What to buy? Nikon 85mm f/1.8 - 85mm f/1.4 - 105mm f/2 DC

cambsno

cambsno

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Simon
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Got 'buyanewlens syndrome' at the moment! Not sure what to get... Currently have a D300 (dream of one day getting D700!) Use my Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 as a walkabout lens, Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 which I use when I need 70+mm and a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 which I love and use for 90% of my baby shots.

I do find the 50mm a bit short, even on a crop body. For general family shots its fine, and for full length kids its also fine, but for head type shots I seem to be getting very close which can be a bit off putting for baby as well as knowing that 85mm-105mm is ideal portrait length. Approx prices are £300 for 1.8, £850 for 1.4 and £650 for DC. While I can stretch to the 1.4 price, it is right at the top end of any budget, I would probably prefer to spend less and use that money for other things or D700 fund!

What I love about the DC is the DC! It would mean I could get great bokeh but use say f/5.6 to maximise on sharpness, whereas using f/5.6 would normally not blur background enough, plus it is supposed to be the best Nikon portrait lens. For outdoor work it would be a great focal length but would be restrictive in some houses I work in.

The 85mm f/1.4 seems to be a great lens, similar to my 50mm. It is pricey though and is it really worth over £550 more than the 1.8? So maybe the f/1.8 is the better option, as I rarely use 1.4, often shooting at f/2, f/2.8 or f/4 - f/8. More chance of using the 85mm indoor but less outdoor?

Any advice welcome, along with any pics you may have taken with any of these (portraits really, bonus if they are family / baby shots).
 
Without wishing to sound a snob, I am just looking at these lenses and do find that Nikon make the best lenses. Never heard of this make and could not see how this could be as good as the above.
 
First post !

What is very interesting about this range is the lack of "range" Ultra wide, a portrait and some seriously long Missiles !
shame their is no 24/28 mm etc (if there is then sorry , i could not find them .
 
Simon, I'm in a similar position at the moment.

Been looking for an 85mm f/1.8 without finding one at the right price when I have the money. That's given me research and thinking time and I've discovered:

the 85mm f/1.4 really does have improved IQ
the DC lenses with their built in hoods can lack contrast in occasional situations
I really, really want a 135mm f/2 DC :)

Couple of points to think about - remember, any DoF issues will be magnified by the increased focal length of the 85mm, so if f/1.4 is too shallow for preference at 50mm it'll be way off at 85mm. You also have the issue of keeping the shutter speed higher than the focal length so that means shooting at 1/100 or more. Prob doable but something else to throw in. Finally, whilst DC is a fantastic feature do you have the time and wherewithall to be setting and adjusting to taste during each shoot. The way I read it, each time you adjust aperture you need to adjust the DC ring.
 
London luke said:
First post !

What is very interesting about this range is the lack of "range" Ultra wide, a portrait and some seriously long Missiles !
shame their is no 24/28 mm etc (if there is then sorry , i could not find them .
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? Nikon or Samyang?

Nikon have the 24mm f/1.4 but you'd want to avoid it for portraits. 85mm/ 105mm are not that long really, certainly not on DX format. Think of the number of wedding/ candid snappers who shoot at the long end of a 70-200mm in relatively confined spaces.
 
MnM said:
Here's a direct comparison with the nikkor 85mm 1.4. Polar is another name it goes under. Not the Nikon I guess you are looking at, but an interesting comparison all the same.

http://www.jsvfoto.com/blog/nikkor85mmf14aisvspolar85mmf14/nikkorpolarreview
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Hardly a fair comparison - the AI-S Nikkor is nearly 30 years old in optical design terms... Against the newer AF-Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 I doubt there'd be any contest...
If I were wealthier, I might buy one for comedy value, but for work? Nahhh...
 
AndWhyNot said:
I really, really want a 135mm f/2 DC :)
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you are not the only one :)

Even if eventually I will find a copy of this lens for myself, I dont think I will be using DC feature to often :)
it is the focal length and aperture that I'm after
 
bastic said:
£650 for DC where? :)


is 105 not sharp at F2.0 ?????
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Seen one on ebay for that from Hong Kong, although will most probably pay more to get a UK one. While I expect the 105 to be sharp at f2, I am assuming that like all lenses you head towards f4 or f5.6 for max sharpness, plus on a group shot, everything should be in focus!
 
cambsno said:
Seen one on ebay for that from Hong Kong, although will most probably pay more to get a UK one. While I expect the 105 to be sharp at f2, I am assuming that like all lenses you head towards f4 or f5.6 for max sharpness, plus on a group shot, everything should be in focus!
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in few minutes im off for lens hunting...with a bit of luck i will find 135DC ;D if not I will have to live with 105dC....will let you know if it is sharp at f2 ;D
 
Nikon 85mm 1.8 is really nice and excellent value for money. They crop up here in the classifieds regularly -- I got mine here and I love it. Why not try one s/h as you could always sell it again if you didn't like it for virtually no loss?
 
How are you at manual focus?

The Tamron 135mm f/2.5 Adaptall is excellent

The Samyang lens looks very poor value against the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 AF-D which will AF and meter on all bodies. Can't see why anyone would go for that in Canon and Nikon mount when Canon and Nikon both make nice 85mm f/1.8. Strange - selling ice to Eskimos that is!
 
I have the 105mm and it's as sharp as a very sharp thing.

I lust after the 85mm f1.4 but business software is a more pressing need right now boo!
 
AliB said:
I have the 105mm and it's as sharp as a very sharp thing.

I lust after the 85mm f1.4 but business software is a more pressing need right now boo!
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Would the 105mm be your first choice for a portrait shoot (assuming focal length was not an issue)?
 
I know you're asking Ali Simon, but my first choice would be longer than 105mm. I prefer to really isolate the subject and the longer focal lengths help here. 135+ is my preferred focal length.

DC lenses are fab but you really need to be careful when using the DC element of the lens. Misuse of the DC can make a sharp lens anything but :eek:
 
I had a 85mm 1.8 which I sold in a moment of madness, I ended up indulging my lens lust and buying a s/h 85mm 1.4 which I just love. Having said that for kids (especially young 'uns) I usually end up using a zoom, either a 24-70 or 70-200 normally, just because they get bored v quick and the flexibilty of the zoom helps a lot.
 
cambsno said:
Will be using this 95% of time for taking pictures of babies & children, not sure I want to be MF with fast moving little ones!!
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I reckon those pesky little folk won't be keeping still for long, so you might find you don't end up using the 1.4 wide open, DOF will be too shallow for fidgety subjects. Not based on any prior knowledge I might add just guessing :)
 
ryanyboy said:
I know you're asking Ali Simon, but my first choice would be longer than 105mm. I prefer to really isolate the subject and the longer focal lengths help here. 135+ is my preferred focal length.

DC lenses are fab but you really need to be careful when using the DC element of the lens. Misuse of the DC can make a sharp lens anything but :eek:
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If anything 105mm could be too long for me as a lot of shoots are in peoples houses which is why I am thinking of the 85mm.
 
Ah, of course. In that case 85 is def the length to go for - 105 will be an unnecessay luxury if space is an issue.
 
ryanyboy said:
I know you're asking Ali Simon, but my first choice would be longer than 105mm. I prefer to really isolate the subject and the longer focal lengths help here. 135+ is my preferred focal length.
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Yep but on a D300 it's not 105mm any more or am I wrong?:shrug:
 
for the money you are looking at spending on a 85mm 1.4 you could get within a couple of hundred quid of a Nikon 24-70 s/h if you sold the Tamron you have. The 24-70mm Nikon is a great portrait lens for kids when limited for room, combined with the 70-200 you are then set nicely ready for the D700 upgrade :)

85mm on a crop sensor is a nice length for headshots, having owned a 1.8 I hired a 1.4 before buying and it is worth the extra money if you have it.
 
I'd definitely go for the 85mm 1.8. never used one myself but it looks like a cracking lens.
 
psenior1 said:
for the money you are looking at spending on a 85mm 1.4 you could get within a couple of hundred quid of a Nikon 24-70 s/h if you sold the Tamron you have. The 24-70mm Nikon is a great portrait lens for kids when limited for room, combined with the 70-200 you are then set nicely ready for the D700 upgrade :)

85mm on a crop sensor is a nice length for headshots, having owned a 1.8 I hired a 1.4 before buying and it is worth the extra money if you have it.
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Did briefly think about that, but really do like my primes!! Maybe its partly in my imagination, but I can see a difference in pictures taken with the 50mm and I remember a post on here with a comparison of a 50mm and the 24-70 and the 50mm was better. I also find that moving back and forward makes me think about things more and can lead to different angles etc... zooms can make you lazier.

Interested in peoples thoughts on this...
 
simmosn said:
I'd definitely go for the 85mm 1.8. never used one myself but it looks like a cracking lens.
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Thinking that too now, after realising I had spent more than I thought last month and got a few things coming up this month!! Could certainly have done with that yesterday at a baby club shoot - It felt like I was right in some kids / babies face with my 50mm!!
 
I have the 85mm f1.8 and the 105DC. I also spent a day second shooting a wedding using the 85mm f1.4

My thoughts
The 105DC is built like a tank. The DC control I seldom use - but it does work well. The lens is very sharp from F2 onwards
The 85 f1.8 I love - not too heavy. Bit slow to focus. A little soft wide open - but at 1/3 of the cost of the 105 hard to really justify.
The 85 F1.4 has the build quality of the 105 - obviously a stop faster. On a full length shot the depth of field is just about deep enough to hold focus on the person. CLose up you'll get the eyes (or eye) sharp but the end of the nose will be soft...

If I only had to own one I'd go for the 105dc. If I was really skint I'd take the 85 f1.8

I use these with the D3 and the Fuji S5
 
I with you - primes over zooms every time when space and time allow :)
 
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