Nikon 85mm 1.8s: I am really confused. Looking for a portrait lens. Was getting seduced by the above lens, no vignetting or CA. Then it occurred to both my brain cells that these issue...

Hammer Loc: London UK

I am really confused. Looking for a portrait lens. Was getting seduced by the above lens, no vignetting or CA. Then it occurred to both my brain cells that these issue are probably being no corrected at import . What is wrong with just ticking the boxes on LR myself. Reviews state stunning level of sharpness but is this really needed for a portrait lens.

Please restore my sanity

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Hammer wrote:

I am really confused. Looking for a portrait lens. Was getting seduced by the above lens, no vignetting or CA. Then it occurred to both my brain cells that these issue are probably being no corrected at import . What is wrong with just ticking the boxes on LR myself. Reviews state stunning level of sharpness but is this really needed for a portrait lens.

Please restore my sanity

I am confused. I have a portrait lens and also use Lightroom. Do not understand your concern/issue?

Nicholas DeSciose

That 85 mm F1.8. Is a beautiful lens providing you photograph beautiful subjects

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Hammer wrote:

I am really confused. Looking for a portrait lens. Was getting seduced by the above lens, no vignetting or CA. Then it occurred to both my brain cells that these issue are probably being no corrected at import . What is wrong with just ticking the boxes on LR myself. Reviews state stunning level of sharpness but is this really needed for a portrait lens.

Please restore my sanity

I’m not sure I understand. Are you saying that instead of using a good lens, just fix it in post?

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Hammer wrote:

I am really confused. Looking for a portrait lens. Was getting seduced by the above lens, no vignetting or CA. Then it occurred to both my brain cells that these issue are probably being no corrected at import. What is wrong with just ticking the boxes on LR myself. Reviews state stunning level of sharpness but is this really needed for a portrait lens. Please restore my sanity.

I have one of the last non-Ai versions, NIC coated, serial #431236 (no Ai or AiS version was made), and consider it to be one of my best lenses. Here’s a quote from the original Nikon Compendium, page 132: “... neither too contrasty for portraits nor too soft for on the-spot photography. A really well-balanced compromise.”
The autofocus version is said to be comparable.
I shoot transparency film, so cannot comment on artificial manipulation of images on a computer.

Hammer Loc: London UK

Sorry I did not make myself clear . This is all re Nikon

We are told that the advantages of the S lens is no vignetting , no CA and super sharp . If the first two do exist but are corrected on import to LR . That leave the Sharp bit . But is a sharp lens desirable for portraits ?

The F mount 85 lens display CA wide open but can that be fully corrected on import to LR. If so , its not an issue.

I don't own a fast portrait lens and was trying to compare my options . Have a Z6 and a D850. Have got very confused.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Hammer wrote:

I am really confused. Looking for a portrait lens. Was getting seduced by the above lens, no vignetting or CA. Then it occurred to both my brain cells that these issue are probably being no corrected at import . What is wrong with just ticking the boxes on LR myself. Reviews state stunning level of sharpness but is this really needed for a portrait lens.

Please restore my sanity

The Nikon 85mm 1.8 is a beautifully sharp lens. On the D500 it result in a field of view of 127 mm. Very ideal for a portrait lens.
That being said, my favorite lens, when I did portraits for a living, was the Nikon 70-200 2.8.

CO

The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 S lens is for Nikon's Z series mirrorless cameras. You can use it on your Z6 but not D850. The new S lenses for the Z series mirrorless camera do have exceptional image quality. The large flange diameter and short flange distance allow engineers to design lenses with superior image quality.

You want the stunning sharpness of the lens. You could always get software like Portrait Pro to alter your images.

Designed for Nikon Z series cameras

(Download)

Hammer Loc: London UK

So I should avoid my wife, you must have met her .

Hammer Loc: London UK

billnikon wrote:

The Nikon 85mm 1.8 is a beautifully sharp lens. On the D500 it result in a field of view of 127 mm. Very ideal for a portrait lens.
That being said, my favorite lens, when I did portraits for a living, was the Nikon 70-200 2.8.

I have been using the 70-200 2.8 but have been trying to convince my-self that it restricts my shooting because of the restriction inherent in the aperture .

I think I need help !!!!!!

Hammer Loc: London UK

Thanks for that. That looks like a lens that I would like . I use manual focus a lot of the time , the eye auto focus on the z6 can be a bit hit and miss.

CO

If you are considering the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 lens for F-mount, also take a look at the Tamron 85mm f/1.8 SP VC lens. It has vibration compensation. Very few prime lenses have stabilization. I have their 45mm f/1.8 SP VC lens that I use on my D750. The vibration compensation is a plus when you can't use a tripod. It also has a metal barrel and is fully weather sealed.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

The 85mm Z mount is n my short list. That being said, for portraits I would rarely if ever shoot at 1.8. Your 70-200 2.8 is a fine portrait lens.

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Hammer wrote:

I have been using the 70-200 2.8 but have been trying to convince my-self that it restricts my shooting because of the restriction inherent in the aperture .

I think I need help !!!!!!

Yes ! You do indeed !

135mm at f/2.8 has the same aperture effect as 85mm at f/1.8. Just do your portraits at 10ft instead of 7ft. OTOH if you can seldom manage that extra distance then, yes, you do actually need an 85/1.8. Otherwise use the 2.8 zoom.

BTW if your concern is softened portrait backgrounds, you may prefer the image of 135@2.8 over the 85@1.8. Although both backgrounds are equally soft, there will be larger and therefore fewer fuzzy things in the 135 background due to the greater magnification.

You can see this effect by using your 2.8 zoom. Just compare 85@2.8 to 135@4.0 cuz it’s the same aperture ratios.

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