Nikon 85mm F1.4 worth buying?

[Dprime]

Hey guys,
So recently I've been really keen on buying this lens until I did a bit of research and discovered there are a few rumours for a couple of new primes from Nikon in the next 12 months.. so I had it all sorted that I was going to wait.

Then I got a phone call today and booked in a wedding in the next couple of weeks which Id really like to have a F1.4 lens for. So was just wondering for the people out there that own the 85mm, how do you find it? sharpness?

I guess Im probably now going to buy it anyway because I've read the new primes are possibly going to come with VR which I'm assuming will push the price tag over 2K...

Just after some reassurance before I buy haha!

Thanks!
Brett

[chrisk]

try and find a used one, that in itself speaks volumes.

[W00DY]

yes!!!

[wendellt]

its more impressive than a camera body
buy it

[Reschsmooth]

I have cut myself with some of the images taken with this lens, it is that sharp.

[Dprime]

I'm so reassured right now
B&H here we come.

[Oz_Beachside]

i use my 70-200 more, but love the results of the 85/1.4, anything that replaces it would simply be a "housing upgrade" and its doesnt even need that!

[johnd]

Mine's not for sale.
Ever

[the foto fanatic]

I have one.

But I'd only recommend it if you are interested in terrific contrast and sharpness and brilliant bokeh.

Otherwise, don't bother.

[Geoff]

Worth buying? Hell yes!
Brilliant lens

[Muzza22au]

I am also going through the issues of thinking of buying this lense, I have heard that it does have trouble focussing in low light. I need some really good lowlight lenses and was hoping this would be one! I am going to have to test it out I think.

[gstark]

Hey guys,
So recently I've been really keen on buying this lens until I did a bit of research and discovered there are a few rumours for a couple of new primes from Nikon in the next 12 months.. so I had it all sorted that I was going to wait.

For what? A rumour of a possible lens that might never be made to perhaps be proven to not be a rumour? How many images will you not have taken in the mean time?

Sharpness? There's nothing better.

Bokeh? See "Sharpness".

Quality? See "Bokeh".

Desirability? See "Quality".

It's really very a simple decision to make: if you cannot make good images with this lens you give up photography. It even turns hacks like me into someone who can make half decent images.

[whitey]

I borrowed garys at the recent portrait workshop and it was really hard to give it back. Really, really nice. It just seemed to take good pictures.

I cant justify the cost right now but its on the wishlist, hoping a new version will push a few existing ones onto the second hand market.

[Yi-P]

YES!!!

[Grev]

It's really very a simple decision to make: if you cannot make good images with this lens you give up photography. It even turns hacks like me into someone who can make half decent images.

You sound like this one satire video of a guitar instructional video.

"If you can't play 4 million notes a second, you're shit, you should put your guitar down and sell it on ebay cos you're shit."

[gstark]

hoping a new version will push a few existing ones onto the second hand market.

George,

I don't see that happening. The basic consensus here seems to be that not only do owners love this lens, it's one that's a permanent fixture in their kits.

Any replacement - and there is nothing confirmed in terms of this even being a dead lens, let alone there being a replacement - will really need to be something very special to force existing owners to jump ship.

And any pre-owned samples will continue to garner a premium, such is the rarity of this lens in the marketplace.

[whitey]

Gary
wishful thinking on my part, unfortunately I cant justify the cost yet. I think I need a SB-600 and a Tamron 90mm before the luxury of a 85mm f/1.4 - I will make do with the 50mm f/1.8 until then. I was actually pleasantly surprised at how well it performed at the portrait workshop.

[chrisk]

I have cut myself with some of the images taken with this lens, it is that sharp.

intresting you say that Pat. in my time with the lens, i didnt think the lens was actually that sharp. don't get me wrong, its sharp, no doubt. but i dont think thats what its renowned for is it ? the beautiful bokeh, the colour, the handling were all standouts imo but i dont recall looking at images thinking..."wow...thats unbelievabley sharp."

not to mention, theres just something about it. holding it. it's kinda like the nikon lens equivalent for an orgasm. lol

[Reschsmooth]

it's kinda like the nikon lens equivalent for an orgasm. lol

At least you didn't mention anything about sticky diaphragms!

I remember taking a photo of Alex withit and the fine detail (eyelashes, for example) were incredibly sharp. Incomparable to any other lens I have.

[gstark]

I have cut myself with some of the images taken with this lens, it is that sharp.

intresting you say that Pat. in my time with the lens, i didnt think the lens was actually that sharp.

It is that sharp. There's the conundrum: it's a beautiful portrait lens, and in the DX format, the angle of view is the perfect angle of view for portraiture. But it's too sharp for portraits. Got a blemish? Nope; this lens will show you all 17 of 'em!

[Muzza22au]

Would it be good for low light band photography? Or are there better out there?

[Mr Darcy]

It is that sharp. There's the conundrum: it's a beautiful portrait lens, and in the DX format, the angle of view is the perfect angle of view for portraiture. But it's too sharp for portraits. Got a blemish? Nope; this lens will show you all 17 of 'em!

Simple solution: Smear the objective with Vaseline

[MCWB]

It is that sharp. There's the conundrum: it's a beautiful portrait lens, and in the DX format, the angle of view is the perfect angle of view for portraiture. But it's too sharp for portraits. Got a blemish? Nope; this lens will show you all 17 of 'em!

I personally don't think there is such a thing as 'too sharp' for anything. You can always blur/clone detail away (or go the vaseline ) if required, going the other way is so much harder!

[Dprime]

Hey guys,
So recently I've been really keen on buying this lens until I did a bit of research and discovered there are a few rumours for a couple of new primes from Nikon in the next 12 months.. so I had it all sorted that I was going to wait.

For what? A rumour of a possible lens that might never be made to perhaps be proven to not be a rumour? How many images will you not have taken in the mean time?

Sharpness? There's nothing better.

Bokeh? See "Sharpness".

Quality? See "Bokeh".

Desirability? See "Quality".

It's really very a simple decision to make: if you cannot make good images with this lens you give up photography. It even turns hacks like me into someone who can make half decent images.

Geez, I hope my images are good, otherwise my next post will be in the forsale section

Thanks for the good feedback guys, its definately resolved any doubts I had. Looking forward to getting my hands on it!

Cheers'
Brett

[feldy]

Hi Brett - if you do get it, you'll be in good company - I've just ordered mine!

I also was concerned about the potential new lens coming out, but from what I understand, the old one is so good it could almost become a collector's item, with the price going correspondingly higher [not lower!].

Let us know when you get it; will do likewise!

[gstark]

It is that sharp. There's the conundrum: it's a beautiful portrait lens, and in the DX format, the angle of view is the perfect angle of view for portraiture. But it's too sharp for portraits. Got a blemish? Nope; this lens will show you all 17 of 'em!

I personally don't think there is such a thing as 'too sharp' for anything. You can always blur/clone detail away (or go the vaseline ) if required, going the other way is so much harder!

Exactly. I still have some 52mm vaseline smeared filters; that is exactly what I did when I needed to soften an image. A small section of pantyhose, stretched across the front of a lens, also helps.

[digitor]

A small section of pantyhose, stretched across the front of a lens, also helps.

True, but a piece of stocking gives a much more sensuous image....

Cheers

[Mr Darcy]

Hi Brett - if you do get it, you'll be in good company - I've just ordered mine!

I don't know about "good": I just ordered one too.
This thread helped clear up some lingering doubts for me too.

I still have some 52mm vaseline smeared filters

In my case it's 49mm filters . The "objective" was tongue in cheek. Not the vaseline.
I never had ready access to stockings.

[Muzza22au]

Ok after reading this I have just ordered the 85mm f1.4 and the 50mm f1.4. I can not wait to get them and try them out.

[chrisk]

just noticed that Poon has this listed on ebay at under $1k, delivered to Oz.
first time i've ever seen it so low.

[feldy]

Great - thanks Poon - after I just bought one!

F

[chrisk]

lol sorry mate.
hopefully some other people can take advantage of the great price.

[methd]

just noticed that Poon has this listed on ebay at under $1k, delivered to Oz.
first time i've ever seen it so low.

was a bit confused looking at the bargains page, then realised u said ebay!!

[chrisk]

they gone already. some got a bargain.

[Muzza22au]

Well my lenses arrived today, just need to get out there and try them out...