Sigma 85mm 1.4 ART v Nikon Z 85mm f1.8

[mike_halliwell]

They are currently the same price of about 500 UK pounds (no pound sign on US keyboard!) used v new.

Anyone got any views?

Obviously 1.4 v 1.8 but...IQ?

[ShunCheung]

I prefer native-mount lenses.

[Rob Davies]

+1 for the 85 Z.

From my past experience with F mount f1.4s, they needed stopping down to at least f2/f2.8 for usable results.

I had an 85mm 1.4 D for a while and the purple/green fringing was 'troublesome', by all accounts the Sigma is a really good lens and is probably much improved.

The Z 1.8 is essentially good at any aperture (at least until diffraction kicks in).

Also, despite its length it is very light and good for extended use where a 70-200 would be much more cumbersome.

I could also make an argument for the Plena, but I'm still trying to talk myself out of that.... 😇 

[ShunCheung]

There are the 85mm/f1.2 and 135mm/f1.8 Plena to choose from, if you have too much money around. I simply don't capture nearly enough portrait to justify either lens.

[mike_halliwell]

Interesting reading on the photography life review.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-z-85mm-f1-8-s/2

This becomes relevant for the new 'wide-open' focusing option 

One thing to keep in mind is that the lens has a pronounced focus shift issue that can be easily seen when stopping down at all apertures from f/1.8 to f/5.6. To avoid focus shift completely, make sure to stop the lens down to the desired aperture before focusing. That’s what I had to do in order to properly measure the sharpness of the lens.

Quite a difference 2 stops down makes. I'd intend to use this lens wide open.

 

Edited March 22 by mike_halliwell