What I like about the 85mm focal length is that it doesn't necessarily have to invade other's comfort zone, you can "steal" a shot as well as you can entertain a conversation while shooting without to break the subject's barrier, at least that's how a shy amateur photographer like me sees the thing...
A pair of magnolias. The D780 is a great tool for this lens since you can use live view in difficult situations where the camera might struggle through the lens. Twins by Paul Martin, on Flickr
PeaktoPeek wrote:
I keep reviving this thread...this might be the only lens that keeps me from a Z series body.
I'm an F-mount guy, but am Z-curious. Wondering what the 85/1.4D provides that the options on the Z don't. Obviously the 85/1.2S is a huge canon, but the 85/1.8S is a similar size to the 85/1.4D while I guess not providing enough subject isolation/bokeh? I do like my Nikkor 85/1.4 lenses (I have both the AF-D and Ai-S versions), but what's really holding me back from Z-mount are my smaller lenses like the 105/2.5 and 24/2 as well as my collection of screw-drive D lenses that would not AF on Z.
I have bough/sold this lens so many times and I too, am getting the itch for it again still have the D850 so maybe I should just do it. I do have the Sigma 85 ART and Nikon 105E so I just tell myself that I don't 'need' the 85D
grantgoodes wrote:
I'm an F-mount guy, but am Z-curious. Wondering what the 85/1.4D provides that the options on the Z don't. Obviously the 85/1.2S is a huge canon, but the 85/1.8S is a similar size to the 85/1.4D while I guess not providing enough subject isolation/bokeh? I do like my Nikkor 85/1.4 lenses (I have both the AF-D and Ai-S versions), but what's really holding me back from Z-mount are my smaller lenses like the 105/2.5 and 24/2 as well as my collection of screw-drive D lenses that would not AF on Z.
Well, there are a couple of things. 1) I already own it. 2) There is a more "organic" look to the images from the D lens, at least based on the images I've seen online. I think the 85 1.8S is likely a better lens in terms of sharpness and contrast, actually I am sure that it is. I also have a 105 2.5, but that lens would work fine on mirrorless, I shot it on Fuji cameras and it was pretty easy.
I own both the 85/1.4D and the 85/1.2S, both are amazing, uses on D850 and Z8 it's a close call but price and size difference are huge, some day I will take again both with me to test them on the same subject, not the usual flower or cat, they are mostly portrait lenses so that's the object of test.
Generally speaking the new S lenses are way sharper all across the frame which isn't always the goal, for some tasks the 85D as well as the 58G are still two vey good reasons to own a D body and if I could a 105/1.4 would make it to the crew of Nikon glass
GiovanniAprea wrote:
I own both the 85/1.4D and the 85/1.2S, both are amazing, uses on D850 and Z8 it's a close call but price and size difference are huge, some day I will take again both with me to test them on the same subject, not the usual flower or cat, they are mostly portrait lenses so that's the object of test.
Generally speaking the new S lenses are way sharper all across the frame which isn't always the goal, for some tasks the 85D as well as the 58G are still two vey good reasons to own a D body and if I could a 105/1.4 would make it to the crew of Nikon glass...Show more →
I couldnt agree more with you!
I did debating the Ai-S and D and ended up picking up the Ai-S 85.
This is what im rolling with ...
85 1.4 Ai-S | 85 1.4G | Z 85 1.2 S
50 1.2 Ai-S | 58 1.4 G | Z 50 1.2 S
105 2.5 Ai | 105 1.4E | Z 135 1.8 S Plena
I personally love the Z lenses but the Ai-S and AF-S lenses are more fun to use ... for me atleast!
I did debating the Ai-S and D and ended up picking up the Ai-S 85.
This is what im rolling with ...
85 1.4 Ai-S | 85 1.4G | Z 85 1.2 S
50 1.2 Ai-S | 58 1.4 G | Z 50 1.2 S
105 2.5 Ai | 105 1.4E | Z 135 1.8 S Plena
I personally love the Z lenses but the Ai-S and AF-S lenses are more fun to use ... for me atleast!
I could do almost it all with a 50 and an 85, 50 wise Nikon never really delivered until the S line, got the 50/1.8S and it is razor sharp, even too sharp for some scenario but it does amazing as a landscape lens.
Back in time I ended up getting the 60G since there was no human and good 50 in the Nikon lineup, amazing but f2.8.
Then got lucky enough to get the 58G, wow, no easy lens to handle but when all matches it's pure magic.
Always tempted by the Sigma but Nikon policies with AF license and the size never really hit the trigger and now I am glad it didn't as the 50S is everything the Sigma was and more in a more compact size.
Got an old 50/2, don't remember if H or A, very interesting for the age, those old lenses were built like tanks which is always a welcome bonus but mostly they do pretty well for the age.
A Contax Planar 50/1.7, very very small, an advantage which vanishes, as well as the old Nikkors, once an adapter sits in the equation, but pretty good of a lens for the size and price.
One day I'd love to get the 50/1.2S, I think that's the apotheosis of the 50mm lover, I am sorry for the Voigtlander and Leica lovers, I am sure they deliver but MF glass doesn't do it for me.
85 wise the f1.4D is the best compromise of them all, now it's ridiculous cheap, no reason not to have it along with a D8xx, I also have an old 85/1.8Auto which has an interesting rendering, a Contax Planar f1.4 which is simply stunning and the f1.2S which is stunning but at a very steep price in $$$, weight and bulk, people get intimidated when you point that thing at them.
I see marvels out of the Plena and 50/1.2S, if I could get some paid job I'd get one or the other...
GiovanniAprea wrote:
I could do almost it all with a 50 and an 85, 50 wise Nikon never really delivered until the S line, got the 50/1.8S and it is razor sharp, even too sharp for some scenario but it does amazing as a landscape lens.
Back in time I ended up getting the 60G since there was no human and good 50 in the Nikon lineup, amazing but f2.8.
Then got lucky enough to get the 58G, wow, no easy lens to handle but when all matches it's pure magic.
Always tempted by the Sigma but Nikon policies with AF license and the size never really hit the trigger and now I am glad it didn't as the 50S is everything the Sigma was and more in a more compact size.
Got an old 50/2, don't remember if H or A, very interesting for the age, those old lenses were built like tanks which is always a welcome bonus but mostly they do pretty well for the age.
A Contax Planar 50/1.7, very very small, an advantage which vanishes, as well as the old Nikkors, once an adapter sits in the equation, but pretty good of a lens for the size and price.
One day I'd love to get the 50/1.2S, I think that's the apotheosis of the 50mm lover, I am sorry for the Voigtlander and Leica lovers, I am sure they deliver but MF glass doesn't do it for me.
85 wise the f1.4D is the best compromise of them all, now it's ridiculous cheap, no reason not to have it along with a D8xx, I also have an old 85/1.8Auto which has an interesting rendering, a Contax Planar f1.4 which is simply stunning and the f1.2S which is stunning but at a very steep price in $$$, weight and bulk, people get intimidated when you point that thing at them.
I see marvels out of the Plena and 50/1.2S, if I could get some paid job I'd get one or the other...
I’m not sure I agree that the 50 1.8s is everything the Sigma was and more. I have and really like the 50 1.8s. I also used to own the Sigma 50 1.4 Art and it was a special lens. The falloff was beautiful and it was sharp. You paid a big weight penalty but the IQ was top notch. Wish I had kept it. The 50 1.8s is a beauty though.
I also have the itch to re-acquire the 85 1.4D but I have too many lenses to justify adding it.
still have the D850 so maybe I should just do it. I do have the Sigma 85 ART and Nikon 105E so I just tell myself that I don't 'need' the 85D 