Hi all - I’m looking for an 85 mm lens for my ZF and Z6III. The intended use is with family portraits and I’m looking for something with an f/1.4 or wider aperture so that I can get full body portraits with beautiful out of focus background rendering.
I am open to a Z mount, Sony e mount, or F mount (with FTZ). The priorities for the lens are beautiful rendering and at least pretty good sharpness wide open.
I’m hoping to keep the price under $1k used, so the Nikon Z 85/1.2 is out (although I’d love that lens).
105 1.4E should be in your consideration set. 85 1.4G is a bit too soft wide open for my taste without noticeable CA. The 85 1.8 S is pretty good too. I loved shooting with the 85 1.2 S but it’s just too much money now for an occasional use lens for me. I’ll probably change out my 85 1.8 S with a 105 2.4E
sungphoto wrote:
105 1.4E should be in your consideration set.
I will support the Nikon 105 /1.4 version. A lens with a recognizable image, which is rare nowadays, is an excellent balance of charisma and technical quality.
If you want a native lens, I'd recommend checking out the new Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro for Z-mount.
It's not a lightweight lens, though, at 800g, its dimensions are comparable to a Sony 85/1.4 GM.
An alternative could be the Sirui 85/1.4 Z.
Lighter and more compact, optically and in terms of AF not quite on the level of the Viltrox with more flaws, especially in the area of flare resistance, but receives a lot of praise for the bokeh.
If you have the budget for an AF-S 105/1.4E, it would undoubtedly be a strong recommendation.
It's certainly still a special lens in terms of rendering magic.
However, a used one in good condition isn't cheap, and even without the FTZ, it weighs about as much as a Nikkor Z 135/1.8 S Plena, so almost 1 kg.
With the FTZ, its dimensions are also very comparable to a Plena, only more front-heavy, without achieving the Plena's weight distribution balance.
This should be taken into consideration with lenses of this weight and size (especially when used with an FTZ).
Generally, it's not a problem for targeted portrait sessions, location photography, or event photography, where I don't have to lug my gear case far, but it's a completely different story if you're carrying such a hefty lens around all day.
I love the 85mm focal length, and don't yet have it in Z. My research suggests it's really down to two choices, the Nikon 85 1.2S - if money is no object and you don't mind carrying a cannon; or the Viltrox 1.4 Pro for a budget alternative.
I've seen and heard great things about the Sigma Art 85 in F-mount. I don't own it myself, as I have the Nikon 85/1.4 G and I really like it as a character lens. I agree with the people who say the Nikon is a bit soft at f1.4. I typically shoot the thing between f1.4 and f2.8 and apply sharpening while editing. What I like about my software sharpening is it mitigates the softness while preserving the lens character.
I do not own either the ZF or the Z6III that you are planning to pair with the prospective lens.
I love 85mm focal length and I have a few, a very old PreAi f1.8 version I inherited from my dad, surprising how it still performs, a Contax Planar 85/1.4 which is another stunning performer, got an 85/1.8G a few years back and it was the best value for money on that focal length, got and still have an use the 85/1.4D and it is an amazing lens with a few drawbacks which are easily forbid once you see the results but none of them is an option on a Z body, AF at those apertures, FOR ME, is mandatory, I got the 85/1.2S and it is one damn huge (and expensive) piece of glass but oh boy, the rendering is amazing, AF speed is unbelievable... I shoot a friend's wedding with the Z6II coupled with 24-120S and when the Sun set I switched to the Z8 and 85/1.2S, shot until 2am with no strobe and very dim lights and it didn't miss one shot, rendering is out of question but as an amateur I had a very hard time justifying that lens.
I would love a cheaper and smaller 85 for my Z bodies but either adapt an 85/1.4G which is nothing to scream home about, get the f1.8S version which seems to do very well and if it does as good as the 50/1.8S does it sure is a performer or, as suggested, 105E on FTZ and there you go and I wish I could fine one of those in the 800-900 range, I'd jump onto it.
I sold my Nikon 85mm f/1.2 S as it was just too unwieldy and not used enough given that I also have the Nikon 135 f/2 Plena. I just received the Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 for Z mount, and although it weighs around 800 grams, it feels really nice on the Z8 and much smaller than the f/1.2 lens. The build rivals any first party lens with excellent image quality with a nice balance of sharpness and out of focus areas/bokeh. It is by far the best value option out there if that is of any concern. While the 85 f/1.8 S is also an excellent lens, I would greatly prefer the f/1.4 option.
I also love the 105/1.4E. As others have said it is not a petite lens especially with the FTZ, and its balance is much better on an F mount body than the Zs.
However, despite enthusiastically trying to find a Z native lens to replace it multiple times I’ve never succeeded. The new lenses are definitely sharper but they don’t have the look. I don’t even use it wide open; I like it a lot at f/1.8
Thanks all. For the price, it seems like the Viltrox might be the option for me (at least to start with). I am intrigued by the 105/1.4, but think an 85 would be more versatile for me.
Any reviews on the Viltrox 85/1.4 version for Nikon out there yet? Or maybe it doesn't matter since it's likely the same as the Sony version.
I *really* wish that Nikon had S-level 1.4 lenses. I'm generally not interested in the 1.2s due to cost and size/weight, and the 1.8s (as good as they are) are too slow for what I want.
The 105 definitely feels much tighter than an 85 if you’re working inside. Outside it’s just a couple extra steps. I tend to be mostly outside so it’s not a big deal for me but when I sold my 85/1.4G for the 105 I did find myself missing the shorter length on the occasions I’m indoors. I mostly shoot at 50mm indoors now as a consequence.
weezintrumpete wrote:
Thanks all. For the price, it seems like the Viltrox might be the option for me (at least to start with). I am intrigued by the 105/1.4, but think an 85 would be more versatile for me.
Any reviews on the Viltrox 85/1.4 version for Nikon out there yet? Or maybe it doesn't matter since it's likely the same as the Sony version.
I *really* wish that Nikon had S-level 1.4 lenses. I'm generally not interested in the 1.2s due to cost and size/weight, and the 1.8s (as good as they are) are too slow for what I want.
