50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

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50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

packerfan1357
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p.1 #1 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

I there much of a difference between the nikkor 50 f1.4G and the 85 f1.4G besides, the 50mm to 85mm, when taking portraits. What lens would you rather have for shooting portraits and live action play time in the yard.

Jan 23, 2013 at 03:39 AM

Steve Perry
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p.1 #2 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

Hmm - on FX, I'd go 85 for sure (and probalby the same for dx). I love a little longer lens for portraits.

Jan 23, 2013 at 03:57 AM

Thorsten
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p.1 #3 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

Even focal length aside, there is a big difference. At f/1.4, the 85G is sharp, with nice contrast and superb bokeh, while the 50G lacks in all these areas behind, not to mention that it focuses very slowly. If you were talking about the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 instead, the difference would be smaller.

Jan 23, 2013 at 04:05 AM

packerfan1357
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p.1 #4 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

Thanks so much guys for helping a excited noob

Jan 23, 2013 at 04:16 AM

Chestnut
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p.1 #5 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

I would pick either the 85/1.4 or the 85/1.8 over the Nikon 50mm offerings.

When I had to pick between the Nikon 50/1.4 vs the Sigma 50/1.4, I picked the Sigma and I would make that same choice again.

But in the end, my 50mm just sits in the bag most of the time, and I use lenses either wider or longer than 50mm. I use my 24, 35, and 85 a lot, but not the 50. Of course, that's a personal preference.

Jan 23, 2013 at 04:23 AM

Todd
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p.1 #6 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

50mm is used for 3/4 to full length portraits. The 85mm is super for head and shoulder shots. The 50mm is still too short for up close portraits. It will exaggerate the nose too much.

T

Jan 23, 2013 at 04:37 AM

Danner
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p.1 #7 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

Tag for my own interest.

My current primes include the 18/2.8, 35/1.4, 60/2.8, 135/2.0, and 300/4. The 60 just doesn't cut it for non-macro work because of the speed and focus throw. So that leaves a gaping hole in my range between the 35 and 135.

I'm leaning toward the 50/1.4, but I wonder if the quality is up to that of the 85's. And I suspect it is not.

Jan 23, 2013 at 03:42 PM

DTOB
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p.1 #8 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

If you are thinking of a 50 Danner, look at the Sigma or the 50/1.8G.

Jan 23, 2013 at 05:25 PM

chefboyarlee
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p.1 #9 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

If price isn't an object definitely get the Nikon 85 1.4G. I will never sell mine and it has paid for itself many many times over. It is my portrait lens with soul.

Jan 23, 2013 at 05:39 PM

mshi
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p.1 #10 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

It's a matter of personal preference. For example, almost all Henri Cartier-Bresson's portraiture work shot with 50mm. 50mm prime was also Steve McCurry's favorite portrait lens before he picked up 28-70 as his go-to lens.

Jan 23, 2013 at 05:40 PM

packerfan1357
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p.1 #11 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

Hmmm ok I just ordered the 85 f1.4 great bokeh here I come!!!!!

Jan 29, 2013 at 05:34 AM

Jun Zhou
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p.1 #12 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

I am thinking about sig 50mm 1.4 + Nikon 85mm 1.8G with Budget.

Jan 29, 2013 at 06:01 AM

ilnonno
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p.1 #13 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

Neither: both are extremely weak wide open, but the 50 is recognized as the worse of the 1.4G group.
Whenever I tried it, the 50 1.4G was jjust bad, too little sharp wide open.
On the other side, the 85 is a complicated lens. It is "sharp" enough at 1.4, but is loaded with very high aberrations, and it does focus shift, meaning if you calibrate it for 1.4, then good luck at 2 or 2.8, and vice versa.
I just sold mine, and couldn't be happier...
To ensure proper focusing, provided you don't need f1.4, you could get one of the 2.8 zooms.
Or, if f2 is mandatory, I'd go with the 105DC: if your copy does not need too much focus calibration, it can be an exceptional lens.

Can't comment on the 85 1.8G, never tried it.

One suggestion, if you can: try *for real* before you buy. Most of these lenses would appear "nice" in a shop. But on the field... good luck with them!

Lory

packerfan1357 wrote:
I there much of a difference between the nikkor 50 f1.4G and the 85 f1.4G besides, the 50mm to 85mm, when taking portraits. What lens would you rather have for shooting portraits and live action play time in the yard.

Jan 31, 2013 at 06:59 AM

a.RodriguezPix
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p.1 #14 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

packerfan1357 wrote:
Hmmm ok I just ordered the 85 f1.4 great bokeh here I come!!!!!
cool! cant wait to see the results! set the lens to f/1.4 AF, and dont forget mf too! set the camera to manual drop ISO to 50, for fun

, adjust shutter speed, and shoot away and watch the boke/bokeh scream! also, if you have time grab some Christmas tree lights, light them up, set up a subject, adjust the camera, and trip on those awesome boke/bokeh color's! see my D700 + Nikkor 85mm 1.4 AIS older manual focus grand pa take these!

Original Americo.Rodriguez 2013-133 by aNikkorGuy, on Flickr

Jan 31, 2013 at 07:40 AM

DaveOls
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p.1 #15 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

If it's a matter of money, now that you have the 85mm f/1.4, look at the 50mm f/1.8 which is supposedly very good and relatively cheap.

Feb 01, 2013 at 01:09 PM

sonofjesse2010
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p.1 #16 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

Also the 85mm 1.8 supposed to be really really sharp as well.

Feb 06, 2013 at 03:29 AM

form
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p.1 #17 · 50 f1.4G vs 85 1.4G

85 f/1.8 is sharp and tracks subjects well, and af is generally accurate...

Feb 08, 2013 at 07:52 PM

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