Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G Lens

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Hi,

I noticed that Amazon have these in stock well 2 anyay. Has anyone tried one?

Thanks,

James
 
SRS Microsystems have these for £436.99 inc. P&P. Although it does not state if they are in stock or not. But I checked their Ebay outlet too and it seems that SRS do have stock and they are about £439.00 with free P&P on their Ebay outlet.
 
Very keen to hear real world experiences of this lens...hasn't anyone got one yet ?!?!
 
i needed a 85mm for certain stuff and i also want a small walk around lens so i don't have to carry the big 28-70 f2.8 with me all the time. one 85mm f1.8 AFS = to one used 85mm f1.8D and one used 17-50 f2.8 tamron
 
Got my Nikon 85mm f/1.8G delivered today. Got it from SRS Microsystems for £429.00 (I also put my Nikon SB-400 in as part-exchange value of £60.00 so paid £369.00 for it).

Not had time to play with it much yet as I only unboxed it a couple of hours ago when I got home. But after unboxing it, I am quite impressed. Build is the same as the new AF-S primes of the lower budget end eg. 35mm DX 1.8G, 50mm 1.8G etc. Good weight but not heavy, uses 67mm filters so bigger than the other 2. Feels solid and sturdy like the 35mm DX 1.8G, I was rather dissapointed with the 50mm 1.8G's build, which feels light and plasticky (amazing lens though!).

Tried it on the camera and focuses fast and accurately. Picture reviewed on the back of D5100 seems nice and sharp. Comes with the usual soft pouch, caps and lens hood. Will put up some samples later when I have some more time to play and test. May compare it to my 105mm 2.8 VR Micro :)
 
redddraggon said:
Hmm, in no way was my 35mm DX "solid and sturdy", it had a plasticy kit lens build.
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Sorry, let me rephrase. More "Solid and Sturdy" than the 50mm 1.8G :) It's hard to put in to words I guess, it's more of a feel thing haha. "Denser"? maybe that describes it better. The 85 has the same tighter/dense feel like the 35 compared to the 50 which feels "hollow" :lol:
 
redddraggon said:
The 85mm F/1.4Ds seem to go for little over the 1.8G RRP on ebay these days.
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I'm looking to "downsize" and sell my 85 1.4 and get this G. I'm a fool but I want smaller nowadays. Well it's not as solid as the 1.4 and I doubt as fast either but such is downsizing life :)
 
to throw in the mix i'm considering the samyang 85mm f1.4 manual focus lens. The 85mm is more like a portrait lens for me and won't be use as much as the 35 or the 50mm so maybe manual focus will be fine for my purpose.

If i can get the focusing right it is damn sharp, how does it compare to the 85mm f1.8 AFS in term of optic?
 
Funny you mentioned this lens. I just sold my nikon 1.8D, and i was about to place the order for the new nikon 1.8G. But i started running across many reviews about the Rokinon. Many say that it is very dificult to use, so i was very very scared about getting it, but because i have been wanting a 1.4 for a long time, for i could never afford the nikon 1.4D or the CHEAPER BUILT Sigma 1.4 even used!! That is why i decided to give Rokinon a try. I have the D7000 and this lens has BLOWN ME AWAY!! The lens construction is just as good as the Nikon, better than the Sigma. The BOKEH is INCREDIBLE!! and already SHARP at 1.4. The lens works perfectly on my D7000 because the lens focus ring does not rotate too fast, the camera catches the focus point right on. To me this lens is very easy to use, with some practice. I hear that Nikons comparable manual focus lenses cost about 1k??

Personally i think this lens over all, blows away the new 1.8G, It just does not have Auto Focus, to me this does not really matter because 85mm lenses are portrait lenses anyway. The new G lens is very very good, the GLASS has been updated from the older 1.8D, but people have to understand that Nikon made this new G lens a consumer grade construction quality, while the older 1.8D is professional grade quality lens(according to Ken Rockwell). With this tough economical times Nikon decided to put better glass in it, surrounded by cheaper and lighter material. Personally, i dont like light weight lenses on my D7000, I do not like the cheap feel and GRIP. For the ones that will be getting the G lens make sure you PROTECT IT at all times, if you bang it against something, good luck! I want to thank all the forums and people that have recomended the Samyang/Rokinon, if it wasn't for them i would not have this JEWEL on my hands right now. The Nikon is an awesome lens, but to me the Rokinon is better.
 
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Mister said:
Funny you mentioned this lens. I just sold my nikon 1.8D, and i was about to place the order for the new nikon 1.8G. But i started running across many reviews about the Rokinon. Many say that it is VERY DIFICULT to use, so i was very very scared about getting it, but because i have been wanting a 1.4 for a long time, for i could never afford the nikon 1.4D or the CHEAPER BUILT Sigma 1.4 even USED!! That is why i decided to give Rokinon a try. I have the D7000 and this lens has BLOWN ME AWAY!! The lens construction is just as good as the Nikon, better than the Sigma. The BOKEH is INCREDIBLE!! and already SARP at 1.4. The lens works PERFECTLY on my D7000 because the lens FOCUS RING does not rotate TOO FAST, the camera catches the FOCUS POINT RIGHT ON. To me this lens is very easy to use, with some practice. I hear that Nikons comparable MANUAL FOCUS lenses cost about 1k??

Personally i think this lens OVER ALL, blows away the new 1.8G, It just does not have Auto Focus, to me this does not really matter because 85mm lenses are PORTRAIT lenses anyway. The new G lens is very very good, the GLASS has been updated from the older 1.8D, but people have to understand that Nikon made this NEW G lens a CONSUMMER GRADE CONSTRUCTION QUALITY, while the older 1.8D IS A PROFESSIONAL GRADE QUALITY lens. With this tough economical times Nikon decided to put better glass in it, surrounded by cheaper and LIGHTER material. Personally, i dont like light weight lenses on my D7000, I do not like the cheap feel and GRIP. For the ones that will be getting the G lens make sure you PROTECT IT at all times, if you bang it against something, GOOD LUCK! I want to thank all the forums and people that have recomended the Samyang/Rokinon, if it wasn't for them i would not have this JEWEL on my hands right now. The Nikon is an awesome lens, but to me the Rokinon is BETTER.
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Hi Adrian, i think somebody is playing silly buggers with your caps lock key when you have your back TURNED!!
 
Hi Phil, I am sorry but i dont understand what you mean. Did i do something wrong?
 
Mister said:
Hi Phil, I am sorry but i dont understand what you mean. Did i do something wrong?
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Sorry, having a bit of fun! Some people see caps lock as "shouting", and it does look a little strange to my eye. But never mind about that! Glad you like your Rokinon, i've heard some good things about that lens.
 
I am very sorry about the CAPS keys. You are right, some one tole me about that, that is why i edited my review and corrected most words, i just ment to enphasize specific words, i guess that is not the correct way to do it. Thanks for letting me know.

But yes, the lens is impressive, for $299?? what else can you ask for in life? The built quality i think is exelent. This makes me think that for the Nikon 1.4G I would be paying $1700 more for AUTO FOCUS and some other minor improvements?? This is the only thing this Rokinon is lacking. I am sure the Nikon 1.4G is better, but come on!!

The only thing i can think of is that, that lens is marketed towards rich people that think that by having something outragously expensive, that would make it a better product. Look at the new cheaper built Nikon 1.8G for example. That sucker is sharper than the $2000 dollar Nikon 1.4G. Why??? Some things are just out of place in this world.
 
i'm still fighting to buy a 85mm. I always wanted a Samyang 85mm f1.4 and i think i will get that instead of the new G
 
Mister said:
I am very sorry about the CAPS keys. You are right, some one tole me about that, that is why i edited my review and corrected most words, i just ment to enphasize specific words, i guess that is not the correct way to do it. Thanks for letting me know.

But yes, the lens is impressive, for $299?? what else can you ask for in life? The built quality i think is exelent. This makes me think that for the Nikon 1.4G I would be paying $1700 more for AUTO FOCUS and some other minor improvements?? This is the only thing this Rokinon is lacking. I am sure the Nikon 1.4G is better, but come on!!

The only thing i can think of is that, that lens is marketed towards rich people that think that by having something outragously expensive, that would make it a better product. Look at the new cheaper built Nikon 1.8G for example. That sucker is sharper than the $2000 dollar Nikon 1.4G. Why??? Some things are just out of place in this world.
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There's no way I could fully utilise the f/1.4 on a DSLR with standard viewfinder, without using liveview and tripod, IMO (accurate) AF at such tiny DoFs is really important.
 
If i can do it on my D7000 why can't you? If you have eye sight difficulty, i can understand that. Sometimes it can be tricky, just play around with it then you start to get used to it and you'll get to know the lens AND your camera focus point. Sometimes i get frustrated because the stupid camera is not focusing correct IN AUTO FOCUS!! How do you like that?

I have posted a link of some photos i shot of my daughter playing piano and look at how the Rokinon is focused and separated the piano keys from everything else. These are not proffessional photos but I am blown away by what this lens can do for what it cost. These are jpeg un edited, no sharpening or nothing. This is why i skipped the new 1.8G lens, performance AND construction. In may i will be attending a friend's wedding and i can't wait to use my lens there, i am very exited, this lens can take some gorgeous photos! :love:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mistermejia/
 
Hello everyone. Just wanted to share more photos that i just posted on flickr. Just click on the link on my previous post above. Like i said, i am a fist time manual focus user, and this lens just keeps blowing me away. I went to a park a couple of blocks away from my house and there were some really nice folks riding their horses, also in the same area there were a bunch of kids playing baseball, i took a photo BEHIND a chain link, then i refocused on the kids THRU the chainlink and you can barely see the chainlink on the photo itself.

Simply amazing!! Take a look at some the photos, tell me that is IMPOSIBLE to take action photos with a manual focus lens. Not at all. :thumbs:
 
I find the 85mm 1.8D rarely leaves my camera now, love the lens for shooting fashion, the kids and headshots/portraits. Chose that as a compromise on price but also read it was preferred by many to the 1.4.

I think it feels like a very solid lens and love the results.
 
dannyrich said:
I find the 85mm 1.8D rarely leaves my camera now, love the lens for shooting fashion, the kids and headshots/portraits. Chose that as a compromise on price but also read it was preferred by many to the 1.4.

I think it feels like a very solid lens and love the results.
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What camera do you use it on? Thinking about it for my cropped D7000.
 
you cannot go wrong with that lens, as i stated on one of my reviews above, i just sold it two weeks ago, i just saw myself always having to sharpen almost all my photos on my computer, but once that is done the photos do look very nice, exept for the bokeh in most backgrounds. I sold it for more than what i paid for the Rokinon, brand new. The Rokinon is on a complete different league, it is A LOT sharper at 1.4, than the 1.8D at f1.8. I am not even going to mention the bokeh again. I do not regreat selling the 1.8D AND skipping the new 1.8G ;)
 
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