betty_lowrey Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 <p>I shoot Nikon. I'm in the market for a good prime lens that is sharp as well as useful in a variety of situations. Right now I use a 30mm 1.4 that I love, but I want to expand into maybe a 50 or an 85. Anyone have any prime lens raves?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rffffffff Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 <p>they are all pretty great.. on dx I like the 85 1.4 and the 50 1.4, on fx I like the 85 and 105 f/2 dc more. If you have nothing else, the 85 1.4 is probably the best one to get.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty_lowrey Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 <p>Thanks Robert. I'm hemming and hawing over here. I should just get both and call it day!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonj Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 <p>I use the 85 f1.8 it's with me 80% of the time. It's great for tight getting ready shots, first dance, toast, cake ( not cake cutting) etc. Here is a first dance at f 2.2 I keep the camera on auto focus and follow the B&G the lens is a bit slow at focusing but the image quality makes up for the slow focusing.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errol young Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 <p>I would like to use primes but I always end up in small rooms where I need to go wide so I depend on my 16-85. I did some head shots with my old MF 85 1.8. Not as sharp as the moderns but the look was worth it. I still love that lens.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savagesax Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 There's something special about the 85mm. When it's been tested in magazines it's often referred as the best short telephoto Nikon ever made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty_lowrey Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 <p>Thanks for tips...think the 85 is going to be it.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marilynb Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 <p>I have the 50mm 1.8 and the 85mm 1.8. I love them both. I find the 85 soft wide open, but very sharp at f2.2 and up. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonj Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 <p>IMO the 85mm can contribute the wonderful image quality due to it's rear focusing element that puts the glass closer to the sensor than most lenses. If you own this lens then you know when taking it off of the camera body you have to be careful not to touch the rear lens element because it sticks out of the lens housing almost like a reversed fisheye.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rffffffff Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 <blockquote> <p>I'm hemming and hawing over here. I should just get both and call it day!</p> </blockquote> <p>thats the truth... I dont know how I would live without the 35, 50 and 85 primes... </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy_and_david_bock Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 <p>Our personal favs: 35 1.4L, 50 1.2L, 85 1.2L, 135 2L, 70-200 2.8L IS.<br> I think that'd be the best place to work from. We love them.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrodgers Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 <blockquote> <p>Our personal favs: 35 1.4L, 50 1.2L, 85 1.2L, 135 2L, 70-200 2.8L IS.<br /> I think that'd be the best place to work from. We love them.</p> </blockquote> <p>Stop it, you'll make them jealous! :)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy_and_david_bock Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 <p>LOL! Not meaning too!!! :) </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilambrose Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 <blockquote> <p>Our personal favs: 35 1.4L, 50 1.2L, 85 1.2L, 135 2L, 70-200 2.8L IS.<br /> I think that'd be the best place to work from. We love them.</p> </blockquote> <p>But these are Canon lenses. The question is about Nikon. :-)</p> <p>I'd suggest 50 1.4 and 85 1.4. They're the lenses I've found most useful to me. For my money the 50 is probably more versatile than the 85. Much sharper wide open too - the 85 is pretty soft until you stop down a bit.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy_and_david_bock Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 <p>Neil. Perhaps they should sell their Nikons. :-D :-D :-D But yah. Equivalents to those.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_wall Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 <p>For FF, 28 and 85 gets it done. And a 50 for group shots.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed farmer - mount laurel, Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 <p>I loved my 85f1.8 until it was stolen/lost . . . I replaced it with a 50f1.4 which I also love. However, I have been using the 50 differently from the way that I used the 85. I would love to pick up another 85, but I don't think that I will spring for the 1.4.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiva Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 <p>Ed, say more about how you use the 50 differently than the 85. That sounds interesting.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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