The ultimate cremy "bokeh" machine!, Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I've been using the 85mm f/1.8D for almost a year now, and took a step out to get the f/1.4D version, and was not disappointed! The 85mm f/1.4D lens is the cream machine when it comes to bokeh. At almost every f-stop, the bokehs still come out rounded, but for the 85mm f/1.8D lens, there are certain f-stops where it is not rounded, but can see the polygonal shape from the aperture blades. The f/1.4D lens is almost 3 times the price of the f/1.8D lens, but the built and performace is also better.
This lens is already pretty sharp wide open, but stopping down to f/2, you can see that it gets sharper. The only thing which I do not like in this lens package (and is the same for the 85mm f/1.8D lens package too) is the screw on lens hood to the filter thread. In anycase, shooting without a lens hood is not a problem.
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Worth the purchase price, Monday, 27 October 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I am extremely pleased with my 85mm f/1.4 lens. It is the sharpest lens to date that I have purchased. I'm having so much fun now shooting in aperture priority that I will never go back to total auto. I have found that shooting between 3.0 and 4.0 for portraits has gotten me the results that I desire. The difference in setting is how much body/face I want in the picture. If you are desiring to shoot portraits or even close up nature shots with beautiful bokeh in the background, this is the lens for you, it is well worth the purchase price.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
excellent build and optical quality, Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
you have to hold it in your hands to appreciate it. i suggest going to your favorite camera store, bring your camera and give it a test drive. it is SHARP, excellent bokeh, fast autofocus, takes pro 77mm size filter thread,and the list goes on. highly recommended!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Incredible Lens, Wednesday, 04 June 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
This is a fantastic lens!
I love how well it works with a D300 at 1600 ISO, you can shoot in rooms with very little light.
I would recommend shooting full manual settings when pushing this lens and your camera to the limit so you can get the picture you really want (accuracy in low light).
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Prime Time and Wow Factor!, Tuesday, 06 May 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Prime Time: I am addicted to fast, prime lenses and this Nikkor does not disappoint! The large aperture makes using the SLR viewfinder a pleasure - super bright, minimal fatigue. Images taken with the 85mm 1.4 are sharp and easily demonstrate the advantage of shooting RAW especially when viewed at 100%. Truly amazing when seen on high Resolution monitors. And available light is no longer that elusive quarry. To these ends - sharpness and speed - there are alternatives. Many online reviewers speak highly of the 85mm 1.8 and this sister to the 1.4 is a classic that ranks very high in terms of value. Nonetheless, the smoothness of the out-of-focus portions of images taken with the 1.4 is something that just has to be seen. This is the proverbial stuff of legend. Nikkor's execution of this optical formula is arguably second to none and when taken in the context of comparisons to German glass one can maybe rationalize value despite the high cost.
Wow Factor: This lens has a nice balance in its proportions. Check out the NikonUSA website and the D3 digital body. This is the lens that completes that picture. And it is an imager to boot!
Of note: The resultant magnification from this or any focal length depends on the format or size of the light sensor. Nikon currently has only one digital body with a 35mm-film equivalent sensor and that is the D3 (Fx format). Any other digital Nikon body (DX format) will result in greater magnification (1.5x).
Cons: My other lenses (24mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4) have been relegated to the cupboard. For now...
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Tack Sharp!, Friday, 04 April 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
A must have lens to compliment any Nikon system! The lens is EXTREMELY fast and SHARP! I'm amazed at the clarity of the photos I've taken thus far. Very impressive! For anyone considering this lens....stop thinking about it and just do it!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Staggeringly good portrait lens, Friday, 08 February 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I bought this after looking in marvel at the images it produced and I have not been disappointed.
It is an astonishing piece of glass - very sharo and contrasty eben wide opne. The rendition of out of focus areas is very beautiful. It also has a very small (half an inch at six feet) DOF wide open.
This means you can get amazing portraits. In particular that you can focus on the eyes with such a narrow DOF makes for amazing images at f/1.4.
Nothing I have come across is so uniquely suitable for capturing the human face.
It's a remarkably good work around lens too - great for street candids in low light and so much less imposing than a longer fast zoom...
If you want it don't be afraid of the price.
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: I own it Where did you buy this item?: JPC Kemang, Jakarta Price paid: 950 When did you buy this item?: January 2008
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Yes Pros: Subject isloation and astonishing beauty of bokeh, lens speed, sharpness and Contrast Cons: Frighteningly expensive .. for a good reason
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
A Lens to Fall in Love With, Thursday, 17 January 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
This lens can capture some beautiful pictures. Very narrow depth of view at f/1.4. Very crisp images starting at f/2.0. Bokeh are beautiful: They are nice and round. Highly recommended.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Don't bother with a new body...this glass is what , Monday, 22 October 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
I frequently read the DPPREVIEW forums and everyone is talking about the new D300 vs the D3 vs the 40D vs the D200 vs the 5D. People....it doesn't matter! I'm convinced if you could put the 85mm f/1.4 on a pin hole camera you would get UNBELIEVABLE pictures. I've only been using this lens for a few days, but I can't tell you how impressed I am. The pictures are TACK sharp. The bokeh is beautiful and the weird 3D like effect is amazing. Auto focus is great on my D200. Not any louder than any of my other Nikon lenses. Worth every penny. Highly recommended.
UPDATE: I forgot to mention that I had no problems ordering through J&R music. They had the lens in stock and two day shipping was only about $1.50 more than normal ground.
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Super!, Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I don't want anything less so I got the cream of the crop. Bokeh is super and this is just an AWESOME lens. Pricey but well worth it! This is fast, tack sharp and just one heck of a lens! Nikon really lives up to its reputation in making super sharp glass! Well done and highly recommended for portrait photographers!
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Nikkor 85mm f1.4 D - A truly magical affair., Tuesday, 03 April 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
You know they say that 'nothing is absolutely perfect in this world. But I must say that with this lens you can get as close to perfection as a lens can. I just love the 'bokeh' it creates and would like to add my support along with countless others as to what an excellent lens this is. I like how it's nice and heavy and this brings back memories of my F4 days - that solid and heavy handling of yesteryear's film generation. And I can enjoy it all over again in the new digital era.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Great lens but not USA warranty, Monday, 18 December 2006
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
This lens is everything that is being said about it, razor sharp portraits, seems to be is at it's finest at f4.0-4.5 My only dismay was that it is not a USA lens, not a USA warranty. I rate the lens 5 stars, the shopping experience 3 stars.
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Legendery Portrait Lens, Wednesday, 11 October 2006
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I have been using this fantastic lens for 2 months now and believe me it blows my mind every single day. The pictures I have taken with this baby beyond imaginations. I bought it without even testing it, I had just done a research about this lens online and I've found out was it was one of the best nikon lenses ever made. So I spilled the cash and went for it, boy was I ever glad I did that. Build quality is solid all metal and lens is razor sharp, but the beauty of the light it captures is so amazing. If you are a serious photographer you should own this gorgeous portrait lens. I know I will be working with this lens for years and years. I mounted on a D70 and it made my D70 like D2X that's how brilliant were the images. I did lots of portrait shootings with lens wide open at f/1.4 background is very blurry and colors are fantastic.Now that I purchased a D200 from amazon.com it is a blast to use it. Thanx Nikon
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Nikkor's Portrait King, Monday, 02 October 2006
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Resistance to buing this was futile after I'd used one belonging to a friend. The lens itself is amazing. Great optics, fast focus, perfect out of focus areas. Does a good job in available light.
My only complaint is that the all-metal screw in lens hood is very clumsy when trying to place it in a bad or apply the snap-in lens cap. I wonder if anyone makes a larger snap-on lens cap that would fit the out of the lens hood. The main complaint being that the lens hood is required for using this lens due to the massive 77mm exposed glass (it shoots flares like a capsized sailor!) but it takes a while to put it on and take it off.
However the hood is (like the rest of the lens body) all metallic and posses a very heavy, sturdy feel when it is attached to the D200 body. Take a look at my site for some examples, http://www.corytrese.com/
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
My new favorite lens, Thursday, 21 September 2006
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
With my older film Nikon cameras, my absolute favorite lens for almost every occasion was the 105mm f/2.5 lens. The razor-sharp clarity, the high speed, I LOVED this lens.
Now, lo and behold, for my Nikon digitals, the 85mm f/1.4 is like my old favorite, only faster! Long enough to get no distortion on portraits, fast enough for avaiable light close-ups in the garden. And as sharp as the old 105. I think I'm in love...
