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85 f1.4g

Author	Post

Posted by Dave Groen: Fri Oct 23rd, 2015 23:45

1^st Post

I have a chance to buy a slightly used mint-in-box 85mm f1.4G. They want $1400 firm. It's from a friend, so I know it's good... USA warranty, not grey-market. A new one costs $1700. It will be used with my D-800 and D2X infrared.

Any opinions on the lens or the deal?

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-s-nikkor-85mm-f%252f1.4g.html

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Posted by jk: Sat Oct 24th, 2015 03:24

2^nd Post

Great lens. I have the AFD version.
The price seems a little high for a second hand lens but if you are happy then I would go for it.

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Posted by Robert: Sat Oct 24th, 2015 03:31

3^rd Post

Hi Dave, great to see you post!

It's not a novice's lens, but you are no novice, go for it.

I am sure you will find it challenging and rewarding in equal measure. Please be sure to post some results.

The closet I have are the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 or the Nikkor 105mm f2.5 AI, both of which can be challenging wide open but are hugely rewarding when I get it right.

____________________
Robert.

Posted by Gilbert Sandberg: Sat Oct 24th, 2015 04:26

4^th Post

Dave,
For any second-hand item, the margin with a new one is not enough.
On infra red: I do not think anyone has tried this combo of lens and camera.
How would you focus this lens-camera ?
Regards, Gilbert

Posted by Robert: Sat Oct 24th, 2015 05:11

5^th Post

While Bj¸rn does not appear to explicitly test the G version, I suspect there is little or no optical difference with this lens.

Having awarded his top rating of 5 for this lens in Infra Red, Bj¸rn states "IR performance: Similar to the MF version, this fast lens is - rather unexpectedly - a good IR performer and there are no evident hot spots."

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_short.html

Just to be sure, it might be prudent to make a couple of test exposures before parting with cash, IR hotspots can occur in some samples but not others of the same lens type.

____________________
Robert.

Posted by Dave Groen: Sat Oct 24th, 2015 10:46

6^th Post

My main use would be for portraiture (or anything else where I want an out of focus background) on the D800. The D2x IR would be secondary. Its focusing was recalibrated to IR when the filter was changed, so I'm hoping it's close enough at wide apertures.

The $1400 price didn't seem enough of a drop vs. new for me. I looked on Nikon USA's site today and I can get a refurbished one with warranty for $1215, so I told the first seller "thanks, but no thanks".

____________________
I started out with nothing and still have most of it left

Posted by amazing50: Sat Oct 24th, 2015 16:15

7^th Post

Most of the 85mm f/1.4s can't get in closer than 3ft - 1m.

I have one and find it a bit anoying, much prefer my 90mm f2.8 macro for general shooting.

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There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept ;~) Mike Grace

Posted by jk: Sun Oct 25th, 2015 04:53

8^th Post

Dave Groen wrote:

The $1400 price didn't seem enough of a drop vs. new for me. I looked on Nikon USA's site today and I can get a refurbished one with warranty for $1215, so I told the first seller "thanks, but no thanks".

I agree better to get a reconditioned item from Nikon which means it is essentially new!

____________________
Still learning after all these years!
https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none

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