The 85/1.4G is one of the smallest/lightest 85/1.4mm out there and reviews have compared similar to the Sony GM 85/1.4. I prefer the look of the 105E but for compact to go setup the 85/1.4G is superb.
Generally 85mm are relegated to portraits so the rendering and style is different and personally I love the 85/1.4G My wife uses the 85/1.8G with her D750.
The 85mm 1.4 G has more utility IMO, but I do shoot a lot of indoor portraits where it's perfect. I'm very interested in the Nikon Z 85mm 1.8S. I'd really be interested in the 50mm 1.2 too.
johnld wrote:
The 85mm 1.4 G has more utility IMO, but I do shoot a lot of indoor portraits where it's perfect. I'm very interested in the Nikon Z 85mm 1.8S. I'd really be interested in the 50mm 1.2 too.
The error we make as photographers is that we are discussing marginal improvements in IQ and so often the 85/1.4G is a great choice In the used market the 85/1.4G is often very cheap and great value. Do we want to handle a lens twice the size and weight and honestly the best images are related to composition and lighting and minor nuances in lenses. My 85/1.4G is firmly planted within my bag when I am doing portraits
ajamils wrote:
Has anyone tried 85/1.4 on Z camera? If so, how does it perform? Also, compared to the 1.8 version is it really worth the cost for non-pro shooter?
I shot a TON of images with 85/1.4 on a Z6 this past weekend, and am super pleased with it. I know people say the 105/1.4 E is super sharp, but I have no qualms about the 85/1.4 G's sharpness.
I had (still have an 85/1.8 G, yet to sell it but let me know if you're interested). It too worked very well on the Z6. But there was just something that drew me towards to the 85/1.4 G since I already have the 58/1.4 G.
Though now that I have picked up 105/1.4 I'm not sure if I'll be getting 85/1.4.
ijm5012 wrote:
I shot a TON of images with 85/1.4 on a Z6 this past weekend, and am super pleased with it. I know people say the 105/1.4 E is super sharp, but I have no qualms about the 85/1.4 G's sharpness.
I had (still have an 85/1.8 G, yet to sell it but let me know if you're interested). It too worked very well on the Z6. But there was just something that drew me towards to the 85/1.4 G since I already have the 58/1.4 G.
Though now that I have picked up 105/1.4 I'm not sure if I'll be getting 85/1.4.
That's understandable. I couldn't justify owning both lenses. While the 105 is the better lens optically, the 85/1.4 struck a number of key factors for me. It was smaller and lighter than the 105, takes 77mm vs 82mm filters, and I managed to pick mine up for about $700 less than the going rate for a used 105mm.
I don't think you can go wrong either way, as both are fantastic portrait lenses (and when it comes to the 85/1.4, there isn't another fast 85 out there that comes close to the size and weight of Nikon's 85/1.4 G).
ijm5012 wrote:
That's understandable. I couldn't justify owning both lenses. While the 105 is the better lens optically, the 85/1.4 struck a number of key factors for me. It was smaller and lighter than the 105, takes 77mm vs 82mm filters, and I managed to pick mine up for about $700 less than the going rate for a used 105mm.
I don't think you can go wrong either way, as both are fantastic portrait lenses (and when it comes to the 85/1.4, there isn't another fast 85 out there that comes close to the size and weight of Nikon's 85/1.4 G).
Totally agree! It is smallest/lightest 85/1.4 lens out there now and if you look there are some great used deals.
Excited to put it through its paces on some upcoming shoots. I find that I almost never use the 85 f1.8G nowadays as I don't like the color output compared to the 105E for example.
@charles.k mentioning it compares favorably against the GM 85 f1.4 pushed me over the edge
sungphoto wrote:
Decided to swap out my f1.8G for the f1.4G
Excited to put it through its paces on some upcoming shoots. I find that I almost never use the 85 f1.8G nowadays as I don't like the color output compared to the 105E for example.
@charles.k@ mentioning it compares favorably against the GM 85 f1.4 pushed me over the edge
Congrats !! The 85/1.4G is still a great portrait lens but it was eclipsed with the 105E. I have always preferred the compression with the 105 FOV but the 85/1.4G is great for indoors or limited space.
charles.K wrote:
Congrats !! The 85/1.4G is still a great portrait lens but it was eclipsed with the 105E. I have always preferred the compression with the 105 FOV but the 85/1.4G is great for indoors or limited space.
Yep, passionated 105e lens. When I need such an amazing effect, I take my chubby boy out and enjoy suffering its burden.
sungphoto wrote:
Decided to swap out my f1.8G for the f1.4G
Excited to put it through its paces on some upcoming shoots. I find that I almost never use the 85 f1.8G nowadays as I don't like the color output compared to the 105E for example.
@charles.k@ mentioning it compares favorably against the GM 85 f1.4 pushed me over the edge
Same thing happened to me but it was the 105 DC that made me not reach for the 1.8 and upgrade to the 1.4.
They have enough of a different look to keep both.
Had a chance to use the 85 f1.4G on a client shoot yesterday, and was really happy with it! I had my 105 f1.4E in reserve just in case, but never felt the need to grab it. Will post up some pics once I get a chance to do some processing.
In comparison with the 85 f1.8G, this is a great example of where MTF charts and test chart photos only tell a fraction of the story. Biggest difference is in color output - the 85 f1.4G produces in my opinion a bit nicer skintone, and richer colors, especially in very high contrast situations with harsh sunlight (which was the conditions I was shooting in yesterday). Due to the additional corrective elements and other technical mumbo jumbo that I am not qualified to speak about, the 1.4G has MUCH better resistance to flare and loss of contrast in backlit conditions - which was an area that the f1.8G has not performed as well in my usage. This directly affects things like color and saturation in those conditions - which is likely why I'm finding the colors have a bit more "oomph". Also out of focus rendering is buttery smooth at f1.4, and retains a really nice soft look as you stop it down. I found it quite sharp wide open - which is interesting considering how much various "professional reviewers" put down the sharpness of this lens.
I was pondering keeping the 1.8G, but seeing how well the 1.4G performs with the type of shooting I do, I don't think it makes sense to keep both. Very glad I tried out the 1.4G and recommend it - has a bit of the look of the Sony GM 85 f1.4 as @charles.k had noted, and I think the size is just about perfect and not much larger than the 1.8G. The 1.4G also feels better built and less plasticky in hand than the 1.8G
sungphoto wrote:
Had a chance to use the 85 f1.4G on a client shoot yesterday, and was really happy with it! I had my 105 f1.4E in reserve just in case, but never felt the need to grab it. Will post up some pics once I get a chance to do some processing.
In comparison with the 85 f1.8G, this is a great example of where MTF charts and test chart photos only tell a fraction of the story. Biggest difference is in color output - the 85 f1.4G produces in my opinion a bit nicer skintone, and richer colors, especially in very high contrast situations with harsh sunlight (which was the conditions I was shooting in yesterday). Due to the additional corrective elements and other technical mumbo jumbo that I am not qualified to speak about, the 1.4G has MUCH better resistance to flare and loss of contrast in backlit conditions - which was an area that the f1.8G has not performed as well in my usage. This directly affects things like color and saturation in those conditions - which is likely why I'm finding the colors have a bit more "oomph". Also out of focus rendering is buttery smooth at f1.4, and retains a really nice soft look as you stop it down. I found it quite sharp wide open - which is interesting considering how much various "professional reviewers" put down the sharpness of this lens.
I was pondering keeping the 1.8G, but seeing how well the 1.4G performs with the type of shooting I do, I don't think it makes sense to keep both. Very glad I tried out the 1.4G and recommend it - has a bit of the look of the Sony GM 85 f1.4 as @charles.k@ had noted, and I think the size is just about perfect and not much larger than the 1.8G. The 1.4G also feels better built and less plasticky in hand than the 1.8G...Show more →
I do feel there are many reviewers that test lenses rarely take the time look beyond MTF curves and seriously evaluate the look, render, color and how it responds under different lighting. Many recent sharp lenses do not always translate into a great lenses for portraits and people. I find Nasim from Photography Life often parallels my views as he tests the lenses and then compares how it performs in real usage.
It compares the older 85/1.4D, 85/1.4G, 85/1.8G and 105E. It interesting to note that the 85/1.4G is sharper in the centre than the 85/1.8G @ f/1.8 which is not often mentioned. Then of course the 105E is superb
charles.K wrote:
I do feel there are many reviewers that test lenses rarely take the time look beyond MTF curves and seriously evaluate the look, render, color and how it responds under different lighting. Many recent sharp lenses do not always translate into a great lenses for portraits and people. I find Nasim from Photography Life often parallels my views as he tests the lenses and then compares how it performs in real usage.
It compares the older 85/1.4D, 85/1.4G, 85/1.8G and 105E. It interesting to note that the 85/1.4G is sharper in the centre than the 85/1.8G @ f/1.8 which is not often mentioned. Then of course the 105E is superb ...Show more →
I have Nasim’s 85 1.4g right now. I admire his work as well.
Cheers
charles.K wrote:
I do feel there are many reviewers that test lenses rarely take the time look beyond MTF curves and seriously evaluate the look, render, color and how it responds under different lighting. Many recent sharp lenses do not always translate into a great lenses for portraits and people. I find Nasim from Photography Life often parallels my views as he tests the lenses and then compares how it performs in real usage.
It compares the older 85/1.4D, 85/1.4G, 85/1.8G and 105E. It interesting to note that the 85/1.4G is sharper in the centre than the 85/1.8G @ f/1.8 which is not often mentioned. Then of course the 105E is superb ...Show more →
My wife uses the 85/1.8G with her D750.
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