1.8 now, or 1.4 later???

[cycle61]

So I've had my D80/18-135 combo for a few months now, and I feel my skills have been improving at a good pace. I shoot a lot of different things, no real specialty yet, but I'm planning to get into portraits, local sports, events, and someday weddings. My biggest technical challenge right now is indoor, low light action and candids. Here's a few examples of shots that I would like to be able to improve on:

Candid shot, 18mm:



Action shot 90mm (panned @1/20 due to slow lens)



VERY low light interior (handheld at 1/3sec, not too blurry by sheer luck)



A portrait I like, 135mm (No PP yet, needs a little warming and sharpening)



Another one, would this be an "environmental" portrait?



I could get an 85mm f/1.8 or an SB-800 now, either of which would greatly improve a lot of my shots, or I can wait a few months and go for the 85/1.4 which I believe will eventually see semi-pro use. I've heard a lot of people use the 85's for indoor sports, and I know it's a legendary portrait lens. Both of these uses fit well with what I see in my next few years of photography. So, better to hold off for a bit and get the glass I really want, or go for a compromise and sacrifice a bit of speed and IQ to be able to use it immediately?

Also, and C&C on the shots is VERY welcome. I already know the kids are cute, now I've got to step up my skills!

--
---Inset witty platitude here---



See profile for a list of where my disposable income will go for the rest of the decade!

 

[edwardneal]

go to KEH.com and get a EX condition 85mm f/1.8. use it and learn it. later if you need it you can sell the 85mm f/1.8 most likely for what you paid for it and then you can get the 85mm f/1.4

best of both worlds- for the same price you get both and don't have to wait

--
Edward

Lenses listed in profile

 

[cycle61]

This sounds like good advice, and is one of the options I had considered. I've seen your name connected to the 85's before, so answer me this:

I keep hearing that the 85/1.4 has a learning curve of it's own...Is my time with a 1.8 going to lead me in the right direction, or am I going to have to re-learn it once I upgrade again?

Also, how about the pictures? I'm starting to feel limited by my lens, but maybe I'm just delusional to think that I'm good enough to take advantage of better glass?
--
---Inset witty platitude here---



See profile for a list of where my disposable income will go for the rest of the decade!
http://www.pbase.com/cycle61

 

[Pradipta Dutta]

That will be used a lot more if you intend to shoot events and like. You can always add the lens later.

--
Speed is significant and interesting but accuracy is downright fascinating
http://www.pbase.com/pradipta

 

[Atticus Gifford]

I second the buy now, upgrade later method. I can't count how many lenses have passed through my bag in the past year, but I generally buy these lenses used because until I have played with it for a week or two I can't really tell how it will work for me. If you're thinking you probably want a faster lens you should get one. If you find that the speed is good, but the lens is too long, then you can sell it and try a 50 or 35/30. Likewise, if you find that you use the lens wide open and you still want more, then you'll feel better about dropping $1000 on an 85/1.4.

When you've settled on a lens that's likely to be a permanent part of your kit, you can alway sell the used and buy it new to get the full warranty.

Definitely check eBay as well. KEH is great, but their prices are higher than eBay. If you're buying a lens to experiment a bit with, get it as cheap as you can for a decent copy.

 

[Raymond Bradlau]

I have the 1.4 and feel it is indeed better and worth the money, but I feel the 1.8 is a MUCH better value. I will put it another way, give the 1.8 to a better portrait photographer than me with my 1.4 and guess what they will get better shots, end of story.

I do love the 50 and 85's, even more than I used before the dreaded crop factor, what can I say like a little more distance





regards
Ray

So I've had my D80/18-135 combo for a few months now, and I feel my
skills have been improving at a good pace. I shoot a lot of
different things, no real specialty yet, but I'm planning to get
into portraits, local sports, events, and someday weddings. My
biggest technical challenge right now is indoor, low light action
and candids. Here's a few examples of shots that I would like to be
able to improve on:

Candid shot, 18mm:



Action shot 90mm (panned @1/20 due to slow lens)



VERY low light interior (handheld at 1/3sec, not too blurry by
sheer luck)



A portrait I like, 135mm (No PP yet, needs a little warming and
sharpening)



Another one, would this be an "environmental" portrait?



I could get an 85mm f/1.8 or an SB-800 now, either of which would
greatly improve a lot of my shots, or I can wait a few months and
go for the 85/1.4 which I believe will eventually see semi-pro use.
I've heard a lot of people use the 85's for indoor sports, and I
know it's a legendary portrait lens. Both of these uses fit well
with what I see in my next few years of photography. So, better to
hold off for a bit and get the glass I really want, or go for a
compromise and sacrifice a bit of speed and IQ to be able to use it
immediately?

Also, and C&C on the shots is VERY welcome. I already know the kids
are cute, now I've got to step up my skills!

--
---Inset witty platitude here---



See profile for a list of where my disposable income will go for
the rest of the decade!

--

http://www.pbase.com/ray645

 

[xLarry]

You should definitely buy a SB800. You will be amazed at the results....and make yourself abetterbouncecard.

I highly recommend the 50 1.4. Great low light lens.

With all that said, my next purchase will most likely be the 85 1.4. I need the low light for my grandson's basketball games and find the 50 too short. I had some decent shots with my 105 2.8 but had to use ISO1600 and shutter speed of 125.
--
Larry
D80
18-135 kit lens
50 1.4
105 2.8 Micro MF
SB800

 

[SteveH0]

--

Have you considered renting the 1.4? I recently rented a 80-200 for two weeks to see if it worked for me. Just another option.

 

[edwardneal]

I only have the 85mm f/1.8 so I can not directly address the issue of a "learning curve" with the 84mm f/1.4

I've seen your name connected to the 85's before, so
answer me this:
I keep hearing that the 85/1.4 has a learning curve of it's
own...Is my time with a 1.8 going to lead me in the right
direction, or am I going to have to re-learn it once I upgrade
again?

--
Edward

Lenses listed in profile

 

[rockygag]

to the OP;

The suggestion that I would make:

buy it now, I have the 1.8 and really like the lens. When I first got mine, I seemed to have it locked on 1.8, and that was horrible ....... more and more time with the lens, I have a feel for when I need 1.8 and what it will do.

I cannot speak to the up grade to 1.4 ..........

I would suggest for me that the 50mm was never just the right length. I sold it off after having the 35/50/85 set. It just never got used with my shooting style.

Dave

 

[ron_9]

Atticus for the most part true but I have watched quite a few auctions, and almost bid myself. but first checked out KEH and lo and behold their ex+ are usually below winning bid on many items--people just forget to check---ron s.

Definitely check eBay as well. KEH is great, but their prices are
higher than eBay. If you're buying a lens to experiment a bit
with, get it as cheap as you can for a decent copy.

--
Keeping it sane in an insane world is an inconvenience at an inconvenient time!!
http://www.pbase.com/ron9ron

 

[lpeters]

I'd recommend the SB-600 and the 1.8. At this point, it seems that you really won't take advantage of what the 800 has to offer. And, unless you need the small amount of extra power, you won't notice a difference in your images.

Get the 600 and learn to use it. If you end up doing gigs down the road, then get the 800 and use the 600 for backup and as a second flash.

I'd say go for the 1.8 as well. The 1.4 is overkill right now. Looking at your images, you have a ways to go on the learning front. However, with your enthusiasm, you'll get there. Once you really learn to use your tools, you may want something else anyway.

Best of luck!

 

[hc4n4]

I second the buy now, upgrade later method. I can't count how many
lenses have passed through my bag in the past year, but I generally
buy these lenses used because until I have played with it for a
week or two I can't really tell how it will work for me. If you're
thinking you probably want a faster lens you should get one. If
you find that the speed is good, but the lens is too long, then you
can sell it and try a 50 or 35/30. Likewise, if you find that you
use the lens wide open and you still want more, then you'll feel
better about dropping $1000 on an 85/1.4.

When you've settled on a lens that's likely to be a permanent part
of your kit, you can alway sell the used and buy it new to get the
full warranty.

Definitely check eBay as well. KEH is great, but their prices are
higher than eBay. If you're buying a lens to experiment a bit
with, get it as cheap as you can for a decent copy.

--



my latest photos at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafysugiri/sets/