If the money isn't a big deal, it is hard to go wrong with the f/1.4. That said, the f/1.8G is just as sharp, and only $500. If you don't need the extra light, I'd save the money. I have the 1.8 and love it!
You can't really go wrong with any of the 85's. The best bang for the buck is the 85 1.8G and the Sigma 85 1.4. If you do the used market, nice copies of the older 85 1.4 AFD can be had sometimes for $700-750. Some turn their nose up to older gear, but the 85 1.4D is the original cream machine and still has some of the best bokeh on the block.
I have and love the 1.4D. I tried the 1.8G for a week and it did nothing for me, however it is real nice and sharp, just lacks any character. The 1.4D is my go to lens, it's near impossible to take a bad photo with it. It's also loaded with character, there's really something special about it. It's also very sharp wide open.
At one time or another, I had the 85/1.4D, 1.8D, 1.4G and now 1.8G. Back with the D models, the 1.4 was the way to go. It was a significant step up from the 1.8, i.e. much better bokeh. Now with the G, after having owned the 1.4 for a year, I tried the 1.8G (when it was on sale for $398), and it is 99% of the 1.4, at least in my use. So it was an easy call.
I have both and I prefer the 1.4G if I'm not in a studio setting. The bokeh that this creates is just magical. However, if I had to choose based on sharpeness alone, its a toss up.
JTS1 wrote:
I have the 85mm 1.4G after trading my 1.4D. I am extremely happy that I changed to the 'G' from 'D'. Much less hunting and creamy bokeh. Great lens.
Amazing how much variance there can be in lenses. Fast, accurate, no-fuss AF is one of the reasons the 1.4D is my go to.
mfletch wrote:
You can't really go wrong with any of the 85's. The best bang for the buck is the 85 1.8G and the Sigma 85 1.4. If you do the used market, nice copies of the older 85 1.4 AFD can be had sometimes for $700-750. Some turn their nose up to older gear, but the 85 1.4D is the original cream machine and still has some of the best bokeh on the block.
+1
Picked the 85 f/1.4 couple hours ago, it is mint the original original owner don't use it much as she prefer the 24-70. The lens is so sweet, very fast focus and sharp. I will get more time to play with it tomorrow.
This was a good move. If you own a 1.8, you seem to justify owning it. I know I did.
When I got both and used them for a few months, I thought to myself, 'Who am I kidding?'
The 1.4 is just plain old Budda.. It tastes like budda, spreads like budda. There is no replacement for this lens. This is the D version and not the newer one (N).. The newer one just feels cheap.
We've been having a conversation recently on the Manual Focus Nikon Glass thread about some of Nikon's classic old 85mm lenses. We're in the final days of a year long adventure, sending an 85 f/1.8 H.C. AI'd around the world for use by folks participating in conversation that is three months away from its third anniversary. If you're open to using MF glass as your comment about Zeiss suggests, you might want to take a look at the stellar 85 f/1.4 AI-s. It has a different optical formula than either the D or G versions, and, of course, has an aperture ring. It is a beautiful lens that performs very well. Just a thought...
And if you're interested in what we called the Great Nikon Lens Adventure you can check the WWW link at the bottom of my post. Go back to the beginning and you can follow the lens from its home in Sydney, Australia. Some fine photographers mounted that forty year old lens on their cameras.
recordproducti wrote:
I have one too but just can't get excited about it. I think I'm going to swap (with cash) for the 1.4.
I had the 1.8 and sold it before and now I have the 1.4 for less than a day. The built is much better and I can use all my 77mm filters, it is not much sharper but bokeh is much better. So far I'm happy...
