Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

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Archive 2010 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

ixdra
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p.1 #1 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

Full review at Lenstip:
http://www.lenstip.com/index.php?test=obiektywu&test_ob=264

Sep 07, 2010 at 12:37 PM

madbloks
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p.1 #2 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

Thanks for posting. I'd skip to the last page for the summary and, most importantly, example shots.

Sep 07, 2010 at 01:17 PM

LMT1972
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p.1 #3 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

Some serious vignetting on the D3x @ f1.4. Looks like they think the Samyang is better value though

Cheers
Leigh

Sep 07, 2010 at 01:49 PM

Jammy Straub
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p.1 #4 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

LMT1972 wrote:
Some serious vignetting on the D3x @ f1.4.

You're not kiddin. That is some pretty severe vignetting. Though for its intended purpose of portraiture, it's probably not going to be an issue. Especially since it's gone by f/4. Wide open it's just going to draw your eye into the frame, and if you're in a studio setting where the vignetting might be an issue you're probably shooting at f/4 or smaller anyways.

It's... a feature

Sep 07, 2010 at 02:07 PM

Rodolfo Paiz
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p.1 #5 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

The vignetting is worse than on other lenses (and it's something of which I was not aware on any of them... learn something every day around here), but the new Nikkor does show quite a few redeeming qualities. Reading the entire review adds some depth and is interesting.

Sep 07, 2010 at 02:30 PM

Bond
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p.1 #6 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

This is exactly what I was hoping to read:

"On the edge of the frame it gives us the level of sharpness unparalleled with any 85 mm device tested by us so far..."

I love my 85/1.4 AF-D, but 85mm is a focal length I really like to use for more than just portraits/shallow DoF. I hope to pick up this new one and sell my AF-D.

And if the 35/1.4 AF-S materializes, I may end up shooting with the new Nikon prime holy trinity.

Sep 07, 2010 at 04:10 PM

JHerr
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p.1 #7 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

Am I the only one happy with the vignetting?

Sep 07, 2010 at 05:40 PM

jim1154
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p.1 #8 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

I'd be curious to see the results with vignette control enabled at different settings

Sep 07, 2010 at 05:47 PM

OCphotography
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p.1 #9 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

JHerr wrote:
Am I the only one happy with the vignetting?

Nop, i love it too - and if its not there, ill make sure to add it myself

Sep 07, 2010 at 06:05 PM

Jammy Straub
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p.1 #10 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

I wouldn't say I'm happy with the vignetting, it does look good in certain situations. It is a lens flaw though, and a very noticable one in such an expensive lens. Having said that, I'd much rather live with vignetting and have great across the frame sharpness and low CA than the other alternatives. Pick your poison

I rather wonder if it's a result of Nikons narrow lens mount or they were already trying to keep the lens's size in check and it was a sacrifice.

Sep 07, 2010 at 06:17 PM

brett maxwell
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p.1 #11 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

I'm buying it for this reason alone: http://www.lenstip.com/264.9-Lens_review-Nikon_Nikkor_AF-S_85_mm_f_1.4G_Ghosting_and_flares.html

Sep 07, 2010 at 06:33 PM

Nick Nishizaka
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p.1 #12 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

I bought one myself. Should get here around Thu. Looking forward to it!

Sep 07, 2010 at 06:57 PM

MagicNikon
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p.1 #13 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

Jammy Straub wrote:

I rather wonder if it's a result of Nikons narrow lens mount or they were already trying to keep the lens's size in check and it was a sacrifice.

My guess is that if they'd managed to get the vignetting down, the front elements would be bigger, and everyone would be b*tching about the 82mm from filter thread.

Sep 07, 2010 at 06:58 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.1 #14 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

I haven't seen anything that suggests a dramatic jump above the AF-D, though there are a few things that are appealing. Reading across the various reviews and looking at samples, here's what I'm seeing:

A bit sharper wide open, esp. in the corners.

CA is a toss up.

Improved contrast at wider stops.

Better flare control.

More vignetting.

Better at distance, which makes it more versatile.

Bokeh? Hard to say. It's not a dramatic redesign, so there's probably not a huge difference.

AF -- probably a little faster and more accurate, though I've seen mixed reports about that, too.

A bit more color saturation (a benefit for general purpose use, though the relatively restrained, cool color palate of the AF-D is one of its exceptional qualities).

So, what does that mean? It seems to add up to an incremental improvement, but not a must-have. I still might have to swallow hard and get one, because it's my most used and most loved lens -- but it doesn't sound like any one characteristic is dramatically improved.

Once my local shop has them in, I'll definitely give it a try.

Sep 07, 2010 at 07:04 PM

JHerr
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p.1 #15 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

Someone needs to get both and set a camera on a tripod and do some tests.

Who wants to volunteer for science!

Sep 07, 2010 at 08:38 PM

Chris Dees
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p.1 #16 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

Smiert Spionam wrote:
I haven't seen anything that suggests a dramatic jump above the AF-D, ....

Did you expect a dramatic jump?
The AF-D has always been an outstanding lens.

When the price comes down I'm going to get one.

Sep 07, 2010 at 08:48 PM

Gregg B.
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p.1 #17 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

There's a dramatic jump... in price, said this observer.
Nikon 85 f/1.4 used to be around a thousand. Then, Nikon raised it to about $1200 or so.
This new one is about $1700 for now. (maybe it'll get cheaper in a year or two to about $1500 but "maybe" is a key word in this sentence).
So we have $1200 vs. $1700, which in my opinion is a dramatic jump.
Since the "D" version is now discontinued and lots of people is trying to sell it, it'll get even cheaper and the price difference higher.

Sep 07, 2010 at 09:00 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.1 #18 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

Chris Dees wrote:
Smiert Spionam wrote:
I haven't seen anything that suggests a dramatic jump above the AF-D, ....

Did you expect a dramatic jump?
The AF-D has always been an outstanding lens.

When the price comes down I'm going to get one.

No, I didn't necessarily expect a dramatic jump -- and I'm frankly relieved that they didn't do anything goofy to it (VR might have been nice, but a lot of people who understand these things better than I do have argued that VR in such a fast lens introduces problems of its own, including reduced overall optical quality and weird out-of-focus effects).

It's just that when all of the improvements are small and incremental, it's a little harder to justify. As I said, I might go for it -- but I'm also very happy with the AF-D.

One significant reason is that it would give me AF capability in a compact DX body, which I sometimes think about picking up for travel and extra telephoto reach.

Sep 07, 2010 at 09:26 PM

dj dunzie
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p.1 #19 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

I'm thinking the Zeiss looks pretty good at the price it is now...

If I was set on buying an 85 right now (I'm not, because I have the 100/f2 Zeiss and other lenses that cover this focal range for me) it'd come down to whether or not I needed AF in the lens. If so, I'd buy the Nikkor, if not, likely the Zeiss. On a budget that Samyang looks like ok bang for the buck. I think if I had the current AF-D, it'd be a real tough call whether it was worth it or not to sell and trade up to the AF-S... However, who am I kidding, if this was a critical lens for me, I'd do it. Horses for courses.

Sep 07, 2010 at 09:39 PM

subidiom
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p.1 #20 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

Smiert Spionam wrote:

One significant reason is that it would give me AF capability in a compact DX body, which I sometimes think about picking up for travel and extra telephoto reach.

Can you imagine the look of this thing on a D40? Wicked! I should have mine on Friday - very excited.

I've held off buying the 1.4D for almost two years in anticipation of this lens...just dumped my 1.8D for only $40 less than I paid for it 5 years ago!

Sep 07, 2010 at 09:46 PM

paulesko
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p.1 #21 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

I paid 650€ for my 85 1.4 af-d and I´m going to sell it ever. I see the g version is better in almost every thing. But there´s only one thing that disturbs me.

ED glasses should help with those axial CA so, why this lens doesn´t have any ED glass?

Sep 07, 2010 at 10:44 PM

Silenus
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p.1 #22 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

subidiom wrote:
Smiert Spionam wrote:

One significant reason is that it would give me AF capability in a compact DX body, which I sometimes think about picking up for travel and extra telephoto reach.

Can you imagine the look of this thing on a D40? Wicked! I should have mine on Friday - very excited.

I've held off buying the 1.4D for almost two years in anticipation of this lens...just dumped my 1.8D for only $40 less than I paid for it 5 years ago!

Here it is on a D3100....close enough to a D40.

I'd love one for my D40!

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Sep 08, 2010 at 12:37 AM

kinetic
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p.1 #23 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

OCphotography wrote:
JHerr wrote:
Am I the only one happy with the vignetting? :D

Nop, i love it too - and if its not there, ill make sure to add it myself :D

same! a little vignetting goes a long way =)

Sep 08, 2010 at 03:23 AM

Smiert Spionam
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p.1 #24 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

The key word being "little".

Most of the time, when I see over-processed shots with vignettes, I throw up a little in my mouth.

Sep 08, 2010 at 03:35 AM

dougjk
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p.1 #25 · Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G review

Silenus wrote:
subidiom wrote:
Smiert Spionam wrote:

One significant reason is that it would give me AF capability in a compact DX body, which I sometimes think about picking up for travel and extra telephoto reach.

Can you imagine the look of this thing on a D40? Wicked! I should have mine on Friday - very excited.

I've held off buying the 1.4D for almost two years in anticipation of this lens...just dumped my 1.8D for only $40 less than I paid for it 5 years ago!

Here it is on a D3100....close enough to a D40.

I'd love one for my D40!

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Is it just me, or does that look a lot like an over-inflated 50G?

Sep 08, 2010 at 05:30 AM


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