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Opinions on Nikon 85mm f/1.4 - opportunity to buy


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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?

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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.

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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?

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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.
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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....

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  • 2 weeks later...

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