Nikon 85 1.4G....

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Nikon 85 1.4G....

wer2012
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p.1 #1 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

What do you think about the Nikon 85 1.4G? I am trying to decide if it is worth the investment. I am also considering the 85 1.8G. I listened to TRR and got the 50 1.8 and have not been disappointed but this is a bit different...

Oct 26, 2012 at 11:52 PM

TRReichman
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p.1 #2 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

We also have the 85 1.8G and I think it is very worthwhile. I think you'd have a hard time telling the difference between the 1.8 and 1.4 in practice. My Nikon contacts basically told me to get the 1.8. On the canon side there is a bigger difference in IG between the 1.8 and 1.2 - with these Nikon G lenses it is basically 2/3 of a stop and over $1000 that simply isn't worth it IMO. Round it out with the 28 1.8G and you've saved a ton of money (and weight) over the 1.4 versions with imperceptible IQ difference.

- trr

Oct 26, 2012 at 11:55 PM

johnrg
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p.1 #3 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

Completely agree with what Todd said. We have the 85 1.8G and love it.

Oct 27, 2012 at 12:02 AM

wer2012
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p.1 #4 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

I already have the 28 1.8 and it's great. I just keep seeing images with that buttery blur.. I think you are right though. Too expensive. Thanks.

Oct 27, 2012 at 12:08 AM

martinezphoto
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p.1 #5 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

The Sigma produces some pretty nice buttery deliciousness as well. Might want to hit the camera store and look at them side by side. I would advise against the 1.8G simply because if you are going to invest in a prime you might as well get the fastest prime you can. IQ wise there is no way the 1.8G is better than the 70-200 at 85 so the only reason to invest in the prime is to get the extra speed. I can't be bothered carrying the 1.8 when the 1.4 is so good and gives you 1.4 when you want/need it. Wish it was 1.2.

Oct 27, 2012 at 01:02 AM

TRReichman
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p.1 #6 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

Have you ever tested the 70-200 vs the 85 1.8g side by side? I can see a pretty big difference in spending $500 vs. $1700.

- trr

Oct 27, 2012 at 01:29 AM

martinezphoto
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p.1 #7 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

TRReichman wrote:
Have you ever tested the 70-200 vs the 85 1.8g side by side? I can see a pretty big difference in spending $500 vs. $1700.

- trr

I've tested the Sigma 85 against the Nikon 70-200 and at 2.8 the 70-200 VR1 is sharper edge to edge. A $1200 difference is meaningless if a prime 85 is going to be an important tool in your arsenal. Over the lifetime of the lens that amount means nothing and I shoot my 85 1.4 wide open frequently. Going cheap when it comes to glass is foolish in the long run.

Oct 27, 2012 at 03:07 AM

jneilosu
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p.1 #8 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

Getting any nikon other than the 1.8 g is likely waste of money. this coming from someone who shoots 35/85 all day.

Oct 27, 2012 at 03:13 AM

martinezphoto
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p.1 #9 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

You either want to shoot at 1.4 or you don't. If you do the 1.8G isn't an option.

Oct 27, 2012 at 03:17 AM

iShoot
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p.1 #10 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

My money maker!

Oct 27, 2012 at 09:44 AM

Mark_L
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p.1 #11 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

martinezphoto wrote:
TRReichman wrote:
Have you ever tested the 70-200 vs the 85 1.8g side by side? I can see a pretty big difference in spending $500 vs. $1700.

- trr

I've tested the Sigma 85 against the Nikon 70-200 and at 2.8 the 70-200 VR1 is sharper edge to edge. A $1200 difference is meaningless if a prime 85 is going to be an important tool in your arsenal. Over the lifetime of the lens that amount means nothing and I shoot my 85 1.4 wide open frequently. Going cheap when it comes to glass is foolish in the long run.

Interesting, my sigma 85mm will eat my 70-200 VRII for breakfast which mirrors what tests online have shown. The sigma 85mm just like the nikon 1.4 is one of the sharpest lenses for nikon.

I bought the sigma over the nikon 1.4 because of the better performance at f/2 and f/2.8 and the price. I use it a lot because it is shaper than the 70-200 and when the 70-200 is just too big and heavy.

Nikon 1.4
This image is copyrighted by the owner

Nikon 1.8

Sigma 1.4

Oct 27, 2012 at 11:08 AM

sboerup
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p.1 #12 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

When I was exploring Nikon land this summer, I had both the 85 1.4G and 1.8G. Bokeh was very very similar, sharpness was about equal. They both felt like plastic crap, so no build advantage on the 1.4. I'd say save some money and get the 1.8G.

Oct 27, 2012 at 02:55 PM

SloPhoto
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p.1 #13 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

I prefer the rendering on the 1.4 by a touch, but the 1.8 is an incredible value.

(I use the sig85 though)

Oct 27, 2012 at 04:32 PM

form
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p.1 #14 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

I am having a difficult time with the Nikon side of 85mm. I am very used to that focal length, but it seems that the bokeh rendering for Nikon is not nearly as appealing to me as the Canon side. Despite all of my desire to have Nikon sensors for their comparatively incredible image flexibility (truly much more flexible), and despite the better AF tracking I am getting with Nikon, I am now thinking of going back to 100% Canon just because of lenses like the 85L...

Oct 27, 2012 at 06:46 PM

Mark_L
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p.1 #15 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

sboerup wrote:
When I was exploring Nikon land this summer, I had both the 85 1.4G and 1.8G. Bokeh was very very similar, sharpness was about equal. They both felt like plastic crap, so no build advantage on the 1.4. I'd say save some money and get the 1.8G.

Any difference in flare performance of backlit shots?

Oct 27, 2012 at 11:22 PM

tobicus
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p.1 #16 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

We use the 1.8D with no complaints. I'm sure the 1.4G is lovely, but we've never really felt a need for it.

Oct 28, 2012 at 02:03 AM

paparazzinick
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p.1 #17 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

we just upgraded last week to the 28 1.8g, 50 1.8g, 85 1.8g.... love them all.

Oct 28, 2012 at 02:45 AM

Jamesbjenkins
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p.1 #18 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

I'd probably be all over the 1.4G if the 1.8G wasn't SO DAMN GOOD. My 85mm 1.8G is the single best $500 I've spent on photography gear. Period.

I'm sure the 1.4G is just lovely, but there's absolutely no way you can convince me it's $1000 worth better than the 1.8G.

Oct 28, 2012 at 03:44 AM

widget_13
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p.1 #19 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

How about the older 1.4D? How do you think it compares?

Oct 28, 2012 at 05:19 AM

bthatton
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p.1 #20 · Nikon 85 1.4G....

I think the D is supposed to be noticeably inferior to the more current offerings.

That being said, I'm no bokeh snob. As long as it looks like bokeh I'm readily impressed.

Oct 28, 2012 at 06:25 AM

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