mike_halliwell Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 I prefer native-mount lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Davies Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 +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.... 😇 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted March 22 Author Share Posted March 22 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themaz Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 I have a Sigma AF 85mm f1.4, and this is a pixel level crop shot wide open. Full frame source image also shown for reference. 85mm f1.4 and it does a pretty good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilkka_nissila Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 On 3/22/2024 at 11:05 AM, mike_halliwell said: 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. Huh? Z cameras always focus at the shooting aperture when it is not smaller than f/5.6. I don't know how the user could do it any other way. Unless he was just focusing wide open and then changing the aperture without refocusing for the stopped down shots. In normal shooting with autofocus, the camera does the correct thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilkka_nissila Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 (edited) To the original question, they are both good lenses, one of them is a fraction of the size and weight of the other. If one wants to carry just one lens, sure, the 85/1.4 Art - why not, but at least I need / prefer to shoot most situations with multiple focal lengths and so I chose the 1.8 line to accomplish this with ease. (And with a light bag.) They're also gimbal compatible etc. And I've been very happy with this choice. I will eventually get some of the faster lenses but they're not a priority for me right now. I typically use 20/35/85 as my short prime trio. I would add a 200 mm if they made one. Edited April 29 by ilkka_nissila Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted April 29 Author Share Posted April 29 15 hours ago, themaz said: Full frame source image Time for some new pads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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