85 1.4 test

<p>Got the 85 1.4 and shot some simple tests.<br>

Will try to upload the shots, first at 1.4, then f2, then 2.8, then f4.<br>

It gets progressively better as my 50 1.8 does. The difference between f1.4 and f4 is disappointingly massive!<br>

Steve</p>

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<p>Here's f4</p><div></div>

<p>Most lenses have resolution peaking around f/4 - f/8. @ f4, the resolution is certainly within the peak region. So, there's no need to be surprised that it is drastically better than at f/1.4.</p>

 

I saw the same when I tested mine, since it is mostly used as a portrait lens the corner sharpness wide open isn't a massive deal much of the time.

 

My 105mm f/2.5 AIS blows it away, it looks the same at almost every aperture until f/16. Max centre sharpness is similar however.

<p>In the f1.4 shot you got the focus really nailed at the black background with the thin white stripes :-) It may be only 1 mm or less but still....</p>

<p>Also I wonder if this lens focal plane is very flat? So if not then an almost flat, very near object may not be a perfect test object.</p>

<p>What type of post processing did you apply? In some areas of the second image at f4 it looks like artifacts from PP.</p>

<p>Seriously - I suppose accurate focus is very difficult to obtain at f1.4. And lens testing is a tricky business.</p>

<p>Mark,<br>

Don't still have my 105 2.5, but from tests I did when I did I think my results agree with yours, it was just incredible. Same goes for the 180 f2.8 AIS.<br>

With the 85 I thought and was hoping f2 would be quite close to its best but it's still well below f4.<br>

Steve</p>

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<p>Walter,<br>

it was on AF with the central sensor so focus should be in the dead centre of the image. I did try it with MF too with same result.<br>

No PP applied to either image.<br>

Steve</p>

 

<p>With the 200 f2 the difference between wide open and f4 is a lot smaller. But, it's fair to say that even on this super-lens there is still the inevitable quality drop.<br>

Steve</p>

 

<p>Here it is at f2</p><div></div>

<p>And this is f4</p><div></div>

<p>According to the EXIF data, the "85mm" images are with a 50mm lens, so I'm confused. But at any rate, with depth of field this small, the first thing to do would be to check for back focus and correct any problem there, because this appears to be a problem.</p>

<p>Right Curt, thanks for pointing that out! Having all sorts of problems posting pics!<br>

Ignore the above shots from the "85", these are the correct ones!<br>

Sorry about that!<br>

Steve</p>

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<p>And at f4</p><div></div>

<p>It's because of depth of field that I'm shooting a flat subject (ie print on a flat piece of paper).<br>

This is another test, same results.<br>

Steve</p>

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<p>And again at f4</p><div></div>

<p>Lot of chromatic aberration at f1.4 too.<br>

Steve</p>

 

<p>OK, now we got that nailed down and I will offer that I see about the same difference between f/1.4 and f/4 on my 50mm f/1.4 (and I should note that I tested 4 samples in the store and picked the best one several years ago). I don't own the 85mm, however, so I can't comment on it specifically. I will still suggest that you check for back focus, although I don't see as much evidence of that in these shots. And on that subject, since the last images have a smaller subject, I found that the spot being used by the camera to determine the focus did not correspond precisely with the focus marks in the viewfinder (I was using the eyes in my very patient Teddy Bear test). Lens testing like this is not an exact science without laboratory equipment.</p>

<p>Curt, sorry to ask a silly question but how do you access the EXIF data on these links?<br />Steve</p>

 

<p><em>how do you access the EXIF data on these links?</em> <br /> If you are using Firefox, there are several add-ons available. I happen to be using one called "FxIF". Just right-click on the image and it comes up as a menu item. There are others available that give even more information like "EXIF Viewer", just search on EXIF in the add-on search.</p>

<p>Thanks.<br>

I'll run a few more tests. I realise we're not looking at a real world situation here (ie it's a sheet of print or a film box), but looking at the f1.4 shot I'd almost rate that as diabolical, and wonder if we should be expecting more from a nearly £1000 lens?<br />Steve</p>

 

To avoid focus problems it's usually easier to test subjects at infinity, this also makes it very easy to compare centre and corner sharpness.

<p>OK Mark, difficult to do infinity as it's night time here! But just did it at about 6m and it's exactly the same, very blurry at f1.4 and snaps in at f4. And I'm only really looking at the centres, thought they at least should look OK.<br>

Steve</p>

 

<p>Steve,<br>

My 85 f1.4 is quite sharp when wide open in the centre. I think you may have got the foucs wrong in the first test shot or have a back focus issue. I've attached a real world image shot wide open, shot on my D3. Foucs point was her right eye.</p>

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<p>I shoot with the 85 1.2L and anything wide than 2.8 I alway suse manual focus. I prefer a tripod and on my 5D Mark II I use Live-View to zoom in 100% to get dead on manual focus. If shooting hand held even slight motion will cause my focus point to shift causing a blurred photo. With these high end lenses it is more often technique rather than issues with the lens.</p>

<p>http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/220-nikkor-af-85mm-f14d-review--test-report</p>