casperwb said:
Anyone shooting with the " AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1.4G" yet?

I have the 85mm/1.8D and honestly don´t think I will EVER need the 85mm 1.4G.

What I am going to need is the 24mm/1.4G, simply because I need a very good quality wideangle for handheld night shots.

Yep know what you mean, I use the dual BR strap for weddings, it's brilliant, but normally just an Op-tech pro when using one camera. Never had the grip off my 700 since buying it, but not a bad idea if I'm looking for a small light weight package. Thanks for the suggestion. :-) My wife has phoned me at work to say that it's been delivered, so early traps out the door to go and play me thinks is the order of the day!

I take my grip off the 700 when I use it with the 35 as a walk around. I guess this means I would recommend the 700 (without grip). I also love it with a black rapid.

Thanks Gareth, but 700 or 3s? Which body would you want to cary with you for impromptu shots?

i have the 35 on my 700 all the time. I am really getting tinto environmental protraits. if you are more of a head shot shooter, then i don't see why you couldn't leave the 85 on all the time. it's a great lens.

Segura said: I keep the 35mm on all the time on my D700

That raises a question I have in my mind guys, I am thinking of keeping the 85 on one of my cameras as a "grab and take with me" just in case I need a camera combo. I currently use my 24-70 for this, but it's a pretty big and heavy lens to carry around when you might never need your camera. My question is, would you use the 85 for this purpose? And if so, would you put it on a 700 or 3s? The 700 option gives me the ability to always have a bit of flash with me (and CLS if needed), the 3s would mean I could video if I needed. Any suggestions? My initial thoughts are 1.4 on "prince of darkness" may negate the need for flash?

I have all the1.4G lenses 24/35/50/85
And all the 2.8G zoom lenses 14-24/24-70/70-200

In order favorite to least:
35mm - Pre-ordered day 1. Received December 15ish
85mm - Pre-ordered day 1. Received September 13
24mm - Received August 17
24-70mm (more for convenience)
70-200mm - When the need for the big zoom is there, but haven't used in 2 months.
14-24mm - I used to like this lens a lot, until I got the 24mm. I haven't mounted this lens in months.
50mm - Time to sell it I think. Letting a friend borrow it for the moment.

I admit once the primes started rolling in, the zooms have been neglected. I keep the 35mm on all the time on my D700, and bring the 85mm. I'm pretty much covered with those two lenses.

Tip: Pre-order day 1. I would go with Amazon/JR/Adorama/BH in that order. Try some of the other shops like Robert's or Jacks too. You can pre-order with them.
Pre-order from 2 places if you think you will really want the lens. If one ships, cancel the second. If both ship at the same time, you can easily sell the second one for what you paid + shipping. Trust me, this happened on the 35mm. I could have received more because people were willing to pay 2K for the 35mm, but no point doing that to a fellow Nikon shooter.

I got the 85 1.4G for Christmas. I love it. It is my standard go to... I have the 70-200 2.8 vrI, and the 24-70 2.8 but I love the crispness of the 85!

shivaswrath said:
nice!

the premium wasn't worth it for me - but I don't use the 85 1.4D in quick moving situations at weddings, I rely on the 70-200 II; when I am using the 85 1.4D, I can take the time to MF - usually portraits of the bride/groom, etc.

Thanks guys, yes I am excited after all this time, maybe Nikon have 1 little old lady with alzheimers sitting in the corner of the factory scratching her head while looking at an upside down construction sheet on the job? Shivaswrath, I also thought long and hard about whether it was worth all that extra dough. Like you I usually use my 70-200 and 24-70 for wedding work, I find those 2 lenses cover the vast majority of situations I'm likely to encounter, but as I only have the latest AFS lenses, and have found them all to be superb, and as any lens I buy will probably not be changed for it's normal working life (10 years?) I decided to go again and get the AFS. I suppose all I need now is a D4 to put it on! (I'm not holding my breath).

Congratulations SkintBrit! After four months of waiting, that's about time! Post some pics tomorrow if you'd like?
In my store there's still a waiting list of people who bought it before me and they didn't receive a single copy yet :(

nice!

the premium wasn't worth it for me - but I don't use the 85 1.4D in quick moving situations at weddings, I rely on the 70-200 II; when I am using the 85 1.4D, I can take the time to MF - usually portraits of the bride/groom, etc.

Hi everyone, just put the phone down on the shop I ordered my 85 1.4G from in October last year........they ordered 4 and 1 came in today. They said did I want it?........Did I want it!!!!! It's coming tomorrow, I'll let you know what I think when I've had a chance to play :-)

SkintBrit said:
I hope you're talking about the Sigma NOT the Nikon? Some people have suggested that spending so much on the Nikon is unwarranted, and the Sigma would be just as good, I take it this is not something you would agree with!

Yep that was the Sigma. Color fringing is a huge pet peeve of mine, if it wasn't for that the Sigma would be probably my choice mainly due to price and MF over-ride.

I did play with a G and D the other day. The G is just all around better (considering how good the D is amazing Nikon could make it better) hard to describe but it there are small things that show up. Warmer colors for sure. If the 85mm was my bread and butter the G would be my #1 on my list.

shivaswrath said:
the 85 1.4d can be had for around $700-800 now, a STEAL when comparing it to the Sigma and even considering the fact that the 85 1.4G is DOUBLE the price and slightly handles vignetting better and slightly better AF-S

Don't forget what I think is the "killer" advantage of the "G" over the "D", and that's the ability to instantly manually focus without sliding or pressing any switches. I know Nikon are asking a hell of a large premium for that benefit, and i'm not 100% sure it's worth it, but for a wedding photographer, or anyone else who has to work quickly under pressure, it just might be?

the 85 1.4d can be had for around $700-800 now, a STEAL when comparing it to the Sigma and even considering the fact that the 85 1.4G is DOUBLE the price and slightly handles vignetting better and slightly better AF-S

TaoTeJared said:

I looked into the Sigma which interested me since I would only use it about 20% at most of the time. It's really not too bad of a lens at all - fast focus, well built. Sharp, but not as sharp as Nikons until 2.8-3.2 or so. Then there is the BAAAADDDDD Purple and Green color fringing wide open and easily seen in bokeh. I really don't want my backgrounds to look like Barney and Kermit the Frog were streaking behind my subjects so I'm passing on it.

I hope you're talking about the Sigma NOT the Nikon? Some people have suggested that spending so much on the Nikon is unwarranted, and the Sigma would be just as good, I take it this is not something you would agree with!

shutteredglass said:
I just wish those 1.4Gs were coming out faster so I could finally afford the 1.4D. I can't justify the new one until my photos starting earning their keep.

They are selling for about $1k right now everywhere - I seriously doubt they will come down any more. Ebay used ones are going for $850-$950.

I looked into the Sigma which interested me since I would only use it about 20% at most of the time. It's really not too bad of a lens at all - fast focus, well built. Sharp, but not as sharp as Nikons until 2.8-3.2 or so. Then there is the BAAAADDDDD Purple and Green color fringing wide open and easily seen in bokeh. I really don't want my backgrounds to look like Barney and Kermit the Frog were streaking behind my subjects so I'm passing on it.

Segura said:
I guess I don't understand why anyone would cancel their pre-order and then complain about it taking so long, now you have a longer wait!

My advice, pre-order a lens that you think you might as soon as it is announced, then you get your lens in less than 3 months from announcement. If you get buyer's remorse, you can always sell it for at least what you paid for it.

I actually had no knowledge of my order being canceled. My Dad and I share a BHphoto account and for my Christmas, He was ordering the 14-24 2.8. He was talking to the rep at BHphoto and found out that there was only 5 85 1.4's came in in the month of november and 2 so far the first few weeks of Dec. My dad swaped the 85 1.4 for the 14-24 and just gave me the cash i spent on the 85 for me, Now its going into the D800.

Im not really complaining but its a lens i envy and cant wait to own.

I just wish those 1.4Gs were coming out faster so I could finally afford the 1.4D. I can't justify the new one until my photos starting earning their keep.

I guess I don't understand why anyone would cancel their pre-order and then complain about it taking so long, now you have a longer wait!

My advice, pre-order a lens that you think you might as soon as it is announced, then you get your lens in less than 3 months from announcement. If you get buyer's remorse, you can always sell it for at least what you paid for it.

visumax - everything is fast on d3s :)

I do not have the D to compare with it, but it is my favorite lens, focus is very fast and excellent on a D3s. Works very well at 1.4, best at 2.5 up to 11. Just recently also acquired the 35 1.4 G which is very similar overall.

Me either! waited 3 and a half months for that lens till i canceled it and that was early december.

I will buy this lens in 2011, but with the current avalibility, im not going to be owning a copy till late summer.

Don't make me mad, Grrrrr!!!

Anyone shooting with the " AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1.4G" yet?

How about a hands on feedback.

Do you think it is worth the money over the D?

Tried it in low light?

Autofocus?

Not looking for the pro reviews posted on the net, just honest seat of the pants user feedback.