85mm f1.4D or 85mm f1.8D

[alpinestars]

I'm considering to get a 85mm for portrait. what is the diff between this 2 lens?
i using D90, so i would like to know which lens suit me most.
Please advise me. Thanks in advance

[jnet6]

Do a search
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showt...highlight=85mm

[Lord Soth]

Originally Posted by alpinestars I'm considering to get a 85mm for portrait. what is the diff between this 2 lens? i using D90, so i would like to know which lens suit me most. Please advise me. Thanks in advance

I've done my own research on these 2 lenses because I've been thinking of getting one for portraits.

Here's the summary :-

85mm f/1.4 has a more pleasant bokeh than the f/1.8.

The f/1.8 is slightly sharper than than the f/1.4 wide open and this is the reason why the bokeh of the f/1.4 looks better.

If you want the best (in terms of Bokeh) portrait lens, get the f/1.4!

However, if you want a smaller and cheaper lens, the 85mm f/1.8 won't disappoint you either.

[thenomad]

Think about:
1. What is your budget?
2. What aperture do you need? Do you need f/1.4?

f/1.8: sharper, cheaper, lighter/smaller
f/1.4: better bokeh, expensive, heavier/bigger

[tomcat]

Since the 85mm f/1.8 is cheaper and sharper, maybe the TS should get it instead and digitally smoothen out the bokeh during post-processing. Or spend the difference and invest in a specialise bokeh simulation software like Alien Skin's Bokeh.
http://www.alienskin.com/bokeh/

[alpinestars]

how about the diff between DX and FX?
I don't know what is that too.. I'm really new in this hobby.

[u2nofear]

50 f1.4D also good choice !...i'm using 85f1.4 good color produce then 85f1.8 from my view

[szeping]

Originally Posted by alpinestars how about the diff between DX and FX? I don't know what is that too.. I'm really new in this hobby.

DX body has a smaller sensor than FX body by a factor of 1.5x
In this case, 85mm will become 85*1.5 (crop factor for DX) = 127.5mm at FX -> FX body needs a 127.5mm lens to fill the sensor up with the same area of 85mm lens on a DX body.

I always look for budget lens, so f/1.8 should be a choice for you.

[geraldkhoo]

I started with the 85 f1.8, and later sold it and got the 85 f/1.4... no regrets about it! The 85 f/1.4 is better than the f/1.8 version at almost every category. I can't remember where the web link is, but someone did an extensive comparison of these 2 lenses.

Without going into such detail, the 1.4 lens has better IQ and also built. It is often asked "Would you really need or use f/1.4?" Though I have the f/1.4 lens, I don't use f/1.4 that often, but stopping down the aperture, you actually get sharper images in comparison to the f/1.8 version at the same apertures.

It is good to start with the 85 f/1.8, and if you like the focal length, you can later upgrade to the f/1.4 version

[geraldkhoo]

Originally Posted by geraldkhoo I started with the 85 f1.8, and later sold it and got the 85 f/1.4... no regrets about it! The 85 f/1.4 is better than the f/1.8 version at almost every category. I can't remember where the web link is, but someone did an extensive comparison of these 2 lenses. Without going into such detail, the 1.4 lens has better IQ and also built. It is often asked "Would you really need or use f/1.4?" Though I have the f/1.4 lens, I don't use f/1.4 that often, but stopping down the aperture, you actually get sharper images in comparison to the f/1.8 version at the same apertures. It is good to start with the 85 f/1.8, and if you like the focal length, you can later upgrade to the f/1.4 version

OK... found the extensive comparison

http://www.rbfotografia.com.br/avali....8x1.4en_1.htm

And here is another link...

http://www.utopia-photography.ch/len...magiclens.html

[bruggink]

Originally Posted by tomcat Since the 85mm f/1.8 is cheaper and sharper, maybe the TS should get it instead and digitally smoothen out the bokeh during post-processing. Or spend the difference and invest in a specialise bokeh simulation software like Alien Skin's Bokeh. http://www.alienskin.com/bokeh/

Wow.. Really impressed by wat Alien Skin can do. Have you tried it yourself?

[blue_quartz]

I haven't laid my hands on the f/1.4 version, but I would say the metal hood of the f/1.8 version makes the lens feel much better in the hands too compared to the plastic hoods of the cheaper primes...

[andrewtansj]

Originally Posted by tomcat Since the 85mm f/1.8 is cheaper and sharper, maybe the TS should get it instead and digitally smoothen out the bokeh during post-processing. Or spend the difference and invest in a specialise bokeh simulation software like Alien Skin's Bokeh. http://www.alienskin.com/bokeh/

looks like an interesting software...