Lovely example of what this lens can do. I think it is one of the all-time best AF-D Nikkors (along with the 28/1.4D and the 105/2 DC), but attention has moved on to Z-mount and the bigger/faster lenses it provides. I still think this lens has a place in my lens-bag, and am in the vocal minority who would like to see a screw-focus FTZ adapter for that reason.
I have sold and re-bought this lens a few times, still have my D850 and I get an occasional itch to buy it again a Nikon classic for sure. The AF accuracy at f/1.4 was not great but when you get it right, the rendering is beautiful.
The rendering of this lens is hard to beat, even harder considering the actual price, I took some shots with both this and the 85/1.2S and it's hard to say which is which
Diane
edit: yep, fringing, hard to remove totally especially with portraits and hair but who cares...
This thread is tempting me to pick up another copy of this lens considering the price but I already have too many “special f mount lenses” to justify it. I will always keep my D5 to enjoy some of these excellent f mount lenses.
These shots look great. I’m using the f mount 105/1.4, and for similar reasons I don’t know if I’ll ever swap it out for anything. I just love the way it renders, and even though some of the newest 85s and 135s are a little sharper, they don’t give quite the same feel. And the 105 is still quite sharp wide open.
All the image threads have been gathered there to reduce the number of DUPLICATE THREADS from happening. It's still listed on the subforum above those thumbnails. A lot of hard work went into getting that thread organized.
I know this is difficult if not impossible, can't these be merged into the official thread that, by the way, I wasn't able to retrieve even tho I had some of my pics posted into?
Not just a great lens optically, the 85 1.4D also looks beautiful, especially when mounted to something like a D3. I remember when the D3 first came out, they choose this lens to match it with and it really triggered gear lust
I've owned at least 5 copies of this lens, and I know there is definitely a sample variation among them. It's sharp for the most part, but could really use AF fine tuning on most DSLR bodies.
It's super annoying to know that when we finally get a Z 85/1.4, it's going to be in the rendering vein of the subpar and totally middling Z 35 and 50 1.4 lenses. I'd much rather have the more classic F mount rendering.
RoamingScott wrote:
It's super annoying to know that when we finally get a Z 85/1.4, it's going to be in the rendering vein of the subpar and totally middling Z 35 and 50 1.4 lenses. I'd much rather have the more classic F mount rendering.
But will it necessarily be worse? I have not shot with the Z 35 f1.4 or Z 50 f1.4, but looking at the res results at Photography Life, the Z 35 f1.4 is a tad sharper across the board. Photography Life has not tested the Z 50 f1.4 yet. I did have the F 35 f1.4G and the bokeh was quite good for a wide but not great. Having not shot with the Z35 I can't compare but results, but it seems good in most instances of photos I have seen. Knowing what Nikon does, I wouldn't be surprised if the Z 85 f1.4 has excellent bokeh considering that it is a portrait focal length and Nikon would want to make it at least as good as the F mount versions. However, I guess it depends on who is designing it? Is it a Tamron, or Konica design, or a Nikon design?
Joseph. wrote:
Not just a great lens optically, the 85 1.4D also looks beautiful, especially when mounted to something like a D3. I remember when the D3 first came out, they choose this lens to match it with and it really triggered gear lust
I have to agree, the hammered/crinkle finish AF-D lenses look very nice, and the giant maw of the 84/1.4 and its relatively short aspect ratio gives it a particularly "serious" look when mounted on a Pro body. Second up would be the 28/1.4D.
a Nikon classic for sure. The AF accuracy at f/1.4 was not great but when you get it right, the rendering is beautiful.
