85mm 1.4g or 1.8g? How much of a difference?

I know the 1.4g is amazing, but at 3x the price of the new 1.8g I have to ask, how big is the difference?

I don't mind spending the money on the 1.4, but if the 1.8 is really good and close enough to the 1.4, I would certainly consider buying the 1.8.

I'm not asking about how I shoot or what or what gear I have. Just wondering about comparison's between the two?

Any thoughts?

I have the 1.4. I use it a lot stopped down a little (around 2.8+). I am aware that must be sacrilegious to some, but I would imagine the 1.8 would be very nice at 2.8 and I could have saved a ton of money The 35mm and 50mm 1.8 versions would probably be very similar as well. Best of luck.

only time will tell, I have no need for it as I have the 85mm 1.4d but for entry dslrs it can be a blessing in the sky, I wonder how much improvement they have done, I also think that they will put a limit on how well it will do for target marketing, we talking dollars afterall.

Will wait until the new G comes out and see how it compares to the D version. Since I need something longer than 50mm that is fast, no need to purchase anything until I know the poop. Would expect an improvement from the D to G, just like in the 50mm variations.

For the half-stop gain, the f/1.4 also has the Nano coating for better internal flare control and two more diaphragm blades for a rounder bokeh effect. Supposedly, the focus motor is faster, but so is the lens.

I would expect the gold-ring on the f/1.4 to mean it may be a sharper lens too and maybe some gasketing for some weather protection.

Big difference for $1,200 difference though.

Mack

JamesHollandPhotography said:

I know the 1.4g is amazing, but at 3x the price of the new 1.8g I have to ask, how big is the difference?
Any thoughts?

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Since the 85 f/1.8 AFS G is not out yet as it was just released in a press announcement, I'm not sure what big of a difference anyone can know. All we have are Nikon released MTF charts and some advertising copy. Any web based images put up by Nikon would not be a valid review. I'm not sure anyone can have thoughts you could use to make some kind of decision. Do you?

All we can go by is the recent past and in this case it may not apply in the least. As it turned out, the 50 f/1.8 G is every bit as good as its faster brother, but the 35 f/1.4 plays in a different ballpark from the 35 f/1.8. In the past, the 85 f/1.8 AFD was somewhat sharper than the 85 f/1.4 AFD but did not have the bokeh nor a certain magic. Based on what I'm seeing in MTF scores, the new 85 f/1.8 AFS looks to have pretty good bokeh and to be a pretty sharp lens, so we will see.

Personally, I purchased the 85 f/1.4 AFS to replace my stolen AFD model. With the AFD model, I'd have not considered the f/1.8 AFD. There was just too much difference in that unspoken part which includes micro contrast and skin tones nothing else seem to match.

My new 85 f/1.4 G seems to share that special look including that micro contrast and bokeh. It also has a solid build quality I love in a Nikon product. Moreover, in recent years I've become totally sold on Nano coating. I'd originally felt it was more of a marketing gimmick, but no longer. Nano coated lenses just have the prettiest output. I wish the process was not so expensive so it could be cost effectively used across the board.

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The difference between 1.4 and 1.8 will be in how you will or won't use it. For example, it's a third of a stop that allows you to cut the ISO by one quarter but you need to nail the focus.

It all depends upon how you shoot.

I have the 35mm 1.4G and noticed that the new design holds contrast and saturation on out of focus elements a touch better than my D series. Now, is that worth it to you? It depends. There is no right answer.

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Never mention bokeh to me.

It's entirely up to your style and what you're aiming for. It has particular characteristics that set it apart from the 85mm F1.8AFD/G. In general the differences between the two lenses are very small from F2 and up, and you would have to know what you're looking for to tell the difference between results from the two lenses. I shoot primarily at night and in low-light situations, so the extra stop was key to my decision, and nailing the focus is not an issue with enough practice. If you're a light stalker then pick up the 1.4 and push it to the limit.

Eh... justifying the price difference is impossible.

If the new 85 1.8G is similar to the old 85 1.8D, then it simply isn't comparable at all. If it similar to the new 50 1.8G, then it will be tremendous value!

Only thing that can be said: the 85G 1.4 is the only lens of the 1.4G trio reaching very acceptable sharpness even wide open: basically, it's the only one that can really be shot at 1.4 and get excellent results. If you plan to shoot that open (it's really a daunting task) then the difference is justified.
Otherwise...

Also, consider this: the 85G is a big lens. I own the 3Gs and they are large beasts, and carrying them is a real fuss... when you compare what a trio made of: 24 2.8D, 35 2D, 85 1.8D weighs

Last: if you do not plan to use it "exclusively" (I do not own any zoom anymore, so my 85 does everything , from portrait to landscape to – believe it or not – sport!, so it needs to be as reliable as possible) then the old 85 1.4D is an amazing, but amazing, lens. Wonderful colour, bokeh, transitions. Autofocus will get you angry at times, and at distance... better to stop it down. I see those sold for 800€ or less in Italy, great value.

Lory
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'The human race is a race of cowards. And I'm not only marching in that procession, but carrying a banner.'
Mark Twain

Que? f1.4 to f1.8 is 2/3 of a stop - and that has the same impact on ISO, ie. you could use an ISO 2/3 of a stop lower at f1.4 than f1.8.

The Andy G said:

The difference between 1.4 and 1.8 will be in how you will or won't use it. For example, it's a third of a stop that allows you to cut the ISO by one quarter but you need to nail the focus.

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Never mention bokeh to me.

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Pete
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