Looking for portraiture and fashion lens to use w/ Nikon D800E. How does this Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D AF lens compare w/ Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 Apo Planar?
287309
I don't know because I never had Zeiss Otus lens. But Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D is a great lens.
741519
If you're going to use it for mostly still subjects, portraits, etc, you would probably be fine. My only beef with manual focus lenses is that it usually takes me a lot longer to find my focus than with an AF lens - and when I'm trying to catch people interacting at a wedding reception, I lose the shot if I don't get it focused quickly. Since you've been using manuals for a long time, you're probably quicker at it than I am. A major part of the problem with using manuals on Nikon digital cameras is the "focus (not) assist" system. You don't have the same focus guide you do in most 35mm cameras; it's just a little green dot that flashes on when you're focused. Trying to get it focused can involve a lot of trial and error, and by the time you've got it, the shot is gone. I have a D70, and this may have changed for the D80, but I'm fairly certain it has not, as I've looked at one in the store and that would have been one of the first things I checked (and, had it been changed, I would have been so excited I would have remembered). If you're going to be doing much action work, I might consider getting an AF lens for it eventually, but you could probably survive for a while without them. Or, it seems like the kit lenses have a pretty good resale value if you wanted to try it and re-sell it later - they're going for around $300 on eBay. All that said, my favorite lens on my D70 is a circa-1970 50mm F/1.4 Nikkor (S series, I think) manual prime with the metal casing - it's absolutely crystal clear and the shots I get with it are positively stunning. Having difficulty trying to pick up its 28mm cousin though... everyone wants one!
838887
In my experience with the 85Mm f1.8 is that these lenses are not fast compared to others. This is a portrait lens, not a sports lens...
1866570
Yes, I have the D80 and it's great. Hood bonnet? I never looked into that equipment. I also bought the fish eye lens....works great!
597334
thanks tom. took your advise bought the 15-85. all i can say the image the quality is superb for a non l lense. thank you for recommending this lens.
1786217
Thanks for the information. I'm definately looking to unload the 28-80. I hadn't thought about third party lenses. I was always told to stick with Nikon. I'll check out the Sigma.
926193
You are right. I use a Micro Nikkor 55 mm f/3.5 lens. It works very well on my D800, and copies 35mm negatives and slides with a high degree of sharpness and excellent value scale (shoot RAW only).The quality is better than you would get using a good flatbed scanner like the Epson 750, and is nearly as good as what a good dedicated film scanner would give you (I use the old but famous Minolta Dimage Multi-Scan Pro with VueScan software).You would get even better results using a newer macro lens like the current 60mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor or equivalent.I reverse and adjust the values in Photoshop Curves. You are right. I use a Micro Nikkor 55 mm f/3.5 lens. It works very well on my D800, and copies 35mm negatives and slides with a high degree of sharpness and excellent value scale (shoot RAW only).The quality is better than you would get using a good flatbed scanner like the Epson 750, and is nearly as good as what a good dedicated film scanner would give you (I use the old but famous Minolta Dimage Multi-Scan Pro with VueScan software).You would get even better results using a newer macro lens like the current 60mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor or equivalent.I reverse... » Read More You are right. I use a Micro Nikkor 55 mm f/3.5 lens. It works very well on my D800, and copies 35mm negatives and slides with a high degree of sharpness and excellent value scale (shoot RAW only).The quality is better than you would get using a good flatbed scanner like the Epson 750, and is nearly as good as what a good dedicated film scanner would give you (I use the old but famous Minolta Dimage Multi-Scan Pro with VueScan software).You would get even better results using a newer macro lens like the current 60mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor or equivalent.I reverse and adjust the values in Photoshop Curves. « Show Less
608930
I have a D80 too and it's an awesome lens. I'm an amateur as well so I don't know too much about photography but this lens has a decent balance between depth of field and zoom for its affordable price.
1864135
Yes, it's an excellent lens for the D800. I use it on my D300s and the pics came out perfectly. No other same class lens that can match the quality of this particular lens. I believe it's the flagship product from Nikon. You won't regret getting this one.Thanks and have fun with the lens.Tam
369535
I own the D80 with 18-135 lens and love it. Yes, you sacrifice a tad of fabulousness by picking the lens with the broader range, but I wanted bang-for-buck versatility first. I recommend getting at least *one* of the Nikon-Nikkor lenses, since they have proprietary circuitry that (I believe) the after-markets don't. The one thing you'd gain by starting with the 18-55 lens is that it *is* quite a bit smaller. I hate to mention it here, but I found - post-purchase - my local (Atlanta) membership w'house had a kit with *both* lenses for less than I paid for the body + lens.
161662
It works great with the Nikon D800. Nice and sharp in the middle, a little bit of softness along the corners but thats normal with a wide-angle. Just be careful with this lens since the aperture lever is prone to being bent by an impact since it sticks out.
588555
The Nikon Df has served me well for portrait photography, and I use it more for that purpose than any other. I rely on the Nikon JPG preset for portraits, which gives slightly soft contrast and conservative color saturation, for elegant skin tones. The choice of lenses is more critical: for most candids, I use an old manual-focus Nikon "E" 50/1.8, which was a really cheap but fine lens, and for closer portraits, I use the manual focus Nikkor 105/1.8, which gives a gorgeous signature of its own at f/2.0 -- f/2.8. For autofocus and zoom, I use one of the early versions of Nikkor AF-D 80--200/2.8. It is reliable and effective but bulky. The Nikon Df has served me well for portrait photography, and I use it more for that purpose than any other. I rely on the Nikon JPG preset for portraits, which gives slightly soft contrast and conservative color saturation, for elegant skin tones. The choice of lenses is more critical: for most candids, I use an old manual-focus Nikon "E" 50/1.8, which was a really cheap but fine lens, and for closer portraits, I use the manual focus Nikkor 105/1.8, which gives a gorgeous signature of its own at f/2.0 -- f/2.8. For autofocus and zoom, I use one of the early versions of Nikkor... » Read More The Nikon Df has served me well for portrait photography, and I use it more for that purpose than any other. I rely on the Nikon JPG preset for portraits, which gives slightly soft contrast and conservative color saturation, for elegant skin tones. The choice of lenses is more critical: for most candids, I use an old manual-focus Nikon "E" 50/1.8, which was a really cheap but fine lens, and for closer portraits, I use the manual focus Nikkor 105/1.8, which gives a gorgeous signature of its own at f/2.0 -- f/2.8. For autofocus and zoom, I use one of the early versions of Nikkor AF-D 80--200/2.8. It is reliable and effective but bulky. « Show Less
161664
I use this lens with my D800. I am pretty happy with that. The only problem I have is that it switches to DX mode from FX time to time. When that happens, I turn the camera off and on again. That solves the problem most of the time.
241545
If you are looking for a great portrait lens then go with the 85mm 1.4, it's fantastic. The 35 mm is a great lens too but better as a walkaround lens for general photography. You definitely want longer focal lengths for portraits.
1680730
You absolutely can use this lens for portrait shooting, and you can obtain very good results However, it is no match for the 85mm primes. 85mm prime lens by all major manufacturers are "magical" when taking head shots. I have used 85mm primes from Canon (2 different lens), Nikon (3 different lenses), and Samyang/Rokinon. No zoom lens including this one or the Canon 70-200mm L lenses (known for producing quality portrait shots) match the quality of an 85mm prime. Don't get me wrong, I doubt that you will be disappointed using the 24-85mm for portraits, however, once you see what a 85mm prime can produce, you'll have trouble taking it off your camera. You absolutely can use this lens for portrait shooting, and you can obtain very good results However, it is no match for the 85mm primes. 85mm prime lens by all major manufacturers are "magical" when taking head shots. I have used 85mm primes from Canon (2 different lens), Nikon (3 different lenses), and Samyang/Rokinon. No zoom lens including this one or the Canon 70-200mm L lenses (known for producing quality portrait shots) match the quality of an 85mm prime. Don't get me wrong, I doubt that you will be disappointed using the 24-85mm for portraits, however, once you see what a... » Read More You absolutely can use this lens for portrait shooting, and you can obtain very good results However, it is no match for the 85mm primes. 85mm prime lens by all major manufacturers are "magical" when taking head shots. I have used 85mm primes from Canon (2 different lens), Nikon (3 different lenses), and Samyang/Rokinon. No zoom lens including this one or the Canon 70-200mm L lenses (known for producing quality portrait shots) match the quality of an 85mm prime. Don't get me wrong, I doubt that you will be disappointed using the 24-85mm for portraits, however, once you see what a 85mm prime can produce, you'll have trouble taking it off your camera. « Show Less
86637
Depends on what you are going to use it for. I have the 1.8 50mm and the 1.4 85. The 85 1.4 has much more versatility for portraits and can create amazing blur beyond what the 1.8 can. It also allows for a faster shutter when shooting portraits of young kids(which helps with movement). Lastly, it is an amazing macro lens, but unless you are really into that, the 1.8 is sufficient in my humble opinion
1244449
If you are already committed to the Nikon brand, then this 60mm Micro-Nikkor is an excellent choice. If your Nikon has a DX sensor like the 5100, 5200, 3100, and so on, then this lens will frame up as if it were 90mm, which is a bonus. 90mm is an excellent length for portraiture and with the Nano coating and the ED glass you will have breathtaking results and because it's a macro lens you could even move in and take photos of precious little hands and feet as well. Good luck!