Nikkor 85mm 1.8 vs. Sigma 85mm 1.4

[HalfOnWhole]

Hey guys, I recently returned a Nikkor 85mm 1.8 lens that I bought new for $480. I found the low light to be worse than my 35mm 1.8 and overall the quality and sharpness was disappointing. Not to mention it had some trouble focusing.

I use a D7000.

I don't have a a huge budget, but I'm getting into commercial photography and need a good portrait lens. The Sigma seems to have good reviews (but so did the nikkor), and from my 5 minute trial at my local shop i found it to have a nice bokeh and seemed a bit sharper than the nikkor (even wide open). This lens is twice the price of the Nikkor at almost $1k.

What are your thoughts on the upgrade? Is it worthwhile or bust? Any input is appreciated. The popular nikkor 85 1.4 isn't really a consideration, at about $1,350 its definitely a bit over my budget for such lens.

Thanks!

 

[MattSepeta]

I have the Canon version of the Sigma 85 and it performs wonderfully. Great portrait length, although I still prefer my Sigma 50 a bit more, YMMV.

Check out Hoffers review pitting the infamous 85L against the Sigma 85. He went with the Sigma, and that's saying something!

http://hofferphotography.com/2010/11/16/my-sigma-85-f1-4-vs-canon-85l-review/

 

[flosseR]

I have the Canon version of the Sigma 85 and it performs wonderfully. Great portrait length, although I still prefer my Sigma 50 a bit more, YMMV.

Check out Hoffers review pitting the infamous 85L against the Sigma 85. He went with the Sigma, and that's saying something!

http://hofferphotography.com/2010/11/16/my-sigma-85-f1-4-vs-canon-85l-review/

Had the Sigma for a while.. LOVELY.. spectacular lens.. get it over the Nikon DEFINIETLY...

 

[compuwar]

I found the low light to be worse than my 35mm 1.8 and overall the quality and sharpness was disappointing.

Extreme sharpness is not generally a primary criterion in a portrait lens[1]. However, Photozone's tests of the lens show it to have excellent sharpness at all apertures, so either you had a bad sample or your camera needed AF fine tune adjustment- did you adjust the camera for that particular lens?

Additionally, you don't say what sort of portraits you'll be taking under what conditions, so it's difficult to give advice.

Paul

[1]Unless you have a top-line makeup artist and 16 year old models with perfect skin.

 

[mofunk]

hmmm I've used the 85mm and found it quite sharp. The 105mm Nikkor was equally as sharp. I suggest you try before buying. Maybe it's user or setting in your camera? I know when I don't use the right shutter speed, my images lean towards soft side. But when I press and hold the AF lock, especially in low light, my photos are a lot sharper. Practice holding the camera steady also helps.

I would suggest renting before buying. Check out www.lensrental.com I've rented several with them. This way I would know what to expect.

On my D90 I've increased the sharpening in the custom setting. Bumped it up by 2. Before when I had my D50, I started using the AF/AE lock button. This way the focus is locked when I shoot. Also, practiced a lot with just pressing my finger or squeezing the shutter release button.

I don't have a lot of shots using the 85mm online but here is one.

Here is one with 105mm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77634324@N00/3009640408

 

[HalfOnWhole]

Thanks all, I appreciate the feedback. I happened to notice the lens also made Popular Photography Mag's favorite gear of 2011 which was cool. It's a big jump from the 1.8 i returned, but I've decided to go for it. I'll let you know how the lens shapes up after a few test runs.

 

[Edge100]

I have the Canon version of the Sigma 85 and it performs wonderfully. Great portrait length, although I still prefer my Sigma 50 a bit more, YMMV.

Check out Hoffers review pitting the infamous 85L against the Sigma 85. He went with the Sigma, and that's saying something!

http://hofferphotography.com/2010/11/16/my-sigma-85-f1-4-vs-canon-85l-review/

When I saw Tony's review a few months back, it was almost enough to make me sell my 85L.

Almost.

I just can't part with the Canon. It's such a sweet lens.

 

[HalfOnWhole]

Got the lens yesterday. Well worth the extra money over the Nikkor 1.8!
It's certainly my new favorite lens. Here's a couple test shots from this morning- taken on my D7000.

They were taken at f1.4. Pretty sharp with pretty low chromatic aberration (definitely better than 1.8, but not perfect!)