Customer Reviews

Nikon 85mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I own the prior version of this lens (the non-AFS 85mm 1.4), and it's one of my all time favorites. There's something almost magic about it for me - I almost can't take a bad picture with it.

So when Nikon released the updated version, I was a little hesitant to upgrade - at least until I went to audition the new lens in one of the big NYC camera shops. After using the new lens firsthand, I just couldn't resist. Now, I own the new one, and the older one is on eBay.

To be clear, by my eye, there's not a huge difference in image quality, as the older lens was already excellent on all counts. The updated version is maybe slightly sharper in the corners on an FX body, colors seem perhaps a bit more vivid, and it seems a bit less prone to flare when you point it directly at a bright light source. It focuses a few inches closer than its predecessor and weighs maybe an ounce or two more. Still, it's not like one is "bad" and the other "good" - just slightly different, and not at all a dramatic difference for most users.

To me, where the compelling value comes from is the new AFS focusing setup, making autofocus nearly instant and incredibly accurate. Thanks to the wide f/1.4 aperture, you always get a bright image, and on both my D3 and D300, focus is blindingly fast and dead-on accurate. This was my only real gripe with the previous lens, and I found myself often either missing shots because of the slow autofocus, or I'd spend a lot of energy manually focusing instead of composing the exact shot I wanted. Now, with the new 85mm f/1.4G, I get fantastic image quality, plus much better and faster handling - and to me, that makes it worthwhile.

Still, the older lens is no slouch, and I suppose if I had neither one and was on a tight budget, I'd certainly have no trouble going with the older lens. There seems to be maybe a $500 premium to get the AFS version, although that might narrow as more lenses get into the market and we see some better discounting.

Of course, if you're questioning whether to upgrade, the pro-grade Nikon lenses hold their value very well, and although I haven't sold mine yet, I'm thinking I'll get 80% of what I paid for it when it was new several years ago, and that makes the transaction easier to handle.

Definitely recommended.

The new lens is faster to focus and more accurate than either the 85mm 1.4D or 85mm 1.8 D. I have used both and shot over 50,000 photos with the 85mm 1.8 D as it was my bread and butter for several years. Is this a better lens than it's predecessor? YES!

If you already own the 85mm f/1.4 should you go out and sell it? Probably not, unless you are a mainly prime shooter. On the other hand, if you are looking for an upgrade to the 85mm 1.8 and use it heavily this may be a great buy. I mainly stick with the 35mm, 85mm & 135 lens in Nikon. I find that primes actually help my creativity. This lens will be my new workhorse.

Update: May 4, 2011

As a wedding and portrait photographer this has become my main lens. If I had to guess, I would say during engagement photography I use this lens 80% of the time and during a wedding around 40%+ of the time. I use this on my D700 and switch between this, the 35mm 2.0 and 135mm 2.0 and sometimes the 70-200mm. Using the 85mm all day instead of the 70-200mm all day is a back saver.

After shooting over 30,000 images through this lens all I can say is....Amaaaazing.

I procrastinated on getting this lens for a few years now, with the mentality of "why would I pay a grand plus for a 85 prime when I already have the 70-200 2.8 that covers the zoom range already?" It seemed pretty redundant to have overlapping focal lengths.

However, day after day, the recurring thought that popped into my mind is, " I should get this lens." So after two + years of waiting and procrastinating, I saw the AF-S version and jumped on it!!
I have to say that the colors and contrast that I get from this lens at f/1.4 rivals or exceeds my 70-200mm @ the f/2.8 setting. It's been sitting on my camera ever since the first day I received it.

This lens is MUCH MUCH sharper then the Nikkor 50mm 1.4 wide open!! and renders Bokeh (the dreamy looking areas of the image) with such poetry that it makes my brain dance every time I look at the images produced by this product @ 1.4

The 3 Feet min focusing distance is a much welcomed feature compared to the relatively far 5 feet min focusing of the 70-200 zoom. It allows you to get closer to the subject and offer a more communicative shooting experience.

The secret to good photography is imagination + interesting subjects + fantastic lens

I'm happy to report that this lens is the most fantastic lens that I have ever used!

I shoot with a D300S (i.e., DX) and the lenses I used for portrait before this Nikkor 85mm f1.4G are: Nikkor 50mm f1.4D and f1.4G, Nikkor 60mm f2.8 macro, Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro, Nikkor 105mm f2.8 macro, Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro.

I bought this lens mainly to take picture of my two-month old son.

Since I have never owned a 85mm lens (either 1.4D or 1.8D), I can't provide a meaningful comparison; hence, my review is purely based on how image quality (sharpness, colour, bokeh), auto-focus speed, and build of this lens.

The parametre of the testing: I set the aperture to f1.4, ISO 400, using natural light. The main subject is a wine bottle with a basket next to it and a second wine bottle. Pictures are taken in door handheld. I have posted the picture for your reference.

1.) Image Quality. Pictures taken with this lens are extremely sharp. At the largest aperture, it gives you a very nice blurry background/bokeh and the subject in focus seems like just "popped" out from the picture. Bokeh is smooth and creamy, and the colour is rich and contrasty. I have also included two pictures of butterfly shoots for your reference.
2.) Auto-focus speed. It is fast, accurate and quiet under low light condition; however, I have better experience with Nikkor other lenses, such as the Nikkor 70-200mm II f2.8G, Nikkor 50mm f1.4G, as I feel more assured with them. It is until the AF is locked and you heard a "beep" that tell you your image is sharp.
3.) The size of this lens has grown from before (I compared it to the 85mm 1.4D and 1.8D) but still manageable. Well build but not too heavy. It should balance well with a D300, D300S, and lighter camera such as D90, D7000.

A couple of observations: -

1.) One the things I have experienced using it wide open (i.e., f1.4) with this lens is that the shallow depth of field can be very thin and any slight movements of the subject will cause the image to lose the sharpness. Hence, practicing how to use this lens properly is important.
2.) For indoor shoots during night time, even with all the light switch on and set the aperture at f1.4, I still need ISO of between 500-1000 to take decently sharp images with my DX format DLSR.

The copy that I bought has front focus issue (i.e., the area of sharpness is in front of the area you focused). Instead of making adjustment on my camera, I sent it (together with my camera) back to Nikon for re-calibration (I got the lens and camera back from Nikon within 24 hours, in case you want to know). It is now razor sharp. I raise this just in case this is a common problem for this lens.

I placed my order with Amazon.com the evening this lens was announced and received the lens today directly from Amazon (not a reseller). They shipped UPS and required a signature. Everything Amazon did was perfect. Although other photographers received their lenses a little sooner, I was happy to wait an extra week.

OK..the lens. There are 2 types of buyers of this new lens. Those that own the old Nikon 85mm 1.4 and those who are buying it for the first time. I do not own the old version of the lens and this is my first 1.4mm lens. The decision to buy this lens was based on the outstanding reviews of the older version released now several years ago.

There are 3 main reason I bought this lens. One is to have a prime lens used for both portraits and close ups, a low light lens, and of course that thing called bokeh (The soft/blurring areas outside of the depth of field). I personally want a lens that can create this bokeh.

Some other thoughts about this lens is that it is not nearly as heavy as I thought it would be and the pictures I've taken so far are a lot brighter than I would have thought. One day is not enough time to properly evaluate this lens (yes I'll update), but after a few dozen shots, I love this lens. Hopefully others can justify the cost for it as well.

I was about to get the 1.4D when this was announced. So glad I waited! It's obvious downside is the price, but having had it now for about 3 weeks I'm glad I went for it. I had thought to use it mostly for portraits but really love it for almost everything I've shot with it. I can't believe the available light shots I've grabbed with this lens. Being able to shoot at 1.4 opens up a whole new world- and this lens looks beautiful at 1.4. It's sharp and the bokeh is out of this world.

I'm sure most reviews will highlight the IQ and bokeh (and justly so) therefore, I thought I'd speak to another area where this lens just blows me away: auto focus accuracy and consistency. I can't believe how good this lens is when it comes to that. This thing is DEAD ON. It's absolutely amazing! Even when shooting in very low light it locks in and consistently is razor sharp and in focus. Shot some ducks in a park with almost no light and WOW! Took it to a gym and shot volleyball at 1.4 and again WOW! Almost every single shot was perfectly in focus. It's not hunting either- it just locks in and BAM. I have really been impressed with how consistently excellent it is when it comes to the AFS.

I could go on and on but will leave it at that. The only con really is the price. Once you get over that hurdle you're in photographic heaven!

I was fortunate to purchase directly from Amazon and prior to buying, rented this lens - I use for portrait sessions, and find the focus to be sharp and fast even with fast-moving younger children. Beautiful bokeh at wide apertures, subject is isolated well. Well worth the many months I've waited and saved.

I caution people to double-check stock with Ritz camera - they show as in-stock, but when contacting them, I learned they do not have it in stock, despite having "x in stock" shown on Amazon. I know this is a review of the product, and it's a 5-star item. But I want to caution my fellow photographers before they tie up their funds with this seller.

I got the lens today and was immediately shocked how sharp it was wide open in comparison with 50mm f/1.4G. And it gets perfect when stopped down a little bit. This lens's sharpness wide open and stopped down, color reproduction and lack of cromatic aberrations is amazing. Even though 85mm isn't the shoot-it-all focal length (and especially not on DX), I am seeing myself shooting a lot (from portraits to landscapes) in near and distant future with this lens. At the moment this is a very short review, but I will try to update it in the following days, weeks and months.

UPDATE 19/07/2011:
This lens is amazing. Never had any chance to own the D version, but it beats me why some people don't need corner sharpness that the G version gives. Is every single portrait photographer taking portraits wide open with the subject in center? Well, I don't and it is very critical for me to have enough sharpness in corners (which D can't deliver). Also, I must say that focusing is a thing that many complain about with this lens. It might not be an improvement over D in speed, but it is in accuracy. I must say I still don't get people who find focusing on this lens slow. Why they even go try a prime lens. They should go along with 70-200mm then. I guess this lens should offer a VR (not that I need it anyway) just to look something more in comparison to its predecessor. I would also add that if you don't need corner sharpness for portraits, just go and buy yourself the D version of this lens. Oh, and the G version is great for landscapes when stopped down. It even beats the new 70-200mm, which I also have pleasure to own along with this lens.

i'll try to add some value since the other reviews basically hit the nail on the head. the real important thing is this lens is EXTREMELY SHARP in the corners while all the other large aperture 85mm lenses ever made (zeiss, canon, sigma, nikon's others) don't have anywhere near the corner resolution on a full frame sensor. that's what you're paying for - the ability to get creative with subject placement, and to use it for landscape and other photography without sacrificing extreme sharpness. otherwise, just get the Sigma AF 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM - which is just as sharp in the center throughout the aperture range at almost half the price. the Sigma just doesn't excel in the corners which may not be a big deal for you, esp. wide open.

This lens it's already reside permanently in my gear bag, especially for low light situation. The bokeh is outstanding creamy and buttery and the subject if I shoot open wide sharp as razor. Moreover the separation of the subject with the background is awesome, a 3D like picture. You will not regret this purchase. Go get it it's available since it's very hard to find.