had not first hand experince.

But from my experince I can say that I would prefer AF-S to AF-D any day of the week.

 

[rdh]

I own both - get the 85/1.4 :¬)

My copy is sharper than the 135/2, and I have a sharp copy of that (tested all copies in stock at the time). One copy of the 135/2 was really soft, quite shocking.

Yes, the background on the 135 is super blurry sexiness, but it's far less versatile. Get close to the subject with the 85, with a decent space between subject and background, and you get the 85 magical bokeh. That extra stop may come in handy too.