Nikon 85mm f1.4

[ezhang]

This photo was taken at my sister's graduation.

Shot with 85mm f1.4 thruout in daytime outdoor conditions, good lighting, but noted many of the photos had poor facial definitions and slightly washed-out colours.

Is the problem with shooting at full aperture?

DSC_3404.JPG.jpg

I'm sorry, but how do I attach the photo on this website?

[psychobiologist]

Originally Posted by ezhang This photo was taken at my sister's graduation. Shot with 85mm f1.4 thruout in daytime outdoor conditions, good lighting, but noted many of the photos had poor facial definitions and slightly washed-out colours. Is the problem with shooting at full aperture? DSC_3404.JPG.jpg I'm sorry, but how do I attach the photo on this website?

go to photobucket, and upload your pic there after resizing to 800/600 etc.

or upload at www.imageshack.us etc..

and copy the http://______________________.jpg link.. add [ img ] [ /img ] flanking your code.. and... tada!

[ezhang]

Wala, thanks to psychobiologist, I got it up!

I do usually use Apple Aperture to touch up the photo, but just disappointed at this image quality before any post-processing. I'm using D300 without Vivid mode, just Standard.

[tainted]

wat aperture were you shooting at and from what distance?
the softness might be due to your aperture settings..
you said with 85mm f/1.4 throughout... so i assume you shot with f/1.4.... its abit too wide open for the shot already... maybe around f/5.6 would have delivered sharper results...

[photobum]

Originally Posted by ezhang I do usually use Apple Aperture to touch up the photo, but just disappointed at this image quality before any post-processing. I'm using D300 without Vivid mode, just Standard.

Another classic example of "wanted-to-use-a-good-lens-but-didn't-know-how-to-use-it-properly" syndrome.

Shooting a moving subject at f1.4 is like committing suicide.

[alee39]

Originally Posted by ezhang Wala, thanks to psychobiologist, I got it up! I do usually use Apple Aperture to touch up the photo, but just disappointed at this image quality before any post-processing. I'm using D300 without Vivid mode, just Standard.

From your EXIF, you shot at F1.4 wide open, I have this lens and it should be sharp above F4.0, do try it and let us know.

[ezhang]

Photo was shot at f1.4 and about 8 metres away.

Been shooting the outdoor shots now at f2.8 to 4, results have been much better. Still trying to understand the lens. If the lens constantly produces such washed out colours at f1.4, when would I ever use it at f1.4?

So when would we use the lens in full aperture besides at low light conditions and min DOF? And what are the conditions in which we avoid shooting it wide open?

Really appreciate the suggestions!

[Kimura_papaya]

Originally Posted by ezhang This photo was taken at my sister's graduation. Shot with 85mm f1.4 thruout in daytime outdoor conditions, good lighting, but noted many of the photos had poor facial definitions and slightly washed-out colours. Is the problem with shooting at full aperture? DSC_3404.JPG.jpg I'm sorry, but how do I attach the photo on this website?

bro,

no one shoot 85mm F1.4 at exactly F1.4, conventionally, nikon lenses produce stunning result and contrasty color, as well as sharpness around F3.8 - 5.6. And, if u want optimum result, Shooting F8.0 , 1/125, will ensure a best result.

personally i find, what 85mm f1.4 capable for is, becos of its large and wide lens element compare to F1.8 version.

hope this input help.

kim

[lithium_fire]

Originally Posted by photobum Another classic example of "wanted-to-use-a-good-lens-but-didn't-know-how-to-use-it-properly" syndrome. Shooting a moving subject at f1.4 is like committing suicide.

Allow me to comment. I think the issue is in the image being out of focus. You need to be very accurate at aperture f1.4. Always make sure the eyes are sharp.
As for the color...suspect either the color profile in APERTURE alters the one embeded in the nikon file.The WB looks off since the skin tones look greyish. If you still have the original NEF/jpeg file, transfer it into your CF card and see how the color looks like on your D300 monitor.

[Kimura_papaya]

Originally Posted by lithium_fire Allow me to comment. I think the issue is in the image being out of focus. You need to be very accurate at aperture f1.4. Always make sure the eyes are sharp. As for the color...suspect either the color profile in APERTURE alters the one embeded in the nikon file.The WB looks off since the skin tones look greyish. If you still have the original NEF/jpeg file, transfer it into your CF card and see how the color looks like on your D300 monitor.

morning bro, i just saw he say he shot at F1.4, technically it seem quite hard to get it right at this aperture. look at his picture, the distance to camera is more than 1 meter away, even if he gets the eye sharp, the nose to ears part will became blurr.

[tJames]

Originally Posted by ezhang Wala, thanks to psychobiologist, I got it up! I do usually use Apple Aperture to touch up the photo, but just disappointed at this image quality before any post-processing. I'm using D300 without Vivid mode, just Standard.

btw do you shoot raw or jpeg? if you shoot nikon raw and open on apple aperture, the colour will be washed out.

[jpgutierrez18]

85 f1.4 shot wide open has paper thin DOF. It requires a lot of practice to focus dead-on.

At f1.4, you need to select the exact focus point you'll use. Since you're using D300, you have a lot of options. Once you AF, a slight movement will shift your focus so be very careful.

As for the washed out color, it varies on the exposure settings. Based on your EXIF, you shot outdoor in daytime but used ISO 500. Even if you used 1/800 shutter speed, I think it will still overexpose (?).

I haven't had any problem with this lens. I previously used an MF 55mm f1.2 but bought the AF 85 f1.4 so I can AF. My D70s has a tiny LCD hehe.

You have a great lens, just practice shooting with it more .

It's meant to be used at f1.4. If not, better buy the cheaper f1.8 version if you'll stop down on most shots.

Here's are samples taken at f1.4.

http://www.photo.net.ph/albums/userp...6/DSC_0969.jpg

http://www.photo.net.ph/albums/userp...6/DSC_1058.jpg

[chisiang]

I shot extensively with the 85 F1.4.

A lot of comments here stated that when shot at F1.4, it is not sharp unless you step up to F4

This lens is tac sharp even @ F1.4. If a F1.4 lens is only sharp at F4 then might as well throw it away.

The 85mm F1.4 is a tricky lens to use. your fundamental understanding of photography must be strong.

Some shots @ F1.4





The 85mm F1.4 is more than a superb lens but that doesn't mean that it is a easy to use lens. However, once you master it, it never disappoint, be it sharpness, colours, or contrast

[Leong23]

Originally Posted by chisiang I shot extensively with the 85 F1.4. A lot of comments here stated that when shot at F1.4, it is not sharp unless you step up to F4 This lens is tac sharp even @ F1.4. If a F1.4 lens is only sharp at F4 then might as well throw it away. The 85mm F1.4 is a tricky lens to use. your fundamental understanding of photography must be strong. Some shots @ F1.4 The 85mm F1.4 is more than a superb lens but that doesn't mean that it is a easy to use lens. However, once you master it, it never disappoint, be it sharpness, colours, or contrast

I agreed that this lens is still very sharp at f1.4, the DOF is very shallow so it need so practice to get it right. I always or mostly shoot it wide open too.

[An drew]

Originally Posted by chisiang This lens is tac sharp even @ F1.4. If a F1.4 lens is only sharp at F4 then might as well throw it away.

quite true.

Actually nowadays with DSLR, put to CL or CH and just squeeze off 10-20 shots, some will be tack sharp. Aim for the eyes. Good luck!

[ezhang]

Few issues, care to comment?
1. Comparing the 2 lenses of 85mm f1.4 vs f1.8, I believe the f1.4 would create pretty different images if BOTH shot at f4 setting. The image quality of the f1.4 lens should be tad bit superior. Agree?

2. The f1.4 setting can create problems of chromic aberration, and loss of saturation in colour when shot it aperture full wide. This is more evident in bright lighting conditions?
(The photo that started the thread was shot in JPEG format, not NEF - in response to tJames)

3. DOF is an obvious issue with a lens like this. I usu try to shoot subjects that are stationary. Focus has not been a problem, more concerned about the colour.

[Leong23]

TS,

For your shot, the focusing seem to be at the gold ribbon instead of the eye. That why it seem soft.

[ezhang]

Agreed. Focus for my shot was slightly off. But more concerned about the colour.

[An drew]

Originally Posted by ezhang Few issues, care to comment? 1. Comparing the 2 lenses of 85mm f1.4 vs f1.8, I believe the f1.4 would create pretty different images if BOTH shot at f4 setting. The image quality of the f1.4 lens should be tad bit superior. Agree? 2. The f1.4 setting can create problems of chromic aberration, and loss of saturation in colour when shot it aperture full wide. This is more evident in bright lighting conditions? (The photo that started the thread was shot in JPEG format, not NEF - in response to tJames) 3. DOF is an obvious issue with a lens like this. I usu try to shoot subjects that are stationary. Focus has not been a problem, more concerned about the colour.

I feel that the 85 f1.4 is a "bao chiak" lens. It is a legendary lens. It is a "waste" to shoot at f4 with a f1.4 lens. The image quality and bokeh of the f1.4 is significantly superior.

Yes, CA can be a problem at 1.4.

Colour issues are dealt with at camera via white balance or thru post processing unlike old days (lens, filter, film, etc).

[JacePhoto]

wow, even as a reader, i am learning alot from just reading this thread. Thanks for sharing guys!