Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I'm switching from Canon to Nikon and have been eyeing a few lenses. The 85mm being one of them. So far I am leaning towards AF-D 85mm 1.8 over the 1.4 version. The sharpness level of both lenses aren't too far apart compared to their price. Is there anybody that used both lenses that can spare their two cents?

I think the new 85mm 1.8G is actually good. 1.4D and 1.8D lenses are nice, but I think the AF-S 85mm 1.8G has excellent bokeh
Personal Preference though..

Do you mean the AF-S 85mm 1.8G vs the 1.4G? Or are you actually considering the older D lenses? Not having used the lenses; unless you're making money from photography, I would probably lean towards the 1.8G over any of them. It's great value for money.

The 1.8G is an awesome lens! I got mine back in November, and its definitely a keeper for me...... and at the price point, hell ya.

I was actually referring to the older D lenses. I looked at the 85mm 1.8G and didn't quite like how it hesitated to initiate the auto-focus. Maybe it was the copy I tried, but I have been hearing a few others saying the same. I am leaning towards to D series for 2 reasons:
1. I wont be taking advantage of the G series weather-sealing or the "faster" motor for focusing.
2. D series offer an option for compatibility with my Nikon F3 (Sorry, I should have mentioned it earlier)

Sharpness far as I'm concerned, I've noticed there isn't a huge gap between the four 85mm's mentioned. Unless someone wants to prove me wrong.

I have never heard, or experienced that the 85mm 1.8G hesitates to autofocus.... that is not my experience at all. And as far as sharpness is concerned, they say that the 1.8G is sharper than the 1.4G -- of course I don't have first hand experience with this.

However - compatibility with the F3 is going to be an issue, as you mentioned.

I will most likely settle with the 85mm 1.8D. The classiness of the older lenses appeal to me (as silly as that may seem). Compatibility is part of the reason why I'm going Nikon from Canon, although, that should not be a deal breaker: just a simple bonus.
Thank you for the feedback everyone, especially txdesign. I'm going to see if I can check out an 85mm 1.8G one more time when I get a chance.

No.

As always Eric, your wise word(s) are inspiring, encouraging, and confusing [Ninja Face]

The 1.4D has some intangible qualities that put it above the 1.8D for me... Sharpness may be similar but something about the colour rendition, contrast, and bokeh make it an outstanding lens (to my eyes). I have not owned the 1.8D but have owned two 1.4Ds. I did a lot of comparisons between the 1.8 and 1.4 Ds before purchasing.

Here's something that may interest you.

http://nikonrumors.com/2013/01/21/nikon ... more-52418

DG

Basically points to DxOMark testing saying that the 1.8G "is the best 85mm lens in the DxOMark database and well exceeds the average DxOMark Overall Score of 28 for this type of lens." (1.8G scored a 35.)

Interestingly, same report also put the $330 Samyang 85mm/1.4 with the same score (31) as the $1240 Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZF.2.

Regardless, I agree with Matt (med) above. 85/1.4D is, to me, something special.

And I do see a used 85mm 1.4D on KEH for $7something. Very tempting..

For the price 1.8G is way better

I love my 1.8D, great portrait lens! Got mine on craigslist for dirt cheap but like everyone else the 1.8G is great value and the bokeh is a lot better than the D version for sure! Either way it's an awesome lens!