Nikkor 85mm 1.8 lens

[yewsef]

I want to buy a lens of $300-$600 price range and I was considering the 85mm f1.8 Nikkor lens here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/84151-USA/Nikon_1931_Telephoto_AF_Nikkor_85mm.html

I just wanted to know if there's a better choice I could have with this price range. I am looking for a portrait lens for indoor and outdoor pictures. I have the 50mm 1.8 lens I was wondering if the 85mm would give me a much better upgrade for image quality. If the change is minor, then I'm better of with getting a flash since I don't have any yet.

I own a D70s.

EDIT: what about the 85mm f1.4 that costs 3x times the 1.8 one. Is it much better than the 1.8 model?

[Rooz]

the 85 is slightly better but overall the IQ wont be much different. the 85 is really for gettign in tighter and getting nice head shots to portraits. its also a nicer more flattering focal length.

my suggestion would be to either get a flash if you do alot of indoor stuff or look at a tamron 90mmf2.8 Macro. the focal length of the tammie is pretty much the same as the 85. its a highly regarded portrait lens and it is a super sharp macro lens aswell.

[yewsef]

What about the 85mm 1.4 D Nikkor lens. Is it good?

I am planning to take lots of indoor and outdoor portraits(more indoor). I don't like nicely exposed photos much(flash) I tend to love the dim lights and then play with the image in PP. But I could be wrong.

Would I be better off with a flash or a better Lens(85mm 1.4 D Nikkor)?

Notice I only have a 50mm 1.8 nikkor and a 18-70 Kit Lens.

[Rooz]

yewsef, i would seriously consider renting one first. the 85/ 1.4 is a beautiful piece of glass, but its a highly specilaised tool that is VERY expensive. imho its not a lens you buy if your not sure.

if you're taking more indoor portraits then a flash is a better alternative. once you get it you then just need to learn how to use it properly to achieve the exposure you're after.

[achuang]

I'd second Rooz, go with a flash.

[XaiLo]

If portraits is what you intend on doing I say get the glass that can do the job the best. By all accounts the 85mm 1.4 is a "stellar" piece of glass, and I have read several reviews where the reviewer previously owned the 85mm 1.8 and were happy they upgraded to the 1.4. There's no going wrong with good glass, my thinking it's easier to go after the glass first especially if you're trying to make some coin. You can always come up with a couple of hundred dollars for a flash unit.

[SUITEFREAK]

I want to buy a lens of $300-$600 price range and I was considering the 85mm f1.8 Nikkor lens here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/84151-USA/Nikon_1931_Telephoto_AF_Nikkor_85mm.html

I just wanted to know if there's a better choice I could have with this price range. I am looking for a portrait lens for indoor and outdoor pictures. I have the 50mm 1.8 lens I was wondering if the 85mm would give me a much better upgrade for image quality. If the change is minor, then I'm better of with getting a flash since I don't have any yet.
I own a D70s.
EDIT: what about the 85mm f1.4 that costs 3x times the 1.8 one. Is it much better than the 1.8 model?

I recently went through the same dilemma. I picked the 85 1.8 because I am not a pro, and I decided I didn't want to spend the $1000 for the 1.4. I love my 1.8. It's a great lens; have had no problems at all. Maybe because I never tried the 1.4 I don't know what I'm missing, but for an amatuer who shoots for fun/hobby, it's perfect and at a much nicer price than the 1.4.