Nikon 85mm f/1.8

[My2Girls66]

Does anyone have this lens? Like it? I have the 50mm and the 35mm and was thinking this would be a good addition. I was going to possibly look into the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 for this fall for DD's cheerleading comps but think f/1.8 would be better since my 50mm 1.8 did pretty well last winter. The 85 would get me a little closer if I'm high in the stands. I do like the idea of a zoom but am afraid 2.8 won't be fast enough.

 

[Gdad]

I had the 85/1.8 for a while. I think its very nice- I wish I still had it. Nike bokeh- good in low light. Here are a couple examples on a D300.

 

[Gdad]

Here is a crop-

 

[My2Girls66]

Looks great! Thanks. Hopefully I'll be able to add that to my collection by the time cheer comps roll around.

 

[wenrob]

I've heard nothing but good about it. It seems to be favored by portrait photographers.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I have it.Irarely use it anymore. I used to use it to photograph my son when he would perform with his symphonic band. He was a percussionist and they're always the furthest back of the stage. So I would sit as close as I could to the front of the stage and use it as a cheap alternative to the 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom. It worked well. I like the lens and for the price it was great. I think I got for about $389 or something like that about 3 years ago. The 85mm f/1.4 is even better! A lot of photographers rave about that lens. But at the time it was over $1k for that lens, I can't imagine what it would be now!

 

[dmccarty]

I have not used one of the Nikon 85mm lenses but the only criticism I have heard was that they were too sharp. Meaning every flaw on a person's face could show up in the photograph.

As you said, even with low light a f2.8 lens might not be fast enough. I took some photos at a school play with my D700 and 180f2.8 and it was barely doable with the ISO at 3200. Even with a 50/F1.4 it can be problematic since you are loosing so much DOF. I used the 50f1.4 opened up to F1.4 at another school event with a D200 and the DOF was so small it was a problem.

For the one event the 180mm was barely long enough. Will a 85mm be long enough for where you are shooting?

For grins and giggles I just checked B&H for prices:
85/1.4 - $1,240
85/1.8 - $450
105/2.0 DC - $1,100
70-200/2.8 VR - $1,900
80-200/2.8 - $1,100

The 85/1.8 is a bargin compared to the rest of the lenses.

Later,
Dan

 

[oregondaddyof2]

Here is a crop-

THAT IS AMAZING!!! I absolutely love the reflection of the blue mickey head in her eyes... Your pictures blow me away every time I look at them ...

 

[My2Girls66]

I have it.Irarely use it anymore. I used to use it to photograph my son when he would perform with his symphonic band. He was a percussionist and they're always the furthest back of the stage. So I would sit as close as I could to the front of the stage and use it as a cheap alternative to the 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom. It worked well. I like the lens and for the price it was great. I think I got for about $389 or something like that about 3 years ago. The 85mm f/1.4 is even better! A lot of photographers rave about that lens. But at the time it was over $1k for that lens, I can't imagine what it would be now!

Thats basically what I want the lens for. Something reasonably priced for cheer comps. There are only 2 per season so I don't want to spend a lot to have it sit.

 

[My2Girls66]

I have not used one of the Nikon 85mm lenses but the only criticism I have heard was that they were too sharp. Meaning every flaw on a person's face could show up in the photograph.

As you said, even with low light a f2.8 lens might not be fast enough. I took some photos at a school play with my D700 and 180f2.8 and it was barely doable with the ISO at 3200. Even with a 50/F1.4 it can be problematic since you are loosing so much DOF. I used the 50f1.4 opened up to F1.4 at another school event with a D200 and the DOF was so small it was a problem.

For the one event the 180mm was barely long enough. Will a 85mm be long enough for where you are shooting?

For grins and giggles I just checked B&H for prices:
85/1.4 - $1,240
85/1.8 - $450
105/2.0 DC - $1,100
70-200/2.8 VR - $1,900
80-200/2.8 - $1,100

The 85/1.8 is a bargin compared to the rest of the lenses.

Later,
Dan

I think between the 50mm and an 85mm I'd be set depending on how far I end up up the bleachers. I also have the 35mm 1.8 in case I was really close. Yeah- the prices on some of those are WAY too much for what I'm looking for! The depth of field was fine using my 50mm 1.8 @1.8 most of the time. I was sitting a bit a way from the action that maybe why. Anything longer than 85 I think would be too much in the gyms we've been in so far.