Nikor 85mm f/1.8 AF-D Lens & Sample Photos
A few months ago, I rented Nikon's 105mm with "defocus control". While I love the ability to blur out the background, the lens itself had just too much telephoto. I found myself having to stand way back to frame the photos, I wanted.
I knew I wanted to find a lens that would allow me to shoot without a flash and was very sharp. Ideally it would be used at social functions, pet expo, and picnics. Another issue was that my camera body is DX and not FX, so any lens I bought would have crop factor of 1.5.
My search took me to Nikon's 85mm F1.8 it comes in two versions. The older AF-D version which requires the camera body to drive the focus mechanism. The newer version is AF-S which has motors in the lens to handle focusing.
Image quality wise both versions are fantastic, focus about the same speed. Some feel that the AF-D version produces better boekah than the AF-S one.
I was able to pickup the 85mm AF-D version for $400 through Amazon. They can be found used for around $350 however I would stick to new as they come with 5 year warranties through nikon.
Nikon 85mm F1.8 AF-D
Nikon 85mm f/1.8 AF-D is a tough, all-metal lens encased in a plastic cover. The lens has metal filter threads, in fact everything except the outside barrel and a couple minor parts are metal.
Samples:
Date Taken: 2012-11-30 22:49:48 Camera: NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D7000 Exposure Time: 0.0125s (1/80) Aperture: f/2.2 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 85mm (127mm in 35mm)
Date Taken: 2012-11-30 22:50:19 Camera: NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D7000 Exposure Time: 0.0125s (1/80) Aperture: f/2.2 ISO: 360 Focal Length: 85mm (127mm in 35mm)
Date Taken: 2012-11-30 22:48:04 Camera: NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D7000 Exposure Time: 0.0125s (1/80)
Aperture: f/2.8 ISO: 640 Focal Length: 85mm (127mm in 35mm)
Low Light Samples: I just shot these indoors at night. They are very soft, I'll attempt some better ones later. Even with poor lighting the lens does a decent job.
Date Taken: 2012-12-01 05:06:09 Camera: NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D7000 Exposure Time: 0.02s (1/50)
Aperture: f/1.8 ISO: 2500 Focal Length: 85mm (127mm in 35mm)
I knew I wanted to find a lens that would allow me to shoot without a flash and was very sharp. Ideally it would be used at social functions, pet expo, and picnics. Another issue was that my camera body is DX and not FX, so any lens I bought would have crop factor of 1.5.
My search took me to Nikon's 85mm F1.8 it comes in two versions. The older AF-D version which requires the camera body to drive the focus mechanism. The newer version is AF-S which has motors in the lens to handle focusing.
Image quality wise both versions are fantastic, focus about the same speed. Some feel that the AF-D version produces better boekah than the AF-S one.
I was able to pickup the 85mm AF-D version for $400 through Amazon. They can be found used for around $350 however I would stick to new as they come with 5 year warranties through nikon.
Nikon 85mm F1.8 AF-D
Nikon 85mm f/1.8 AF-D is a tough, all-metal lens encased in a plastic cover. The lens has metal filter threads, in fact everything except the outside barrel and a couple minor parts are metal.
Samples:
Date Taken: 2012-11-30 22:49:48 Camera: NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D7000 Exposure Time: 0.0125s (1/80) Aperture: f/2.2 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 85mm (127mm in 35mm)
Date Taken: 2012-11-30 22:50:19 Camera: NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D7000 Exposure Time: 0.0125s (1/80) Aperture: f/2.2 ISO: 360 Focal Length: 85mm (127mm in 35mm)
Date Taken: 2012-11-30 22:48:04 Camera: NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D7000 Exposure Time: 0.0125s (1/80)
Aperture: f/2.8 ISO: 640 Focal Length: 85mm (127mm in 35mm)
Low Light Samples: I just shot these indoors at night. They are very soft, I'll attempt some better ones later. Even with poor lighting the lens does a decent job.
Date Taken: 2012-12-01 05:06:09 Camera: NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D7000 Exposure Time: 0.02s (1/50)
Aperture: f/1.8 ISO: 2500 Focal Length: 85mm (127mm in 35mm)
Comments
I've found these --
22mm f/2 for $249
35mm f/2 for $309
40mm f/2.8 for $149
You have a similar issue to what I have on DX. We both have APS-C sensors, with Nikon having a 1.5 crop factor and Canon having a 1.6 crop factor. So if you are shooting 50mm on your camera you range is 80 mm-ish.
Taking the lenses that you mention here is what I dug up. Canon folks please jump in an correct me.
22mm F2: 35mm on 1.6crop factor.
Review at slrgear.com: http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1533 (nothing posted new lens)
35mm F2: 56mm on 1.6
Review at slrgear.com: http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/147/cat/10
40mm f2: 64 on 1.6
Review at slrgear.com: http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1523/cat/10
I would take a good look at either the 35 or 40. If you crave wide and fast, then I would start saving your money and look at a third party company like Tokina 11-16mm review.
Another option to look at (I might be looking at it someday) is Tamron's 17-50 F2.8. I get squirmy when looking at any third party besides Tokina. Here is one review, has to be good the guy owns a shiba