Sam - 85mm f/1.4D AF Nikon?

[bluelemur01]

Sam, do you (or does anyone else here) have this lens? My DH *might* get me a new lens for Mother's Day (depending on the budget) and I've been eyeing this for a while.

I've never used it myself, though...and wanted to get some personal feedback from anyone here on how it is. I've read that it is has lovely Bokeh, makes images look "3D" and is tack sharp.

How does it compare to the 24-70 f/2.8? (which is almost certainly NOT in the budget)!

J

[katrinak]

I believe Kim has that lens!

[Aino]

I don't have the lens, but I know it is a beautiful lens to have - if you "might" get it.

[kmartorina]

Good luck! Sounds like a great gift.

[sam ellis]

YES I have it. I never fell in love with it like my 50mm. It takes superb photos, don't get me wrong but it always seemed to be the wrong focal length. Never enough room when I needed it and too short for distance shots..

Superb lens - but the length wrong for me .

Do what I did to see if it would be great for you. Put one of your zoom lenses on 85 and shoot your normal subjects - without changing the length. If it works for you ---go for it !

[dugarner]

I think it would depend on what you're doing.

I have been reading more frequently (meaning I am more comfortable accepting it as an industry recommendation) that 85mm is the ideal focal length for portraits. It is the perfect angle, distance, and most flattering. And fixed length lenses are always superior to the corresponding variable length.

So if you're planning on doing a lot of portraiture, that might be a consideration.

I don't do much portraiture, so I'm really wanting the 50mm. But I think if it's in your budget and you think you'd use it, it would be a good choice.

[bluelemur01]

thanks, guys! Sarah, I love my 50mm lens so much...it's on my camera almost all the time. I almost NEVER use my 105 f/2.8, even though it also takes super pics, b/c it's a bit slow to autofocus and I do run out of room when shooting my dd. Most of my pics these days are of my dd.

I was wondering if the 85mm would be "just right."

Sam, I'll take your suggestion and treat my zoom as an 85mm prime for a few days & see how it feels!

BTW, what is YOUR favorite "go to" lens these days? What's always on your camera? Do you also have the 24-70 f/2.8?
J

[SAHMom]

I used to use the 85mm exclusively for my outdoor sessions. It just SHINES in situations like that! I really don't use it much at all now since I added the 70-200 2.8... that's what I use now.