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85f1.4 & 105f2 compared to 50f1.4

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Shamit

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Hi all,

I've been reading many posting on 50f1.8 vs 50f1.4 and 85f1.8 vs 85f1.4 etc, but because 50f1.4 is the only lens I have right now, that is the lens I have to make my comparison to, hence this email.

Have 3 quick questions for those who have experience with all three lenses:

Q1)

How does the 85f1.4 compare to 50f1.4 in terms of:
a) bokeh/blur
b) contrast
c) sharpness

Q2)

How does the 105f2 compare to 50f1.4 in terms of:
a) bokeh/blur
b) contrast
c) sharpness

(btw, I know that both 85f1.4 and 105f2 are probably better than the 50f1.4 that I have, I just want to know how much of an improvement I can expect)

Q3)

Would you buy the grey market verson of 85f1.4 and/or the 105f2? If I were to buy zoom lens with VR I would without a doubt get the US version with 5yr warranty, but from what I've read, primes should be pretty fail safe over time?

--
thanks,
shamit 8-)
------------------------
D50 50/1.4D

 
You need to just buy the 85 or 105 and compare for yourself and re-sell the one you dont keep. You'll most likely not lose any money at all from any of those 3 lens you mentioned. I have a feeling you'll be selling the 50mm. Only had the 50f1.4 myself but from what I've read about the others, they are the best in their class. And I'm afraid that if I actually bought one to try, I might end up keeping a lens I couldn't afford :-)

--
James

Nikon D-50
Oly C2100Uzi
Oly C-3000z
 
Hello James,

Thanks for you reply. Chances are that if I sell the 50f1.4, I would probably get a 35f2. Always nice to have a lens for indoor (small) home use.

Yes, I could compare for myself, and I probably should. But I know that there are people out here in these forums that are very, very good and experienced with all those three lenses., so I thought I'd ask them first.

Again, thanks!
James H. said:
You need to just buy the 85 or 105 and compare for yourself and
re-sell the one you dont keep. You'll most likely not lose any
money at all from any of those 3 lens you mentioned. I have a
feeling you'll be selling the 50mm. Only had the 50f1.4 myself but
from what I've read about the others, they are the best in their
class. And I'm afraid that if I actually bought one to try, I might
end up keeping a lens I couldn't afford :-)

--
James

Nikon D-50
Oly C2100Uzi
Oly C-3000z
Click to expand...
--
thanks,
shamit 8-)
------------------------
D50 50/1.4D

 
I have both the 105 f/2D-DC and the 50 f/1.4. it is very hard to compare these lenses as they are so different. As far as sharpness and bokeh go the 105 is vastly superior it is sharp at f/2 and from f/2.8 to f/5.6 it is stunning and at all apertures the bokeh is creamy smooth. As far as buying grey market goes Ill just tell you this. I have 8 lenses, I bought 4 used, I bought 3 grey market and, I bought 1 new USA. Guess which one I thought was enough of an investment that I paid the extra for USA? You didn’t ask about build quality, but just to let you know the 105 is solid as a rock. No plastic in this baby

--
Edward

Lenses listed in profile

 
Hello Edward,

Thanks, appreciate your feedback. You descibe the 105f2 as "vastly superior" that is what I wanted to know....if the lenses were just a little better or a lot better.

Again, thanks!
edwardneal said:
and bokeh go the 105 is vastly superior it is sharp at f/2 and from
Click to expand...
--
thanks,
shamit 8-)
------------------------
D50 50/1.4D

 
My progression of prime lens bought (and sold):

bought 50mm f1.8
bought 50mm f1.4
sold 50mm f1.8
bought 32mm f2
bought 85mm f1.8
sold 50mm f1.4

I would have prefered the 50mm f1.4 over 32mm f2 but I absolutely love the image clarity and sharpness of the 85 f1.8 over the 50. From hands on experience with all these three lens, I found focal length of the 32 I can not be without. So I made the hard decision to sell my 50mm. The 35 and 85 makes a great combo.

--
James

Nikon D-50
Oly C2100Uzi
Oly C-3000z
 
...so I guess next in line is the 85mm f1.4.......? :-)
James H. said:
My progression of prime lens bought (and sold):

bought 50mm f1.8
bought 50mm f1.4
sold 50mm f1.8
bought 32mm f2
bought 85mm f1.8
sold 50mm f1.4

I would have prefered the 50mm f1.4 over 32mm f2 but I absolutely
love the image clarity and sharpness of the 85 f1.8 over the 50.
From hands on experience with all these three lens, I found focal
length of the 32 I can not be without. So I made the hard decision
to sell my 50mm. The 35 and 85 makes a great combo.

--
James

Nikon D-50
Oly C2100Uzi
Oly C-3000z
Click to expand...
--
thanks,
shamit 8-)
------------------------
D50 50/1.4D

 
It is a huge jump in price from the 85f1.8 to the 85f1.4 so it would be a while yet.

But I've also got a crush on the 17-55mm right now. So it might be that I might try the 17-55 first and then if I fall in love with that lens then probably sell the 35 and 85. Otherwise, I would just resell the 17-55 and get the 85f1.4 and sell the 85f1.8. I think my ultimate setup would be the 17-55mm and 85f1.4. One can only dream.

--
James

Nikon D-50
Oly C2100Uzi
Oly C-3000z
 
Hello Dan,

Thanks for your reply and pictures! Very nice indeed, especially the blur, very nice and smooth.

Thanks.
cattoni said:
shamit,

I don't have the 50mm or the 85mm. I bought the 105mm DC used on
ebay for $510. I love the lens and would never sell it. Beautiful
bokeh and sharp... very sharp when stopped down (5.6 or 8).

I have uploaded two original NEF files of flowers both handheld at
f2 with no defocus control. Judge for yourself.

http://www.beaverlakeresort.com/KnoxMtnApr2006-022.nef
http://www.beaverlakeresort.com/KnoxMtnApr2006-050.nef

Cheers
Dan
Click to expand...
--
thanks,
shamit 8-)
------------------------
D50 50/1.4D

 
I have the 50 F1.8, 85 F1.4, !05 DC F2. My copy of 50 F1.8 sharp on F1.8. I never play with the 50 f1.4. For contrast/bokeh, 50 F1.8 no way to come close to the 85/105. My 105 is the sharpest from F2.5 - F8. Pick the focal length best fit for you between the 85/105. Those two lens are the best Portrait lens Nikon made and are still currectly available.

thanks

Keith
Shamit said:
Hi all,

I've been reading many posting on 50f1.8 vs 50f1.4 and 85f1.8 vs
85f1.4 etc, but because 50f1.4 is the only lens I have right now,
that is the lens I have to make my comparison to, hence this email.

Have 3 quick questions for those who have experience with all three
lenses:

Q1)

How does the 85f1.4 compare to 50f1.4 in terms of:
a) bokeh/blur
b) contrast
c) sharpness

Q2)

How does the 105f2 compare to 50f1.4 in terms of:
a) bokeh/blur
b) contrast
c) sharpness

(btw, I know that both 85f1.4 and 105f2 are probably better than
the 50f1.4 that I have, I just want to know how much of an
improvement I can expect)

Q3)

Would you buy the grey market verson of 85f1.4 and/or the 105f2? If
I were to buy zoom lens with VR I would without a doubt get the US
version with 5yr warranty, but from what I've read, primes should
be pretty fail safe over time?

--
thanks,
shamit 8-)
------------------------
D50 50/1.4D

Click to expand...
 
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