Nikon 50mm vs 85mm.

[mikenth]

Hi,

I have a query and hope some kind soul can advise.

I am trying to decide between a 50mm & 85mm lens, both with aperture of 1.4. Please advise:
1) Which lens is a better lens in terms of picture quality?
2) Does both lens have the same construction and build?
3) Any difference in performance?

Btw, I am using D200.

Thank you in advance.

Mike

[Henessy]

1)85mm f1.4 has better picture quality
2)Dun think so
3)Isn't this question a bit similar to question 1?

[Tetrode]

Originally Posted by mikenth Hi, I have a query and hope some kind soul can advise. I am trying to decide between a 50mm & 85mm lens, both with aperture of 1.4. Please advise: 1) Which lens is a better lens in terms of picture quality? 2) Does both lens have the same construction and build? 3) Any difference in performance? Btw, I am using D200. Thank you in advance. Mike

1. Both will yield photos of high quality in the right hands.
They serve different needs/purposes. Both are excellent performers - but the 85 has better bokeh over the 50. One provides a normal perspective while the other a short telephoto perspective. You will find that you will one day require the use of both lenses.

2. If we are comparing the quality between the AF versions of the lenses, the 85mm f1.4 is better built over the 50 f1.4. However, if we were comparing the Ai-S versions, they are the same.

3. Your third question is the same as your first.

[_espn_]

Originally Posted by mikenth 1) Which lens is a better lens in terms of picture quality?

What sort of picture quality? Sharpness, contrast bokeh, at what aperture? 1.4, 2, 2.8 etc?

Originally Posted by mikenth 2) Does both lens have the same construction and build?

No.

Originally Posted by mikenth 3) Any difference in performance?

Yes

[mikenth]

Thanks for the replies. Let me rephrase the 3rd question:

3) If your budget only allows you to buy 1 of the lens, which is your choice, and why?

Mike

[TMC]

50mm, more room to play with and lighter to carry around for a full day of street shoot.

[daveheng]

Originally Posted by mikenth Hi, I have a query and hope some kind soul can advise. I am trying to decide between a 50mm & 85mm lens, both with aperture of 1.4. Please advise: 1) Which lens is a better lens in terms of picture quality? 2) Does both lens have the same construction and build? 3) Any difference in performance? Btw, I am using D200. Thank you in advance. Mike

What are you shooting in the first place??

Both are excellent lens but perform excels in their own field.

So, its not wise to compare the 2 lens like this.

Price difference is already mountains apart.

U should ask youself seriously why are you choosing between the 2?

For street shooting or portrait or ???? general ????

[agape01]

Originally Posted by daveheng What are you shooting in the first place?? Both are excellent lens but perform excels in their own field. So, its not wise to compare the 2 lens like this. Price difference is already mountains apart. U should ask youself seriously why are you choosing between the 2? For street shooting or portrait or ???? general ????

I totally agree with this.

[_espn_]

Originally Posted by agape01 I totally agree with this.

What's your own opinion?

[jnet6]

Originally Posted by _espn_ What's your own opinion?

his opinion is a 105DC.....

[Artosoft]

Originally Posted by mikenth I am trying to decide between a 50mm & 85mm lens, both with aperture of 1.4. Please advise: 1) Which lens is a better lens in terms of picture quality? 2) Does both lens have the same construction and build? 3) Any difference in performance? Btw, I am using D200.

1) AFAIK, bokeh of 85mm f/1.4 is better than 50mm f/1.4.
2) No, 85mm f/1.4 built like a tank, 50mm f/1.4 built like a 'made in china' lens.
3) .

Price different a lot...

Regards,
Arto.

[_espn_]

Originally Posted by Artosoft 1) AFAIK, bokeh of 85mm f/1.4 is better than 50mm f/1.4. 2) No, 85mm f/1.4 built like a tank, 50mm f/1.4 built like a 'made in china' lens. 3) . Price different a lot... Regards, Arto.

Got any images to demonstrate?

[Artosoft]

Originally Posted by _espn_ Got any images to demonstrate?

Talk is cheap. Use google .

Regards,
Arto.

[_espn_]

Originally Posted by Artosoft Talk is cheap. Use google . Regards, Arto.

Yeah, agree with you talk is very cheap.

[wiz23]

Originally Posted by _espn_ Got any images to demonstrate?

Can someone teach me how to do a fair lens test with 2 lenses of different focal lengths? Maybe if I have time I will post some test shots

[agape01]

What jJnet6 mentioned is correct.

To me, the best portraiture lens for price is the 105 DC lens. It does cost about $300 less than the 85/1.4 and it does produce a very creamy bokeh irregardless of f/stop. This is one beautiful feature about defocus control.

Having said that, if you are more into shooting in low light situations like a wedding, I would rather use a 85/1.4 if price is not a question for me.

[longkangman]

Get both you will need both of them.

Sharpness go for 85mm and forget about the 105/135 DC.

YMMV

[jnet6]

Originally Posted by longkangman Get both you will need both of them. Sharpness go for 85mm and forget about the 105/135 DC. YMMV

when in doubt get both.

[AJ23]

AF-D 50mm f/1.4 ~S$450
AF-D 85mm f/1.4 ~S$1.5k

Both are excellent lenses in their own right, but buying which greatly depends what one wants to shoot or the application/environmental situations.

When in doubt, get the cheaper 1st.

[jnet6]

Originally Posted by AJ23 AF-D 50mm f/1.4 ~S$450 AF-D 85mm f/1.4 ~S$1.5k Both are excellent lenses in their own right, but buying which greatly depends what one wants to shoot or the application/environmental situations. When in doubt, get the cheaper 1st.

how about the 105/135DC lens....?