I used the 85 1.8G on a D780 on my last engagement session and shot it mostly around f2 to 2.8 and the client loved the photos. Optically, the 1.8G is better than the 1.4 and is certainly lighter. I love the lens. Thanks for sharing.
Soooo refreshing to see a review showcasing actual use and the beautiful results of an underrated lens without the brick wall and sharpness test-- real world work instead. Thank you! You've dissuaded me from 'upgrading' my 85mm 1.8g to a 105mm 1.4g to satisfy my G.A.S. I don't need that 1.4 opening. Rather, I just need to use my 85mm more to actually produce something meaningful, as I currently do with my trusty el-cheapo 50mm 1.8d. Great and honest review, and not shilling out unnecessary gear based on it being the latest and greatest
I owned that lens. I was alright. The bokeh was a litle bit rough. In the end I kept using an associate's 85mm F1.4D. Then I settled on the 105mm F2 DC. It may not be as optically good as the 1.8g, but it rendered out of focus areas much smoother and the colour soc was better (in my view).
Thanks for another interesting video, and some great pictures. A former colleague used to have that lens, and she took some excellent photos with it. The 85mm is a great focal length. Coupled with a fast wide angle like the 35 or 28 it makes a great kit for almost every opportunity. I prefer that combo to the 24-70/2.8 or 24-105/4 zooms.
@@MartinCastein I have realised that sometimes limits, like a few focal lengths, makes me attentive. When I go out with the zooms, I get lazy. It’s a bit the same with high resolution, dynamic range and thousands of focus points. If I can get the shot with 9 focus points, why should I get more? I went out with some people from work last week, and felt a bit lazy, so I brought my “new”1DX. Bought it this summer and still don’t know half of the capabilities. We went bowling, and I think I spent half the afternoon messing with the autofocus or some other settings. If I had brought my 5D2 or 1Ds3 I’m sure I would have come home with more keepers. Probably if I had brought my film cameras as well. Less is more. Better working on mastering the basics than pretending to understanding the complicated unnecessaries.😄
To me it seems that most people view things through around 24 or 26 mm equivalent lens (mobile phones) When you really want to separate your photos from your aunt's mobile phone pictures.. Use professional grade 135 to 200mm f 2 to f 4 full frame lens. No mobile phone can match that. Look is just completely different.
I think once you get past about 60mm you are tapping into that. The 85 is easier to work with as you can communicate better with your subject. Longer focal lengths tend to get more static and posed but you are right it’s a totally different lookz
Martin, in another video with title "Nikon 35mm 1.4z - portrait dream lens?", when you were talking about about the "D" technologies, you mentioned just a bit the 35mm 1.8D and then you focused on the 50mm 1.8D!! So... even that I had bought an 50mm 1.4g, I' ve bought also a 50mm 1.8D (for 35 euros) to see with my eyes what you were talking about!! I was amazed and it is my best choise since ever!!! I just loved the result of the backround flare... it is so much more romantic than the G I think, and brings up a certain mood in the picture!! Thank you that you mentioned this "D" technology back then! And ofcourse, my question is "Is also 85mm 1.8D like this better than the G ??? In these last months it was rare to find a 85mm 1.8G used and in a logical price (at Marketplace)... But I'm finding quite often the D version for half-money!! So... what is your opinion on D and G at 85mm??? Should I take the the D version? Or I should wait for a good chance for the G? Does the G worth the double money??
@@MartinCastein Oh... So... Not the 1.8"g"... and not the 1.8"d"... but the 85mm 1.(4)"d"?? But then what about when you want a couple to capture like you said in this video?
ahh sorry i kind of misread this ,the 85mm 1.8g is a really solid choice, i havent used the 1.8d but the 1.4d is excellent too, i used the 1.8g always and really liked it.
@@MartinCastein Oh thank you Martin! This is the answer that I was looking for :)) But I misread too on something... Haha... I am very well!! Psychological and mentally I'm flying like a kid in the sky... I'm in really in loved with this new hobby...haha... An I really hope you are well too, because you deserve everything 🙏 !!!
Thanks for another informative video Martin. When shooting at 1.8, are you using the centre focus point and recomposing or are you using the outer focus points ? Thanks.
I totally agree. I hate backgrounds that are totally obliterated, the subject could be anywhere, on a beach, on the moon, those totally destroyed backgrounds are ridiculous. Beautifully out of focus background YES, but that swirling BS of light bubbles I see on so many pictures is the trademark of amateurs.
The only gripe I have with this lens is the purple fringing and the photos can be a little flat. It’s not as good as the 50 1.8. But it is very very sharp. You will love this on the z7ii. You can switch to crop mode and it becomes a 130 at about 20MP which is amazing
i have the 85 1.8 z now but i might adapt my F mount lenses i havent decided yet or maybe i will upgrade my lenses to the new mount versions, not sure yet!
@@MartinCastein oh it’s prob way better but the new lenses are overly sharp. But great! If you adapt I would recommend the 105 1.4 or the 58 1.4 they are incredible with the z7ii. Very expensive but they just have a look
What lens would you recommend for canon? Do you just stay in 1.8 or do you vary your apertures on the same shot?Great work as usual.. Looking forward to your next blog.. No pressure!!
Thanks Martin, great review as always. I have been considering the 85mm 1.4G, 1.8G and the older models 1.4D and 1.8D. I have a D600 with a Sigma 50mm Art, but after watching the video am thinking of buying the 1.8G for my D800. Would this be a good match? I am mostly taking angling catch shots, so often shut down the aperture to get a slightly larger depth of field, so really don't need the 1.4.
if you dont NEED the 1.4 id get the 1.8, there is simply no point in the 1.4 lenses if you dont shoot them regularly at 1.4. Nikon makes a real effort with its 1.8 primes and I think its a great match for you d800.
Thanks for the quick reply Martin. I bought the D600 on your recommendation, paired it up with the Sigma 50mm Art, and it is simply a stellar combo. However, saw the D800 (57000 clicks) for £400 and couldn't resist, so am going to try it alongside the D600 but with an 85mm.
@@rodfotografia I’ll second sluggish focus speed on the 50/f1.4, a lovely lens but you can make a cuppa whilst it gets to where it needs to be, the 85 is better but my 28/f1.4 is better still.
I used the 85 1.8G on a D780 on my last engagement session and shot it mostly around f2 to 2.8 and the client loved the photos. Optically, the 1.8G is better than the 1.4 and is certainly lighter. I love the lens. Thanks for sharing.
I didn’t know it was better than the 1.4 that’s interesting a great lens
@@MartinCastein It's optically better, but the 1.4 is clearly built better.
I bought this around July and I absolutely love this one. It is razor sharp wide-open. Great review as usual.
Soooo refreshing to see a review showcasing actual use and the beautiful results of an underrated lens without the brick wall and sharpness test-- real world work instead.
Thank you! You've dissuaded me from 'upgrading' my 85mm 1.8g to a 105mm 1.4g to satisfy my G.A.S. I don't need that 1.4 opening. Rather, I just need to use my 85mm more to actually produce something meaningful, as I currently do with my trusty el-cheapo 50mm 1.8d.
Great and honest review, and not shilling out unnecessary gear based on it being the latest and greatest
🙏 Thank you!
One of the best lens reviews ive watched. Awesome video and great shots. Well done mate👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
thanks!!!!
I owned that lens. I was alright. The bokeh was a litle bit rough. In the end I kept using an associate's 85mm F1.4D. Then I settled on the 105mm F2 DC. It may not be as optically good as the 1.8g, but it rendered out of focus areas much smoother and the colour soc was better (in my view).
Couldn't have said that better myself! Used mine 85/1.8 G on my DSLRs2, and now I'm adapting it to the 75 and 76II with equally good results.
Awesome discussion on a great focal length. Also really smart tactic with the engagement shoot too. 👍📸
Hey David, thanks mate!
Nice video, no BS just facts backed with proof, rare and very welcome, thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it
I agree, the Nikon 85mm 1.8 is simply superb. I just love mine. Great investment.
It really is!
Thank you so much for the info. I am really motivated to save up and buy me that lens. Great video and your photos are stunning! ❤
You are welcome Shannon, I’m glad it was useful for you.
My fave Nikon G lens!
Thanks for another interesting video, and some great pictures.
A former colleague used to have that lens, and she took some excellent photos with it.
The 85mm is a great focal length. Coupled with a fast wide angle like the 35 or 28 it makes a great kit for almost every opportunity. I prefer that combo to the 24-70/2.8 or 24-105/4 zooms.
I agree although have a zoom can help in some circumstances
@@MartinCastein I have realised that sometimes limits, like a few focal lengths, makes me attentive. When I go out with the zooms, I get lazy. It’s a bit the same with high resolution, dynamic range and thousands of focus points. If I can get the shot with 9 focus points, why should I get more?
I went out with some people from work last week, and felt a bit lazy, so I brought my “new”1DX. Bought it this summer and still don’t know half of the capabilities. We went bowling, and I think I spent half the afternoon messing with the autofocus or some other settings. If I had brought my 5D2 or 1Ds3 I’m sure I would have come home with more keepers. Probably if I had brought my film cameras as well. Less is more. Better working on mastering the basics than pretending to understanding the complicated unnecessaries.😄
Beautiful work!! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you!
The couple pics are excellent. It would be great to mention the setting you put for these.
Thanks i will do that next time
Great overview. Many thanks! 🙏 🙏🙏
Very good! I'm convinced.
I use mine adapted on my Z8 and the pics are gorgeous!
To me it seems that most people view things through around 24 or 26 mm equivalent lens (mobile phones) When you really want to separate your photos from your aunt's mobile phone pictures.. Use professional grade 135 to 200mm f 2 to f 4 full frame lens. No mobile phone can match that. Look is just completely different.
I think once you get past about 60mm you are tapping into that. The 85 is easier to work with as you can communicate better with your subject. Longer focal lengths tend to get more static and posed but you are right it’s a totally different lookz
Martin, in another video with title "Nikon 35mm 1.4z - portrait dream lens?", when you were talking about about the "D" technologies, you mentioned just a bit the 35mm 1.8D and then you focused on the 50mm 1.8D!! So... even that I had bought an 50mm 1.4g, I' ve bought also a 50mm 1.8D (for 35 euros) to see with my eyes what you were talking about!! I was amazed and it is my best choise since ever!!! I just loved the result of the backround flare... it is so much more romantic than the G I think, and brings up a certain mood in the picture!! Thank you that you mentioned this "D" technology back then! And ofcourse, my question is "Is also 85mm 1.8D like this better than the G ??? In these last months it was rare to find a 85mm 1.8G used and in a logical price (at Marketplace)... But I'm finding quite often the D version for half-money!! So... what is your opinion on D and G at 85mm??? Should I take the the D version? Or I should wait for a good chance for the G? Does the G worth the double money??
Hi Johnathan, hope you are well, if you want a tip for the 85mm its the 1.4d i know its more expensive but thank me later hahahaa
@@MartinCastein Oh... So... Not the 1.8"g"... and not the 1.8"d"... but the 85mm 1.(4)"d"??
But then what about when you want a couple to capture like you said in this video?
ahh sorry i kind of misread this ,the 85mm 1.8g is a really solid choice, i havent used the 1.8d but the 1.4d is excellent too, i used the 1.8g always and really liked it.
@@MartinCastein Oh thank you Martin! This is the answer that I was looking for :)) But I misread too on something... Haha... I am very well!! Psychological and mentally I'm flying like a kid in the sky... I'm in really in loved with this new hobby...haha... An I really hope you are well too, because you deserve everything 🙏 !!!
you are welcome and thanks! glad you are doing well!
Thanks for another informative video Martin.
When shooting at 1.8, are you using the centre focus point and recomposing or are you using the outer focus points ?
Thanks.
I move the focus points around I find that better and faster but will often focus and recompose from the outer focus points.
@@MartinCastein Thanks.
Just bought a set of primes including this one to use on my D810. Older kit rocks 🎸
Hey, I love your opinion on the 85 1.8g! What is your take on the 105 1.4e? If you had the space would you use the 105 over the 85?
I totally agree. I hate backgrounds that are totally obliterated, the subject could be anywhere, on a beach, on the moon, those totally destroyed backgrounds are ridiculous. Beautifully out of focus background YES, but that swirling BS of light bubbles I see on so many pictures is the trademark of amateurs.
PLEASE review the Nikon 85mm 1.4g and/or the 58mm 1.4g portrait lenses. They have so much CHARACTER, yet it’s not talked about enough 🙏
I would love to I just have but them first 🥲
The only gripe I have with this lens is the purple fringing and the photos can be a little flat. It’s not as good as the 50 1.8. But it is very very sharp. You will love this on the z7ii. You can switch to crop mode and it becomes a 130 at about 20MP which is amazing
i have the 85 1.8 z now but i might adapt my F mount lenses i havent decided yet or maybe i will upgrade my lenses to the new mount versions, not sure yet!
@@MartinCastein oh it’s prob way better but the new lenses are overly sharp. But great! If you adapt I would recommend the 105 1.4 or the 58 1.4 they are incredible with the z7ii. Very expensive but they just have a look
@@sols9449 probably the 58 for me i think!
Would you recommend this lens for a Nikon D300s?
To jeden z najlepszych obiektywów w ogóle.
What lens would you recommend for canon? Do you just stay in 1.8 or do you vary your apertures on the same shot?Great work as usual.. Looking forward to your next blog.. No pressure!!
Hi John yes the canon 85mm 1.8 is good, they just didn’t do what canon did and keep the same standard over the whole range of 1.8 lenses.
I heard the Canon 85mm 1.2mm is legendary. However, stay away from Sigma.
Thanks Martin, great review as always. I have been considering the 85mm 1.4G, 1.8G and the older models 1.4D and 1.8D. I have a D600 with a Sigma 50mm Art, but after watching the video am thinking of buying the 1.8G for my D800. Would this be a good match? I am mostly taking angling catch shots, so often shut down the aperture to get a slightly larger depth of field, so really don't need the 1.4.
if you dont NEED the 1.4 id get the 1.8, there is simply no point in the 1.4 lenses if you dont shoot them regularly at 1.4. Nikon makes a real effort with its 1.8 primes and I think its a great match for you d800.
Thanks for the quick reply Martin. I bought the D600 on your recommendation, paired it up with the Sigma 50mm Art, and it is simply a stellar combo. However, saw the D800 (57000 clicks) for £400 and couldn't resist, so am going to try it alongside the D600 but with an 85mm.
I have just bought this Nikon 85mm F 1.8. And the Nikon 50mm F1.4
What do you think of the Samyang/Rokinon 85mm 1.4 AF?
I had it on Sony and mine was great
Martin, I think that Canon 135 f2 would be great video, would you be interested in making one🙂
Hi, Nikon 85mm 1.8G vs sigma 85mm 1.4 EX dg hsm nikon, which one worth buying please tell.
I’d get the 1.8g for the focus accuracy
@@MartinCastein thank you
Will the 85 mm do ok on a.crop dslr?
it will work fine yes.
Wait, it's possible to take photos with a phone?
Don't fall for the one/four hype
85mm 1.4g focus is SLOW.
Is it, I didn’t know but kind of makes sense it’s a lot of glass to move around.
@@MartinCastein 35mm 1.4g is a little bit faster. But just a tiny bit. 50mm 1.4g is also very slow. That af-s motor is really crappy on those lenses.
@@rodfotografia The Tamron 35mm 1.4 is a great lens and Tokina 50mm 1.4 Opera.
@@rodfotografia I’ll second sluggish focus speed on the 50/f1.4, a lovely lens but you can make a cuppa whilst it gets to where it needs to be, the 85 is better but my 28/f1.4 is better still.