Which 85mm (Nikon fit)?
Discussion
I'm in the market for an 85mm prime. Current camera is a D5100 so has a DX sensor but I'd like an FX lens in case I opt to go for a full frame camera in the future.
I have the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G already which is great but I also have a couple of Sigma lenses I really like. I know Sigma do two 85mm primes, both f/1.4 but one is in their ART range and one isn't - is there much between them in real terms, given the price difference? How do either of them stack up against the Nikon?
Any other ones worth considering?
I have the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G already which is great but I also have a couple of Sigma lenses I really like. I know Sigma do two 85mm primes, both f/1.4 but one is in their ART range and one isn't - is there much between them in real terms, given the price difference? How do either of them stack up against the Nikon?
Any other ones worth considering?
I decided to buy the best lenses years back thinking that the glass would be around much longer than the body. I was right. For comparison my friend with the same camera took a shot with his 85mm f1.8 in A mode and got a shutter speed of 1/125, I took the same shot with the same settings and same camera with my 85mm f1.4 (set to 1.8 like his) and got 1/500. That thing just sucks the light in. Expensive but a worthwhile investment.
IIRC from various reviews, the Sigma Art range is top notch glass and the 85mm 1.4 Nikon receives excellent reviews (eg https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-85mm-f1-... )
This is a good problem to have!
Personally I’d go for the Nikon if money was no object in the belief it would hold its value better.
Edited to add try various comparison reviews, Matt Granger has an excellent Nikon channel and may well have done a comparison review of Nikon, Sigma and Tamron??
This is a good problem to have!
Personally I’d go for the Nikon if money was no object in the belief it would hold its value better.
Edited to add try various comparison reviews, Matt Granger has an excellent Nikon channel and may well have done a comparison review of Nikon, Sigma and Tamron??
Thanks both. I should have mentioned, the Nikon 85mm f/1.4 is out of budget really, even used prices aren't far short of a grand. I could stretch to the Sigma Art f/1.4 perhaps but only if it really is worth the extra over either the Sigma or Nikon f/1.8s. I know Tamron do one as well but I have no experience of Tamron lenses, only Nikon and Sigma, should I consider them too?
@starshots, which one is it you have, the Nikon 85mm f/1.4?
@starshots, which one is it you have, the Nikon 85mm f/1.4?
Magic919 said:
starshots said:
For comparison my friend with the same camera took a shot with his 85mm f1.8 in A mode and got a shutter speed of 1/125, I took the same shot with the same settings and same camera with my 85mm f1.4 (set to 1.8 like his) and got 1/500.
That's not possible.Nikon 85mm AF-D f/1.8
Absolutely, without even a shadow of a doubt, the best "bang for buck" at that focal length.
I work in two modes to earn some of my living. Put simply they are "inside" and "outside". During outside mode I chuck my 18-35mm on one D700 body and my 70-200 AF-S VR f/2.8 on the other. When moving inside the wide stays on but I replace the 70-200 with the 85 mm and slam it wide open.
It never misses focus and the bokeh is oh-so-creamy. Any other issues can be corrected in Lightroom.
I've looked at the various f/1.4 options but from a semi-pro point of view none have made me feel like investing.
Absolutely, without even a shadow of a doubt, the best "bang for buck" at that focal length.
I work in two modes to earn some of my living. Put simply they are "inside" and "outside". During outside mode I chuck my 18-35mm on one D700 body and my 70-200 AF-S VR f/2.8 on the other. When moving inside the wide stays on but I replace the 70-200 with the 85 mm and slam it wide open.
It never misses focus and the bokeh is oh-so-creamy. Any other issues can be corrected in Lightroom.
I've looked at the various f/1.4 options but from a semi-pro point of view none have made me feel like investing.
Lucas CAV said:
Magic919 said:
starshots said:
For comparison my friend with the same camera took a shot with his 85mm f1.8 in A mode and got a shutter speed of 1/125, I took the same shot with the same settings and same camera with my 85mm f1.4 (set to 1.8 like his) and got 1/500.
That's not possible.The 125/sec might have been borderline 250/sec and then the sun may have got even brighter. There are many variables here to be considered.
Of course there's some naivety in the original response but it perhaps shouldn't be dismissed quite so readily.
Exposure is based on light. The F number is geometric and hence is only part of this. The T number would be more accurate because it includes the transmission quality of the glass in the hole rather then just the size of the hole. If I 'tinted' my lenses (which i could fake with an ND filter) then the exposure would have to change.
(I have no idea whether the T value of the 1.4 is better than the 1.8)
(I have no idea whether the T value of the 1.4 is better than the 1.8)
Edited by alock on Saturday 7th October 08:52
OP - what is your budget exactly?
If you can stretch to the Sigma ART for about 1k new - check out MPB.com they have a Nikon 1.4G for 900 used - it's a spectacular lens and a serious contender for the best 85mm around.
If that's too much, I'd opt for the 85mm 1.8 from Nikon. Lovely lens.
If you can stretch to the Sigma ART for about 1k new - check out MPB.com they have a Nikon 1.4G for 900 used - it's a spectacular lens and a serious contender for the best 85mm around.
If that's too much, I'd opt for the 85mm 1.8 from Nikon. Lovely lens.
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