p.1 #1 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
The 1.4d is more than twice the price. I'm willing to save up but I'm not certain if it's right for me yet.
I'm using the lens primarily for portraits/headshots. It doesn't need to be ultra-super sharp. Might be nice to use occasionally or landscapes but honestly, I have other dedicated lenses for that so it's not really an issue. Subject isolation is what I'm going for here.
Also, I normally try to always buy new but for the 1.4d, if I could find a used one in good condition, I might spring for it. How much servicing do the D lenses really need? They don't have built in auto-focus motors, which to me seems like the part that would need repairs the most.
Thing is, I have enough funds to spring for the 1.8g right now.
p.1 #2 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
the 1.8G is an amazing piece of kit. It's just as sharp and produces just as smooth bokeh as any other 85 at f/1.8. An f/1.4 lens would obviously give you slightly better isolation, but the 1.8 does amazingly well here already.
That said, the main difference between the 1.8G and its more expensive alternatives is build quality. The 1.8G is made of well-put-together plastic and is quite light. I personally really like it, but I can see how some would be put off by that. If an ultra-solid heavy build isn't a top priority, then by all means get the 1.8G, you won't be disappointed by its performance relative to any other 85 on the market!
edit: threw together a quick album of a few shots with my favorite lens.
Don't worry about the vignetting in the last shot; that's more due to the light coming in from the window at an angle than the lens
p.1 #3 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
Well the 1.4D or G have excellent bokeh and contrast.
The 1.8G though has way better bokeh than the 1.8D did, although it's still not the 1.4 class. The 1.4D has slower AF on non "pro" bodies (ie D4, D3 series, D2 series, D1 series), and it tracks noticeably slower then any 1.8 version.
If I was short on funds, I would buy the 1.8G and be generally pleased. IMHO it is a good value for the money. If I didn't have the 1.4D already, I would spring for the 1.8G and call it a day.
If I was buying new, I would buy a D600, a 28/1.8G, 85/1.8G and have an excellent lightweight kit with great IQ for just over $3k.
p.1 #5 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
A good option is Sigma 85/1.4. But is a bit heavier and bulkier. AF speed & accuracy is very good and it renders human skin in a wonderful way. I love it.
p.1 #6 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
Depends on what you mean by "separation". If you mean the background is completely blurred to non-recognition, then 85 at f/1.8 will do it out to about 10-15 ft, depending on how far back the background is. If you mean a noticeable variation in focus at some particular print size (also where the actual OOF rendition of the lens matters), then the 1.8 will do it extremely well. In fact you'll mostly be stopping down a bit just to get the entire subject in focus and keep the background from going abstract.
Here's what a few different apertures and distances will give you in terms of background. To me (at the distances you see) the sweet spot on this lens is around f/2.8.
p.1 #7 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
@Guari -- don't worry about the picture. Nice shot btw!
Thanks for all the responses. I've decided to start with a refurb 85/1.4d...Adorama had a good price on it and the savings from the new price was worth it imo. Their return policy is pretty good so if it turn out it's a dud, or not what I was looking for, I'l just pick up the 85/1.8g. General consensus from you guys (and all of the reviews I've read) is that it's great for the price
p.1 #13 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
nobody can ever part me from 85G1.4 but if i would be shopping now, i would have no issue just get the 1.8G. Didnt liked the 851.8D wide open, but new one is as good as is needed.
p.1 #14 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
Well, my copy of the lens arrived today and it's pretty stellar. This along with the 35/2D are my first D lenses. Am I the only one who prefers their build over the newer G lenses? Also, Adorama had a pretty good price for refurbished compared to others (I paid $899). I know Nikon's new policies are pretty crappy but at least their refurbished lenses are still good. I can;t even tell this isn't new
p.1 #15 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
You're right that the high end D primes were build better than the high end G primes.
That said, I'm not a huge fan of the 85 1.4D, I might've gone with the 1.8G. I haven't used it, but by the numbers (http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/03/d800-lens-selection) it's quite a bit better, essentially up to par with the 1.4G. If you don't need the build quality of the high end, the 1.8G is probably the best price/performance.
I know you've already made your decision, I'm just commenting for anyone else considering these options.
p.1 #16 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
Wow....... The f/1.4d is trash? That's funny. Back in the day, before da d800, the lens was legendary, called the cream machine for the bokeh it produces.
It's too bad that lens rentals took down their page explaining what they found wrong with the various lenses. I've always used mine for portraits and couldn't give a rat's behind about edge, corner performance. There are plenty of other lenses that can be used for landscapes, but not many that will compete with the bokeh. Well, I don't care if it's trash, I'm keeping mine and have no desire to replace it.
p.1 #17 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
I'd opt for the 85/1.4D over the 85/1.8G simply for the OOF rendition. They don't call it "The Cream Machine" for nothing! AF speed isn't that bad, either, as I've used it to shoot basketball many times with great results.. Love mine to bits. The Sigma 85/1.4 is a stellar performer, as well, and is around the same price range as the 1.4D (if I'm not mistaken).
p.1 #19 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
I'll be vote #3 for the Sigma 85mm f/1.4. Plus Sigma's warranty repair process isn't a HASSLE like Nikon's is becoming.
But don't spend weeks trying to decide. From everything I've read, it's like kind of deciding between dating a gorgeous blonde 9 vs. a gorgeous redhead 9.3- the only way you'll be unhappy is if you delay the decision.
p.1 #20 · How much difference will I honestly notice between the 85/1.8g and 85/1.4d?
Nikon_14 wrote:
Ito ay talaga maganda. Maraming salamat po for sharing.
While I do understand what you're saying (thank you very much, by the way!), I'm not quite sure in terms of how to respond in Tagalog. Haha, first generation Filipino American here in my family (my parents immigrated to California from Manila).. But at least I can understand Tagalog fairly well!
