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The almighty 85mm
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Mar 25, 2023 09:46:20   #
foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC
 


Sorry, I misread that. I was thinking an RF lens. I should have reread what he said.

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Mar 25, 2023 10:09:45   #
thegrover Loc: Yorba Linda, CA
 

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Mar 25, 2023 10:12:55   #
Wasabi
 
Well said!

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Mar 25, 2023 10:27:43   #
raymondh Loc: Walker, MI
 
ken_stern wrote:
For at least the last 25yrs I've had & used a Canon 85mm 1.8 --
At the time of purchase, it was described as Canon's undiscovered "L" -- Low priced - Lightweight & Wonderful

Save Your money & put one in your camera bag

Good advice!!

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Mar 25, 2023 10:36:51   #
photoman43
 
Given all of the lenses you now own, I wonder why you need or keep any version of a 85mm lens. You have a 70-200mm and a prime 135mm f2. To get the bokeh look you want from a f1.2 lens you have to be pretty close to the subject and the background itself has to be pretty clean.

I have the Nikon 85mm f1.8 that I use for dog and people portraits. And I have Nikon 70-200mm f4. Sometimes the 70-200mm f4 produces the best bokeh/background look.

I would do controlled tests with your 85mm f2 and 135mm f2 (same subject, same distance between subject and background, same frame coverage) at different f stops. My guess is that the 135mm f2 might produce a better background/bokeh.

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Mar 25, 2023 10:42:38   #
raymondh Loc: Walker, MI
 
tramsey wrote:
I don't understand why you feel you need seven lens or are you a professional photographer. I can see three or four but seven?
I took wild life photos along with kid and grand kid portraits for twenty years and have only one lens and it covered it all


Photo gear (camera, lens) is designed for different types of shooting environments. I suspect that the “purists” would not pooh pooh a carpenter from not being able to hone their profession with just a hand saw or a mechanic with just a crescent wrench.

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Mar 25, 2023 10:56:25   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
raymondh wrote:
Photo gear (camera, lens) is designed for different types of shooting environments. I suspect that the “purists” would not pooh pooh a carpenter from not being able to hone their profession with just a hand saw or a mechanic with just a crescent wrench.


A mechanic needs a crescent wrench and a baby sledge hammer



---

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Mar 25, 2023 11:00:33   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
photoman43 wrote:
Given all of the lenses you now own, I wonder why you need or keep any version of a 85mm lens. You have a 70-200mm and a prime 135mm f2. To get the bokeh look you want from a f1.2 lens you have to be pretty close to the subject and the background itself has to be pretty clean.

I have the Nikon 85mm f1.8 that I use for dog and people portraits. And I have Nikon 70-200mm f4. Sometimes the 70-200mm f4 produces the best bokeh/background look.

I would do controlled tests with your 85mm f2 and 135mm f2 (same subject, same distance between subject and background, same frame coverage) at different f stops. My guess is that the 135mm f2 might produce a better background/bokeh.
Given all of the lenses you now own, I wonder why ... (show quote)


Why do so many Nikon owners have literally dozens of lenses and usually 3-4 of the same focal length or more?
The OP has a direct need/want for this excellent lens and has thought about it.

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Mar 25, 2023 11:10:54   #
User ID
 
Architect1776 wrote:
Why do so many Nikon owners have literally dozens of lenses and usually 3-4 of the same focal length or more?

Theres a really good reason for that. Its been well covered in previous threads.

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Mar 25, 2023 11:23:43   #
StevenBrownPhoto Loc: Excelsior, MN
 
Basil wrote:
Not that I need to justify my gear purchases to anyone, but since you asked - Over the course of a couple of decades I inherited some lenses when my uncle died. Kept some but sold some of those to buy different lenses; Some I bought used on Craig's List and some I have bought new since moving to the R5.

The ones I have bought new I either waited until they were on sale or, in the case of the 85 f2, I purchases as a refurbished unit from the Canon store. I sold some other lenses before buying those two. I also sold a DSLR and that money went towards my RF lenses also. If money was no object I would not have waited for sales, bought refurbished, nor sold other lenses.

Fact is, I am fully retired after 24 years in the military, plus another 20 as a contractor in the missile defense field, plus another 5 years as a program director for a mental health non-profit. In other words, I am at a place in my life where I will buy what I want, if it interests me, but I usually try to get the best deals I can. Does more gear make me feel better? Well, I enjoy the hobby of photography and very much enjoy trying out new gear with different capabilities. So, yes, I guess you could say it makes me feel better - because I'm having fun.
Not that I need to justify my gear purchases to an... (show quote)


Thank you for your service to our country!
From your description, I would use the phrase “photography enthusiast” when considering your original post. I assume you were looking for input from fellow members. Like a sounding board.
Sadly, some people cannot help themselves, and must point out that your question or request is, from THEIR perspective, uninformed or otherwise ignorant and underserving of anyone’s interest. I thought the purpose of this website was to give everyone a place to go for answers to questions, and share photos and information that might interest others who share their enthusiasm for photography.
Good Luck!!

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Mar 25, 2023 11:27:09   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Just keep in mind that the DOF with the 85 f1.2 wide open on a FF body at 10’ distance is 3.6 inches (!).

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Mar 25, 2023 11:57:39   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
StevenBrownPhoto wrote:
Thank you for your service to our country!
From your description, I would use the phrase “photography enthusiast” when considering your original post. I assume you were looking for input from fellow members. Like a sounding board.
Sadly, some people cannot help themselves, and must point out that your question or request is, from THEIR perspective, uninformed or otherwise ignorant and underserving of anyone’s interest. I thought the purpose of this website was to give everyone a place to go for answers to questions, and share photos and information that might interest others who share their enthusiasm for photography.
Good Luck!!
Thank you for your service to our country! br From... (show quote)



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Mar 25, 2023 12:32:31   #
philo Loc: philo, ca
 
I have an 85 and use it mostly for head shots. I have never used it as a walk around lens. My number one go to is a 24-70 ef on a R6.

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Mar 25, 2023 12:38:58   #
Basil Loc: New Mexico
 
Architect1776 wrote:
The problem I see is if you have both and mostly use the f2 except special occasions how will you know when those special occasions arise and will you by chance have the f1.2?
I would have only the one f1.2 and leave it at that.
Always ready for the special occasion but not that big of a burden to use all the time.


If that's what would works for you, that's great. For me, I do a LOT of hiking and in those cases, I prefer having something much lighter and smaller to carry in my backpack. Most of there time (maybe no all, but most), I will know I'm going to an event (like indoor rodeo or an evening event) that will make a brighter lens a necessary thing to have. Sure it's possible I could run into a situation where I could use f1.2 but didn't have it, but from my personal experience, those occasions would be rare.

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Mar 25, 2023 12:40:42   #
Basil Loc: New Mexico
 
Bill_de wrote:
A mechanic needs a crescent wrench and a baby sledge hammer



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And a can of WD40 and a roll of Duct Tape! (restoring old cars is my other hobby LOL)

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