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by **MHD** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:17 am

Particularly applied to weddings

I had the privlidge to have all three of Nikon's very fast primes sitting in my lens bag at the wedding shoot on the weekend: 28/1.4, 50/1.4 and 85/1.4

This is from one day of really intensive use so take with a grain of salt.

General: I was amazed how good all three performed wide open. At the reception I decided to ditch the flash for a lot of the night and shoot between 1.4 and 2.8 on all three.. All three focus real fast and were a breeze to use, only problem (which could be user not equipment) is I could not fill flash at wider apetures (using the sb-80DX). While I had to do a lot of foot zooming I enjoyed shooting with primes, I think that in the end the quality of the product will speak for that

Nikkor 28/1.4: Very nice lens, great FL for shooting small groups in a medium sized room, I found this lens "safer" meaning that if some one grabbed me and said "Take our photo" I could easily frame the shot while with the longer primes I had to do a lot of walking (bumping guests) to achieve the same shot.

Nikkor 50/1.4: There are two things that make this lens very different to the rest (in a good way) Price and size. This lens is stupidly good for the price! I found this to be the per fect fl for squating in front of the bridal table during the speaches to frame bride and groom and capture thier reactions.

Nikkor 85/1.4: My (subjective) favorite of the group... Wow.... this lens is a stunner! I had a lot of fun staning on the window ledge on the side of the room looking for candids with this lens... it is the ideal stealth portrait lens with good "go out there and get it" and the telephoto combined with the f/1.4 make for the most stunning Boke!

I (perhaps not publicly) used to rubbish the value of the 28 and 85 f/1.4 but now my view is that these lensed will remove all blame from the equipment and put it on to the photog. These lenses are not just fast primes, they are superbly built fast primes

by **Glen** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:37 am

MHD, that 28 1.4 is amazing, isn't it? At Birddog's we pulled all the shutters down then took handheld photos of documents, walls etc, you would have thought they were 10 sec exposures on a tripod. I told Birddy I reckon the CIA must have dozens of that lens, you can take photos in a black room! Must say a nice choice of lenses when the slowest is 1.4

by **Onyx** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:05 am

I concur with your comments MHD. Although I've never tried a 50/1.4 - I have a 1.8 but hardly ever carry it as I don't find the focal length all that useful on a digital. The other two f/1.4 lenses are among the finest prime lenses Nikon makes, and their pricetags shows...

If Nikon made a 24 f/1.4 that would be even better on a digital, as it would offer a wider angle. The 28 is great in low light use, but I sometimes find it a little wanting for a wider field of view.

The 85 was my fav to shoot with too. It's relatively small and compact for its focal length (compared to tele zooms), but I wonder how it compares to its lesser f/1.8 sibling. I know I could never afford the 1.4, but the 1.8 might be within my reach.

by **Matt. K** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:06 am

Ahh! The need for speed.

by Mj on Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:16 am

Indeed... the need for speed at functions like that !!!
Found the need for finding a suitable set and forget setting important also so you can concentrate on composing identifying great shots (oh, and have a few drinks along the way).

Glen... perhaps you could provide a brief assessment comparing the 85/1.4 and 85/1.8... I know a few of us would be most interested.

by **JordanP** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:20 am

Onyx,

I captured a few nice ones with the 85mm 1.8 on the weekend. Considering price it is a fine competitor with the 1.4 version. I had a play with Birddogs 1.4 on the weekend and it is brilliant glass - can't take anything away from it, but if $$$ is a limiter you are not selling yourself short with the 85mm 1.8

They are rare but if you can pick up second hand you might find a very reasonable price. Not sure what they would be new through Birddog or Mr Poon but, from what I have seen, you won't get a decent one second hand for under about $450

by **MHD** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:28 am

Yep Onyx I agree...
Nikon, IMHO need to make a 18mm f/1.4 DX prime

Hopefully having the DX label will keep it below 7K

That was the only thing I was missing on the weekend in terms of primes..

I think the ideal would be (in the absence of the foresaid dream lens)
12-24DX 28/1.4 50/1.4 (I did find this handy for some) and 85/1.4

Sigh... Was a dangerous thing using those lenses... I'm going to be a poor man for a long time methinks

by **sirhc55** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:40 am

European Camera Specialists in Drummoyne have the following 2 S/H lens listed:

Manual 85mm f/1.8 AL $550
85mm f/1.8 AF-D $525

Cheers

Chris

by **Flyer** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:16 am

You can also get brand new AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D for US$314.95 from B&H Photo.
All up cost approx. AU$479 delivered.

Cheers.

by **sirhc55** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:19 am

Flyer wrote:You can also get brand new AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D for US$314.95 from B&H Photo.
All up cost approx. AU$479 delivered.

Cheers.

Saw that after I posted - and if you want the 85mm f/1.4 from the same source around $1200 Oz

Cheers

Chris

by **birddog114** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:25 am

Mj wrote:Indeed... the need for speed at functions like that !!!
Found the need for finding a suitable set and forget setting important also so you can concentrate on composing identifying great shots (oh, and have a few drinks along the way).

Glen... perhaps you could provide a brief assessment comparing the 85/1.4 and 85/1.8... I know a few of us would be most interested.

We had few threads on our forum re# theese two lenses

by **birddog114** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:28 am

Flyer wrote:You can also get brand new AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D for US$314.95 from B&H Photo.
All up cost approx. AU$479 delivered.

Cheers.

Poon sells this 85/1.8 with two days delivery for AU$470.00 (Including delier by FedEx)

by **Flyer** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:35 am

Birddog114 wrote:
Poon sells this 85/1.8 with two days delivery for AU$470.00 (Including delier by FedEx)

Cool. Even better.
I had a look at Mr.Poon's site , but didn't see it listed there.

by **sirhc55** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:35 am

Birddog114 wrote:
Flyer wrote:You can also get brand new AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D for US$314.95 from B&H Photo.
All up cost approx. AU$479 delivered.

Cheers.

Poon sells this 85/1.8 with two days delivery for AU$470.00 (Including delier by FedEx)

Hi Birddog

Would it be possible to have a thread where all Nikon products supplied by Poon are listed and priced. For example I am interested in the 12-24mm and the 24-120VR.

In this way any forum member could go to a particular place and find their lusts including the cost and delivery.

It would save time and restrict repetitive posts. I am finding that the search function become more and more difficult as the number of threads increases.

Just a thought. . .

Cheers

Chris

by **Flyer** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:37 am

sirhc55 wrote:Hi Birddog

Would it be possible to have a thread where all Nikon products supplied by Poon are listed and priced. For example I am interested in the 12-24mm and the 24-120VR.

Beat me to it Chris!

Just about to post the same.

by **birddog114** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:38 am

sirhc55,
Love to do that but could not due to the restriction and the fluctuation of our dollar. Prices from Poon are only POA or TBA atm.

by **sirhc55** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:39 am

Flyer wrote:
sirhc55 wrote:Hi Birddog

Would it be possible to have a thread where all Nikon products supplied by Poon are listed and priced. For example I am interested in the 12-24mm and the 24-120VR.

Beat me to it Chris!
Just about to post the same.

That’s OK Flyer - you have to be bloody fast on this forum - it makes me wonder if anyone works!!

Cheers

Chris

by **birddog114** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:42 am

the Nikon 12-24 from Poon is US$900.00 AU$1267.00 and the 24-120VR is US$400 = AU$563.00, including shipping

by **sirhc55** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:45 am

Birddog114 wrote:sirhc55,
Love to do that but could not due to the restriction and the fluctuation of our dollar. Prices from Poon are only POA or TBA atm.

I fully understand that Birddog - but it could be a ballpark figure to be confirmed when making purchase.

Basically, it’s just a matter of knowing an approximate price.

Cheers

Chris

by **W00DY** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:47 am

Birddog114 wrote:24-120VR is AU$563.00, including shipping

Hmmm, tempting...

by **sirhc55** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:48 am

Birddog114 wrote:the Nikon 12-24 from Poon is US$900.00 AU$1267.00 and the 24-120VR is US$400 = AU$563.00, including shipping

As I said before you have to be quick on this forum - thanks for the info Birdie - I now know that if I want to I can buy the VR now or save a little harder for the 12-24 - thanks for the reply

Cheers

Chris

by **MCWB** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:52 am

W00DY wrote:
Birddog114 wrote:24-120VR is AU$563.00, including shipping

Hmmm, tempting...

Agreed, cripes! :shock:

This may become my new everyday lens...

by **W00DY** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:55 am

MCWB wrote:
W00DY wrote:
Birddog114 wrote:24-120VR is AU$563.00, including shipping

Hmmm, tempting...
Agreed, cripes! This may become my new everyday lens...

Excactly what I was thinking. I only have the kit lens at the moment so woudl like the extra zoom... And hey, the VR doesn't go astray either

Now let me think, yep my B'Day is coming up next month, I will have to get my wife to send Birddog and Mr Poon ans e-mail :lol:

W00DY

by **gstark** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:40 pm

Birddog114 wrote: the 24-120VR is US$400 = AU$563.00, including shipping

Poon's not selling us that lens. We're stealing it at that price!

by **W00DY** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:41 pm

gstark wrote:
Birddog114 wrote: the 24-120VR is US$400 = AU$563.00, including shipping

Poon's not selling us that lens. We're stealing it at that price!

I have sent my wife a nice little e-mail (oh, including Birddogs e-mail address of course) :lol:

Wish me luck!!!!!

W00DY

by **MHD** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:43 pm

Mr Poon, Why must you tempt me so?

That is an amazing price!

by **gstark** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:44 pm

MCWB wrote:This may become my new everyday lens...

It is mine.

And I think that following Friday night'sdinner, there might be a couple of others who want one. IIRC, Geoff stole mine from Leigh for the night, after Leigh stole it from me for the night ...

Ah well ... that's what makes this place so much fun!

by **Onyx** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:55 pm

gstark wrote:And I think that following Friday night'sdinner, there might be a couple of others who want one. IIRC, Geoff stole mine from Leigh for the night, after Leigh stole it from me for the night ...

Ah well ... that's what makes this place so much fun!

Yes, the "stealing" that gets returned!

by **petal666** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:27 pm

MHD wrote:
Nikkor 85/1.4: My (subjective) favorite of the group... Wow.... this lens is a stunner! I had a lot of fun staning on the window ledge on the side of the room looking for candids with this lens... it is the ideal stealth portrait lens with good "go out there and get it" and the telephoto combined with the f/1.4 make for the most stunning Boke!

Do you feel that 85mm is long enough for standing on the edge of the room taking stealth shots of people? I used to have a 28-135 and used the 135mm a bit, depends on how big the room is though. PS it's Bokeh too

by **gstark** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:37 pm

petal666 wrote:PS it's Bokeh too

Actually, It's an English interpretation of a Japanes word for which there is no English equivalent; I've seen sources that suggest that either spelling is correct.

by **MHD** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:42 pm

The room I was in was medium sized (80 guests) and it was just right. for groups of 3ish...

I thought it was spelt Boke and pronounced bokeh

by **petal666** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:49 pm

MHD wrote:I thought it was spelt Boke and pronounced bokeh

Fair enough, I've only ever seen it spelt Bokeh, but it is such a weird word who would know how it is supposed to be spelt.

by **Greg B** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:50 pm

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/colum ... 4-04.shtml

The boke v bokeh question, answered by the blokeh who reckons he was responsible for the current use and/or spelling

by **Glen** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:56 pm

Greg, as always a font of info, also consolidates the shorter verion as historically accurate

by **PlatinumWeaver** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 4:59 pm

How do these lenses go as far as macro work is concerned? Just curious

by **MHD** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:21 pm

I think they would be wasted really... at f/1.4 with extention rings your DOF would be stupidly small...
(I think)

by **Gerard** on Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:21 pm

Now i am lost......Did not take much.....
The leader of the Opposition (Minister for finances and recreation) has given the green light for a new lens for me for christmas and I have been hinting very hard towards the 50mm f1.4. I do a lot of portrait work but would like to get more into weddings and arty things (as well as keep the portrait stuff happening) - I have looked on hksupplies (and you have to love the strong aussie dollar at the moment) and now I am considering the 85mm f1.8 - I have only every really played with the kit lens 18-70 but just purchased a 70-300 tamron (have not played with this one much). The question is in my situation would I be better with the 50mm f1.4 or the 85mm f1.8? please do help (I wish i had multitudes of money and buy the lot

)
Ta Gerard

by **MHD** on Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:25 pm

IMHO... get the 50... send off an email to the gear email (d70gear@d70users.com)
and Birddog will fo you a good deal...

Both 50's (1.8 and 1.4) are great value

by **Killakoala** on Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:27 pm

If you are going to use it for portraits then the 85mm 1.4 will do you better than the 50mm 1.4 however have a think about the 24-120, which will give you much better versatility although it's a little slower, but the VR capability should overcome that

Ask Gary what he thinks of the 24-120.

by **MHD** on Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:33 pm

he is looking at the 85/1.4... a somewhat different leage...

Yeah.... the 24-120 is definately worth considering atm...

but keep in mind the image quality (sharpness, boke) should be higher from a prime

by **Matt. K** on Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:36 pm

The original and correct spelling is boke, but the word was changed to bokeh by American photography columnist Mike Johnston...around 1995 or something. he claims he is the first to use the "bokeh" spelling and he did so because he thought it would help his readers pronounce the word correctly.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/colum ... 4-04.shtml

by **gstark** on Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:45 pm

Matt. K wrote:he claims he is the first to use the "bokeh" spelling and he did so because he thought it would help his readers pronounce the word correctly.

FWIW ... He can claim this till he's blue in the face, but I seem to recall using the term - and the "bokeh" spelling - in the early to mid 80s.

by **sirhc55** on Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:51 pm

If not already posted try this one:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/bokeh.shtml

C

by **Matt. K** on Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:51 pm

You are right Gary
I'm sure I was aware of the term mid 80's also...but with the boke spelling. Oh well.
I think I may have further references in my magazine collection from that period.

by **gstark** on Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:55 pm

Matt. K wrote:You are right Gary
I'm sure I was aware of the term mid 80's also...but with the boke spelling. Oh well.
I think I may have further references in my magazine collection from that period.

Had I a mid-80's magazine collection, that's where I'd be looking. Alas, I don't.

by **Onyx** on Wed Dec 15, 2004 1:11 pm

Gerard wrote:Now i am lost......Did not take much.....
The leader of the Opposition (Minister for finances and recreation) has given the green light for a new lens for me for christmas and I have been hinting very hard towards the 50mm f1.4. I do a lot of portrait work but would like to get more into weddings and arty things (as well as keep the portrait stuff happening) - I have looked on hksupplies (and you have to love the strong aussie dollar at the moment) and now I am considering the 85mm f1.8 - I have only every really played with the kit lens 18-70 but just purchased a 70-300 tamron (have not played with this one much). The question is in my situation would I be better with the 50mm f1.4 or the 85mm f1.8? please do help (I wish i had multitudes of money and buy the lot )
Ta Gerard

Gerard, I suggest you sit down with the opposition and browse through the US sites like B&H. Point her to the 85 f/1.8, make sure she sees the pricetag - and get her approval for that amount.

Then secretly shoot off an email to Birddog for the 85/1.8, and order that as well as the 50 1.8 at the same time with the saving you just made ordering from HKSupplies via Birddog compared to the major US retailer, you've effectively scored yourself a 50/1.8 for "free".

For portrait use, especially considering your involvement with Jesselle models and what not, the 50/1.8 and 1.4 versions would both suit equally well, and for this purpose I would be hard pressed to find a reason to spend twice as much for the 1.4.

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My thoughts on Nikon's fast (f/1.4) primes

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