Excellent choice on the 24mm, and the purchase price is super. A perfect companion to the 85mm f/1.8G

msmoto said:
I need to get a commission from Nikon from the half a billion dollars profit they made......

The 24mm is so nice...and I was convinced by several of the "elite" members of NRF. One of the best buys IMO, not $$$ wise but just a wonderful lens!

Got mine (24mm 1.4G that sof a young kid on his pHD program here at UCSD for $1620....not bad wouldn't you say.

I need to get a commission from Nikon from the half a billion dollars profit they made......

The 24mm is so nice...and I was convinced by several of the "elite" members of NRF. One of the best buys IMO, not $$$ wise but just a wonderful lens!

Gabbott66 said:
Well, I just pulled the trigger on Amazon for one of these lens. I have a D800E, so I'm looking for sharp lens and from I read this seems to be pretty darn sharp.

Excellent choice. I'm very happy with mine. Though I must admit, I'm about to pickup the 24 1.4G tomorrow so we shall see what all the hype has been regarding this bad boy. Given that msmoto has not steered me wrong in recommending the 85 1.8G, I have a feeling the 24 is going to be even better.

Well, I just pulled the trigger on Amazon for one of these lens. I have a D800E, so I'm looking for sharp lens and from I read this seems to be pretty darn sharp.

El_Pickerel said:
Got mine a few days ago... lucked out and saw it in stock at B&H when I cancelled my Tamron 24-70 VC preorder. I've only used it in low light so I can't quite speak to the sharpness of the thing, but it certainly feels great. I gave it a workout at a folk dance last night. AF isn't too fast, like the 85mm f/1.4G or 24mm f/1.4G, but it is confident on my D7000. For the folk dance photos I shoot all the time, the DOF at f/1.8 is great for isolating one couple out of the bunch, but keeping both of them in focus unless they are dancing far out from each other. Build quality is great, feels just as solid as my 24mm f/1.4G. I'll see about using this lens as much as I can in Guatemala (tomorrow - June 30)

I used it last night in taking some night shots, though I do not consider myself a "night shot shooter" its performance was fantastic. For me, the 85mm focal length serves me quite well...much more to my style of shooting verses my 50mm (50mm 1.4G).

With respect to the 85 1.4 or the 24 1.4, I'm sure they perform amazingly, but in all honesty when it comes to AF speed, given that I'm shooting at such slow shutter speeds, I'm more tuned in getting the subject in focus than how fast it gets it done. This is by no means a "slam" on any of the 1.4's....they are Kings among king's when it come to Nikon glass.

Lastly, the price of acquiring this lens was also very kind to my wallet as well (vs the 85 1.4G), which made getting it that much more attractive. I intend to use the cost saving on this lens toward my next body....FX that is. But for NOW, my D7000 is serving me quite well. After all, one has to time his or her gold box purchases....right TTJ?

Got mine a few days ago... lucked out and saw it in stock at B&H when I cancelled my Tamron 24-70 VC preorder. I've only used it in low light so I can't quite speak to the sharpness of the thing, but it certainly feels great. I gave it a workout at a folk dance last night. AF isn't too fast, like the 85mm f/1.4G or 24mm f/1.4G, but it is confident on my D7000. For the folk dance photos I shoot all the time, the DOF at f/1.8 is great for isolating one couple out of the bunch, but keeping both of them in focus unless they are dancing far out from each other. Build quality is great, feels just as solid as my 24mm f/1.4G. I'll see about using this lens as much as I can in Guatemala (tomorrow - June 30)

TaoTeJared said:
Dang you Golf - now I want another gold box!

I don't think I can buy any more gold boxes this year unless I buy a blue box for Mrs. Wataru...

TaoTeJared said:
Dang you Golf - now I want another gold box!

Don't buy one also...I will never get a new body if I just keep collecting lenses and never save for a new body ;)

Dang you Golf - now I want another gold box!

Well my fellow Nikon owners, I got my 85 1.8G today and man-oh-man is this lens AWESOME!! No matter what your level of skill is, this lens SHOULD be in your bag given its performance, not to mention its price...way to go Nikon. It is SHARP, Fast and makes caring it on my D7000 a joy; when compared to the 24-70/70-200 2.8's. I can tell you right now, this lens is going to be put to great use. It gives the 105 2.8 and all other 1.4's a run for their money.

Ooh and I love getting Gold Box's from UPS's ....weeeeeeee :P

Cheers ladies and gents :D

Anyone know any stores in Canada (GTA specifically) that have stock?

The usual suspects Henrys, Vistek, Aden, The Camera Store, etc. are all backordered.

TaoTeJared said:
Ha! I want multiple gold boxes - don't know how many I'll get this year. Too many goodies, too little money! I'm testing some D800 files and I will need a computer for sure if I upgrade that way. Ugg. Need to do a big offload of stuff and stop picking up used goodies. I guess it just means more to experience!

One thing is for sure - I'm really torn on an 85mm. I have the 1.8 AFD and I use it for my film cameras as well. Going G would end that. If I can pick up a really cheap MF 85 or 105 2.8, I may make the move but I really am looking at the older 1.4 AFD instead. Build quality is what is pushing me over everything else. I use that lens and it gets beat up a lot.

Well dear friends I went ahead and pulled the trigger. One more step closer to you buddy. As for the build quality on this 85mm 1.8G it will suite me just fine. I do not put my gear through to many hard/tough condition...ok truth be told I baby my gear...there I said it, happy now :P. I have however had a few 2-3' drops of my 35mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4G and they have survived, thus given that this lens is built much in the same fashion it should serve me for many years to come. Moreover, if it can handle the activities that msmoto does with it, I'm A OK.

Cheers to all.....

golf007sd said:
See that is my dilemma as well; I'm extremely happy with my 105 f2.8 macro that I own...yet I feel that the 85 1.8G is one of those lens that should be in my bag....after all I'm trying to keep up with TTJ and big gun coygar LoL! Moreover, I have not gotten a gold box for myself this year, hence the itch. Is there a "blue pil" for those of us in this mind set? Arrrrrr

Ha! I want multiple gold boxes - don't know how many I'll get this year. Too many goodies, too little money! I'm testing some D800 files and I will need a computer for sure if I upgrade that way. Ugg. Need to do a big offload of stuff and stop picking up used goodies. I guess it just means more to experience!

One thing is for sure - I'm really torn on an 85mm. I have the 1.8 AFD and I use it for my film cameras as well. Going G would end that. If I can pick up a really cheap MF 85 or 105 2.8, I may make the move but I really am looking at the older 1.4 AFD instead. Build quality is what is pushing me over everything else. I use that lens and it gets beat up a lot.

I think everyone should get one.... But you will never keep up with TTJ.....knowledge beyond my wildest dreams... TTJ is a great source of so much information on NRF.

golf007sd said:
See that is my dilemma as well; I'm extremely happy with my 105 f2.8 macro that I own...yet I feel that the 85 1.8G is one of those lens that should be in my bag....after all I'm trying to keep up with TTJ and big gun coygar LoL! Moreover, I have not gotten a gold box for myself this year, hence the itch. Is there a "blue pil" for those of us in this mind set? Arrrrrr

Lol I also have that need it because you are supposed to have it draw. I haven't totally convinced myself I need it though.

tcole1983 said:
I have really been thinking about this lens, but I don't think I "need" it. Not sure if it would get much love since I have the 105 F2.8 that I already like so much.

See that is my dilemma as well; I'm extremely happy with my 105 f2.8 macro that I own...yet I feel that the 85 1.8G is one of those lens that should be in my bag....after all I'm trying to keep up with TTJ and big gun coygar LoL! Moreover, I have not gotten a gold box for myself this year, hence the itch. Is there a "blue pil" for those of us in this mind set? Arrrrrr

msmoto said:
<snip>
On the other hand, this improves my technique to focus my attention on proper procedures rather than being sloppy as I think I do sometimes with the VR....maybe.

Y'know, I've tried that - being sloppy just because I have VR on a given lens - but I just get slightly less crappy images than on a non-VR! Maybe I need to switch it to 'active' mode. Hey - maybe 'active' mode should just be called 'you are getting old' mode ....

It is the perfect "short" portrait lens on FX, and on DX, about perfect. Very nice and as Knee-Con glass goes... not overly expensive. Does NOT have VR, and this is something to remember... as I sometimes forget. On the other hand, this improves my technique to focus my attention on proper procedures rather than being sloppy as I think I do sometimes with the VR....maybe.

golf007sd said:
I feel and itch coming on for this lens. From what I have been reading and seeing, it appears to due an amazing job. True or false?

I have really been thinking about this lens, but I don't think I "need" it. Not sure if it would get much love since I have the 105 F2.8 that I already like so much.

SkintBrit said:
Good luck in whatever you decide, as you say, 2012 looks like being a very expensive year!

LOL 2012 has already been an expensive year and we are less than half way through.

I feel and itch coming on for this lens. From what I have been reading and seeing, it appears to due an amazing job. True or false?

spraynpray said:
Wow! ISO really has arrived as the third exposure variable now.

EDIT: Looks like you did some moving around on Flickr Msmoto (images gone from previous page)?

I do not know what happened, but it may be related to the fact the Flicker page change as I add images overall. So, this is the link to the page 7 images today

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/page7/

and my photo stream overall is

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/

which has about 12 pages. One will have to wander through all this stuff. My apologies for all this confusion. I am truly a neophyte with all this computer posting of photos, downloading, etc. It is only due to the incredible knowledge base here on NRF which has allowed me to make some progress in learning about images, etc. in this digital world.

Thus, my deepest gratitude to all the members of the forum, especially the admin and mods, for all the super help.

Tommie

Wow! ISO really has arrived as the third exposure variable now.

EDIT: Looks like you did some moving around on Flickr Msmoto (images gone from previous page)?

Well, I was wondering how this works as a macro lens, so I shot a 77mm lens cap.

Exposure Data: AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G with 32mm of extension tubes for close focus. Exposure data: 1/320 f/6.3, ISO 16000: D4. Note the ISO. If you go to the link and view the link, the low noise will blow your mind. And the sharpness of the lens at the 4100 x 3280 pixel size is again quite amazing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/6909256516/sizes/o/in/photostream/