I have had the 85D for years and it has most certainly earned its keep. The color rendition is so superior to my new G lens so that I barely use the G. I use it on a D850 and D780 for commercial work and manually on a F3 with Ektar film for personal work. It is one of my all time favorite lenses throughout my career. If you are a DSLR Nikon shooter ...GET ONE!
Allen, I enjoyed your review. I have been a serious photography hobbyist for 40 years. It is interesting how my perspective has changed over the years. I went through a phase where I bought lenses that performed at the top of MTF charts. However, I sold them and use primarily Nikon "D" lenses. I own the 20mm, 24mm, 35mm 50mm... and perhaps now, I should purchase the 85! There is a special "something" in the rendering among the D lenses that is to my liking. Thanks again for the review!
Brilliant info. The 85mm f1.4D was my 1st pro prime & always loved it. Maybe not the sharpest of even 20 yrs ago but it's character as you say. My question is; for those who stop down, would you say the 14.D stopped down to f1.8 is same or better then the 1.8D at its same f1.8? Or what about both to f2? I've used it since film then into digital D200 and it really shined on the D3S. On a D810 it's showing its limits but I like it just the same. It's a lens older then me on an F4E so I can officially call it vintage glass . Blooming brilliant it is.
Nice, informative video Allen.I think the best result would come from a combination of your D700 and the 85mm 1,4G. I know this lens is really expensive but mounting on the D700 it can give stunning artistic result both sharpness and character-wise.
I have just posted this video to my fb group "Nikon D700/The Legend" with the following text: "Go from 5:27 to 6:29 and listen to what Allen is saying.. 1 minute that sums up all we can say about mirrorless and 2021 reality about cameras and lenses!! If you are after " The exact copy of the reality" the 2021 camera technology is for you. If you are interested in the artistic part of the photography, don't ever sell your D700. It was made for dreams and this will not happen again in the future..."
Hi Allen, greetings from Canada. 85/1.4D is my favourite lens. I have 105/2DC, 135/2DC, 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8, Sigma Art lenses, etc… So a cost of the lens is irrelevant to me to a large degree. Still, if I’m grabbing a camera and going for a walk with the kids, I’m *always* taking the 85/1.4D. I also have 85/1.8D, which I had since new; but 1.4D with its rounded aperture blades renders absolutely stunning bokeh. Great lens! Thanks for wonderful and informative review! -Roman
85 d series is beautiful. Hunts like a bitch in low light which is when you want a 1.4. Beautiful rendition. A tad soft at 1.4 but always beautiful. Great micro contrast. Flawed but wonderful lens.
The 85mm f/1.4D is a beautiful lens use it on my old Nikon F5, D700 and D3. Use only three Nikon lenses the 85mm f/1.4D, 105mm f/2D DC and the 135mm f/2D DC. All three are special but the most I use is always the 105mm f/2D DC. Hope that it’s also on the Nikon D4 which I must buy. Don’t like the plastic Nikon G lenses and to razor sharp of my taste. For the rest it’s all about the light.
With the 28 and 85 on D800’s, I now often crop 1.2x to get 35 and 105 framing, but with 1.4 aperture, while getting rid most of the vignetting, and still have 24mp.
1.4d is my main 85. I also have the 1.8g and the zeiss planar. 85 is a great focal length for me so it’s not ridiculous to have the 3 and they all have a purpose. None of these equals the canon 85 1.2, which is about the only lens for canon that makes me want to buy a canon
Thank you for the video. Have you used a 105mm lens? Is it much different to an 85mm? Also, I think you're incorrect about cropping. If I'm not wrong, cropping is the same as using a longer lens, but it means losing resolution and detail.
Hi - Cropping in camera (or in Lightroom) doesn't give quite the same effect as actually using a longer lens. The longer the lens the more the background is compressed which by the time you get to anything over 85 starts to give a blurred, creamy looking background. The longer the lens the greater the effect. Also a longer lens the narrower the depth of field for a given Fstop which again impacts the image. To be honest a 105 is not that much different to an 85 - especially given that there are many 85 lenses with 1.4 aperture whereas 105's are mostly 1.8 which would make the images (wide open) look almost identical. Hope that helps :-)
For you, what is the difference if I have a 20-mm, 24-, 28-, 35-mm D, or I have a 20-35mm D lens? I mean, do I have to buy each unit separately? Thanks
The 20/35 is a 2.8 zoom whereas the others are 1.8 primes. Depends on what you want the lenses for really. The primes will be slightly better in low light as will allow lower ISO. Other than that I've found all the D lenses to be excellent with a lot of character and built like a tank. You certainly won't be disappointed with a 20/35 D lens :-) Allen
I have been a fan of Nikon cameras and lenses since 1989, but I hope you get an idea of the Canon 5DRs camera, because it is characterized by high sharpness.
Should have stuck with your Sony body/s and got either the Samyang AF 85mm f1.4 FE II or the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN, both far sharper than that old Nikon D, and the Samyang AF 135mm f1.8 FE...Probably the sharpest 135mm lens ever made.
Allen, you seem way too wrapped up in your equipment. I've been using the same 3 lenses for 30 years and never thought about changing. Lenses don't make the photographer
Then we're just different. I like to experiment and explore possibilities and I disagree about gear. If I took exactly the same photo today as one a few years back with my old gear today's would be a technically better photo. Just called progress
I have had the 85D for years and it has most certainly earned its keep. The color rendition is so superior to my new G lens so that I barely use the G. I use it on a D850 and D780 for commercial work and manually on a F3 with Ektar film for personal work. It is one of my all time favorite lenses throughout my career. If you are a DSLR Nikon shooter ...GET ONE!
Allen, I enjoyed your review. I have been a serious photography hobbyist for 40 years. It is interesting how my perspective has changed over the years. I went through a phase where I bought lenses that performed at the top of MTF charts. However, I sold them and use primarily Nikon "D" lenses. I own the 20mm, 24mm, 35mm 50mm... and perhaps now, I should purchase the 85! There is a special "something" in the rendering among the D lenses that is to my liking.
Thanks again for the review!
I totally agree, when nikon went to g lenses I think they lost something, glass wise and definitely build and ruggedness
I use the following portrait lenses:
85mm f/1.4 D
105mm f/2.5
135mm f/2
The 85 is my personal favorite.
Brilliant info. The 85mm f1.4D was my 1st pro prime & always loved it. Maybe not the sharpest of even 20 yrs ago but it's character as you say.
My question is; for those who stop down, would you say the 14.D stopped down to f1.8 is same or better then the 1.8D at its same f1.8? Or what about both to f2? I've used it since film then into digital D200 and it really shined on the D3S. On a D810 it's showing its limits but I like it just the same. It's a lens older then me on an F4E so I can officially call it vintage glass . Blooming brilliant it is.
Nice, informative video Allen.I think the best result would come from a combination of your D700 and the 85mm 1,4G.
I know this lens is really expensive but mounting on the D700 it can give stunning artistic result both sharpness and character-wise.
I have just posted this video to my fb group "Nikon D700/The Legend"
with the following text:
"Go from 5:27 to 6:29 and listen to what Allen is saying..
1 minute that sums up all we can say about mirrorless and 2021 reality about cameras and lenses!!
If you are after " The exact copy of the reality" the 2021 camera technology is for you.
If you are interested in the artistic part of the photography, don't ever sell your D700.
It was made for dreams and this will not happen again in the future..."
Hi Allen, greetings from Canada.
85/1.4D is my favourite lens. I have 105/2DC, 135/2DC, 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8, Sigma Art lenses, etc… So a cost of the lens is irrelevant to me to a large degree. Still, if I’m grabbing a camera and going for a walk with the kids, I’m *always* taking the 85/1.4D.
I also have 85/1.8D, which I had since new; but 1.4D with its rounded aperture blades renders absolutely stunning bokeh.
Great lens!
Thanks for wonderful and informative review!
-Roman
85 d series is beautiful. Hunts like a bitch in low light which is when you want a 1.4. Beautiful rendition. A tad soft at 1.4 but always beautiful.
Great micro contrast.
Flawed but wonderful lens.
85mm f1.4dはお気に入りのレンズです
When the Colonel tells you that a lens is good, you must agree.
I've been considering this lens for ages and decided I should just punch for it
ive had a d version ive had a g version now i have bought another d version !! its a great lens !!!
My favourite lens. On my d850
The 85mm f/1.4D is a beautiful lens use it on my old Nikon F5, D700 and D3. Use only three Nikon lenses the 85mm f/1.4D, 105mm f/2D DC and the 135mm f/2D DC. All three are special but the most I use is always the 105mm f/2D DC. Hope that it’s also on the Nikon D4 which I must buy. Don’t like the plastic Nikon G lenses and to razor sharp of my taste. For the rest it’s all about the light.
I upgraded my D lenses to G lenses (35 1.4 and 85 1.4), ended up u-turning to the D’s (28 1.4 and 85 1.4) for the character, size/weight.
With the 28 and 85 on D800’s, I now often crop 1.2x to get 35 and 105 framing, but with 1.4 aperture, while getting rid most of the vignetting, and still have 24mp.
1.4d is my main 85. I also have the 1.8g and the zeiss planar. 85 is a great focal length for me so it’s not ridiculous to have the 3 and they all have a purpose. None of these equals the canon 85 1.2, which is about the only lens for canon that makes me want to buy a canon
Thank you for the video. Have you used a 105mm lens? Is it much different to an 85mm?
Also, I think you're incorrect about cropping. If I'm not wrong, cropping is the same as using a longer lens, but it means losing resolution and detail.
Hi - Cropping in camera (or in Lightroom) doesn't give quite the same effect as actually using a longer lens. The longer the lens the more the background is compressed which by the time you get to anything over 85 starts to give a blurred, creamy looking background. The longer the lens the greater the effect. Also a longer lens the narrower the depth of field for a given Fstop which again impacts the image. To be honest a 105 is not that much different to an 85 - especially given that there are many 85 lenses with 1.4 aperture whereas 105's are mostly 1.8 which would make the images (wide open) look almost identical. Hope that helps :-)
For you, what is the difference if I have a 20-mm, 24-, 28-, 35-mm D, or I have a 20-35mm D lens?
I mean, do I have to buy each unit separately?
Thanks
The 20/35 is a 2.8 zoom whereas the others are 1.8 primes. Depends on what you want the lenses for really. The primes will be slightly better in low light as will allow lower ISO. Other than that I've found all the D lenses to be excellent with a lot of character and built like a tank. You certainly won't be disappointed with a 20/35 D lens :-) Allen
@CreativePixelPhotos Thank you sir and I would like to tell you that your office is beautiful. : ) Anas
I want to add and say that the 85mm lens is the best lens with which to raise the level of photography, and you learn a lot from it.
I hope the camera you use these lenses on is full frame.
I have been a fan of Nikon cameras and lenses since 1989, but I hope you get an idea of the Canon 5DRs camera, because it is characterized by high sharpness.
Alen could you do shots with 85 1.4 on your d700 i have a d700 and curious the diffence between 1.8 which i have
Hi there - are you meaning the 85 1.4D or G? I only have the G now - let me know and I can do a comprison Allen
@CreativePixelPhotos I was referring to 85d but that's ok I can probably find elsewhere thnx
I use adapter FTZ II for this lenses (85f/1.4D) with Nikon Z7, But it can not control focus. Anybody can help?
So the auto focus don't work? I was planning to get for me also on z7 ftz adapter
The FTZ adapter doesn't have a af motor so all AF lenses that need one won't af
Should have stuck with your Sony body/s and got either the Samyang AF 85mm f1.4 FE II or the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN, both far sharper than that old Nikon D, and the Samyang AF 135mm f1.8 FE...Probably the sharpest 135mm lens ever made.
NO😝🤪😜😛
Mine is the 85 1.8 afs
camera shake
Allen, you seem way too wrapped up in your equipment. I've been using the same 3 lenses for 30 years and never thought about changing. Lenses don't make the photographer
Then we're just different. I like to experiment and explore possibilities and I disagree about gear. If I took exactly the same photo today as one a few years back with my old gear today's would be a technically better photo. Just called progress