That said the 85 FOV is a better workhorse lens, more adaptable. I do not own the 85/1.8 S... yet but I will eventually. My logic is I will sell of my 85/1.4G and 85/1.8G for the 85/1.8 S.
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I would do so, and you might regret that you didn't do it sooner .
85 1.8S keeps me being amazed. I'm owning three 1.8S primes and the 85S is the best IMO. (Sony 85 1.8 FE that I had was a great lens for its price, and this Z lens is even better.)
That makes me think that Z 105 1.4S would be the best lens that Nikon ever made if it ever been released.
umsl12 wrote:
Everyone is different.... but for me, the difference between IQs of FX lenses and their equivalent Z lenses is neglectable compared with sizes between having FTZ and without FTZ adaptor. I sold the adaptor because I felt it's bulky. Not only enjoy IQ, I also enjoy the compactness and small form factor of mirrorless Z system.
Have I wanted excellent Nikon F lenses without any compromise, I would have stayed with Nikon FX DSLR and native FX lenses like 58 and 105 1.4 G. I don't see any reasons to buy Z cameras and FX lenses then use adaptor for them (especially when start from scratch), unless if I had a tons of good FX lenses that I didn't want to get risk of them.
I'm having Z 35S, 50S and 85S .... I'm waiting for Z 105 (or 135mm) 1.4 or 1.8S. Please make it, Nikon....Show more →
Well you are right, we are different. I see the Z lenses as a group sharper than their F mount counterparts but in some cases the rendering is not what I am looking for. The 85 is the exception for me and is the only Z lens that has gotten my attention. I understand the form factor point but am actually somewhat turned off by the smaller body unless I am using really small lenses which some of the Z's are not. I prefer the larger body as it fits my hand better. I find the smaller bodies somewhat fiddly in nature but the Zs are certainly better than the Sony's to be sure.The extra bulk does not bother me if I am getting stellar results. I am however very interested in the Z7 because of the extra resolution, in camera stabilization, better autofocus accuracy, some usable eye focus, future proofing. I will not be letting my D810 go as I love this camera and I love the idea of a hybrid system. One of Nikons strengths in my opinion.
But to your point, the idea of a smaller lens on a smaller body for candids is very compelling and is the single biggest reason why I will probably wind up with the 85 and the 105 when the time comes (later next year). I would not be surprised if the 85 will be the only Z lens I will ever own. I am very happy with the 35 Tamron 1.4, 58, 105 and 70-200E. No reason to sell any of these ever. The idea that I would trade in the 105 for the 85 is out which I suppose answers my question. There is enough difference here when you examine all of the factors to justify both. I love these forums as it helps work out some tough decisions.
Sauseschritt wrote:
I have trouble believing it when people have the newest and most expensive stuff and then they say "I will never need another piece of glas".
Much more likely is that they will buy the next thing whenever it comes out.
Yesterday I traded in my 85/1.4G and 85/1.8G and I now have the 85/1.8S and 105E also 50/1.8S and 58G. I view these lenses as a spectrum of rendering 50S and 85S modern sharp, fast AF, really nice rendering. The 105E and 58G are still unique in their feel and look in images and really the best in their class.
Sure if you are doing a lot of paid work the 85/1.8S makes for a superb workhorse as does the 50/1.8S. The other feature is videos both 50S and 85S are really quiet with fast responsive AF.
boxigen wrote:
Thanks for the comparison. How is the autofocus speed, especially acquisition speed? Which would be better for sports? Thanks.
105E is better because you can put it on a DSLR with full and dedicated AF phase detect. But I would get a 2.8/70-200 or the 4/200 PF or 2.8/300 for sport photography.
boxigen wrote:
Thanks for the comparison. How is the autofocus speed, especially acquisition speed? Which would be better for sports? Thanks.
In moderate light:
The Z7 + 85 f1.8S focuses quite a bit faster than the D850 + 105 f1.4E when both shot wide open. The Z7 + 85 f1.8S is a little faster than the Z7 + 105 f1.4E when both shot wide open. On the Z7 both at f4 and at f8, the 85 f1.8S is faster than the 105 f1.4E also. I have checked this before and it is the same now, the Z7 focuses faster with the 105 f1.4E than the D850 with the 105 f1.4E in all all lighting conditions, from *very* low light to bright light. I have also always stated that the D850 is not always the fastest focusing camera in all situations, the Z7 does a brilliant job with all my Z mount lenses and F mount lenses. Yes, in some situations it is a little slower than the D850, but in others it is faster. It depends on the lens and the situation.
The Z7 + 85 f1.8S focuses quite a bit faster than the D850 + 105 f1.4E when both shot wide open. The Z7 + 85 f1.8S is a little faster than the Z7 + 105 f1.4E when both shot wide open. On the Z7 both at f4 and at f8, the 85 f1.8S is faster than the 105 f1.4E also. I have checked this before and it is the same now, the Z7 focuses faster with the 105 f1.4E than the D850 with the 105 f1.4E in all all lighting conditions, from *very* low light to bright light. I have also always stated that the D850 is not always the fastest focusing camera in all situations, the Z7 does a brilliant job with all my Z mount lenses and F mount lenses. Yes, in some situations it is a little slower than the D850, but in others it is faster. It depends on the lens and the situation....Show more →
My experience in low light is that the Z7 AF is behind the D750 (and therefore, I assume, the D850). So I am a bit surprised to hear that the 105E focuses faster on the Z7 than on the D850. Maybe I'm experiencing AF accuracy problems on the Z7 rather than AF speed problems. And the AF must move a larger mass in the 105E, compared to the 85mm f/1.8 S. My experience with event photography in mediocre light tells me stay away from the Z system for moving subjects - I'm often using, for example, a Sigma 1.8/135 on the D750 for single speakers (at 1/160 to 1/400) and 85mm f/1.8 S on Z6/Z7 for a podium (at 1/60 to 1/125).
AcuteShadows wrote:
My experience in low light is that the Z7 AF is behind the D750 (and therefore, I assume, the D850). So I am a bit surprised to hear that the 105E focuses faster on the Z7 than on the D850. Maybe I'm experiencing AF accuracy problems on the Z7 rather than AF speed problems. And the AF must move a larger mass in the 105E, compared to the 85mm f/1.8 S. My experience with event photography in mediocre light tells me stay away from the Z system for moving subjects - I'm often using, for example, a Sigma 1.8/135 on the D750 for single speakers (at 1/160 to 1/400) and 85mm f/1.8 S on Z6/Z7 for a podium (at 1/60 to 1/125).
All I can say is I just tried it again and the Z7 with 105 was faster than the D850. At no point was it ever slower than the D850. It was done in a room with medium to low light. Also tested with normal portraiture not quick moving figures.
Maybe your Z AF settings are not optimal.
Lance B wrote:
All I can say is I just tried it again and the Z7 with 105 was faster than the D850. At no point was it ever slower than the D850. It was done in a room with medium to low light. Also tested with normal portraiture not quick moving figures.
Maybe your Z AF settings are not optimal.
My Sigma 1.8/135 is about 50% slower on the Z7 compared to the D750 with focus going from 1m to 5m and back. It can be up to 3 times slower with low contrast targets. Measured with single point AF-S. But it may well be that this is very different for every lens/camera combination.
AcuteShadows wrote:
My Sigma 1.8/135 is about 50% slower on the Z7 compared to the D750 with focus going from 1m to 5m and back. It can be up to 3 times slower with low contrast targets. Measured with single point AF-S. But it may well be that this is very different for every lens/camera combination.
That's probably got more to do with the Sigma lens on the Z7 rather than the Z7 with a Nikon lens. I would say that Sigma hasn't worked out the AF 100% or it just doesn't play well with the Z cameras.
Lance B wrote:
That's probably got more to do with the Sigma lens on the Z7 rather than the Z7 with a Nikon lens. I would say that Sigma hasn't worked out the AF 100% or it just doesn't play well with the Z cameras.
I get very similar results with the Nikon 1.8/85G. Faster than the Sigma 1.8/135 overall, and the D750 maybe 30% faster rather than 50%, with more consistent AF speed on both cameras, but especially on the Z7.
--> Correction: I stated above that the Z7 was 50% slower than the D750 with the Sigma 1.8/135. In fact, the time is about 50% longer, making the Z7 1/3 slower.
AcuteShadows wrote:
I get very similar results with the Nikon 1.8/85G. Faster than the Sigma 1.8/135 overall, and the D750 maybe 30% faster rather than 50%, with more consistent AF speed on both cameras, but especially on the Z7.
--> Correction: I stated above that the Z7 was 50% slower than the D750 with the Sigma 1.8/135. In fact, the time is about 50% longer, making the Z7 1/3 slower.
Well, I don't know what to make of your claims. All I can say is that the *my* Z7 + 85S is faster to AF than the Z7 + 105E, not a huge difference but it is noticeable. The Z7 + 105E is also faster than than the D850 + 105E and that is also noticeable.
Lance B wrote:
Well, I don't know what to make of your claims. All I can say is that the *my* Z7 + 85S is faster to AF than the Z7 + 105E, not a huge difference but it is noticeable. The Z7 + 105E is also faster than than the D850 + 105E and that is also noticeable.
Obviously, all the observations can depend of different factors (light, contrast, chosen distances etc.) So it might well be that my Z7 and D750 would show the same results as yours when operating a 105E.
I don't have the 85 S to compare with the 105 E. I tried other 85mm but I didn't gel to the focal. Either too tight or too short. I much prefer the 58mm focal, it's more versatile of a lens for me.
Yet I have been tempted by the 105 E. If Nikon had a modern fast 135mm I would have bought it for sure. I got the opportunity to buy a used 105 E for $1,200 (missing hood, rear cap, and a slight, barely visible rub on the front element).
I still love the 58mm but the 105 E is now my favorite. I don't know why the OP refers to it as sometimes soft. I would call the lens phenomenal. I try to use its widest setting as much as I can.
I use the lens with a D850 and more and more on a Z6 with the FTZ.
I found that focusing with area AF-S (both small and large field) is much faster than single point (not pinpoint) AF-S on the Z7. That may explain some or all of the differences between our observations.
Lance B wrote:
Well, I don't know what to make of your claims. All I can say is that the *my* Z7 + 85S is faster to AF than the Z7 + 105E, not a huge difference but it is noticeable. The Z7 + 105E is also faster than than the D850 + 105E and that is also noticeable.
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