Originally Posted by babowc I've been using the 1.4D for a couple of days now.. I haven't had much time to get some *real* results, but from what I've tested.. 1.8G is definitely sharper all-over at f1.8 than the 1.4D, in my simple tests of a corkboard shoot, mounted on a tripod. I'll be headed out to shoot again, on this Saturday, so I'll report back as soon as I get some real data! 1.4D does, in fact, focus much slower than the 1.8G :(

When doing tripoded wall tests, be sure to double check the AF calibration wide open before judging results. Those fast primes will *seem* to still be in focus but will be slightly soft, when in fact they can still achieve insane sharpness wide open with a slight AF microadjustment...


:-)


=Matt=

Originally Posted by babowc My 70-200 VRII is a whole-nother story.. it helps me make beautiful images, but it's too big and heavy.

You are a guy, right?

Originally Posted by Qarik if you can..please pick some different kinds of backgrounds and check the bokeh wide open on both lenses..I'd be interested in seeing the differences!

And leave the EXIF data intact too please~

Definitely will try the AF microadjustment!
I think FlickR gets rid of the EXIF data? and I like smaller lenses, what can I say! LOL

It'd be unfair comparison if I tested the two lenses on different bodies, right?

Originally Posted by babowc Definitely will try the AF microadjustment! I think FlickR gets rid of the EXIF data? and I like smaller lenses, what can I say! LOL It'd be unfair comparison if I tested the two lenses on different bodies, right?

Not really as long as they're FX versus DX/FX. Daniel (Qarik) is just a bokeh-whore~

Originally Posted by babowc ... It'd be unfair comparison if I tested the two lenses on different bodies, right?

If you mean between your D700 and D800 bodies, it would be best to choose a single body for testing since these 2 bodies are so very different in terms of gross pixel count and AA filter, as well as image processor and demosaic algorithm.

It's been awhile, but I finally came to a conclusion on the lens!

The 85 1.8G was a great performer wide open up until f11 or so. It was plenty sharp wide open in the center, and progressively got better and seemed to reach it's peak around f5.6~8.
The 85 1.4D was also a great performer wide open (1.4) and performed about the same at f1.8. The 1.4D is also plenty sharp in the center @ 1.4D and progressively reaches peak sharpness around f5.6~8.

From what I tested, the 1.8G did seem slightly quicker to lock focus, but for portraiture, I don't think it really matters.
When using AF-C, the 1.8G far outperformed the motor driven 1.4D.
For AF accuracy, straight out of the box, both performed well and I didn't have any focus issues.

Despite my terrible first experience with the 85mm 1.4D (probably due to my lacking), I was torn between it and the 1.8G, but this time it reassured me that it produces beautiful images (or do I?)

I loved the lightweight 1.8G and the bayonet hood, but overall, I chose the 1.4D due to it's magical bokeh at just about any aperture.
I did notice that the 1.4D was less "contrasty", than the 1.8G, but it wasn't a big-enough issue to tip the scales.

Hopefully, I'll have a budget to test the 1.4G in the future, but for now, I'm very satisfied with the 1.4D!
I'll post up a few images I took with the two and my "testing" for sharpness!

Originally Posted by babowc It's been awhile, but I finally came to a conclusion on the lens! The 85 1.8G was a great performer wide open up until f11 or so. It was plenty sharp wide open in the center, and progressively got better and seemed to reach it's peak around f5.6~8. The 85 1.4D was also a great performer wide open (1.4) and performed about the same at f1.8. The 1.4D is also plenty sharp in the center @ 1.4D and progressively reaches peak sharpness around f5.6~8. From what I tested, the 1.8G did seem slightly quicker to lock focus, but for portraiture, I don't think it really matters. When using AF-C, the 1.8G far outperformed the motor driven 1.4D. For AF accuracy, straight out of the box, both performed well and I didn't have any focus issues. Despite my terrible first experience with the 85mm 1.4D (probably due to my lacking), I was torn between it and the 1.8G, but this time it reassured me that it produces beautiful images (or do I?) I loved the lightweight 1.8G and the bayonet hood, but overall, I chose the 1.4D due to it's magical bokeh at just about any aperture. I did notice that the 1.4D was less "contrasty", than the 1.8G, but it wasn't a big-enough issue to tip the scales. Hopefully, I'll have a budget to test the 1.4G in the future, but for now, I'm very satisfied with the 1.4D! I'll post up a few images I took with the two and my "testing" for sharpness!

Mostly, what switching from the 1.4 D to the 1.4 G will gain you is, that clear crispness of contrast and color, and the increased focus accuracy roughly on par with the 1.8 G.

Personally, I'd love to own both the 1.8 G and the 1.4 G. I may actually buy the Sigma 1.4 EX even, since I hear that one is the king of all when it comes to bokeh. (Aside from the Canon 85 1.2 L...)

I'm interested in seeing a sample or two from your tests that convinced you the bokeh was so much more desirable on the 1.4 than the 1.8. I love bokeh LOL!

=Matt=