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Nikon 85mm AF-S NIKKOR f/1.8G
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Review Date: Nov 28, 2020
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Cheap, light, very good IQ
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Cons:
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Build quality
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Very sharp at f/1.8.
Small, light, cheap.
AF is fast enough.
Dollar for dollar and ounce for ounce, I don't think you can beat this for a portrait lens.
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Nikon 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S VR
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Review Date: Nov 28, 2020
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,000.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Insanely sharp, good VR, beautiful rendering.
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Cons:
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Big and Heavy [I know, but it is.]
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I bought mine from my wedding shooter buddy, because he 'had' to sell it, made me an offer I couldn't refuse, and of course he still gets to borrow it back 
Even VR-I works pretty well.
Snappy, accurate focusing (D750 and D850) even in low stage lighting.
You know how some lenses just have the magic? This is one of those.
The images this thing turns out are simply amazing.
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Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM "A"
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Review Date: Apr 23, 2018
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $575.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Sharp
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Cons:
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Considerably bigger and heaver than the Nikon 50 f/1.4
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So this Sigma Art is somewhat unique in that it actually costs (significantly) more than the Nikon counterpart.
It is MUCH sharper though.
Like the 35 I also have, it required significant adjustment on the dock for my D750 and D850. Only the 135 was only slightly off for me.
The adjustment procedure is pretty easy and I consider the ability to self calibrate a big plus.
Nice build quality. I like the 'minimal' finish.
The 50 is not the WOW that the 135 was for me, but it is still a very nice lens.
It is enormous next to the Nikon 50 f/1.4. I kept the Nikon, since it is relatively inexpensive and much easier to carry around all day, but when I know I am going to need the highest quality from a 50mm, I reach for this.
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Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM "A"
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Review Date: Apr 23, 2018
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $600.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Sharp
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Cons:
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Did need adjusting with the doc (I consider the ability to adjust it with the dock a plus)
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I love this lens. (Nikon D750 and D850)
It did need significant adjustment on the dock, but the procedure is pretty easy and I consider the ability to self calibrate a big plus.
I have seen reviews that talk about calibration 'drift'. I haven't noticed that yet, but it's only been a couple months. Time will tell I guess.
Nice build quality. I like the 'minimal' finish.
The 35 is not the WOW that the 135 was for me, but it is still a very nice lens.
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Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor
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Review Date: Oct 27, 2015
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $300.00
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Super sharp (Updated to 'adequately sharp'), unobtrusive
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Cons:
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Heavy vignetting, some CA
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Wow, this thing is sharp. It's pretty sharp even at f/1.4, by f/1.8 it is very good, and before f/2.8 it is amazing.
I used an 85 f/1.8G and this is sharper at f/1.8, by f/2.8 they are about the same.
I had a Samyang 85 f/1.4 and, although it was pretty sharp, this is better and I just can't see well enough anymore to try to get the focus right through the viewfinder, even with a KatzEye, unless the target is as motionless as a building.
I found focus speed to be adequate.
I have not used either the Nikon 35 f/1.4G or the 85 f/1.4G (because I don't have 4x the price of this thing to spend on a fast, short, prime.) so I can't compare those.
The only negative I have is that it does exhibit pretty significant vignetting (on an FX) and some distortion. One click in Lightroom and that is history though.
I'm extremely happy with the performance of this lens.
Update, 5 years on.
OK, It's not as sharp as I used to think. Compared to the Sigma Art it's noticeably lagging behind. But to it's credit, it is MUCH smaller, lighter, and cheaper, than it is softer.
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Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical
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Review Date: May 5, 2015
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $290.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Sharp, cheap, smooth focus ring
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Cons:
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No AF
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After reading all the info I could find on how the Nikon f/1.8 and f/1.4 (both D and G versions) stacked up against the Samyung, I finally decided to take a chance on this <300 dollar lens.
It is well worth the money.
It is not razor sharp, but certainly usable, at 1.4 and only improves somewhat at 1.8. (But neither is the Nikon 1.8G, at 1.8 IMHO). I would say the Samyung is essentially even with the Nikon 1.8G at 1.8. It IS RAZOR SHARP at 2.8. No kidding, razor, tack, whatever adjective you want to use. I am quite impressed.
I didn't bother testing it at apertures greater than 2.8, because that it not what I bought it for, nor what I believe it was intended to be used for.
It could be a little more contrasty.
It is manual focus. I must admit that it is harder to focus on a Nikon DX than I remember lenses being on my 70's vintage SLR, even with the KatzEye screen in the DSLR (I am 35 years older now, which may have something to do with it). If you don't have the alternate focus screen, I believe you will be forced to use LiveView or rely on the confirmation dot.
Speaking of the focus confirm dot. Simply having the dot 'on' is not accurate enough for DOF at 1.4. I did use the Focus Fine Tune to move exact focus to just when the right arrow goes out and the dot comes on. That seems to be working pretty well.
The lens feels good in your hand. Smooth action on the focus ring. Very long throw on the ring, a must for accurate focusing. (For those who never used a manual focus lens, it is definitely not the same as using manual focus override on an autofocus lens.)
Older reviews bashed the hood a lot. Samyung must have made a change because, if anything, the hood on mine is difficult to remove. It certainly isn't going to fall off.
Summary: If you are looking for a f/1.4 lens this one is worth a good, long look. Remember what it was built to do, take portraits and make cream. You are not going to get f/1.4 pics of your kids running and jumping with the dog in the back yard (unless you are really, really, REALLY good at focusing).
For reference purposes - I started photography in the mid 70's with a fully manual Yashica FR. I'm a Nikon snob and a pixel peeper. So weight the review accordingly
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Nikon 600mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S Nikkor
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Review Date: Jan 30, 2015
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $4,000.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharpness
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Cons:
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Weight (yea, I know... but it does weigh 13 lb)
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This review is for the AF-I (Built in, but pre AF-S, focus motor).
I was amazed at how sharp this lens is wide open, even with a 1.4TC. It does loose a little, but noticeable, sharpness with the 1.7TC.
For a monster like this, the bokeh is very nice.
Even the old non Silent Wave Motor focuses very quickly, albeit not very quietly, on a D7100 and D800E. I had no trouble with BIF, which was a concern I had.
Obviously there is no VR, but it hasn't been a problem, yet anyway.
You will definitely need a gimbal head and a good tripod. I did manage to get some BIF pics handheld (OK my elbow was sitting on the car door arm rest), but a couple minutes of that and it ceased to be 'fun'.
It does work very well on a monopod with a tilt head.
Didn't do my homework prior to purchase and found out the hard way that it uses a 39mm drop in filter. It came with a clear, but the externally rotatable CPL has been impossible to find so far. Of course I can still put a 39mm CPL in the regular drop in holder and set it visually before inserting it, but it may take a couple do-overs to get it exactly right.
Picked up a pristine copy from the Used Department, so I got the 2 year warranty. A good investment I think, since the focus motor is pretty old, and out of production.
For the cash difference verses the AF-S and/or VR, I am very happy so far.
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Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G AF-S DX
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Review Date: Apr 20, 2012
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,000.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Sharp, really sharp for a zoom. Great range on DX. Build quality
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Cons:
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Heavy, cost
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Super sharp, right there with the 35 f1.8 I sold after I got this lens. It is heavy, but worth the trade-off to get the IQ.
It's also expensive, but I don't regret buying it.
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Nikon 105mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor
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Review Date: Apr 20, 2012
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $750.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Macro, build quality, VR
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Cons:
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Heavy
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Upgraded from Tamron 60 f2.0 to this. Center sharpness is comprable to the Tamron but the edges are like night and day, the Nikon wins hands down. The VR on this lens seems even better than some of my other Nikons. It is frightening how it stops the motion in the view finder. You know the camera is moving around, but the image is rock steady. It is also a little louder than my other VR lenses, but well worth the tradeoff. Very nice piece of glass.
(Ignore the review under the 105 f2.8D, sorry)
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Nikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro
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Review Date: Apr 20, 2012
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $750.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Macro, Build quality
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Cons:
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Heavy
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Upgraded from Tamron 60 f2.0 to this. Center sharpness is comprable to the Tamron but the edges are like night and day, the Nikon wins hands down. The VR on this lens seems even better than some of my other Nikons. It is frightening how it stops the motion in the view finder. You know the camera is moving around, but the image is rock steady. It is also a little louder than my other VR lenses, but well worth the tradeoff. Very nice piece of glass.
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Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR AF-S
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Review Date: Mar 8, 2012
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $400.00
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Versitility, sharp (through 200mm)
Bargin price
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Cons:
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Soft between 200mm-300mm
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Nice lens, especially for sub 5 bills. Actually suprisingly sharp up to around 200mm. Certianly still usable at 300.
If you are buying it for a poor man's 300, (like I did), just save up and get the 300 f4 (like I finally did).
I think I will miss the VR every once in a while, but the 300 f4 makes up for that is every other way.
Certianly worth replacing your kit lens with this one though.
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Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED DX VR AF-S
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Review Date: Feb 24, 2012
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $550.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Versitility
Cost
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Cons:
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Lens creep
not tack sharp, but not bad
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I got this lens for walk-a-round use on vacations etc.
I use it on a D5100 so the effective range of 27-300 can't be beat.
If you are on a mission to get a specific photo, then this is not the lens you want, but if you are just out for the day to capture what ever happens by, get it.
No it is not as sharp as say even the 70-300 f4.5-5.6 AF-S IF-ED VR (although at 300mm that lens is pretty poor IMO) but try taking a photo of a building facade from the street at 70mm on a DX.
Yes, the lens creeps if pointed straight up or down, but you are using proper holding technique when shooting anyway, right? If you have this on a tripod, then you have the wrong lens.
Construction is adequate. It is by no means a Pro lens, but it doesn't weigh 3 pounds either - important when carrying all day on a non-photo dedicated mission.
When used for what it was made for, it is an excellent choice.
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