85mm 1.4 lenses: Comparing Brands

RFP

Has anyone used the Sigma 85mm 1.4 prime? I am considering buying it as mounted for Nikon for my D700. The Nikon equivalent is twice the price, and so far I have not heard any negatives about this particular lens...but I'd hate to realize a year from now that I settled halfway to greatness--know what I mean?

zoomer

I have read a lot of threads on the 85's.
The Sigma is as good as any of them, most of the recent threads say it is the best of the three.
I own the Nikon 85 1.4D (old version). I will not upgrade, for me sharpness is not an important criteria, portraits only need to be sharp enough. More important to me is the lack of edge sharpness (good) and the creamy bokeh.

I do not have issues with focus speed or low light focus...so very happy with the old Nikon 85 1.4D.

RFP

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Matthew Saville

RFP wrote: »

Has anyone used the Sigma 85mm 1.4 prime? I am considering buying it as mounted for Nikon for my D700. The Nikon equivalent is twice the price, and so far I have not heard any negatives about this particular lens...but I'd hate to realize a year from now that I settled halfway to greatness--know what I mean?

I just tested the Sigma 85 1.4 on a D700 this past weekend and it was amazing. VERY sharp, build solid, and accurate in low light. No complaints whatsoever. Some people are reporting that both the new Nikon 85 and Sigma 85 are a bit sluggish compared to the AFD model, and I guess if sheer speed is important to you then the AFD version is the way to go for you. However, as the reports go, what these new lenses give up in sheer speed they more than make up for in accuracy and uncanny low-light capabilities. Not sure how they do it, but it seems such technology is here to say judging my ALL of Nikon's recent AF-S prime lens developments...

The only caveat with lenses like these is that you've gotta test the heck out of EVERY focus point; because it is very common for the outermost AF points to be a bit fussy. The Sigma 85 1.4 is super sharp even in the corners, but you definitely start to lose AF point accuracy at those extreme edge focus points.

=Matt=