Archive 2012 · 85mm f/1.8 - Canon EF or Nikon F/HC

kakomu
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 85mm f/1.8 - Canon EF or Nikon F/HC

I had asked earlier about the Nikon 85mm lenses and their performance. It seems that the general consensus is that the older 85mm f/1.8 (K and H/HC) lenses are superior to the newer 85 f/2 (Ai and AI-S) versions.

I recently sold my 100mm f/2.8 lens with the intention of buying either an f/2.8 zoom or a faster lens in the 85-100mm area and I've been weighing my options.

That being said, between a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 and the older Nikon 85mm f/1.8 manual focus lenses, which do you believe would be a better buy in terms of performance?

P.S. - I had already owned the Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 and I really didn't care much for the performance from the lens on a 60D. I have no intention of getting another.

Feb 13, 2012 at 02:19 PM

Gunzorro
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 85mm f/1.8 - Canon EF or Nikon F/HC

The Canon 85/1.8's IQ is favorably compared to the 85L, so I think that's a no-brainer. Plus, you get AF.

Feb 13, 2012 at 02:39 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 85mm f/1.8 - Canon EF or Nikon F/HC

I doubt the optical differences are worth quibbling about much one way or another. The biggest question is whether you want a fully manual lens, or AF and auto aperture. For most people, when you have a good quality native mount option like the EF, the modern lens will be more useful. If you plan to use it on a mirrorless or other system where you won't be able to take advantage of the mod cons, the older lens will be a lot more comfortable and satisfying to shoot.

Feb 13, 2012 at 03:14 PM

mawz
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 85mm f/1.8 - Canon EF or Nikon F/HC

On a 60D? Get the EF, you'll want the AF. On something with a better viewfinder my choice would be the Nikkor, I like its performance better.

Feb 13, 2012 at 03:47 PM

pingflood
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 85mm f/1.8 - Canon EF or Nikon F/HC

I really do not see the point in finding an "alt" to the EF 85/1.8 if you are shooting Canon. It's a flat out excellent lens with beautiful image quality. While primes in other focal lengths tend to be either blah or very expensive in EF mount land, the 85 is a nice exception.

Feb 13, 2012 at 03:58 PM

kakomu
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 85mm f/1.8 - Canon EF or Nikon F/HC

mawz wrote:
On a 60D? Get the EF, you'll want the AF. On something with a better viewfinder my choice would be the Nikkor, I like its performance better.

The viewfinder on the 60D is just fine. I'm saying this as someone who has used a 5D for a while as well.

Feb 13, 2012 at 04:34 PM


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