85/1.8G or 105/2DC

<p>Which of above-mentioned do you consider to be better flare resistant and sharper wide-open?<br />105/2 is a rather older construction and design - it might be some upgrade? <br /><br /></p>

<p>The 105 DC is one of my favorite lenses (because of its beautiful rendering of people) but if you're looking for the best quality images at wide apertures (f/2 or wider), get the 85/1.4 G AF-S. The 85/1.4G and the 105 DC are both very flare-resistant; I don't think you'll have problems with either of them in that respect. The 85/1.8G is also a great lens but there are reports of some flare issues remaining. Disclaimer: I have only shot a few frames with the 1.8G and did not test for flare specifically, but did notice that there was some color fringing at f/1.8 with the 1.8G at high contrast boundaries that was not there with the 85/1.4G shot side by side. The 85/1.4G is phenomenally sharp on the D800; even wide open it renders a near perfect image in the center (similar in many ways to VR 200/2 II). The autofocus accuracy of the 85/1.4 G is also better than 105 DC though both have some distance dependency to the optimal fine tune setting on the D800.</p>

<p>I would suggest you choose based on which focal length works best for your photography. At wide open, regardless of how sharp these lenses may be optically, your depth of field is very limited so that much of your subject will be out of focus anyway. Additionally, it is somewhat pointless to discuss sharpness unless you are using these lenses on a tripod or flashes are the sole source of light. If you are hand holding, unless your shutter speed is at least 1/125 sec and preferably 1/250 sec or faster, and your ISO is at or near the base ISO, various motion, vibration or noise is going to rob your sharpness.</p>

<p>I have been very happy with the 85mm/f1.8 AF-S, but I mainly use it indoors at f2, f2.8 at maybe 1/60 sec and ISO 3200 hand held. It is never going to be critically sharp under those circumatances. The likes of the D600, D700, and D800 are never sharp past ISO 1600 or so.</p>

<p>the sharpest 85mm at open apertures--1.4-2.8--is the sigma 85/1.4. the 85/1.4G and 85/1.8G have better corners, but this typically doesn't matter with defocused backgrounds.</p><div></div>

<p>full image.</p><div></div>

<p>Thanks to all of you. ) The cornrs matter of course, the 105 is more "my" focal length, but I am awaiting of 85's superior quality and cheaper price. </p>

<p>85/1.4G is really nice, 85/1.8G is almost as nice and a lot cheaper :-)<br>

Both work well at large apertures.<br>

The 85/1.8G has flare problems in very particular circumstances. They are not easy to come by, but when they happen, the problem is obvious. I'm not convinced at all that such problems wouldn't occur with other comparable fast lenses, so I'm using a slower lens when I want total control of flare.</p>

<p>I have the 1.8G, have shot in different lighting situations and don't seem to notice any flare issues. Call me crazy but I love the 1.8G that I ended up selling my 1.4G instead. </p>