Considering a new lens

[u2nofear]

i'm using 85 f1.4 & 24-70 f2.8 AFS...see below link might not good example , but i'm testing portrait with 24-70f2.8..:thumbsup: better control & compo for me

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=461916

 

[chisiang]

Well IF the 85mm is at f2.8, and the same distance from the object is from the 24-70 at 70mm at f2.8, then the DOF would be similar (well you can take into account that the 85mm is a little longer, but it won't be major).

but when you compare the 85mm shooting wide open compared to the 24-70, well then you can't compare, the 85 wins hands down. CA occurs for both lenses wide open. I reckon the 85mm at f2.8 stopped down may be sharper than the 24-70 at f2.8.

how's the 85mm AF speed? I'm also a big fan of taking my lenses into rain, especially the 105mm. Does the 85mm have a rubber gasket? (i doubt so). One last thing, do you reckon i'd find the 85mm too tight on DX since i do find the 105mm tight for some occasions but tend to work my way around it and recompose. It's a mere 20mm difference though (on DX 30, but meh)

Well, I'm glad to be able to provide some useful information here. I used to own the older 28-70 F2.8 and I find my current setup better utilized.

The thing about the intermediate range zoom lens (24-70 or 28-70) is that only half of it is ideal for portrait (50~70) while the other half is sort of for indoor. It is a jack of all trade but master of none.

Since you already have your 35 F2, it will be overlapping it. And with the 85 f1.4 and a 50 f1.4, you have 2 ultra fast lens compare to only a F2.8 zoom.

While neither the 50 f1.4 and 85 f1.4 has rubber gasket, but both will be able to AF in extreme low light condition compared to having any of the F2.8 trinity. In extreme low light and low contrast scene, neither my 17-35 f2.8 nor my 70-200 can AF, but on the other hand all my F1.4s can do it :thumbsup:

AF acquiring will be slower compared to those with AF-S... but if it's not sports then I believe it is not crucial.

As for your concern over whether if it will be too tight for DX, well the above photos I posted were NOT taken with the D700 but the D2X instead It WILL BE tight, but it also yields a lot of satisfaction once you get use to distancing yourself from your subject (which can be candid and un-intrusive)

 

[asdfg]

The best reply i've got in ages in all the forums i've posted this on. Thanks a lot!

I know the 24-70 won't me the pop i need, so i'm really really set on the 85mm unless someone can convince me not to. And i can always pocket the 35mm f2 incase i need it, nothing better than a pocketable prime. I won't buy the 50mm f1.4 yet, untill i feel i need on. The 85mm is wider than the 105, so that's appreciated. Hey thanks a lot.