Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZF vrs Nikon 85 1.4?

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clarkeg

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Clarke
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Hi all,

I am on the look out for a 85 1.4 to go with my D700.

Does anyone have any experience with the Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZF lens compared with the Nikon 85mm 1.4?

Both are of similar price but was wondering which in general is a better lens. It will be for taking mainly portraits.

Thanks
Clarke
 
I haven't used one but the January issue of Photo Professional reviewed five 85mm portrait lenses plus a macro and the Canon-fit Zeiss came out pretty poorly overall and especially for image quality (but top for build quality). The Nikon G came out top overall, and for image quality.

Ian
 
This will be very subjective as these lenses will have their own character. The Nikon has AF and less CA (according to DXOMark) whilst the Zeiss has the distinctive Zeiss pop and slightly higher resolution.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Le.../485/(lens2)/338/(brand2)/Zeiss/(camera2)/485

I own the older (but extermemly similar) Contax version of the Zeiss 85/1.4 and it's a stunner :)

The other lens to consider is the SIgma 85/1.4 which also has some serious pop.
 
clarkeg said:
Hi all,

I am on the look out for a 85 1.4 to go with my D700.

Does anyone have any experience with the Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZF lens compared with the Nikon 85mm 1.4?

Both are of similar price but was wondering which in general is a better lens. It will be for taking mainly portraits.

Thanks
Clarke
Click to expand...

Get the Nikon
 
I do like the Zeiss lenses, however the 85mm is not one of their best, I would go for the Nikkor.






.
 
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Try first Sigma. You can save a lot for the same IQ and faster AF.
 
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If you want to use manual focus check out the Samyang. It gets put up with and above the top-end 85's routinely and is cheap as chips :)
 
Martyn... said:
I do like the Zeiss lenses, however the 85mm is not one of their best, I would go for the Nikkor.

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Click to expand...

Actually I would rate the 85/1.4 as easily one of their best! Both of these at f/1.4

big_1032__MG_1798_1.jpg


big_1032__MG_1807_1.jpg


This at f/2.8

big_1032__MG_7159_1.jpg


It beat the Samyang for me in terms of contrast and rendering style. I haven't used the Nikon so can't comment :)
 
I've had the 85 1.4G for about three weeks now and have shot a couple of college concerts (jazz and vocal) with it on my D300, along with my 70-200 2.8 VR II. I've been very pleased with the 85 so far. I also used it for a photoshoot for a friend who wanted casual shots of her three children and their three dogs. I could never have pulled off that shoot without the 1.4 since we were indoors and using natural lightling.

The Nikkor 85 1.4G is pricey but I can give it high marks and recommend it highly if that's the focal length you're after. I've not used the Nikkor 85 1.4D; it's several hundred dollars cheaper and has a stellar reputation.
 
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