Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 vs. Nikkor 85mm f/1.4

[ZinhaEq]

Do you think 85mm f/1.4 is worth twice as much as 85mm f/1.8? Are there any mayor pros for buying Nikkor 85mm f/1.4? Thank you in advance!

[LoveDSLR]

The 85 f/1.8 is what I called a 'utility' lens. It is fast and has the focal length, but nothing to write home about (for some of us).

The 85 f/1.4 is a 'craftsman' lens. It is known as the 'cream machine' and is the favorite choice between wedding and portrait photographers. IMO, the next one up will be the $5,000 WOW Nikon 200 f/2 VR.

Does the Nikon 85 f/1.4 worth the extra money? I think it is cheap comparing the better Canon 85 f/1.2 L II.

[kirbinster]

My understanding is that the 1.8 is actually a sharper lens than the 1.4.

[LoveDSLR]

Most f/1.8 and 'avoid photographing your mother-in-law' macro lenses are sharper than f/1.4 and/or f/1.2 lenses. However, Nikon better portrait lenses are generally smoother instead (50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.4, 105 f/2 DC, 135 f/2 DC, 200 f/2).

[OsmosisStudios]

the 1.4 version has the most amazing bokeh ever, but the 1.8 is no slouch either. Its really up to you whether one is worth the extra money over the other.

[candleman]

uuugh.. i hate this thread
now i want an 85mm f/1.8 instead of the 24-70 Sigma :S


i think the 1.8 is good value.. long and wide.
but i'm one of those people who has a 50mm f/1.8 but hasnt tried a f/1.4... so doesnt see the value in doubling the pricetag. i guess i'm not a craftsman yet.
if you get my drift.

[LoveDSLR]

My apology...this will be my last post for not supporting the favorite 50 f/1.8 and entry level cameras.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

My apology...this will be my last post for not supporting the favorite 50 f/1.8 and entry level cameras.

i hope you're not appologising to me.. i agree with what you're saying totally.
the cheaper lenses are not great. (EG, the 50 1.8) but good enough for most people
FYI, i'm trying to decide between a used 24-70 (sigma) or a 85mm f/1.8

all i meant to say is..
IMHO, its somewhat pointless buying a lens for twice the price when ones skill doesnt match the quality of the lens.

only a craftsman who can consistently nail these other things (like pose, noise, background, light) will truly be able to make the most of the better glass.
its like getting a toddler to appreciate a fine wine.. its something that they need to grow into. Through educating your photographic pallet, the more you grow the more you notice the finer details.
starting with "reasonable" stuff IMHO is a great way to learn.. because one will start to notice the problems glass causes and then understand what makes the good stuff worth the $$$. so its a process of education i'm getting at.
if one starts on the good stuff.. sure the images will be cleaner, but there will be no knowlege or understanding in "what to look for". it just becomes a case of "its expensive, thus it is good" which is the thinking of 99% of the non photographer. "expensive cameras take nice pictures"


maybe i'm wrong,
i probably am... but thats just my mumblings

[inkista]

This is completely outside the box, but have you considered the newish $254 Rokinon/Opteka/Vivitar/Samyang 85/1.4? I mean, if autofocus weren't vital to you.

On fredmiranda, some folks have been testing it to within an inch of its life, and I gotta say it's putting up a helluva fight against even the 85 f/1.2Ls (both FD and EF II versions), let alone the EF 85 1.8 USM.

[ZinhaEq]

Originally Posted by inkista

This is completely outside the box, but have you considered the newish $254 Rokinon/Opteka/Vivitar/Samyang 85/1.4? I mean, if autofocus weren't vital to you.

On fredmiranda, some folks have been testing it to within an inch of its life, and I gotta say it's putting up a helluva fight against even the 85 f/1.2Ls (both FD and EF II versions), let alone the EF 85 1.8 USM.

It would be a great deal for me indeed, as I am not really bothered for no auto focus function on this lens for such a low price. But when I checked on the market there was lots of different brands of them. Also, as I can see the tests it isn't much worse than any pro lens from Nikon. But still, I don't know which from these brands (Opteka, Rokinon, Samyang,..........) is the best solution for me to buy.