New 85 f/1.8D

[ColColt]

I've just recently acquired probably one of the best primes Nikon makes...the 85 f/1.8 D lens. this is a superb lens that may stay on my camera a lot. The build and IQ is absolutely superb. A bit hefty but, I like the feel as it reminds me of lens of yesterday when lens were made from metal. I even did fairly well taking a few shots indoors with only a couple of 75w lights about fifteen feet apart illuminating my main subject-my dog. That low light shot was at 1/13th second and I figured it would be a total blur but, it didn't look bad for that slow speed. Very impressed with some of my first shots with this lens and can't say enough good about it. Here are a few taken today. Depth of field can be very shallow at f2.8 depending on how close you are and I love being able to blur that background. No PP on these as yet. Look at the second one and enlarge it and look at the nose...in better focus than the eyes are!! That's shallow DOF.

I'm not sure why but the focus ring has about 1/16th inch play in it...is that normal? It obviously doesn't affect the sharpness, however.

http://thumb19.webshots.net/t/50/650/1/18/20/2597118200102334299LrTnQO_th.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2597118200102334299LrTnQO)

http://thumb19.webshots.net/t/66/666/1/35/44/2314135440102334299nFfHpP_th.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2314135440102334299nFfHpP)

http://thumb19.webshots.net/t/24/665/1/32/42/2470132420102334299CuTdTi_th.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2470132420102334299CuTdTi)

[res222]

Very nice. I hope to get one myself. I am still trying to decide if I am going to purchase that first or the 70-300vr. I have the older 70-300 w/o vr so I am leaning more toward the prime.

[accord2003]

It is a very nice Lens. I used to own one myself. I miss it all the time.

nice shots with the dog.

[Rooz]

agreed, its a great lens. but to be honest, i have found that i reach for the 105 more and more for similar focal length requirements.

[spoonbb2]

Nice acquisition...it indeed is very solid and it also takes sharp pics. Still have to use mine more often and getting used to. Enjoy your new lens :)

[achuang]

I have it and I agree with you that it's a great lens. Everyone to their own opinion, but I feel that it's a bit long on a 1.5x crop body. It would be ideal on a FF body. Sometimes I use my 60mm macro for portraits, the only thing deterring me doing that is the AF on it is very slow, but the length is just right.

[XaiLo]

ColColt, good deal I hope you take a bunch of great images with it. :)

[ColColt]

agreed, its a great lens. but to be honest, i have found that i reach for the 105 more and more for similar focal length requirements.

I gave the 105 first thoughts but it's a lot more than the 85 which is a legend in it's own time. There's not a lot of difference between 85-105mm to justify the additional cost of the 105 DC Nikkor I was looking at and I decided to go with the 85 instead. Nikon doesn't make a standard 105 like they once did it's either the macro or the DC lens and I have read cons about the macro that swayed me toward the 85. Both are good lens but I'm not at all disappointed in it.


Everyone to their own opinion, but I feel that it's a bit long on a 1.5x crop body.

Actually, for what I do so much of it's a bit short but, I've tried to get closer using this lens instead of standing where I am and zooming as with the 55-200VR. As for primes I think for me a 50 f/1.8, the 85 and a 135 f/2 would serve nicely.

The B+W UV filter I bought to protect the glass is nothing short of excellent and you can tell a distinct difference in weight and build quality over others I have...including some Nikon filters bought years back-sheer quality.