I'm looking for a new lense! A related portrait question as well.

[Todd Patten]

The IF is autofocus. It's a 1.4. According to the reviews I checked out, it's incredible. But it's three times as expensive as the standard 1.8 AF. It's bot the bokeh (a new word in my vocabulary today) going too

I was checking out reviews of the 80-200 as well. They have been very positive. Here, once again, there is an option for the IF version. The IF goes WAY beyond my "not making money, just having fun" budget.

[Todd Patten]

Although, check this out: http://www.hotbuyselectronics.com/it...hp?item_id=475

Something is not right here. A $1600.00+ lense for $700?

[Sebastian]

Ah, I never heard it reffered to as IF vs. AF. Had you just said the 1.4 I would have understood.

[Todd Patten]

So, do you have the 1.4 or the 1.8?

I'm currently leaning towards the 80-200 2.8. I just need to allow myself to swallow the price tag!

[Sebastian]

So, do you have the 1.4 or the 1.8?

I'm currently leaning towards the 80-200 2.8. I just need to allow myself to swallow the price tag!

I had the 1.8. The nicer bokeh and miniscule increase in speed does not warrant the price difference.

[mtbbrian]

Ah, I never heard it reffered to as IF vs. AF. Had you just said the 1.4 I would have understood.

IF in Nikon Speak, means "Internal Focus". As in the lens barrel. It is a lot faster way to focus.
Brian

[another view]

Tell you the truth, all of the lenses already mentioned here are among Nikon's sharpest. Any one would be a good choice, but:

I personally like the 85mm focal length on 35mm. On a DSLR like the D70, the 50mm comes very close. It's tiny, incredibly sharp and cheap. Get one whether or not it's the ideal lens for you - it will always come in handy. I've got the 50 f1.4 because I shoot a lot of low light stuff, and find that 1/2 stop comes in handy sometimes. If you don't think you'd need that 1/2 stop (f1.8 is already very fast), then get the f1.8. One suggestion - spend the extra on the SB-800, it's hard to have too much flash power - and sometimes you'll need more than you've got.

The 85 f1.4 is an amazing lens. 85mm is also a good focal length on a DSLR (about 130mm) so I use it with both 35mm and digital. I've got it (and the 50 and the 80-200 f2.8 - not trying to boast, but I can tell you from my experiences) and it's one of my favorites. It isn't an all purpose lens though, so I'd get the 80-200 f2.8 first. .

[adina]

You could save yourself the hassle, send me the money, and I'll buy something

[Todd Patten]

You could save yourself the hassle, send me the money, and I'll buy something

If you make it something from Victoria's Secret and post the photo of you modelling it here, I may consider it

[Speed]

Tell you the truth, all of the lenses already mentioned here are among Nikon's sharpest. Any one would be a good choice, but:

I personally like the 85mm focal length on 35mm. On a DSLR like the D70, the 50mm comes very close. It's tiny, incredibly sharp and cheap. Get one whether or not it's the ideal lens for you - it will always come in handy. I've got the 50 f1.4 because I shoot a lot of low light stuff, and find that 1/2 stop comes in handy sometimes. If you don't think you'd need that 1/2 stop (f1.8 is already very fast), then get the f1.8. One suggestion - spend the extra on the SB-800, it's hard to have too much flash power - and sometimes you'll need more than you've got.

The 85 f1.4 is an amazing lens. 85mm is also a good focal length on a DSLR (about 130mm) so I use it with both 35mm and digital. I've got it (and the 50 and the 80-200 f2.8 - not trying to boast, but I can tell you from my experiences) and it's one of my favorites. It isn't an all purpose lens though, so I'd get the 80-200 f2.8 first. .

"it's hard to have too much flash power - and sometimes you'll need more than you've got."

I agree 100%!!! That's going to be my next flash.

I also have the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 lens, and I love it. I got it primarily for low light and astrophotography work. And I want the 80-200mm f2.8 and the 85mm f1.4 as well. One day...