Nikon 85 1.8G question.

[PhotoESQ]

I'm thinking about adding this to my collection. I've read that one of the biggest drawbacks is the slow autofocus speed, which isn't necessarily a big deal for portraiture, but it does affect my photography since I shoot weddings and every second counts sometimes. I am willing to sacrifice some autofocus speed instead of purchasing the 1.4G but I'm just trying to get a feel for just how slow the autofocus is compared to some other lenses I own.

Has anyone shot with the 28mm 1.8G? That's one of my favorite lenses and I consider it's autofocus to be relatively slow...but not so slow that I can't use it at a wedding. Is the 85 1.5G even slower?

How about the 50 1.8G? That focuses relatively fast in my opinion.

I also have a 24-70 2.8G, and a 70-200 2.8G VR, as well as a 28-300 which I almost never use. If anyone has shot with the 85 1.8G and can compare it's autofocus speed to any of the lenses that I own (obviously the 2.8 lenses blow it out of the water so that doesn't help too much), that would give me a good basis of comparison to decide if I should purchase.

Appreciate the feedback!

 

[RoyC01]

On my D810, at various distances inside 50 feet, the AF has locked about when the AF-on button bottoms out. Compared to my 24-70, about 1/2 to 3/4 as fast.

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

I'm thinking about adding this to my collection. I've read that one of the biggest drawbacks is the slow autofocus speed, which isn't necessarily a big deal for portraiture, but it does affect my photography since I shoot weddings and every second counts sometimes. I am willing to sacrifice some autofocus speed instead of purchasing the 1.4G but I'm just trying to get a feel for just how slow the autofocus is compared to some other lenses I own.

Has anyone shot with the 28mm 1.8G? That's one of my favorite lenses and I consider it's autofocus to be relatively slow...but not so slow that I can't use it at a wedding. Is the 85 1.5G even slower?

How about the 50 1.8G? That focuses relatively fast in my opinion.

I also have a 24-70 2.8G, and a 70-200 2.8G VR, as well as a 28-300 which I almost never use. If anyone has shot with the 85 1.8G and can compare it's autofocus speed to any of the lenses that I own (obviously the 2.8 lenses blow it out of the water so that doesn't help too much), that would give me a good basis of comparison to decide if I should purchase.

Appreciate the feedback!

Having none of the lenses you have, I tried my 85/1.8G on my FX (D600) and my CX (V2) camera, just now, late in the evening, with just the lamp in the ceiling as illumination, plus a reading lamp. 40 watts, or so.

No hesitation at all, when used on the D600; if not instant focusing, so very close to.

When used on the V2, slight hesitation in low contrast situation. In all other situations nearly instant focusing (fractions of a second).

Comparing it to the AF-S 60/2.8G macro, the 85 is slightly slower, as the 60 is (almost) instant! A lovely lens, that is, sharp as a needle (one of Nikon's best), and affordable!

Some lenses grow on you, some fall out of favour.

In my case, the 85 VR has in most situations replaced the 85/1.8G, as in low light I love the VR. If I have access to a monopod the 85/1.8G still rules, but when I don't ....

It isn't supposed to be a FX lens, but to me it works very well!

All illustrations below are non-cropped, taken in FX mode on my D600.


This was taken in a room illuminated as much as I could with all the lamps I had available.


Same situation, same wife. PP consisted mainly of toning down the image.


Taken in the shade behind the balcony door, no PP at all! No lamps of any kind, either!

The 85 VR does soften towards the edges, and vignettes quite a bit, but it can easily be corrected in PP, but I did not, as I felt it made the image more interesting!

--
Tord_2 (at) photographer (dot) net
Mostly Nikon V1, V2, & D600, user

 

[YRUNVS]

For me the AF speed of the 85 1.8G makes itself known only in comparison to faster lenses.. That is to say that if I have been using the 70-200 or 200 and then mount this lens it seems sluggish, but used in isolation it rarely causes issues. The only time I have missed shots due to the AF speed is shooting models walking towards me at a decent clip. Bad lighting and trying to instantly jump from one model walking towards me about 5 feet away to another 30 feet away. I was able to get shots, it was far from a hopeless situation, but I may have gotten another shot of two per model if I had the 70-200 instead. There is a thread on FM where someone was having trouble accurately tracking dogs running directly towards him, but I don't think the AF speed would be an impediment for weddings or events. My old go to combo was 28 1.8 and 85 1.8 for events and I didn't have any problems.

 

[MrNikonMan]

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/85mm-f18-g.htm This new 85mm's optics are the best ever from Nikon, but the mechanics are the cheapest: it's the first 85mm Nikon lens ever made with a plastic focus ring or made in China

I'm thinking about adding this to my collection. I've read that one of the biggest drawbacks is the slow autofocus speed, which isn't necessarily a big deal for portraiture, but it does affect my photography since I shoot weddings and every second counts sometimes. I am willing to sacrifice some autofocus speed instead of purchasing the 1.4G but I'm just trying to get a feel for just how slow the autofocus is compared to some other lenses I own.

Has anyone shot with the 28mm 1.8G? That's one of my favorite lenses and I consider it's autofocus to be relatively slow...but not so slow that I can't use it at a wedding. Is the 85 1.5G even slower?

How about the 50 1.8G? That focuses relatively fast in my opinion.

I also have a 24-70 2.8G, and a 70-200 2.8G VR, as well as a 28-300 which I almost never use. If anyone has shot with the 85 1.8G and can compare it's autofocus speed to any of the lenses that I own (obviously the 2.8 lenses blow it out of the water so that doesn't help too much), that would give me a good basis of comparison to decide if I should purchase.

Appreciate the feedback!

 

[RoyC01]

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/85mm-f18-g.htm This new 85mm's optics are the best ever from Nikon, but the mechanics are the cheapest: it's the first 85mm Nikon lens ever made with a plastic focus ring or made in China

Composite yes, generic 1960's plastic no. Not sure which composite it is. Stronger than steel do not think so. Stop bullets not that either. But I do know that the location of the injection molding machine has nothing to do with the quality.

I'm thinking about adding this to my collection. I've read that one of the biggest drawbacks is the slow autofocus speed, which isn't necessarily a big deal for portraiture, but it does affect my photography since I shoot weddings and every second counts sometimes. I am willing to sacrifice some autofocus speed instead of purchasing the 1.4G but I'm just trying to get a feel for just how slow the autofocus is compared to some other lenses I own.

Has anyone shot with the 28mm 1.8G? That's one of my favorite lenses and I consider it's autofocus to be relatively slow...but not so slow that I can't use it at a wedding. Is the 85 1.5G even slower?

How about the 50 1.8G? That focuses relatively fast in my opinion.

I also have a 24-70 2.8G, and a 70-200 2.8G VR, as well as a 28-300 which I almost never use. If anyone has shot with the 85 1.8G and can compare it's autofocus speed to any of the lenses that I own (obviously the 2.8 lenses blow it out of the water so that doesn't help too much), that would give me a good basis of comparison to decide if I should purchase.

Appreciate the feedback!

 

[Nexu1]

For weddings the 85 1.8G is absolutely fast enough. Non issue.

 

[YRUNVS]

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/85mm-f18-g.htm This new 85mm's optics are the best ever from Nikon, but the mechanics are the cheapest: it's the first 85mm Nikon lens ever made with a plastic focus ring or made in China

Not that you had credibility to begin with, but quoting Rockwell? Seriously?

Also I'm sure the country of origin, and construction materials will be very useful in answering the OP's questions about AF speed!

 

[ChapelThrill23]

I have it and the 28. I'd say both are probably comparable in terms of AF speed. Both lenses are fantastic. If you like the 28 you'll love the 85!

 

[Dan_168]

I had a 85 1.8G before, focusing speed is not lightning fast, but not slow either, definitely fast enough for wedding, seriously, how fast do you need for wedding?? I personally know a few Wedding pro Canon shooter use Canon 85 F1.2L for wedding, and that's one SLOWWWW focusing lens, it's the SLOWEST AF lens I have ever had, but I will not trade it for anything and never missed a shot due to it's slow focusing, and the 85 1.8G is so much faster in comparison.

 

[OlegDem]

From the list of lenses you have, looks like you don't need anything.

As to 85/1.8G - it is not the fastest lens in term of auto-focus, but it is precise and you can shoot wide open all day long. And if you use AFC with short bursts you can focus rather quickly. You can shoot moving people and even children with confidence. Fast moving objects - not so much... I'm using this lens for event shooting in almost any light and I thing it is one of the best lenses of that focal length.

As to 28/1.8G - it is definitely faster in terms of AF (and 35/1.8GED - is even faster!) - and what is more important - it is very consistent in terms of AF. Low light performance is astonishing even with D600. Compere to Sigma 35/1.4 Art, which was hunting in dim light more often, 28/1.8G can easily focus even with outer focus points.

 

[clarnibass]

I have all the three primes you mention. Overall the 85mm 1.8G is slightly slower than the others. The thing is it's not as simple as that.

First and much more important IMO, I'd say that in practical use the 85mm doesn't feel slow and it is my most used lens. I've never used it and thought the focus was slower than the other two lenses, I only notice that in an actual side by side AF speed comparison and even then, in most situations it doesn't feel much slower. In actual use they all feel pretty good. I use the 85mm the most and I usually take photos with light significantly lower than almost all weddings.

When I did this comparison the 85mm was significantly slower than the others only in some specific situations and I think I realized why. They all have roughly the same focus throw of a little over 90 degrees but the MFD is very different.

The 85mm has a 80cm MFD. The 28mm and 50mm are 25cm and 45cm respectively. So if, for example, you move from infinity (or almost infinity) to (e.g.) 1m, the 85mm would have to turn far more than the others. The 28mm would barely turn. The only times the 85mm really felt significantly slower were when it had to move more than the others. When the focus was close to the next AF target the difference was really minimal.

FWIW the 85mm is also slower regardless of that. When focusing with the lens cap on and just looking at the speed, it is noticeable that the 85mm is somewhat slower, but again, it has never been an issue.

 

[ChapelThrill23]

I'm thinking about adding this to my collection. I've read that one of the biggest drawbacks is the slow autofocus speed, which isn't necessarily a big deal for portraiture, but it does affect my photography since I shoot weddings and every second counts sometimes. I am willing to sacrifice some autofocus speed instead of purchasing the 1.4G but I'm just trying to get a feel for just how slow the autofocus is compared to some other lenses I own.

Has anyone shot with the 28mm 1.8G? That's one of my favorite lenses and I consider it's autofocus to be relatively slow...but not so slow that I can't use it at a wedding. Is the 85 1.5G even slower?

How about the 50 1.8G? That focuses relatively fast in my opinion.

I also have a 24-70 2.8G, and a 70-200 2.8G VR, as well as a 28-300 which I almost never use. If anyone has shot with the 85 1.8G and can compare it's autofocus speed to any of the lenses that I own (obviously the 2.8 lenses blow it out of the water so that doesn't help too much), that would give me a good basis of comparison to decide if I should purchase.

Appreciate the feedback!

I think its easily fast enough for weddings. It keeps up with my fast moving children. Weddings go much slower than they do.