Affordable alternatives to Nikon's 85mm f/1.4 for a D7000
Asked 6/23/2011
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I use a Nikon D7000 and would like a faster portrait lens than my 85mm f/3.5G DX Macro for low-light shooting. The Nikon 85mm f/1.4 is appealing, but it's outside my budget. What are some lower-cost alternatives, including third-party options, and what trade-offs should I expect (for example autofocus speed, manual focus only, or smaller maximum aperture)?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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You're got a few options, depending on where you want to compromise:
Manual focus, the Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 is actually rated pretty decent and people are generally pretty happy with it. Optically, most places rate it pretty well and its a mere 300 dollars.
If you want to go a little shorter, the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 is a decent lens, but the slightly more expensive Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is a more modern design and rated top of class by many. (I own the Sigma 50mm, and LOVE it.)
You can drop your max aperture just a bit and get the Nikon 85mm D f/1.8. Its significantly cheaper, almost as fast, but the autofocus is definitely going to be slower than the newer AF-S on the new 85mm f/1.4. Its an older lens, but still a winner, although some of the lens coatings and such are probably not as up to par with the newer models.
A little longer in focal range, but a stop faster than your existing macro, the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 or the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 make an good replacement for your existing lens - you'll be able to recoup a significant amount of money towards the purchase and still keep macro capabilites. It is, however, 2 stops slower than the f/1.4. Your D7000 has excellent high ISO, so this shouldn't be as much of a problem as on some other cameras. (One of these will be my next lens choice). There are several shooters choosing telephoto macro lenses for portrait work.
It really boils down to if you want to replace your existing lens (I'd choose the last option then) or augment your existing lens (I'd choose the second option then). If you get two lenses at the same focal range, one is probably going to sit on a shelf most of the time.
EDIT: I didn't bring up the newer Sigma 85mm f/1.4 because its still a rather pricey lens - double of the cost of most of the alternatives above. Its supposed to be rather nice, and its new, but still a costly option. If its in your price range though, its the most direct replacment.
Originally by user1917. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1917
15y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Good budget-friendly alternatives mentioned are:
- Nikon 85mm f/1.8D: the closest low-cost Nikon option. It’s only slightly slower than f/1.4, still well suited to portraits and low light, but autofocus is older and slower than newer AF-S designs.
- Rokinon/Samyang 85mm f/1.4: often praised optically and much cheaper, but typically manual focus only. Fine if you can work carefully; less ideal for fast-moving subjects.
- Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro: a sharp, affordable alternative if you can accept a smaller aperture. Macro lenses are generally excellent optically, but f/2.8 won’t gather as much light as f/1.8 or f/1.4.
- 105mm macro lens: another option if you’re willing to go a bit longer and slower.
- 50mm f/1.4 options from Nikon or Sigma: not the same focal length, but a practical lower-cost way to gain low-light performance.
If you want the most similar experience to an 85mm f/1.4 without spending as much, the 85mm f/1.8D is the most straightforward choice. If budget matters most and manual focus is acceptable, the Rokinon/Samyang 85mm f/1.4 is a strong value.
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