I am looking to purchase a portrait lens and am stuck deciding between these two (Sigma 105mm 1.4 vs Nikon 85mm 1.4 G). Focal length and weight difference is no problem...I'm just interested in overall quality of the photo. Does anyone have experience with both that could lend a suggestion?
I use a Nikon 1.4 85mm AF D alongside aSigma 1.4 105mm DG Art
Skipped the Nikon 1.4 85m G, didn't see any real advantage in upgrading at the time of its introduction as for all intent and purposes the built in focus motor and Nanon coating didn't really add something extra / make a huge difference for my style of photography. This also wasn't apparent in the online comparisons eg https://myimagez.com/blog/2015/6/nikon_85mm_review
I find the biggest difference between the Nikon AF D and the Sigma Art when used wide open.
The Sigma has the typical 'clinical' sharpness and contrast modern lenses like other Sigma Art and Sony GM lenses (to name a view the results I've seen first hand from) https://a4.pbase.com/g12/20/670620/2/169216750.iWSwjHzE.jpg
( Z6 Sigma 1.4 105mm DG Art 1/4000s f/1.4 iso320)
The Nikon on the other hand is much more 'old school' with a softer, more gradual contrast and less bitingly sharp (even when stopped down a tiny little bit) , and yes, with in certain situations (bright background) risk of purple firnging (which of course can easiy be fixed in Nikon Capture (no doubt other software as well, but not experience wiht that) https://a4.pbase.com/g13/20/670620/2/145046621.fbda2980.JPEG
(D800 1.4 85.0mm AF D 1/500s f/1.6 iso250
Stopped down any differnce (apart from angle of view, obviously due to the difference in focal length) becomes much less evident
From a practical PoV though, the Ssigma is a big and heavy beast, especially on an ungripped Z body. The Nikon despite its also pretty big size (compared to a eg a 'classic' 2. /5 105mm Ai) fares much better in that respect, but of course unfortubately loses its AF on that type of camera (but manual focusing goes a lot easier with the much better implemented Focus Peaking on the Z6 compared to eg the D850 - although why use that on a D850 as the AF D can AF on that body - )
Well, this is the opposite of what you were looking for I realize. I heard (but don't know firsthand) that the Nikon 85mm f1.4G was not sharp wide open and has chromatic aberration issues. I ended up buying the Sigma 85mm 1.4 before then buying the Nikon 105mm f1.4E. I love both. The Nikon 105 weighs less than the Sigma version. Some say the Sigma is sharper but I find the Nikon more than sharp enough for my use. The Sigma 85mm f1.4 is heavy, but I can't part with it.
I own the 85mm 1.4G.
I don't own the Sigma 105 1.4 but I do own the Nikon 105mm 1.4 E (and the F2 DC and the 2.5 Ai-S).
Based on your stated criteria I'd figure the Sigma is the better choice; if you have a DSLR body you might have to fine tune the combo and/or be ready to handhold or tripod/monopod the lens for longer sessions.
The 85/1.4G certainly has its detractors, but I always thought it has wonderful character and liked it a lot. I say this having owned a couple of 200/2.0s and the 105/1.4E. I can't speak for the Sigma, aside from to say that the several Art-series lenses I've shot have been nice pieces of glass, if a little sterile.
C
NIKON D81085.0 mm f/1.4 lens85mmf/1.41/2500s64 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON D81085.0 mm f/1.4 lens85mmf/1.41/4000s64 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON D70085.0 mm f/1.4 lens85mmf/1.41/100s6400 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON D70085.0 mm f/1.4 lens85mmf/1.41/160s800 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON D81085.0 mm f/1.4 lens85mmf/1.61/2500s64 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON D81085.0 mm f/1.4 lens85mmf/1.61/2500s64 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON D70085.0 mm f/1.4 lens85mmf/1.41/60s200 ISO0.0 EV
Chris Court wrote:
The 85/1.4 certainly has its detractors, but I always liked it a lot. I say this having owned and shot a couple of 200/2.0s and the 105/1.4E. Can't really speak for the Sigma, aside from to say that the several Art-series versions I've shot have been nice pieces of glass.
I own the 105ART, I had the same mindset about not caring about the size. I shoot headshots and family/ HS Hr. Portraits, for headshots the 105 is MONEY. It paid for itself in the first year. For shoots that requires bringing a decent amount of gear with you, the size/weight DOES show up. I carry the 105 and a 70-200 2.8 on a shoot, that’s 7lbs just between them. I also have a 40mm Sigma which is 2.5lbs.
The more shoots I am doing the more I am “annoyed” at the size/weight as I shoot the Canon R6 so I don’t have the option of the Nikon 105mm size lens. I am not an 85mm fan, it’s “unoriginal” to me, I love 105/135 for outdoor shots. I picked up a RF100mm 2.8 macro so I could use that for an outdoor lens that was lighter, i can carry the 40mm/100mm for a much lighter rig. I am considering selling the 105 to fund the RF135.
For context, I am 6’4 275lb active guy so I am not a small man who can’t handle the size. I will say adding the battery grip to the R6 has really helped balance the weight but “she is a big girl !!”
My 2cts, save more money and get the Nikon 105 instead.
ronwilder wrote:
I am looking to purchase a portrait lens and am stuck deciding between these two (Sigma 105mm 1.4 vs Nikon 85mm 1.4 G). Focal length and weight difference is no problem...I'm just interested in overall quality of the photo. Does anyone have experience with both that could lend a suggestion?
I have owned the 85mm 1.4D and own the Art 105mm 1.4. The Nikon 85mm 1.4's are great but I'd much rather have the Sigma 105mm 1.4. The resolution, contrast, and lack of aberrations is the standard by which other portrait lenses are judged. The clarity and realism of portraits taken in the studio and printed large are downright stunning with the Art 105mm 1.4.
Are you looking at F mount only?
One option would be to wait for 85/1.2S if you are using Nikon mirrorless.
I look at 85/1.4G in the past but decided to go with Nikon 105/1.4E instead. If there is ever
a support for AF-D lens for autofocus on Z bodies, I would be very interested in 85/1.4 AF-D.
I have quite a few Sigma Art glasses but not the 105/1.4. However, I think there is a common trend among all the Art lenses. Great sharpness and contrast, bokeh is good for F1.4 but not outstanding.
Nikon F1.8 lines behave a bit more like Art line but the F1.4 lines have a different priority.
If the 50/1.2S is anything to judge by for F1.2 line, I think it has the best of both world, sharpness and rendition (at the cost of size and weight unfortunately).
