bmm Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Hi all A friend who is moving overseas has offered me his 85mm f/1.4 lens for a stupidly good price. It's barely been used, about 10 months old, still has box, papers and receipts, etc. Bought new here in Sydney from a reputable store. While in the last couple of months I've bought some other glass, I can (just) afford it and am thinking about it. The reviews on this lens seem pretty sweet. But I am seeking the first-hand opinions of you, my fellow readers. Also, this would make my total bag of lenses as follows: 1. 35mm f/2.0 2. 50mm f/1.4 3. 85mm f.1.4 4. 18-200mm VR f/3.5-5.6 5. 80-200mm f/2.8 Part of me thinks the 18-200 is becoming redundant, while another part of me still likes it as an 'anything goes' backup (at least until I turn a Xmas bonus into a 17-55... but that's still almost a year away!). What do you think? Sell or keep for a while longer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karl_french1 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 It's a gem. One of my all time favorite Nikon lenses. I use it more than any other lens on my F100. Don't hesitate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rffffffff Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 buy it. its really awesome.... then save up for a 17-55 or 24-70 and sell the 18-200... you'll be pretty set, perhaps with room for a 12-24. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo5 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Wonderful for film cameras or the full frame D3, but a little long with a DX body in my experience. Sharp lens, amazing piece of glass. I am not a fan of the 18-200mm, the image quality is just not good enough for me. I prefer the 18-70mm and 70-300mm. By all means get the 85mm f1.4, it's legendary. The AF-D version is said to be a little better still than the AIS version, hard to believe as the AIS version is so good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_hamilton Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 If you don't want it I'll buy it... you can even make a few bucks off me. Shot the lens today and am in love with it!!! I just hope they don't update it in the coming months! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juanjo_viagran Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 AWESOME lens, is truly a KEEPER. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric_arnold Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 i'd go for the 85. dunno if i'd keep the 18-200, but you have a year to figure that out, so no rush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic_. Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I have one for sale in the photo.net classifieds: http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=761290 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmm Posted March 14, 2008 Author Share Posted March 14, 2008 A specific slant on this is that I'm basically getting the 85/1.4 for the price of a new 85/1.8 So a part of my question is whether the 85 is the same as the 50mm where (unless you absolutely need the 1.4 aperture) you get a marginally better lens for a whole lot less money. What I guess I'm asking is, if they were the identical price, is the 85mm 1.4 better, same as, or worse than the 85mm 1.8? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_punch Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I have the 85 1.4 AIS , and it is a fabulous lens......buy it !!<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertdarmali Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I got 85mm 1.4 AIS. Before I got it, I was lusting over 85mm 1.8, and especially 85mm 1.4 AF. Then I bought the 85mm 1.4 Ai-s as a cheaper substitute. Never feel that I need 85mm 1.4 AF anymore. It's that good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johninjapan2000 Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Buy it. I can't believe you are hesitating. Buy it. Did you understand that I think you should buy it? Buy it. One of the top 5 or 6 lenses in the whole range. j. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_castiglione Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I have this lens and you should not hesitate. It has a beautiful clarity and a personality all its own. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eigtball Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 BTW... buy it. No really. I'd buy it in a heart beat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron l Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Love it. If you can afford it, you won't regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdw Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 A 85mm f1.4 for the price of the 1.8. No, no, no. Spend that money on the f/1.8. It will be more than good to take many shots of you kicking yourself in the patooey. That's not even a toss up question. I would have been over there yesterday with the cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.olson Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Get it, use it, learn it, you will love it. Don't even compare it with the 50mm line or anything else for that matter. It's a different breed of cat altogether. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmm Posted March 17, 2008 Author Share Posted March 17, 2008 Ok ok ok........ For those of you who have fretted over this on my behalf, yoou will be pleased to know that my camera bag is heavier and my bank account is lighter! Have been playing with it and I cannot believe the sharp detail I can get with it in low light; also the sheer speed in good light. I got a kookaburra in mid-launch from our tree out the back (from about 4m away) and it is absolutely perfectly frozen with every feather crisply rendered. Will post the shot when I get around to it. Colour that this lens gives is amazing too. I think my 50/1.4 is going to spend much more lonely time in the bag than before.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcalbaz Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Good luck with your new lens Bernard. We are looking forward to seeing some of the photo's you take with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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