Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.4 G : field impressions

[Sar NOP]

Hi all,

I have been shooting with this new lens for the last 4 weeks and so far took more than 4,500 pictures, mostly @f/1.4 !

This is my very first f/1.4 lens and the first outings were not very easy for me because of the very shallow DOF wide open.
The first week, I had extremely low keepers rate and had to find new settings on my cameras to improve the accuracy of the AF when shooting at f/1.4.

I have used this lens for a large variety of subjects : nature & wildlife, candid kids portrait, general shooting, etc.
I bought this 85/1.4 to be able to shoot most of my subjects at 200 ISO (the native sensitivity of my camera's sensor) and without flash.

This 85/1.4 lens is known as a portrait lens, but for me this is more versatile than that and I now use it as a walk-around lens.

So far, I'm more than happy with its general performances. Now, I'm so comfortable with this small/fast lens that I've already sold my trusted big 70-200 VRI !

Please feel free to post here your pictures taken with this lens.


#1
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5052791865_c9dbe3bb3d_b.jpg


#2 : @f/1.4
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5052792327_8bc29a050b_b.jpg


#3 : @f/1.4
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5052792529_79250f6c83_b.jpg


#4 : @f/1.4
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5052792071_6377e30b94_b.jpg



#5 : @f/1.4
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5052918493_44af6bf2c1_b.jpg

[ncbuxton]

Love the Moorhen head shot! Certainly see the benefits of the F1.4 aperture. We have been very impressed with the 24f1.4 Nikon.

[Lance B]

Superb results, Sar! Looks like the 85 f1.4G needs to go on my list as well. :)

[Sar NOP]

Superb results, Sar! Looks like the 85 f1.4G needs to go on my list as well. :)

Hi Lance,

This is an outstanding lens : I'm really impressed by its sharpness, contrast, coulours rendition and especially bokeh at f/1.4 !

We'll need to get together one day so you can try this 85/1.4 G and I can try your 300/2.8 VRII as well !! :cool::cool:

[abitfishy]

Fantastic results. I know if I tried shooting at 1.4 there's no way I could get anything I actually wanted sharp, sharp!

[Lance B]

Hi Lance,

This is an outstanding lens : I'm really impressed by its sharpness, contrast, coulours rendition and especially bokeh at f/1.4 !

We'll need to get together one day so you can try this 85/1.4 G and I can try your 300/2.8 VRII as well !! :cool::cool:

Most certainly. I hear that you often go to Homebush for the bird life there, or I can meet you closer to your home over the north side.

[Sar NOP]

Some more nature & wildlife shots :


#6 : Flare and goshting are extremely well controlled.
@f/2
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5053538896_424fe00ea3_b.jpg



#7 : AF speed is not as fast as the one in the 70-200 VRI, but its accuracy is very impressive.
@f/1.4
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5052860461_1d61ac4e67_b.jpg



#8 : Buttery smooth and progressive bokeh.
@f/1.4
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5053482168_c57494ea45_b.jpg


#9 : @f/1.4
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5053374438_cc1afab3b4_b.jpg


#10 : @f/2
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5053530962_951f3d3ee3_b.jpg

[Lance B]

Simply gorgeous shots, Sar!

[Ross]

I went down the road of letting my 70-200 VR1 go in favour of the 85mm 1.4D not the
"G" for general photography.I must be out of touch for I was unaware of this new lens
from Nikon - is there much improvement.
Love your photos,good quality and a pleasure to view.