Trying again... Need a **super fast** focusing lens...

<p>The two lenses I have in your desired range are 85/1.4 and 135/2DC. The former focuses very fast (even driven by my humble D80) and doesn't seem to 'hunt' unlike some of my other AF-D primes and the latter, while being an awesome lens, is opposite and focuses relatively slowly.</p>

<p>Of course the dilemma is that the 135/2 has a little more size and weight for dealing with those pesky zombies... (Fabulous post by the way, the most random laugh I've had in ages... you've made my Friday morning).</p>

<p>Whatever lens you decide on will be OK. But if you really want to focus in dark places (bars, night clubs, caves) you will need to learn how to zone focus. i.e. - if you set your lens at f5.6, and are 20 feet away, you probably can set the lens to 17 feet and have enough depth-of-field to get a decent shot. If you D700 works well at ISO 6400, you should get a decent image. [With the AF switched off, the camera won't hunt for a focus point...] Nikon auto-focus generally needs something of contrast to focus on...in cave-like lighting -> not so good.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Nothing can replace the touch of human fingers. Learn to manual focus. </p>

<p><strong>@Steve:</strong> I think the days of "professional" media are pretty much dead... I write for 2 print magazines, and 2 blogs, and I still have to have a pretty demanding day-job just to be able to afford to keep the zombies at bay. I'd like to see us all get paid (or paid more), but that is what it is... Hopefully the iPad (and it's like) will turn around stuff for content producers, enabling folks to monetize their work without the dilution the current "free" internet has caused on all of us. <br>

<strong>@BM Mills</strong> : You have both of my dream lenses. How would you compare the 85 f1.4 against the 50 f1.4 in focusing speed. Even screwdriver powered, I hear it's pretty quick.</p>

<p>Regarding the 105mm micro VR - As I said in the previous thread, this is NOT a fast focusing lens, at least not in my experience. </p>

<p>I would opt for an 85mm f/1.8 - D or not - mine is a non-D version and it is the fastest focusing lens I own on my D300 and my D70S. It is very sharp from say f/2.8, which is probably about right for the kind of shooting you'll be doing. (To provide a reasonable sharp DoF while still providing good separation from your background.)</p>

 

<p>I don't really know how to measure lense focus speed other than by impression. I have a Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX DC Macro on my D2x and it SEEMS to focus by thought alone. I never hear the motor engage it seems so fast. As far a color ,snap,IQ they all seem good to me.</p>

<p>Leigh - 50/1.4 is good if the light is very good, but it does tend to 'search' a lot. For some reason, like I said, the 85/1.4 and 35/2 are the 2 lenses I own that are the fastest and truest at focusing. For its size, and for a screw-drive lens, again even on my little D80, the 180/2.8 is not half bad either. I can't wait to see how they go on D700.</p>

<p>Sometimes AFS is overrated when it comes to focus speed. Quiet yes but not always fast. I agree with above statement on the 85 1.8. I love the images I get from it and it snaps to focus quickly.</p>

<p>I've come to the conclusion that, while some posters don't like the camera as a photographic tool, if you get the version with the larger battery holder, the F4s, working or not, but loaded with the max clip of double A batteries would make an excellent zombie basher. Just make sure you get a strong strap to hold onto it with. You don't want the zombies to have a reason to smile, as your weapon flies over their heads and into that lake behind them. Yeah, it's not a lens, but it would not be a unitasker, if you got one that still worked.</p>

<p>@John, "Unitasker" Williamson: I see Alton Brown has gotten to you too... welcome to the reserves. Pick up your zombie spray and stand mixer (itself an awesome zombie basher).</p>

<p>AF-S 24-85 f/3.5-4.5 image tests (it focuses crazy fast relative to the 50 1.4)<br>

Original re-sized to fit post. Hunter outside experiencing snow in Texas for the first time...<br>

1/125 f/5.6 ISO 200<br>

<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4352945715_308df66d4c_o.jpg" alt="" /><br>

and the crop:<br>

<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4353692362_364ecc26e3_o.jpg" alt="" /><br>

I'm pretty happy with this For a 299 "Bargain" lens from KEH (whose "bargain" rating is better than "Like New" on ebay, as I've discovered). It certainly doesn't compel me to upgrade my fast sigma mid-range to the nikon. Low light is gonna be a bit of an issue... but perhaps the 85 1.8 will answer that problem? Let me find one, and I'll let you know.</p>

<p>**note the look on hunters face... Alien Paparazzi on the move...</p>