Any Last Minute Advice On Lens Purchase

[carney2]

Sometime during the next month or so I will be pulling the trigger on the purchase of an AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 D IF lens to mount on my F100. It will plug two holes in my lens collection:

1. It will be that one fast lens that everyone needs.

2. It will be that ultra sharp portrait lens that I do not currently own.

Any suggestions for other options before I write the check?

[another view]

Killer lens! I bought it a year ago and it's one of my favorites. That focal length works great on both film and digital (about a 130mm equivalent), but 85mm on a film camera is a classic. I usually shoot it wide open thru f2.8, possibly never have stopped down below 5.6. It's built like a tank and has a 77mm filter size like a lot of others. The only thing I don't like is the screw-in lens hood - it's a pain to store it in the camera bag.

For a lot less money, there is the 85 f1.8 which is only 2/3 stop slower. This is a different lens and just doesn't have the same look to it though. Look at the out of focus areas - they're very smooth on the 1.4 (easily one of the best 35mm lenses made). The 1.8 isn't bad, it's just not spectacular. However, if you plan to shoot in the 5.6 - 11 range usually then there might not be much difference between the two lenses.

One thing, it is possible to have too sharp of a portrait lens. This lens is very sharp, but with most of what I do, I don't have a problem with that. Douglas Dubler (sp?) is a fashion photographer who uses this lens quite often in the studio so it's a good choice for that as well.

I could post an example but I'm having some computer problems so it might take a couple days...

[paulnj]

I doubt anyone can down that lens choice START WRITING ;)