Which 85mm for Nikon?

cambsno

cambsno

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If I could pick up a cheap 1.4d then maybe that, but more likely a 1.8 version.

Ken Rockwell (yes I know) says the g is optimally better than the d, but d is better made. Opinions?
 
The 85mm f/1.8G performs better than the 1.4G at similar apertures. The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 is worth a look too. I went for the 85mm f/1.8G as it was the best balance of price and performance.
 
cambsno said:
If I could pick up a cheap 1.4d then maybe that, but more likely a 1.8 version.

Ken Rockwell (yes I know) says the g is optimally better than the d, but d is better made. Opinions?
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The g is an improvement over the d in high contrast or backlit situations. It also controls ca much better. Tbh I'd go for the 1.8 over the 1.4 d. The sigma is worth considering as well
 
Laudrup said:
The 85mm f/1.8G performs better than the 1.4G at similar apertures.
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Did you mean 1.4D? If so, yes, it does, by a considerable margin. If you meant the 1.4G, then no it doesn't. The 1.4G is awesome at all apertures, centre, edge, you name it... it just rocks.
 
The 1.8G is the best "bang for buck" 85 out there. The 1.4 may have that extra 2/3 of a stop of light [or whatever it is precisely] and be better built - but is it worth 3x as much? I wouldn't think so. From 1.8 on they're like for like from what I've seen/read/heard. If the 1.8 isn't actually a little sharper
 
Laudrup said:
No the G. DxO has the 1.8G as its top rated Nikon lens, a place above the 1.4G.
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Well.. visually you'll never see it. DxO do have a weighted system that heavily favours centre resolution though. I've had this discussion before. Photozone's tests list resolution figures for centre, border and corner separately so you can judge for yourself, and they seem to think the 1.4 is sharper.

Either is excellent mind you... we're splitting hairs now.

The 1.4D is not in the same league as either of them... which is what the OP wanted to know.
 
boyfalldown said:
The g is an improvement over the d in high contrast or backlit situations. It also controls ca much better. Tbh I'd go for the 1.8 over the 1.4 d. The sigma is worth considering as well
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I had a 1.8d for a bit and thought there was a but too much ca for my liking.
 
cambsno said:
I had a 1.8d for a bit and thought there was a but too much ca for my liking.
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CA isn't a problem.. just remove it in ACR or Bridge. You want awful CA, try a Nikkor 24-70 f2.8 wider than f4... terrible.. one click in LR and it's gone though. Doesn't stop it being a great lens.
 
I have the 1.8D - crackingly sharp lens (from the classifieds here). On my d7K I am using the centre only too. At camera club I tried it on a friends d3x - WOW. Made his. 50mm 1.8 D look blunt!
 
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