85mm 1.4 L IS preview

brightcolours wrote:

Tazz93 wrote:

brightcolours wrote:

The Nikkor AF-S 85mm f1.8 is known for its very strong LoCA.

It's a $500 lens that looks to handle CA better than this $1600 one.

No, it does not look like it handles it better.

Time will tell, again my method says it does. The Digital Picture generally does excellent comparisons that will make it very clear.

Let's take it a step further, are you happy with what you've seen from the lens so far?

Except from the LoCA, very happy.

Are you planning to buy it?

At the moment it is outside my budget. When I can afford this lens, yes, I think so.

I'm happy for you, but our lens criteria appear to conflict.

Aside from the CA, does the lens stand out for your needs? My answer is no, a fast lens that isn't terribly good wide open, isn't very useful to me.

You said aside from the CA. In what sense is this lens not terribly good wide open, aside from the CA?

Unfortunately, poor CA performance generally ties to two very important aspects contrast and resolution. At 1.4, this lens isn't terribly good with either. That's not to say it's not OK, just saying it isn't great. Canon seems to be operating under the impression their brand will allow them to sell Ok products for top dollar. I will challenge that thinking every time.  That doesn't make me a Canon hater, I just refuse the encourage average products for top dollar.

This lens might have made more sense under $1000, but in the rarified air that it is in, its gotta be at least near class leading.