Comparação: AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF versus AF Nikkor 85mm f/1 · Comparação: AF Nikkor 85mm...
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Comparação: AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF versus AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D By Romulo Lubachesky The goal of this article is to compare tests made with the 85mm focal distance lenses, the f1.4 and f1.8, of the Nikkor current line, 2008. It will only be approached the differences between lenses; to feed your knowledge with the details of each lens I recommend the read of the specific reviews. On the lens body it was studied the construction, the handling, the performance, and the auto focus. On the image quality it was analyzed sharpness, colors, chromatic aberration, flare, and bokeh. Specifications Focal Distance: 85 mm Maximum aperture: f/1.8 o Picture angle: 28 30’ Construction: 6 elements in 6 groups Closest focusing distance: 85 cm. Maximum reproduction ratio: 1:9.2 Minimum aperture: F/16 Diaphragm blades: 9 rounded blades Lens hood: HN-23 (supplied) Filter: 62 mm Size: 7,15 cm x 5,85 cm. whight: approx. 380 gr Specifications Focal Distance: 85 mm Maximum aperture: f/1.4 o Picture angle: 28 30’ Construction: 9 elements in 8 groups Closest focusing distance: 85 cm. Maximum reproduction ratio: 1:8.8 Minimum aperture: F/16 Diaphragm blades: 9 rounded blades Lens hood: HN-31 (supplied) Filter: 77 mm Size: 8,0 cm x 7,25 cm. whight: approx. 550 gr www.bokeh.com.br www.bokeh.com.br
Transcript of Comparação: AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF versus AF Nikkor 85mm f/1 · Comparação: AF Nikkor 85mm...
Comparação: AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF versus AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D
By Romulo Lubachesky
The goal of this article is to compare tests made with the 85mm focal distance lenses, the f1.4 and f1.8, of the Nikkor current line, 2008.
It will only be approached the differences between lenses; to feed your knowledge with the details of each lens I recommend the read of the specific reviews.
On the lens body it was studied the construction, the handling, the performance, and the auto focus. On the image quality it was analyzed sharpness, colors, chromatic aberration, flare, and bokeh.
Specifications
Focal Distance: 85 mmMaximum aperture: f/1.8
o Picture angle: 28 30’Construction: 6 elements in 6 groups Closest focusing distance: 85 cm.Maximum reproduction ratio: 1:9.2Minimum aperture: F/16Diaphragm blades: 9 rounded bladesLens hood: HN-23 (supplied)Filter: 62 mmSize: 7,15 cm x 5,85 cm.whight: approx. 380 gr
Specifications
Focal Distance: 85 mmMaximum aperture: f/1.4
o Picture angle: 28 30’Construction: 9 elements in 8 groups Closest focusing distance: 85 cm.Maximum reproduction ratio: 1:8.8Minimum aperture: F/16Diaphragm blades: 9 rounded bladesLens hood: HN-31 (supplied)Filter: 77 mmSize: 8,0 cm x 7,25 cm.whight: approx. 550 gr
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Body and design
On this section you're going to find information about the material, functions, and accessories of the bodies. It is attributed a mark in front of each feature, consider by me, superior between both lenses.
Information about the specifications of each the lens will not be approached on this article.
AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF
P
PRubberized focus ring with 16mm width
PFocus mode selector key, A (auto focus), M (manual focus), gyratory with a lock button
PThe focus ring doesn't move during the auto focus
PComplete rotation of the focus ring with approximately 120°
PNone of the expose elements moves when focusing
AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D
Black polycarbonate body
Rubberized focus ring with 11mm width
Without control of the focus mode on the lens
The focus ring moves during the focusing
Complete rotation of the focus ring with approximately 90°
Back element moves when focusing
Conclusion about construction
Despite heavy, a metal body is more resistant and stable. A heavier lens helps the balance with the camera making the handling better.
The larger focus ring is better to hold, besides that, a ring that moves during the auto focus is very uncomfortable and could embarrasses the handling.
Bigger the rotation of the focus ring, more precise is the manual focus. When the focus ring has a short rotation the change of the focus distance is very abrupt, where any movement represents a huge change of the focus distance.
The 85mm f1.4 final element doesn't move when focusing, this seals the lens interior impeding the particles of dust and humidity of getting in.
These lenses, in spite of the same focus distance, are from a different category. The f1.4 version has a superb building, because it is a professional lens. There are no cutting costs to obtain a higher quality.
Despite well built, the 85mm f1.8 has some features cheapened to get compatible costs for the big public.
Therefore, it's indiscussable the superiority of the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF on the construction query.
Metal body with texturized black paint
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Auto focus performance
To determine the auto focus speed the lens was attached to the DSLR camera Nikon D300.With the cap on and positioned on the focus distance correspondent to the infinite, the button was pressed and the time was chronometry till all the distances of focus were covered till it got back to the initial position.
It was measured 10 times to each lens and average out.It was also qualified the noise level when focusing. In an open environment it was measured the
greatest distance needed to listen the noise generated by the auto focus.
AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF
Auto focus speed: 1,396 sec
None perceptive noise from more than 3 m distance
AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D
Auto focus speed: 1,636 sec
Perceptive noise till 7m
These results prove that the 85mm f1.4 auto focus system is superior. Confirming what my daily use has already indicated me.
Image Quality
Sharpness
On these tests I did 3 sets of photos. In all tests the camera used was the Nikon D300 attached on a tripod.
To guarantee the better accuracy the pixels contrast focus on the tripod mode from liveview was used. After doing the focus, the auto focus was turned off to certificate that the focal plane didn't change among photos.
The first photos set was taken to determine the sharpness on the center of the image on a 3 m distance between the subject and the camera.
T h e r e d r e c t a n g l e approximately represents the crop done on the original photo to demonstrate the center detail.
On the following page you will find this detail in several apertures.
The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is on the left column and the AF 85mm f1.8D on the right one.
The images weren ' t compressed; its original size is 600x400 pixels. It's possible to see more details zooming in (click on the photo with the right button of the mouse.)
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f/1.4 f/1.8
f/2 f/2
f/2.8 f/2.8
f/4 f/4
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f/5.6 f/5.6
f/8 f/8
f/11 f/11
f/16 f/16
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To verify the sharpness of the image corner it was used the same procedure of the center. Therefore, the focus point chosen was on the corner next to the crop showed on the image beside.
This method was used to guarantee the smallest lost of quality, showing the higher sharpness possible on the corner of the photos.
Once again, the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is on the left column and the AF 85mm f1.8D on the right one.
f/1.4 f/1.8
f/2 f/2
f/2.8 f/2.8
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f/4 f/4
f/5.6 f/5.6
f/8 f/8
f/11 f/11
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f/16 f/16
This last sharpness test establishes the level of details on the center and on the border of the image on a distance between the focal plane and the camera close to the infinite. The focal method used is the same of the other sharpness tests.
However, to do this test it wasn't necessary a second round of photos with the peripherical focus, because the large distance from the target makes a minimal relative difference between the center and the corner.
The red rectangle on the center represents approximately the crop done to the first set of details. The yellow rectangle on the corner shows approximately the crop done to the second round of details.
The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is on the left column and the AF 85mm f1.8D on the right one.
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f/1.4 f/1.8
f/2 f/2
f/2.8 f/2.8
f/4 f/4
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f/5.6 f/5.6
f/8 f/8
f/11 f/11
f/16 f/16
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f/1.4 f/1.8
f/2 f/2
f/2.8 f/2.8
f/4 f/4
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f/5.6 f/5.6
f/8 f/8
f/11 f/11
f/16 f/16
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Conclusions about sharpness
All sharpness tests were made using the following RAW configurations:
Image quality: lossless compressed 12 bits RAW
ISO: 200
Exposure mode: aperture priority
Metering: central-weighted
White balance: direct sun light
Color space: Adobe RGB
Sharpness: 4
Contrast: 0
Brightness: 0
Saturation: 0
Hue: 0
Converted to JPG using the Nikon Capture NX 1.3 software without any processing, only the cropping of the sample images.
Chart about the observed detail level on the sharpness test with the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF lens attached on the Nikon D300 camera from a 3m distance from the subject.
Center Border
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Chart about the observed detail level on the sharpness test with the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.8D lens attached on the Nikon D300 camera from a 3m distance from the subject.
Chart about the observed detail level on the sharpness test with the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF lens attached on the Nikon D300 camera from a near to the infinite distance from the subject.
Center Border
Center Border
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Chart about the observed detail level on the sharpness test with the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.8D lens attached on the Nikon D300 camera from a near to the infinite distance from the subject.
These charts consider 10 the highest sharpness that a lens can get with the resolution of the camera, therefore its results is only related to this article. The level of sharpness was ponder to each lens and its respective apertures by direct observation of the details qualities of the image on the showed areas
The results show that on the sharpness query the 85mm f1.4 is superior than the 85mm f1.8 on the image center, mainly with wide open apertures. However, on the corners the highest quality noticed is from the 85mm f1.8.
Colors
Both lenses are advised for portraits, therefore on the color test I checked the skin tones of each result with the aperture totally opened.
I didn't use specific tests to this section; during a model photo shoot I gave preference to use these lenses. Notice that the position of the model change between shots, however, the light conditions are the same.
Photos were taken with the 12bits RAW quality, lossless compressed on the ISO 200. The aperture priority exposure mode and the central-weighted light measure was used. For the white balance, the direct sun light and the Adobe RGB on the color space. On the image parameters the sharpness is on 4, the contrast, brightness, saturation and the hue on zero.
Converted to JPG on the Nikon Capture NX 1.3 software without any alteration.
Center Border
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AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IFAperture: f/1.4Shutter speed: 1/350
AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8DAperture: f/1.8Shutter speed: 1/350
Detail without compression of the approximated indicated area by the red rectangle on the portrait above. AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF
Detail without compression of the approximated indicated area by the red rectangle on the portrait above. AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D
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Conclusions about colors
The taste for colors is very particular. There is no way to determine which is the best to all photographers. Although, is possible to identify the skin tones difference between a lens and the other.
The 85mm f1.4 has warmers tones and preserve better the skin texture by not overexposing the reflexes. Meanwhile, the 85mm f1.8 makes the skin brighter, with colder tones and more evident reflexes.
This is a common difference, but very obvious on wide open apertures.
Chromatic aberration and flare
On this test the camera was positioned in a way that the sun hit half of the frontal element surface with the lens-hood on. The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is on the left column and the AF 85mm f1.8D on the right one.
f/1.4 f/1.8
f/2.8 f/2.8
f/4 f/4
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Conclusion about flare
The flare test was examined only on the opened apertures. It's pretty visible the superiority of the 85mm f1.8 to the flare resistance, demonstrating more contrasts in all tested apertures.
Besides having more flare, the 85mm f1.4 showed, in f4, a small ghosting next to the sunny corner.
Chromatic aberrations
The same flare images were used to observe the chromatic aberration. Crops without compression are disposed on the same order as the test above. The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is on the left column and the AF 85mm f1.8D on the right one.
f/1.4 f/1.8
f/2.8 f/2.8
f/4 f/4
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Conclusions about chromatic aberrations
The 85mm f1.4 lens has a similar chromatic aberration fringe width to the 85mm f1.8 on the wide open aperture. However, the 85mm f1.4 has the smoother chromatic aberration and the 85mm f1.8 is more bright, so, is more evident.
In f2.8 the 85mm f1.4 doesn't demonstrate chromatic aberration anymore, while the 85mm f1.8 still has a bright and small blue fringe, that disappear on f4.
The verdict is that the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF lens has a bigger control of the chromatic aberrations.
Bokeh
To perform this test the camera was set on the manual focus and the distance on the lens was 1.5m, because is a common distance for both lenses. On the background are branches and leaves of a tree with small light entrance. The distance between the tree and the camera is about 4 meters.
The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is on the left column and the AF 85mm f1.8D on the right one.
A F N i k k o r 85mm f1.4 IF D in f 1 . 4 . T h e r e d rectangle represents the approximate area of the fo l lowing details.
A F N i k k o r 85mm f1.8 D in f1.8. The red rectangle r e p r e s e n t s t h e approximate area of the following details.
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f/1.4 f/1.8
f/2 f/2
f/2.8 f/2.8
f/4 f/4
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f/5.6 f/5.6
f/8 f/8
f/11 f/11
f/16 f/16
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Conclusion about bokeh
The measuring light mode and the exposure mode were the same on both lenses, pondered central measure and the aperture priority. Note that there is an exposure difference between the lenses, the 85mm f1.8 showed brighter images, so this made me believe that:
The 85mm f1.4 bokeh is smoother in all apertures;Although both lenses have the same number of blades, the 85mm f1.8 doesn't have perfectly rounded blades to make perfect blurs discs when closed. For that reason, a nonagonal geometrical form is visible.
Clearly the 85mm f1.4 is the winner when talking about the bokeh suavity.
Overall conclusion
The conclusions are divided on the two columns below. At mine observation, based on my professional use and particular taste, It will be attributed a mark on the best lens of each category listed.
AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF
Heavier and bigger, but I don't think this is a problem, since the balance and handling are great. Besides, the durability and the functionalities are unbeatable, making the act of photographing pleasureful.
AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D
Light and compact, easier to carry and draw less attention. Well builted, but isn't of a professional quality.
Body and design
Quick, quiet and precise. Makes the perfect set with the Nikon D300.
A bit more slow and with way more noise. The precision is not that good, it's easy to loose a quick photo opportunity.
Auto focus performance
Very sharp, principally on the center. On the corner is not that good, but on a portrait rarely the subject is on the extreme border of the image, therefore this doesn't affect most of the photos.
Slightely less sharp on the center, however very superior on the corners. To other photographic subject, like landscapes, its performance is superior.
Sharpness
The skin tones are very pleasant and natural.
The skin tones are brighter and slightly colder and could easily erase the skin texture by reflexes excess.
Colors
Considering the gigantic frontal element, it is very resistant to flare and demonstrate ghosting only in f4.
More resistant to flare, the contrast is less affected on f2.8 and on.
Flare
When is totally open show a lot of chromatic aberration, but it is smooth and less bright. When it's closed more than f2.8 the chromatic aberration disappears.
Its chromatic aberration is very bright in f1.8 and diminishes on f2.8 but only disappears after the f4 aperture.
Chromatic aberrations
The bokeh is beautiful, very smooth and with perfect blured discs.
Beautiful bokeh on f1.8, but not great. Nonagonal geometrical forms are very visible mainly on f2.8 and on.
Bokeh
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The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF will continue to be mine preference between the 85mm lenses for portrait images.
If you want the best performance for portraits and doesn't worry about costs, the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is recommended.
Therefore, The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.8D has great optic quality, not so perfect for portraits, but very good. As a non-specific lens for portrait it has an excellent price, being recommended to one that don't want to spend much to have a only-portrait lens.
Nikon DSLR D300 with the AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF lens on:ISO: 200Aperture: f1.4Shutter speed: 1/1000
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