Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>>>>>>>>>> I am looking to get into the R system with a short telephoto lens for outdoor available light, PJ work. I am leaning toward the 85/1.4 because of the speed. Can anyone comment on the 85mm as well as the 90/2, 90/2.8? I would also like to add that I got into photography with Nikons and my current body of choice is the F4s. There has been a lot of posts on the LUG regarding how excellent certain Nikon bodies are and I wholeheartedly concur. However my disatisfaction comes from the inability of Nikkor lenses to deliver at wide open aperture. One of my favorite lenses is the 85/1.8 AF but it is really an f/2.8 lens because at wide open it is pretty disappointing. And I can say the same about another half dozen other Nikkors I use. How do R lenses perform wide open? I will keep my Nikons for days when I can shoot everything at f/5.6, and plan to use R's for those critical wide open shots. Thanks and happy holidays. <<<<<<<<<< If you currently have a Nikon body, I'd recommend taking a hard look at the 85 f/1.4D Nikkor. It's terrific wide open, crisply sharp with the most Leica/Zeiss-like bokeh I've seen in a Nikkor. Optically (but not mechanically) better than the manual focus 85 f/1.4 Nikkor which I used to own. The 85 and the 24 f/2 Nikkors are what keep an FM2 in my camera bag. On the other hand, the 50 mm Nikkors -- I hate the look of photos they deliver -- are what keep me looking at Leicas and Contax. And in general, I agree with your evaluation that most Nikkors improve substantially when closed down a couple stops. Larry