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?