85mm f/1.4 - oh my!

NorthernNikon said:
Indeed.

Also, I think for the test to have any worth there need to be comparison shots taken at the same aperture throughout the range. I would expect an expensive lens like the 1.4 to perform better at it's widest aperture than the cheaper 1.8, but it's difference bewteen the two at f:2.8, f:4, f:5.6, f:8 and f:11 which would be more useful to see. Afterall, these are the apertures that the majority of shots will be taken at.
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Actually, I have to disagree here mate

I bought my f1.8 to use it at f1.8 during the getting ready phase in a Wedding - I don't think I've so far ventured a high as f2.8 let alone f8

Though I do agree & suspect that by those higher f-numbers there will be sod all difference in the 'real' world of clients

DD
 
DiddyDave said:
Actually, I have to disagree here mate

I bought my f1.8 to use it at f1.8 during the getting ready phase in a Wedding - I don't think I've so far ventured a high as f2.8 let alone f8

Though I do agree & suspect that by those higher f-numbers there will be sod all difference in the 'real' world of clients

DD
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I'd be wanting to use it at f/1.6-2 myself for portrait work also
 
DiddyDave said:
Actually, I have to disagree here mate

I bought my f1.8 to use it at f1.8 during the getting ready phase in a Wedding - I don't think I've so far ventured a high as f2.8 let alone f8

Though I do agree & suspect that by those higher f-numbers there will be sod all difference in the 'real' world of clients

DD
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Dave, that's one very specific reason to buy and use a lens. The 85mm is a far more versitile focal length than this though. Personally I feel that there's a place for very shallow depth of field in portraiture, but as with all thing, over use and the style becomes hackneyed.
 
boyfalldown said:
not sure there - why would you buy an f1.4 lens to use it at f8-f16?
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Is this another one of those wind up posts? :suspect:

Firstly, the range I stated wasn't f:8 to f:16 so I'm not sure where you got that from, and secondly, having an f:1.4 lens doesn't affect your choice of aperture other than the potential range available to you. You'd want to shoot at f:8 on an f:1.4 lens for the same reason as you would an f:1.8, f:2.8 or f:5.6 lens, because it's the right aperture for the shot.
 
NorthernNikon said:
Dave, that's one very specific reason to buy and use a lens. The 85mm is a far more versitile focal length than this though. Personally I feel that there's a place for very shallow depth of field in portraiture, but as with all thing, over use and the style becomes hackneyed.
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And I totally :agree: with that too - but hackneyed in 'our' togging perspective, not the clients' who still still very few such shots

Other than that an 85mm fixed lens is a bit restrictive - I certainly couldn't rely on it in the studio as we haven't the space, and running forwards & backwards on a 'wild' Shoot is a PITA compared with a 70-200 zoom

DD
 
Don't get me wrong Dave, you shoot what sells, but in terms of a decent comparison test between the two lenses it certainly would tell me anything unless it went up to at least f:8. Your studio shots are usually with small kids aren't they? A fast zoom would obvisously make sense but I'd I'd be suprised if you didn't venture up to f:8/f:11 in the studio. FOr more sedate portraiture, usch as fashion, or headshots, the 85mm is a fine portrait lens.
 
The 1.4 is lovely, but looking at Hackers pics, £400-£500 more nice?? Na, methinks not... will stick with my 1.8 and keep the lens lust at bay... you can't use DOF like that every day anyway... it's only to make peeps on forums jealous and make them think they need it! :D
 
NorthernNikon said:
Don't get me wrong Dave, you shoot what sells, but in terms of a decent comparison test between the two lenses it certainly would tell me anything unless it went up to at least f:8. Your studio shots are usually with small kids aren't they? A fast zoom would obvisously make sense but I'd I'd be suprised if you didn't venture up to f:8/f:11 in the studio. FOr more sedate portraiture, usch as fashion, or headshots, the 85mm is a fine portrait lens.
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Perhaps missed my point slightly - in the studio f8/f11 rules - small kids are always shot at f8-f11 as the wee buggers move so fast :D

But then I don't shoot there at 85mm usually - there isn't the space (unless it's a head & shoulders only)

Otherwise :agree:

DD
 
Lovely lens this - but it does render colour quite differently from the newer Nikkors. Personally it's the one thing I'm not keen on.
 
NorthernNikon said:
Is this another one of those wind up posts? :suspect:

Firstly, the range I stated wasn't f:8 to f:16 so I'm not sure where you got that from, and secondly, having an f:1.4 lens doesn't affect your choice of aperture other than the potential range available to you. You'd want to shoot at f:8 on an f:1.4 lens for the same reason as you would an f:1.8, f:2.8 or f:5.6 lens, because it's the right aperture for the shot.
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it wasn't meant to be, but a serious question - why spend 3x the amount on this lens then its 'little brother' if not to use the additional wide open part of the range - I think that that is where the interest lies in the lens. f8 onwards there (probably) isn't any difference between the f1.4 and the f 1.8. I know I didn't buy this lens to shoot at f8

Hugh
 
boyfalldown said:
it wasn't meant to be, but a serious question - why spend 3x the amount on this lens then its 'little brother' if not to use the additional wide open part of the range - I think that that is where the interest lies in the lens. f8 onwards there (probably) isn't any difference between the f1.4 and the f 1.8. I know I didn't buy this lens to shoot at f8
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But that's the very reason for asking for the comparison between the two from f:2.8 to f:11. If you're going to shoot at f:1.4 you buy the f:1.4 because that's your only option. If you're shooting f:8 in the studio, what imporvement (if any) will the f:1.4 afford.

There are other reasons to buy the f:1.4 though, build quality being one, but I'm interested in the image quality to see what difference there actually is.
 
Hey guys, if you like the Nikon 85/1.4, you'd lurve the Canon 85/1.2 ..... I'd say it's the most impressive lens I've handled. (And you know how many that is!)
 
StewartR said:
Hey guys, if you like the Nikon 85/1.4, you'd lurve the Canon 85/1.2 ..... I'd say it's the most impressive lens I've handled. (And you know how many that is!)
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I have to say I have been tempted to try a 1Ds3+85 1.2 to see what its like. :)

Pete
 
if the 1.8 was a metal body i would buy that, but as its not, i saving my cash for HK.
 
I had an 85 1.2 on a 1D3, and have to say that it was really lovely, and absolutely looked the business. I had the mark I version, which is slower than the mkII but for the things I used it for I never had issue at all, and is more than perfectly acceptable - focus by wire was a little odd though; I never could quite get used to that. Overall, the 1.2 was vastly superior to the 1.8 in every way. My current Nikkor 85 1.4 is vastly superior in my eyes to the 1.8 too.
 
Hacker said:
I've just hired one for a few days from Stewart at lensesforhire and I am in luuuurve already. :)
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I too hired this lens from LfH last week, I was suitably impressed and have since sourced a good used copy. :)
 
AliB said:
errrm, yes you can and several very good photographers do just that.

Have a look at http://www.helenbartlett.co.uk/portraits/childrenPortfolio.php?page=3

And http://www.imagestoinspire.org/tbd.htm#

I've met both of these ladies and they both shoot with the 85mm f1.2 on canon cameras.
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Wonderful pics by Helen B, but I'll bet good money that most are not taken at f/1.2. Most of the ones I've just looked at that opened on your link certainly were not shot at f/1.2 and some others nowhere near it.
 
About to do the upgrade myself... still feeling the difference?!
 
Just a note.. I've seen on many sites people using the 1.8 to 1.4 as the be all end all in the comparison.. no, most won't need the extra and won't be shooting at 1.4 that often.. BUT.. from what I can gather and I'm sure will be confirmed when I get it.. the cream, the bokeh, the overall quality of the image and the lens build itself.. therein lies the difference!

Does that sound right guys?
 
I think the 1.8 is a great lens, really great. I'm greedy though :) And have a very large exhibition project this summer which I feel the extra magic of the 1.4 will be ideal for.

My 1.8 is up for sale.
 
db247 said:
Just a note.. I've seen on many sites people using the 1.8 to 1.4 as the be all end all in the comparison.. no, most won't need the extra and won't be shooting at 1.4 that often.. BUT.. from what I can gather and I'm sure will be confirmed when I get it.. the cream, the bokeh, the overall quality of the image and the lens build itself.. therein lies the difference!

Does that sound right guys?
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There is very little to choose between the two to be honest, and certainly not worth the price hike*










































*This has no scientific support whatsoever, I just want to see you sweat :D

:lol:
 
Hacker said:
I've just hired one for a few days from Stewart at lensesforhire and I am in luuuurve already. :) It feels very nice on the D3 the dof is crazy and I'm looking forward to putting it through its paces this weekend, just taken a quickie and waiting for the kids to come home from school. :D
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actually I don't like this (and it's not jealously as I have a 1.4 myself) the DOF is sooo shallow it looks like clumsy PP

Main advantage of these IMHO is the ability to get a shot in low light, but rarely would I use 1.4

Your opinion may vary of course
 
HoppyUK said:
Each to their own fellas, but until somebody can show me a worthwhile photo, taken at f/1.2 or 1.4 or whatever, and hand on heart say that it wouldn't be as good or even couldn't be done with anything more modest, then I will stick with my sensible zooms :D
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Sure :naughty:

Clicky here

here

and here

They all could be done at narrower apertures but the bokeh wouldn't be as nice IMO.

I'd love an 85/1.4. I love my 50/1.4 on full frame.
 
Tomas Whitehouse said:
Sure :naughty:

Clicky here

here

and here

They all could be done at narrower apertures but the bokeh wouldn't be as nice IMO.

I'd love an 85/1.4. I love my 50/1.4 on full frame.
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Thanks mate you have inspired me to do some street stuff at night, exactly what the docter ordered. And camera shops are shut at night so I wont be tempted to pop in and buy the 85 1.4!
 
lukewoodford said:
Thanks mate you have inspired me to do some street stuff at night, exactly what the docter ordered. And camera shops are shut at night so I wont be tempted to pop in and buy the 85 1.4!
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I can't take the credit for them mate, thats Dustin Diaz and I'm also very inspired by his work to try some night time scenes also.

I should have a shoot coming up in the first week of July :woot: The 50mm will be on a 1.4! :D
 
Tomas Whitehouse said:
I can't take the credit for them mate, thats Dustin Diaz and I'm also very inspired by his work to try some night time scenes also.

I should have a shoot coming up in the first week of July :woot: The 50mm will be on a 1.4! :D
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I know I just read some of his blog, I then noticed they are self portraits, the look really natural. Very good photographer.
 
lukewoodford said:
I know I just read some of his blog, I then noticed they are self portraits, the look really natural. Very good photographer.
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Ennit mate! It's some of the best stuff I've seen for while. Thoroughly inspiring. :)
 
Mangelwurzel said:
:agree: Diaz rocks. How he has time to do all the shots and setup stuff everyday for his 365 is beyond me considering his demanding job and all. Top stuff :thumbs:
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Indeed, it kinda makes me feel like an old fart who should get out and do more! :lol:
 
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