p.1 #1 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
Today a few of my friends from class got together to shoot. I used my D700 along with the 24-70mm. I love that lens but I got a taste of the 85mm 1.4D. I used that lens for only one shot and I was blown away by the lens. The background was very creamy and nice.
I would LOVE to buy the 85mm f/1.4 but it cost 3 times more than the 1.8. I am thinking that since I have a FF camera, the 1.8 would be good enough right as for as making the bokeh of the background goes. I just want to through everything out in the background out of focus. Unfortuanty I was not able to test the lens at 1.8 to see if it would give me similar effects.
So if you have a FF Nikon and the 85mm f/1.8 please show me a portrait example of the bokeh.
p.1 #2 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
If you even have to ask yes you will regret it. Just buy it, life is too short and it's not like the glass is going to depreciate.
Btw if you ever ask should I buy "this lesser expensive lens or the more expensive better lens" everyone here on the boards will tell you the better one. We are a support group for NAS and we will make your decision fast and easy!
p.1 #4 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
I can only go off the reviews and shots I have seen online and in my opinion, I don't see a triple the price difference in the side-by-side comparisons between those two lenses. Call me a blasphemer, but I would say the 85 1.4 seems overhyped. I don't know that I will be getting an 85 in the future since it kind of overlaps my 70-200 that is currently serving me well in that range, but if I do, I would feel better about purchasing the 1.8 and then picking up some lighting equipment or any number of useful things with the money saved. I also do not shoot professionally, so YMMV.
p.1 #5 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
After today... I would never give my up 85/1.4. My work with it today clinched it forevermore for me. I love my 85/1.8, but having the 85/1.4 at your disposal can be huge.
I've also called the 85/1.4 a bit overhyped, particularly with regard to its sharpness. It is sharp, but not in the league of a Zeiss 35/2 or 105/2.8 VR. However, its special qualities lie elsewhere, and you will discover them if you buy it and use it a lot over time.
p.1 #7 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
if you have used the 1.4, you will regret it.
ALTHOUGH, the money saved + knowing that the 1.8D is still awesome = a pretty good feeling!
Sometimes i wish i had a 1.8D instead. I don't use the 1.4 nearly as much lately as i used to, and it sure is worth a lot to be sitting around.
p.1 #8 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
If you've got the cash lying around, then go for it. If you just want a fast portrait lens, and don't want to break the bank, get the 1.8. I don't earn a living from photography, so I can't justify owning a prime that is that price, just because of an improvement in bokeh, from rounded aperture blades, and better build quality. I'd rather have the 85 1.8D and put the change towards other lenses, like the 180 f2.8 AF-D that I've got coming to me in the mail
p.1 #9 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
The 1.8 is quite an impressive lens for the cost. It's sharpness is easily on par with the 1.4 version. It is primarily the bokeh of the 1.4 that lures you in. The 1.8 can't hold a candle when comparing the out of focus areas, and yes this is important. I have the 1.8 and am happy, but I WILL own the 1.4 one day soon.
My advice... If you're only going to use on a rare occasion, get the 1.8. If you plan on doing a lot of portraiture with it, by all means get the 1.4. But, consider that if you get the 1.4 you'll probably use it a lot more than planned.
p.1 #10 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
saelee wrote:
Today a few of my friends from class got together to shoot. I used my D700 along with the 24-70mm. I love that lens but I got a taste of the 85mm 1.4D. I used that lens for only one shot and I was blown away by the lens. The background was very creamy and nice.
I would LOVE to buy the 85mm f/1.4 but it cost 3 times more than the 1.8. I am thinking that since I have a FF camera, the 1.8 would be good enough right as for as making the bokeh of the background goes. I just want to through everything out in the background out of focus. Unfortuanty I was not able to test the lens at 1.8 to see if it would give me similar effects.
So if you have a FF Nikon and the 85mm f/1.8 please show me a portrait example of the bokeh....Show more →
Save your money and buy the 1.4 when you can afford it. The 1.8 looks pretty good, but the 1.4 has a magical quality about it... It's sharp enough wide open and the bokeh is so creamy and dreamy. It is Nikon's sub-100mm cream machine.
p.1 #12 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
I recently sold my 1.8 so I could buy the 1.4 and I can state categorically that if you have room in your budget by all means go for the 1.4. You will simply not be disappointed. The 1.8 is a damn fine lens, but the 1.4 will find a way to remain glued to your camera.
p.1 #14 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
I think that if you buy the 85/1.8 AF-D, you'll always wonder "what might have been" with the 85/1.4... That said, I never once regretted owning the 85/1.8 AF-D. It always helped me take beautiful pictures, and on my D2H, it was one of my most used lenses.
The 85/1.4 AF-D is legendary for its bokeh, but you will pay quite a premium for that luxury. If you can't afford the 85/1.4, the 85/1.8 is superb... it's just that the 85/1.4 is better than superb.
With the 85/1.4, you can always buy it, try it, and sell it for what you paid for it if you decide that it's overpriced.
p.1 #15 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
jasoncallen wrote:
I think that if you buy the 85/1.8 AF-D, you'll always wonder "what might have been" with the 85/1.4... That said, I never once regretted owning the 85/1.8 AF-D. It always helped me take beautiful pictures, and on my D2H, it was one of my most used lenses.
The 85/1.4 AF-D is legendary for its bokeh, but you will pay quite a premium for that luxury. If you can't afford the 85/1.4, the 85/1.8 is superb... it's just that the 85/1.4 is better than superb.
With the 85/1.4, you can always buy it, try it, and sell it for what you paid for it if you decide that it's overpriced....Show more →
^^+1
OP: You know, I'd always advise someone against trying a piece of equipment that they can't afford... And with the 85/1.4, that's especially true.
p.1 #16 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
If you're a pro, get the 1.4.
If you have an unlimited (or very high dollar) budget, get the 1.4.
If you don't have NAS and/or this is THE lens you need for your shooting style, get the 1.4.
For most amateurs, like myself, there are only so many $$ we can spend on lenses, bodies, tripods, lighting, etc. So we have to prioritize our purchases. For those people (including me), the 1.8 starts to make a lot of sense.
I'd rather have the 1.4, but I've been very happy with my 1.8. And the $$ saved paid for a 180mm f/2.8 (like another poster above).
p.1 #17 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
I just want to add one more thing. Will you regret buying the 1.8D? No. Will you wonder what it would be like to own the 1.4? Sure. It's just a case of whether you can justify dropping that kind of cash on the 1.4. I sometimes think the bokeh can look a bit busy in some situations, but does it bother me to the point where I'd wish I'd spent three times what I paid for the 1.8, on the 1.4? Not a chance.
p.1 #18 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
saelee wrote:
Today a few of my friends from class got together to shoot. I used my D700 along with the 24-70mm. I love that lens but I got a taste of the 85mm 1.4D. I used that lens for only one shot and I was blown away by the lens. The background was very creamy and nice.
I would LOVE to buy the 85mm f/1.4 but it cost 3 times more than the 1.8. I am thinking that since I have a FF camera, the 1.8 would be good enough right as for as making the bokeh of the background goes. I just want to through everything out in the background out of focus. Unfortuanty I was not able to test the lens at 1.8 to see if it would give me similar effects.
So if you have a FF Nikon and the 85mm f/1.8 please show me a portrait example of the bokeh....Show more →
from what i've read in forums, most people who buy the 85/1.8 will end up buying the 85/1.4. so if you think the 85 is a lens you'll use alot then go for the best, the 1.4.
p.1 #20 · Would I regret buying the 85mm 1.8D instead of the 1.4?
The only thing that sucks about the 1.4 is the focus speed. It's nothing like as quick to AF as the 1.8. Not a big deal for most use, but it's my only regret from selling the 1.8 and buying the 1.4 - makes shooting indoor sports more difficult despite the wider aperture.
