Sean, Its robert stoffer :) i am under a different name on this forum hahah!

Thank you for your input again :D

Also welcome to the forum!

I have the AF-S 85mm f/1.4... upgraded from the f/1.8. While the 2/3rd stop is nice, and the f/1.8 is no slouch... ...they are totally different animals, and even if a different class than the 50mm f/1.4 in build and image quality. I use the 85mm as much as humanly possible.

I also have the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II, and while the image quality is awesome across the range, I rarely use it at anything other than 200mm because the depth of field doesn't give me enough separation when I'm zoomed out shorter than about 135mm. If the 200mm f/2 was under $3k I'd sell my 70-200 for it.

I use a pair of 85/1.4 Ai-S's on a very regular basis, it's indispensable to me.

i just ordered it on B&H hopefully it will get here soon :). Im excited to take some fall portraits in october with it.

Hi,

I have the 1.8 85mm and use it a lot, and saved a bit on going to it rather than the older 1.4, and don't thing I'll move to the newer 1.4 either, just as a matter of economy.

The extra 2/3rds stop can be meaningful to all at some time, but I've managed with the f1.8 well enough. I like the lens. If one has the extra cash to spend, the faster lens will be clearer to see in low light for sure.

As a practical matter, however, I don't know if one will actually shoot that much at f1.4. One will typically punch up the f-stop a bit to increase the DOF a smidgen to ensure more sharpness over facial features in portraits for sure, even if it's just f3.5 up to 5.6, negating the additional gain in the fast lens. I really doubt I've missed a single shot for lack of the f1.4 setting.

My best,

Mike

I am buying my 85mm 1.4 by myself and also the upgrade to the 70-200. My birthday is coming up and also christmas. I may be asking for this 35 1.4!

smarterchild said:
I do have the 70-200 2.8 but I'll be upgrading that to the newer version as well should only cost about 300$ if I sell and then buy used. I think I will be getting this lens. At weddings sometimes I find I only need about a 85 or 135 area. I used the 85 1.8 on a reception and over the results. I will be making money off of this lens an will be using this lens for years to come

I'm also highly interested in the 35 1.4

Yeah .. that new 35 1.4 is a wonder.. I am so lucky I dont shoot FX or else I will have to be buying that 35! :-)

resent it jonny. I just copied and pasted the last thing i sent

I do have the 70-200 2.8 but I'll be upgrading that to the newer version as well should only cost about 300$ if I sell and then buy used. I think I will be getting this lens. At weddings sometimes I find I only need about a 85 or 135 area. I used the 85 1.8 on a reception and over the results. I will be making money off of this lens an will be using this lens for years to come

I'm also highly interested in the 35 1.4

Smarterchild, the forum deleted your PM to me. I saw that it was there, but when I went to check it now the thread doesn't have a link. Would you mind sending me another with a word or two to see if that makes the thread resurrect? (I'd PM you this, but I don't trust PM for some reason.)

I can't give you any advice about the new 85 but I would love to have it myself.

The 85mm focal length is great for portraits etc.. if that is YOUR fov then get it! You will be shooting most of your photos with it.

If you will make money from it then its a no brainer .. just get it.

Other wise its just an expensive toy and you will be better off getting the 70-200 or 85 1.8 or not getting it at all and save for YOUR FOV lens.

I've been saving and saving and decided i should get this lens. I have had the chance to shoot the 851.8 and 85 1.4 afd versions before and I loved both of them. Has anyone got their new 851.4 in?

I love my 50 1.4 and would love somthing more telephoto at 1.4 I do have the 70-200 2.8 vr1 but I've had a fix on this 85 and love the smooth brokeh to it. Should I or should I not go for this lens?