85mm f/1.8 or f/1.4

[Kellie]

I absolutely love my 50mm f/1.8 and have decided that I would rather spend my money on another awesome prime instead of a fast zoom right now (I can always rent the zoom for events, but I will use the prime almost daily).

I would like something longer for outdoor portraits as I find the 50mm too limiting outside. The 1.4 is 3 times as much as the 1.8. Is it that much better? I find the 1.8 has been fine for indoors, so I don't think the extra 2/3 stop will make the much of a difference. But are there other aspects of the 1.4 that make it worth so much more?

[coldrain]

The f1.4 is more expensive because it is more expensive to make the larger elements, and it is produced in smaller numbers.

You will be fine with the 85mm 1.8, it is in some respects a better lens than the f1.4.
Since the f1.4 lens is best at f2.8 and up (soft at max. aperture), it is not worth the extra money in most cases.

85mm f1.4:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/nikkor_85_14/index.htm

85mm f1.8:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/nikkor_85_14/index.htm

[achuang]

I have the 85mm f1.8 and it is a great lens. I don't think the extra 2/3 of a stop are worth paying that much more for. Used my 85mm to shoot a wedding and it was perfect.

[Daubs]

I've got the 50mm / 1.4 and it's great. Looking at the 85 / 1.4 for shooting my kids basketball games (guy at camera store recommended an 85mm). Thoughts?

[VTEC_EATER]

The only problem with the 85, or 50, or many of the other short primes is the lack of an AF-S motor. The 85mm is known for its slow auto focus, so indoor sports may be hard to capture. Yes, its fast with a 1.8/1.4 aperture, but if you cant focus fast enough, then its not going to work.

[Daubs]

The only problem with the 85, or 50, or many of the other short primes is the lack of an AF-S motor. The 85mm is known for its slow auto focus, so indoor sports may be hard to capture. Yes, its fast with a 1.8/1.4 aperture, but if you cant focus fast enough, then its not going to work.

The 50mm seemed to focus well at bball games. But then again it was my first try at indoor sports shoots.

Suggestions for a good, fast, quick focusing lens for bball?

[Rooz]

sounds like you could go for an even longer prime. what about the 105mm ? i believe shoey has it and loves it.

[tcadwall]

The 85mm is known for its slow auto focus
Just a question on this, do you know what bodies this was found on? Non-AFS lenses obviously rely on the camera body's motor for focusing, and I think a few here on the board can testify that these lenses are much faster on their D200 for instance than they were on the D50. Not sure where the D80 would fall, but I would imagine that it is an advantage of the higher end D200 body.

I know that I read that the 80-200mm f/2.8 was reportedly slow. I mentioned this to my camera shop (respectable *REAL* camera salesman). He told me to stick in on my camera and take it for a spin, and see what I thought of it. It did indeed suprise me, after what I had read. It did not hunt even in some ugly situations - wish I would have just bought it.

[tekriter]

Just a question on this, do you know what bodies this was found on? Non-AFS lenses obviously rely on the camera body's motor for focusing, and I think a few here on the board can testify that these lenses are much faster on their D200 for instance than they were on the D50. Not sure where the D80 would fall, but I would imagine that it is an advantage of the higher end D200 body.

I know that I read that the 80-200mm f/2.8 was reportedly slow. I mentioned this to my camera shop (respectable *REAL* camera salesman). He told me to stick in on my camera and take it for a spin, and see what I thought of it. It did indeed suprise me, after what I had read. It did not hunt even in some ugly situations - wish I would have just bought it.


Tcadwall -

I'm one of the posters here who has said that the 80-200 f2.8D is slow, and I use a D50. I've seen others write that the focus action on the D200 is much faster, and I hope they are right because I'm getting a D200 soon.

The D50 focus action is slow enough with my 80-200 that in a burst of three or four frames, only the first two will be sharp when following a running back, for instance. The mechanism just can't twist the screw fast enough, or perhaps the signal path is slower to the motor - I don't know the reason.

[Kellie]

I'd be interested to know how fast it focuses on a D80. I think I'd still like it for a portrait lens, though.

[coldrain]

I'd be interested to know how fast it focuses on a D80. I think I'd still like it for a portrait lens, though.
It will focus fine on your D80.
The slow focus talk is relative... you will not be disappointed I am sure.
The 85mm f1.8 is a fine lens.