leonard_forte1 Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 I finally broke down and bought the nikon 85mm f/1.4 lens. It is a really good lens as most have written. Excellent sharpness! The only problem is getting accurate focus, especially at wider apetures. But, when its in focus the image quality is excellent. The best quality of all my lenses. At times its a bit loo long indoors, in which case the 50mm is better. For outdoors it cant be beat. Expensive? Yes! but when you see the photos it produces it helps you to forget the cost. Just thought I'd share this with others who might be faced with the same decision I was. Its worth the money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juanjo_viagran Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Its worth the money! agreed.. love mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack_tzekov Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 I am using 85mm f/1.4 and find it a superb quality lens. However good lens doesn't mean easy pictures. It is hard to use in harsh sunlight but that is probably the case with any lens. 85mm f/1.4 is also excellent when used with flash indoors. Very sharp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_276104 Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 There seems to have been an increase in discussion and purchase of this lens lately....do you think it's because it is the lens shown in all the D3 ads? FWIW, I've had the 85mm f1.8D/non-D on my mind for a couple of years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walterh Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 "There seems to have been an increase in discussion and purchase of this lens lately....do you think it's because it is the lens shown in all the D3 ads?" Perhaps - but perhaps more because it fits the larger frame well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_walker Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 I am always surprised howmuch I like the crisp images I get with the 85 1.4 AF-D and also by how different they look from the ones I take with my trusty 180 AI ED, which are also great. The coloring seems different, cooler on the 85, which surprises me. The 85 seems a lot contrastier, or snappier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonard_forte1 Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share Posted November 6, 2007 I am now contamplating buying the 17-55mm f/2.8 to complete my lens arsenal. Has anyone used both? Is this lens as sharp as the 85mm 1.4? Again I have been debating whether the price tag for the 17-55 is worht it. Some say the cheap (inexpensive) 18-55mm is as good at smaller apetures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juanjo_viagran Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 I have both, 85mm 1.4D and 17-55mm 2.8 and IMO both are well worth the extra $$$ I use those two plus a 10.5mm fisheye more than any other lens, they make an excellent team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icuneko Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 The older now-discontinued 85mm f2 manual-focus lens is good too. And smaller, about the size of the 50mm f1.4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_makin Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 I bought the 17-55 about 6 weeks ago and the quality/sharpness of this lens is amazing. Its the first Pro Quality lens that I have purchased and I can now see what everyone was talking about. If you want my advice, you will not be dissapointed with the 17-55 2.8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonard_forte1 Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share Posted November 6, 2007 Is it true that there is some sample variation with the 17-55mm. I would not expect much variation ofr a high priced (pro) lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpolfer Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 I can't wait to lay out the cash for a sweet prime like that. My first two lenses are 17-55 and 70-200vr both 2.8 . While I like the zooms, I still want a prime maybe a 50mm 1.4 first though. Oh yeah, to the person that mentioned that an 18-55 is "just as sharp" as the 17-55. ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? I have an 18-55 kit lens and have taken less than fifty shots with it. Rubbish IMHO Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeux tortu Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 85 1.4 is much sharper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonard_forte1 Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share Posted November 6, 2007 much sharper than the 17-55? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoopyleong_leong Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Yup, this Nikon 85mm f/1.4 is indeed a very very good len. In fact i think the focusing at aperture of 1.4 is quite good for my copy. Regarding the 17-55 f/2.8, i personal feel that is a lousy len. I sold off mine after a month. I am using the D200 body. Reason is simply the focusing at low night is not consistent and slow. Thus i bought the 17 ~ 35mm f/2.8. This really a very good len in term of focusing, in low light environment & sharpness is definitely better that the so call good len "17 ~ 55mm f/2.8"????. This is purely my personal experience. To me review is just a guidance..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonard_forte1 Posted November 7, 2007 Author Share Posted November 7, 2007 Is there a good alternative to the nikon 17-55mm lens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_cox7 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 The Nikon 85mm f1.4 lens is razor sharp. I just don't know why I took so long to buy one! (May be cost had something to do with it). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddy_greenberg Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 someone sell me their 85 1.4 ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
httpwww.photo.netphoto1664882118 Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 I'm in the works for buying an 85mm 1.4 I do have an 85mm manual also, but love those wide angles. I do enjoy my 35-70mm 1.28D. Now I just need to figure out how to install an Ansmann Battery Grip to my D80 without tearing the chamber door off. A very novel problem indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian_puhl Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Steven, any feedback on that Ansmann grip? I've been debating a 3rd party grip over the nikon, i hear its junk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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