Any questions about the nature of these reviews? Visit my Ethics Statement. It’s all quite simple!
I purchased this lens for Christmas (well, actually Santa did) at the following link at B&H Photo. The “official” nerdy lens name is: Nikon Telephoto AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF Autofocus Lens.
The lens is amazing, and I like it even better than my 50mm 1.4. See more at the Nikon 50mm Review.
I have not posted any photos yet, because most are just family. But, believe me, it rocks. It is pretty much the same as the 50mm review in terms of quality and the “look” of the out-of-focus areas. The BIG difference is that you can be further away when taking the shot, which really matters.
As soon as you “get up close” with that 50mm, sometimes the moment is ruined, because people are VERY conscious of the camera. The 85mm has now become pretty much my main “people / family shot lens”.
Photos to come soon… That should help round off this Nikon 85mm Review.
Here is my daughter in downtown Tampa. How’s that for low-light performance? Shot with an 85mm 1.4 lens. This is ISO 1250 on an 85mm lens shot at f/1.4. 1/90th of a second.
Running right at me full speed! ISO 200, 85mm, f/1.7, 1/3000 sec
ISO 360, 85mm, f/3.3, 1/90 sec
She’s not a happy princess. But she was shot at 1600 ISO, 85mm, f/1.4, 1/320 sec.
Here is Isabella again. It was dark on the streets of Savannah, and I mean DARK. And she was moving around, as always. This was ISO 3200, 85mm, f/1.4 at 1/90 sec.
Here is my friend’s family in Savannah. After dinner, about 10 PM in very very dark, we went out. All of this is, like the ones above, without a flash. It’s really amazing, isn’t it? This is ISO 3200, 85mm, f/1.4 and 1/90 sec.
A barn near Petaluma on a foggy morning. This was shot at f/1.4
January 24th, 2010 00:37 | Samantha
I can’t wait to see some photos with this! I considered the 85mm f/1.8 for my crop sensor Canon, but went with 100mm f/2 instead. The bokeh is just beautiful on full frame (hope I can make use of that someday!), but still really nice on my camera as well.
January 27th, 2010 04:34 | Deron Kamisato
I thought my lens collecting days were over but because of this review I really want that lens!
January 27th, 2010 09:25 | Stefanos
Since I see that you already own the 70-200 f/2.8 can you describe how this lens compares with your tele-zoom? Great work!
January 28th, 2010 00:29 | Stephen Zacharias
I would really like to buy this lens but don’t know whether the additional cost over the 1.8 is worth it considering my needs and the fact I shoot with a D90.
Love the picture of Isalbella in downtown Tampa.
January 30th, 2010 02:45 | DARYL BUTCHER
I love the 85 f-1.4. It works REAL WELL shooting out the window (open) of a speeding car. Set manual focus to just get to infinity at f-1.4, put it on shutter priority at 1/250 or so, point it out the window and shoot. Get travel pictures without stopping or when stopping is not practical. Alternately, set it on auto-ISO, program mode with a 1/250 minimum shutter speed or faster and never look back. As the sun sets slowly in the West, the pictures will keep coming back fine even by moonlight. The camera will just keep jacking up the ISO as the sun goes down. Sucks in photons like a black hole. Also makes great HDRs and panoramas in full light. Letting the camera set the ISO for exposure with a manual speed/aperture setting works great for sports. That is the 4th mode for me … e.g. S, A, P and ISO. With the low-noise sensors it makes pictures possible that were one time just about impossible.
February 4th, 2010 02:45 | In Petaluma to see Leo Laporte in Action!
[...] Nikon 85mm Review [...]
February 4th, 2010 06:58 | newton
Hi, which is wiser to buy for better bokeh, better performance? Nominees are 50mm 1.4d or 85mm 1.8d?
February 10th, 2010 01:32 | Green Roadways Between Delhi and Agra
[...] Nikon 85mm Review [...]
February 18th, 2010 11:56 | Brian Hoffman
I have the 85mm 1.4 and I love it as much as you do. I use it as my “normal” lens.
February 19th, 2010 09:03 | Jeanette Victoria
I want……..
February 23rd, 2010 17:46 | Wil Bloodworth
Trey,
You do know Nikon is about to release a new AF-S version of the 85mm f/1.4 right? Of course, it will probably be $3000. Enjoy it!
- Wil