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Photo Forum / Digital Photography / DSLR Cameras / February 200785mm f/2 AI Nikkor opinions
I'm looking at an 85mm f/2 AI Nikkor lens to use on a D200. The seller is asking $200. I see mixed reviews: http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html "3 The replacement for the venerable f/1.8 lens was much smaller and very compact, but unfortunately the optical quality is nowhere in the league of its predecessor. In particular I found pictures taken with the 85/2 to be dull and life-less, and images took on a greyish cast as well. I'm aware of reports claiming this lens is an excellent perfomer and am at a loss to explain this discrepancy in opinions (I've tried several 85/2's and they all behaved in a similar manner)." Ken Rockwell raves about how rich & contrasty it is and suggests it's a great deal if you can find one for $150. Others here have mentioned it as one with very smooth bokeh in past discussions. I suppose I could test it before forking over cash against say my 45/2.8P which I think is nice & contrasty and my 105/2.8 Micro which I think has nice bokeh and is very sharp... and just look at the LCD to see how it compares. Or if they will take $150 that's probably a good deal. I also have a 70-200/2.8 so if it even matched that quality it would be handy for it's small size & a bit faster. If I could see side by side improvement in out of focus highlights, that would be worthwhile to me for portraits even if it isn't razor sharp or super contrasty. One use would be for night time street shooting. > I'm looking at an 85mm f/2 AI Nikkor lens to use on a D200. The seller > is asking $200. I see mixed reviews: The only 85mm lens you'll ever need is the 85mm f/1.4 AF-D. It has stunning bokeh. Rita >> I'm looking at an 85mm f/2 AI Nikkor lens to use on a D200. The seller >> is asking $200. I see mixed reviews: > > The only 85mm lens you'll ever need is the 85mm f/1.4 AF-D. It has > stunning > bokeh. Yes I'm sure that's a nice one but I don't need that focal length enough to pay $1000 for it. And it's fun to take advantage of the D200's compatibility with these old lenses. And I like that this one is quite small. >>> I'm looking at an 85mm f/2 AI Nikkor lens to use on a D200. The seller >>> is asking $200. I see mixed reviews: [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > compatibility with these old lenses. And I like that this one is quite > small. Not just fun, Paul, but if you shoot flash, these old lenses work better on the D200 than any other Nikon made, precisely because you can dial in the aperture and focal length (unless you can do that with the top of the line Nikons, in which case, modify that to, "than any other Nikon I've ever shot with..."). Breaths new life into them for weddings, where you need to fire and forget it, or even for family snaps indoors in the winter... -- www.mattclara.com I have the 85/2 Nikkor and have no complaints. Yoshi > I'm looking at an 85mm f/2 AI Nikkor lens to use on a D200. The seller is > asking $200. I see mixed reviews: [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > if it isn't razor sharp or super contrasty. One use would be for night > time street shooting. > I'm looking at an 85mm f/2 AI Nikkor lens to use on a D200. The seller > is asking $200. I see mixed reviews: Paul, I had this lens for 20 or more years and used it on my FM and F3 as my primary lens; mostly taking candid portrait shots of my kids w/o flash. I loved the thing. Sharp, easy to focus, well made; it felt good and worked better. I use a 50mm f1.4 on my D70s for the same types of shots that I used the above lens on my film cameras. I am just as pleased with its performance, although it certainly doesn't feel as solid as the older lens. Tim > I'm looking at an 85mm f/2 AI Nikkor lens to use on a D200. The seller > is asking $200. I see mixed reviews: > > http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html I'll add my piece of trivia. I believe the 85 f/1.8 is the lens that is used in the film 'Blow Up' (Michelangelo Antonioni'). http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060176/ Robert >> I'm looking at an 85mm f/2 AI Nikkor lens to use on a D200. The seller >> is asking $200. I see mixed reviews: [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Robert That would have been the 85mm f1.8 (followed by the f2, then the 1.8 AF - all different designs, and all excellent once multicoated (the very early version of the 1.8 without the multicoating was flarey). -- David Ruether d_ruether@hotmail.com www.donferrario.com/ruether > I'm looking at an 85mm f/2 AI Nikkor lens to use on a D200. The seller > is asking $200. I see mixed reviews: [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > to me for portraits even if it isn't razor sharp or super contrasty. One > use would be for night time street shooting. I think $200 is too much, considering the 85 f1.8 is in the high $300s new. BTW I have an old design 85 f2 on my Leica M2, worthless at f2 but fantastic at f2.8-11 but then drops off precipitously at f16-45 (yes has f45 on it) remember it is a 1959 lens. I'd try to talk him down to $150-175, but if it is a lens you have been searching for ;-). I just bought a 100 f2.8 E ($60) it is the tiniest lens, smaller than my 24 f2 AIS which is also a small lens. The d200 is so manageable with the small lenses on it, you also don't attract attention nearly as much as with a zoom. At longer focal lengths I don't see a problem with focusing with the D200, just wish it would recognize f2 or better in the view finder seems to stop at f2.8. Tom >>...Or if they will take $150 that's probably a good deal. > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > with focusing with the D200, just wish it would recognize f2 or better > in the view finder seems to stop at f2.8. Well it is local so no shipping & he says it's in perfect condition & I can test it. I just got burned for shipping on a 'bargain grade' used mail order lens. This wasn't on my watch list, just looked interesting when I ran across it. >> I think $200 is too much, considering the 85 f1.8 is in the high $300s >> new. BTW I have an old design 85 f2 on my Leica M2, worthless at f2 [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >> with focusing with the D200, just wish it would recognize f2 or better >> in the view finder seems to stop at f2.8. > Well it is local so no shipping & he says it's in perfect condition & I can test it. I just got burned for shipping on a 'bargain > grade' used mail order lens. This wasn't on my watch list, just looked interesting when I ran across it. If it is local, private person (no tax), mint, and you can test it (and especially if he will take $190 or so...;-), GRAB IT! (If it checks out well - you should be able to shoot infinity targets with it at f2 and still have all four corners sharp on full frame.) You will not be disappointed. The AF beats it nearest closest focus wider than f4 or so, but there is little difference at greater distances, with unusually fine performance at f2 for either lens. -- David Ruether d_ruether@hotmail.com www.donferrario.com/ruether > I'm looking at an 85mm f/2 AI Nikkor lens to use on a D200. The seller is asking $200. I see mixed reviews: > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > bit faster. If I could see side by side improvement in out of focus highlights, that would be worthwhile to me for portraits even > if it isn't razor sharp or super contrasty. One use would be for night time street shooting. The one I have listed at www.donferrario.com/ruether/fs-short-teles.htm for $175 may still be available - and I keep a mint version of the 85mm f2 MF (along with a 35mm f2 MF) for travel with an FA body (I can hand-hold this better than anything else) because it is so good, and more compact than my 85mm f1.8 AF. I list and evaluate this (and MANY more Nikkors) at www.donferrario.com/ruether/slemn.html and rate the several samples of it I've tried very highly. it is very sharp and contrasty - BUT, in common with the Nikkor 105mm f2.5, 135mm f2.8, and 135mm f2, near closest focus the sharpness does decline at the widest stops (from about 6-7 feet out they are all excellent even wide open). This may account for the differences in reporting... -- David Ruether d_ruether@hotmail.com www.donferrario.com/ruether (Note the new URLs for my pages - a "don" is added...) > I'm looking at an 85mm f/2 AI Nikkor lens to use on a D200. The seller is > asking $200. I see mixed reviews: This lens was not held in high regard even when new. Many people preferred the 85mm f1.8. However, I have never owned either one. Thus, while I would not be interested in that lens, I can't say that you won't like it. I own the 85mm f1.8 AF lens, and it certainly suits my needs. The 85mm f1.4 AF lens has a better reputation, but it certainly should considering the vast difference in price. Jim > > asking $200. I see mixed reviews: > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > vast difference in price. > Jim Just for another data point, I have the 85/2 AIS and while I think it's pretty sharp, it's not as contrasty as I might like. This may be sample variation, but the glass is clean (poor contrast could be from flare or edge fungus, but I don't see any fungus and the internals are all matte black.) I got it used along with a 35/2 (not *that's* a fantastic lens!) I paid $225 for it, probably 20 years ago in mint-ish condition. Ulysses > I'm looking at an 85mm f/2 AI Nikkor lens to use on a D200. The seller > is asking $200. I see mixed reviews: [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > [snip] I wouldn't pay that much for it, and I've owned one (purchased brand new in 1978) and shot professionally with it, and still do. I found it an excellent performer, not spectacular, but excellent. I have no complaints, and I've never received any complaints from any of the ADs I shot for. You just have to find the "sweet" spot. With mine it was f5.6 to f8. Wide open, it was very, very slightly soft, but no objectionable. Beyond f8, it started to soften, but only slightly. Never used it past f11. Offer the guy $100 (if it's in Minty condition, less if it's not) and don't pay more than $125. Stef |
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