mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I wonder how long the Patent is good for on this new Nikon lens. Tamron and Sigma would love a copycat version of this lens. Some will say, if you have an excellent 85mm f/1.4, why bother with this lens for $2200.

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

I have an old 105/1.8 Nikkor, very manual everything. Very sharp, but lower contrast. As I'm pretty much switching to digital Hasselblad, this new lens must wait a while.

Jim Bob

To some perhaps, but not to me.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I would venture that quite a lot more folks listen to Capt C as opposed to you. But then you knew that, but I just wanted to make sure you did. 95.5% of the time your posts add nothing to the conversation or even take away. Geesus! Have a grumpy day!

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

OK - The 105 arrived Monday and so far I am thrilled. Yes it is big and heavy, but I shoot on a tripod for probably 90% of my images, so that is not an issue. So far as I can tell with limited time to shoot, it is spectacular sharp, no softness toward the edges, and no vignette at the edges. I will have a better opportunity to test it more later this week, but here is one image.

This is Joe Farace - Joe writes a monthly column for Shutterbug magazine and is a friend and neighbor. We have coffee about twice a month and yesterday I took this image. Obviously one would never actually take a portrait this close at f/1.4 unless a razor-thin DOF was the intention.

So here, his left iris is sharp, but the left eyebrow is OOF. His right eyebrow is sharp but the right iris is OOF. He was sitting across the table from me an I am focused just about as close as possible.

I realize that position a highly compressed jpg here is hardly optimum for critical view, but you get the idea.

(Download)

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

You know, that is actually a good point and one I thought about for a while. I do have the 85 1.4 as well and am happy whit it, BUT it does require me to get a bit closer than I like for outdoor work. The added working range that the 105 gives me is welcome and this new 105 is just a touch sharper, but not all that much, to be honest. I would bet an image taken with both the 85 and 105 and the subject size the same size in both, there would be an indistinguishable difference in sharpness and the quality of the OOF area.

I would say if you are not a pro that can write it off and have clients paying for it (or you can afford it and just WANT it) then having both the 85 and 105 is probably not practical.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Thanks for sharing. That new lens is on my list as well and could well be my next purchase as my portrait work continues to increase. I am interested for pretty much the same reasons as you and I also have the 85/1.4 but often wish I could have some more breathing room.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Thanks for posting your impressions.
I own the 85 1.4. I am in the "just WANT it" category. No doubt, I will read reviews for a while, but in time will pull the trigger on it.
Putting practicality aside, Life is short.