TooManyShots wrote:
For the Z9, do you need to update to the latest firmware 3.10 to use the 85 f1.2? I don't like the 3.10 version because my keeper rate went down a lot shooting with my 70-200 f2.8s. I am still using the 3.01 version.
Sadly 3.10 adds some support for the 85/1.2 but I'd try it with the older FW because 3.10 has introduced a problem with front focusing which is worse with the 85/1.2
PeteStewardson wrote:
Sadly 3.10 adds some support for the 85/1.2 but I'd try it with the older FW because 3.10 has introduced a problem with front focusing which is worse with the 85/1.2
this is the first time i've come across this front-focus issue with the new FW. have you conducted controlled tests to make this repeatable? i personally haven't come across any major issues since 3.0 and in fact for me the low light/contrast eye AF accuracy has improved dramatically.
dalegaspi wrote:
this is the first time i've come across this front-focus issue with the new FW. have you conducted controlled tests to make this repeatable? i personally haven't come across any major issues since 3.0 and in fact for me the low light/contrast eye AF accuracy has improved dramatically.
For me on my 70-200 f2.8s with FW 3.10, the lens would focus the background in a 8 burst shot sequence. IE...in a sprint finish of a bike race the lens/z9 would decide to focus the background instead as the winner crossing the finish line..literally the wheel is on the line. After 2 out of focus shots, the lens/z9 would resume tracking the subject again.
Then, there is this slight back focusing shooting at f2.8 in a sequence of shots. I don't get any of that with FW 3.01. If I need FW 3.10 to use the 85 f1.2s, I may just wait a while.... My money shots are from my 70-200...
dalegaspi wrote:
this is the first time i've come across this front-focus issue with the new FW. have you conducted controlled tests to make this repeatable? i personally haven't come across any major issues since 3.0 and in fact for me the low light/contrast eye AF accuracy has improved dramatically.
I have been told it's an issue with 3D tracking and subject detection, and seems to be more prevalent with animals. I've not conducted controlled tests as it's plainly a problem. The focus point is on the eye of a dog, fox, or similar animal, but the focus plane is on the nose. Happens more frequently than not. It gets far more noticeable the shallower the DoF. I've seen it when using Wide-L but I'm told Nikon are aware there is a bug with 3D tracking for this exact issue with V3.1
All shot wide opened.
I wish I could ask the chef to remove the brass dome thing in front away but did not want to disturb
him while he was cooking (my meal, no less ) All shot wide opened.
I don't post people portraits on the web as a general rule so, my shots using this brilliant lens are more mundane shots. Only had it for a few days and getting used to the abilities of the lens and how it behaves and these are just to see how it goes with a variety of subjects. Looking at bokeh, wide open sharpness at a few distances, colour, contrast etc. It is very similar to the 50 f1.2S but I think a step up in overall IQ if that is even possible!
I bought the Z8 specifically to go with this lens and the upcoming 135/1.8. I just got the Z8 yesterday & haven’t had time to shoot with it yet, but here’s how the 85/1.2 looks on the Z8. Pretty sexy I’d say.
With Z8, f8, 10s, iso 64. I am actually a bit surprise. I think of the G lenses (F mount) and Z lenses that I own, 85/1.2S probably has the best sunstar so far. May be not as good as some of the older lenses that I have like Zeiss 120/4 Makro-Planar CF but better than what I get from the usual modern Nikon glasses I think.
TooManyShots wrote:
Want to comment that 85mm isn't long enough for road cycling. Forcing you to frame closer and later..that means AF speed is extremely crucial shooting subjects at speed and at a closer distance. But great for mountain biking or shooting in the woods like trail runs because you have limited space and the subjects move a lot slower. Even with the 85 f1.8s, the keeper rate shooting cyclists at speed isn't as good as a 70-200 f2.8s. Try some running events if you have the chance...
I see where you're coming from, but I think your experience is more to do with the 85mm 1.8s than anything. That lens couldn't even keep up with runners. I've shot a lot of cycling with a 50 (a1 with the 50mm GM), even head on. It depends on whether the camera, and I think more importantly the lenses AF ability, can pull it off. The AF is fast enough on the 85mm 1.2 lens. The 85mm 1.8s no way.
) All shot wide opened. 
