My Favorite Lens - The Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 D
A while back, I asked your advice. I was contemplating between two lenses and did not which one to choose. I was being torn between the Nikkor 60m/2.8 and the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 D.
I was leaning towards the 1.8 (AKA sharpy) and your strong response helped me to make up my mind. So first of all - thank you all for some great advice.
After a few months with this lens, I would like to share my experience with the lens. Now, don't expect a Ken Rockwell kinda review, Ken does this much, much better then I can. Instead, I'd like to talk a bit of the general experience that I had with the lens.
First Impressions
Even before first mounting the lens, I knew I made a good choice. The lens felt heavy in my hands. Sturdy. Like the volume dial on an old radio set. A lens that heavy musts have a ton of glass inside. I was not surprised to find out later that the optics are superb.
To wrap up the tank look the 85/1.8 comes with a weird looking lens hood. Unlike the usual petal shaped lens hood that I grew accustomed to, the 85/1.8 comes with a round lens hood. The other thing that is unique about the hood is that it is made from metal. Of course, you can always print yourself a regular petal shaped lens hood.
Sharp!!!
As I said, it is no surprise that the lens is sharp. In fact is very sharp. My only other lens that is sharper is my 50mm f/1.8 prime Nikkor Lens.
It is sharp at f/8 as most of the lenses. BUT it is also sharp at 1.8 which is rare. Shooting at f/1.8 has a lot of merits, but it also poses some challenges. More on that later.
In the image below you can see a 100% crop of an image I took at f/1.8. Sharp!
Bokeh
One of the merits of shooting f/1.8 is the great ability to exercise bokeh control. F/1.8 is great to have a really shallow depth of field. This shallow depth of field enables me to blur the background real well and create some great subject to background separation. In fact, getting a larger aperture lens is one of the simplest ways to improve a portrait.
The lens blades are round shaped, which create a very smooth and eye-pleasing blur on out of focus areas.
It works so sweet with the cool hearts bokeh project.
The downside on working with a 1.8 aperture is the need to focus very carefully. The shallow depth of field make is very easy to go out of focus. A small movement of the subject or camera will take it out it focus sweet spot. This is no issue when you're on a tripod and have the time to manually focus and check that you are focused well. BUT...
Shallow DOF Challenges
I found two challenges with the shallow DOF. The first challenge was taking portraits where the model did not face me directly, It was hard to impossible to keep both eyes in focus.
The other challenge is related to the way I am used to focus and reframe the picture. When I look through the view finder it may happen that the point of interest in the picture does not "fall" on one of the focusing point of my focus-points-challenged-D70. What I usually do is to go though a frame the picture the way I want it. Reframe it so my interest point falls on one of the focusing point and do a half press. Then I reframe again to the original framing and complete the picture. This is where shallow DOF and low aperture fail. The depth of field is so shallow that the changing the focal plain of the lens takes the image out if focus.
Flare
One issue where I was not very happy with the way Sharpy handles flare. I was expecting a superior flare, and the ability to shot "directly into the sun" without any noticeable flare, but it turned out the lens is catching flare quite easily.
Here is a shot taken with a snooted SB800 right out of the frame on the top. The flare is very visibly seen.
Working Distance
As every single person who recommended the lens said, it is perfect for outdoor portraiture. I found the working distance created by the 85mm focal length (equivalent o about 130mm on a full frame) was great for medium shots (head and head and shoulders shots) as well as for full body shots.
In house is was harder to use this lens, since it requires a few meters distance to get a decent head shot. This is not as close as I like to be to my subject. To get a full body shot, I'll need to extend my living room to a bathroom. This is why I prefer the little sister for indoors shooting - the 50mm f/1.8
How About The Price?
Right now it is selling at amazon for 385 Dollars - and is a great addition to your bag if you are into portraiture. It is great if you would like to move forward from your kit lens, or if you'd like to spend some time with a prime lens.
If 385 Dollars are too much, you can always go for the little sister - the 50mm f/1.8 for about a 100 Dollars.
Your Favorite Lens
That's the story, now you know what is my favorite lens. What's your favorite lens? Share in the comments.
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Comments
My favorite lens
If we're listing favorite lenses, mine is the Canon 70-200L f4 IS, on a 5D, love it!!
Nikon 85mm - great lens!
I ran across your lens hunt post just after adding an 85mm f/1.8 to our camera bag. I also decided on the 85mm over the 60mm macro as a faster lens with more reach than the 50mm f/1.4 I was already carrying. During long wedding days I use this lens constantly for available light, candids, details and it has almost completely weaned me off carrying the 70-200 VR lens and my shoulders are happier for it.
I'd love to see this lens in an AF-S (silent wave focusing motor) version! For the price it's a stellar lens even in the non-D version I picked up.
I originally bought it as a second tele lens for my wife to shoot during dim wedding ceremonies as it is so much lighter to carry and easier to steady than the 70-200mm I've used for a month shy of 3 years. I'm rather hooked on shooting a 50mm f/1.4 on the D300 and the 85mm f/1.8 on the D200. Superb pair and great working distances.
Found one on eBay is nice condition that came with a Nikon 35mm camera for a good deal less than new cost. Plus I have some friends getting into photography that are always looking for good 35mm bodies for classes. Sometimes you can find glass sold with bodies for less than the glass itself is selling for on eBay.
Happy shooting!
I recently picked up the
I recently picked up the 85mm f/1.8 and have been dying to get a chance to give it a good test. I love the 50mm (it's far and away my most used lens), but I just wanted a little more reach sometimes. This review really is motivating me to try to use that 85mm just a little more.
My favorite lens
My favorite lens, in my bag, is the Tokina 12-24.
But, for portrait work I've been very happy with the Canon 135 2.8. It has soften filter in the lens, but I believe I've used it once.
It's also my secret weapon for events. I have a 200 2.8 but it can be heavy and not very effective in low light (movement). You really need 1/250th sec. minimum for such a large lens. With the 135mm I can take a couple steps closer and I've successfully shot as low as 1/60th with great results. This lens allows a lot of flexibility.
Rosh
http"//www.newmediaphotographer.com
My Fav Lens
Is my Cannon 50mm f1.8. I can't take it off. Especially since my only other options at this time are the kit lenses that came with my Beloved and I's cameras.
Favorite lens
My favorite lens is my recent purchase Sigma 30mm F1.4, however the Nikon 85mm F1.8 comes close. The 85mm is a great portrait lens, but I have found it very good at shooting dog agility. The focus is fast enough to track fast moving dogs at F2.8 - F4 and the results are very sharp.
My Favourite Lens
The Canon EF-S 60mm F2.8 Macro. Very sharp, and it's the fastest lens I have. While I'd imagine that a longer lens would be technically better for portraiture I appreciate the convenience of the shorter focal length. The build quality is great too, very safe feel to the use of the lens.
My Favorite Lens
Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro, extremely sharp!
My favorite lens
I did a lot of research into cameras and lenses before I took the plung and bought a Nikon D80. I didn't buy the D80 kit because I read many reviews (Ken Rockwell etc.) that said the lens was not the best so I bought the body and then ordered a Nikkor 18 - 200mm lens, 1:3.5-5.6 VR
I could only afford one lens and this seemed to be a great middle-road compromise. I have not been disappointed. I have used it for everything. Since it is the only lens I have I really can't compare it to others.
As a relative newbie to digital photography, I wonder if anyone could suggest the next lens I should save up my pennies for? I love taking candid portraits of people and pets, but also love to shoot the pretty things like flowers, sunsets and landscapes.
I hate the IQ shooting with
I hate the IQ shooting with most zoom lenses, so the 35mm 1.8 is the perfect lens for me. But if you own a D80/90/300 etc that will take non-AF-S lenses, I would save a few bucks and go with the 50mm 1.8. They are the best overall value IMO.
I love my Canon 85mm f/1.8
I love my Canon 85mm f/1.8 on a Full Frame EOS 5D
Perfect portrait lens.
My fav lens
Bekkie- you have great taste ;) I also have the exact same setup as you and love it. That superzoom is an awesome lens for the $. So versatile and the quality is great. I have recently added the Nikon 50mm/1.4 to my kit and also love it. I have not use it heaps yet, but am looking forward to testing it at large apertures.
you cant go wrong with this lens
the 85 mm is a great lens on full frame.I love shooting portraits open wide@1.8.I have the canon version.Great stuff!
My favourite lens is my 50mm
My favourite lens is my 50mm f/1.4
Although I've only been using it for a short amount of time, it is really good for portraiture.
I would like to start using it more for events like concerts though, does anyone here know good settings to capture non-blurred sharp photos without a flash at these situations? Is it all down to the shutter-speed?
Another vote for the Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro (USM)
Has to be the Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro (USM), surprisingly not branded as an L-series lens, but it's the sharpest lens I own.
The 300mm f4/L IS comes close, then next comes the 200mm f2.8/LII, then the 24-105 f4/L IS, and then a way behind that the 17-40 f4/L.
I'm tempted to vote for the 24-105 f4/L IS anyway, as it's such a great general purpose lens; but that 100mm f2.8 is just too good to come second.
The tiny 50
Hi,
My favorite at the moment is the 50mm F1.4 and waiting for the 85mm F1.8
Favorite Lens
Though not a prime lens, I'm fairly enamored with the Sigma 17-70 2.8/4.0. It has a great zoom range and is relatively fast for a zoom lens with that wide of a focal length and in that price range ($300 - $350)
85mm f/1.4D & 60mm f/2.8D
I bought the 60mm f/2.8D as I wanted to shoot more macro photography. I love it as it is exceptionally sharp, well built and can handle low light situations that I find myself in often. It's only downfalls are that you can't shoot living things that don't like you up invading their private space. So butterfly photographers won't be happy with this lens.
With portrait photography it's great super sharpness becomes an issue as it will show every pore, pimple or mark on the model's skin. It still can be used for portrait photography but it won't give you that same look as the 50mm or 85mm lenses
Over all though the 60mm f2.8 is an excellent lens that works well with low light, is as sharp as the best lenses come and will give stunning shots in the right hands.
I do however want to do more portrait photography, and acquired a new D700 along with the 85mm f/1.4D. If you think the focus is tricky at f/1.8 try f1.4. I use to auto focus just like in the article about but the slightest repositioning along the focal plane makes a huge difference. Plus the depth of field is extremely shallow. The good news is it is even sharper at f/1.4 than the 85mm f/1.8 ad f/1.8, and only gets better as you increase the aperture.
Getting use to fixed primes with a FX camera will take some getting use to as I have always had adjustable zooms even when I shot on film. Though I am sure with such quality lens it will be much easier adapt. The next buy will be the 14-24mm f/2.8 sometime in the near future if things go well. Very pricey and I'm not keen on the protruding dome lens, but I take excellent care of my camera equipment and don't use filters much so that will be a minor issue.
85 mm f1.8 vs 85 mm f 1.4 for 750 USD
Hey everyone, what would you recommend, I do a lot of concert shooting and live acts.
I need really fast lenses for know my favorite is my sigma 30mm 1.4, I also have a 70-300 f 4-5.6 that is not lumious at all.
I intend to buy an 85 mm, of course my ideal would be an 1.4 but the difference between the 1.8 and 1.4 is $750 USD!! that is quite a lot.
Do you believe 1.8 is good enough? what would you recommend?
Nikkor 85MM F1.8 D
I certainly agree with you regarding the sharpness of this lens. Got mine a couple of months ago after reading the reviews out there. I have the Nikkor 85 F2 AIS version but this 1.8 lens puts that lens to shame. Hands down. The color rendition is phenomenal. Maybe it's that Super Integrated Coating that Nikon uses. Who knows but it works. It's a great landscape lens also. I team it up with a 28MM F2 AIS and a 20MM F2.8 AIS. These three seem to suffice for the landscape. All are incredibly sharp, which I need for the magazines I shoot for. Bjorn Rorslett gives this lens a 4 out of 5 rating. I really think it deserves at least a 4.5+ Nikon did well creating this one! Bravo!!!
F1.8 Nikon 85 mm lense
i love this lense when am within 4 foot of my subject but any more than this and it will not focus. Am I being very stupid or have i altered my settings somehow as it will not focus past this range? Please help
Your Manual Focus...
Hey, check your manual focus is NOT on. I had that happen once in middle of a wedding when shooting. I changed the lenses and slightly hit the A to the M on my lens and it wouldn't focus at all.. after about 3rd shot I looked and realized what I had done.. IF not that try taking the lens off, cleaning the sensors and putting it back on. It should only do 85mm, this means you need to stay within those specs to take pics. Like the 50mm, you have no leverage to zoom, it is only 50mm or 85mm if it was a 24-105mm you can zoom from close range of 24mm to 105mm away. IF you have a standard lens that does NOT zoom then you can only go soo far in to your subject without losing focus..
That is why I bought a macro-lens. A Sigma 10-20mm and I love it!! It is my fav. macro lens.. it is wide angle and macro all in the same light.. It works well when doing close-up items, rings, shoes, flowers, kids' expressions, etc. I myself am looking to replicate a style of shot with a certain lens, which I believe is at an 85mm focal length but not sure since the lens was a Canon but I am looking for distortion on my pics enough to make it look sort of fish-eyed but not.. That is why I am looking at the 85mm and wish someone would put some CU shots of stuff so I can see how it exactly performs.. don't want to spend money until I know.. Hope this helps.
Nikon 85MM F1.8D
Not sure what to tell you. It certainly should focus out further. Strange.
Me too..
I also love my 85/1.8D, but only for portraits due to nice bokeh, much more 50/1.4D due to sharpness and Focal length.
Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8
The Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 might become my favorite. Because of it's quality and zoom range it's very versatile. On a DX camera like a D80 it's a very nice portrait lens. Optically it's excellent, as one expects at that price.
I also own the 85mm f/1.8, but it hasn't seen much action the past few years. The Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 is only a little shorter and you can come in closer (might come in handy in tight spaces).
The 85mm f/1.8 is an excellent lens though. Very sharp, fast focussing, a nice bokeh and moderate weight and dimensions. A classic and a real winner.
re: 24-70 2.8
hi Anon,
I just bought this lens too. haven't had a chance to check it out properly yet. will do so once I have doors at my new house :)
Nikon 135 F2 DC
I have been a photographer fo 20 years....There is nothing that can touch this beauty
.....H...
Nikon 135 F2 DC
I have been a photographer professionally not for about 2/3 years... I have to agree hands down that this lens is by far and away the bright sharpest most awesome clean lens I have had the privilege to own and use! So Filmboy007 - I am in total agreement with you. AWESOME! Re-mortgage your house... and buy this glass!
Have a Nikon 50mm 1.4,
Have a Nikon 50mm 1.4, 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8 with a D80. So far the 50mm is my favourite. The 2.8's are not fast enough for highschool basketball in crappy lit gyms. Thinking of the 85mm/1.8 to give me an extra stop versus buying a new camera. Thoughts?
favorite lens
Mine is the Nikkor 80-200 f/4.5 ai n - so awesome, so sharp, so much smooth bokeh - and it was $18. I use it with my Nikon F6.
Nikkor 85mm 1.8d lens review
Background: started with a D300 and nikkor 18-200mm super zoom. Great all-round lens but struggles in low light. Purchased the nikkor dx35mm1.8g to resolve the low light situation - problem solved. But....really needed something in between to use for portrait work and tossed up between the 50mm 1.4g and 60mm and 85mm 1.8 D.
Pros: Tested the nikkor 50mm1.4g against the nikkor 85mm1.8D for sharpness and speed of focus and the 85mm wins hands down on both counts according to my test use/shots. Discounted the nikkor 60mm entirely as it is a macro and not really what I wanted for portrait work. Just returned from 2.5 weeks holiday in Italy and the 85mm1.8D fills the gap for portrait work as well as general street photography. The 85mm is incredibly sharp, perhaps a tinge sharper than the 35mm1.8 (which by the way is an excellent nifty 50 equivalent on my D300). Totally satisfied with the purchase of the 85mm and glad I went with the 85mm over the 50 1.4g. I now feel totally equipped for all my travel shooting requirements and can only highly recommend the 85mm1.8 (NB the 85mm 1.4 was also a looksee on my shopping list but much more expensive and I can bump up my ISO on the 85mm1.8 to get similar performance to the extra stop offered in the 85mm 1.4). I now have excellent night shots of Capri marina taken from Anacapri that are hand-held shots and sharp as razors using the 85mm 1.8. Even general day-time street photography I'm finding I'm using the 85 over the 18-200 as it's sharper, quicker and easier to carry around.
Potential cons: It doesn't have a silent wave motor built into the lens (a little over-rated as a feature IMHO if you have a built in drive in your camera body as the D300 has) and relies on the screw drive from the camera body but it is quicker to focus than the AFS 50mm 1.4 if a tad more noisy - the noise really isn't a problem either and easily discounted with the results of sharp, quick focus. Finally, absolutely NO barrel distortion on the 85mm 1.8 !!! So a brilliant lens for architectural pictures where straight lines might be important to you. Bottom line on the nikkor 85mm 1.8 D ....Great value for money, well built (feels truly like professional kit) and a tried and tested recipe that is virtually unchanged since it was introduced years ago!! Happy shooting :)
Best loved lens, or two
What I love depends on what I want to use it for. For macro, or portrait, it would be the nikkor 105mm f2.8 VRII. If I was out for a day in a park, or at the beach, I might like to take the nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VRII. If I was walking the streets of NYC, I would want the Nkkor 10-24.. So I have 8 or 9 lenses, and all but one can be my favorite depending on my goals. I can say that because I always research a lens before I try to acquire it, and I have not been dissapointed in any of my choices. I use a Nikon D90 now, and hope to get a D7000 when Nikon Japan gets their factory out of water. The factory was destroyed.
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