Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S vs Nikon 85mm f/1.8D AF-D?
My friend just bought a 50mm f/1.4G Nikon and I tried it on my Nikon D90. Lens is quite soft at the maximum aperture and the autofocus just isn't what it should be (but it gets the job done).
I've been thinking about buying this lens, but as a second possibility I see Nikon 85mm f/1.8D, which should be optically better from the maximum aperture on (as I can see from the reviews), but I just couldn't found any video on the net which shows the autofocus speed, which is quite important for me.
I was also thinking about the bokeh and DoF and can't figure out which has lens has smaller DoF at maximum aperture, 50mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8? And what about the bokeh, which one makes creamier?
As far as I was thinking about which one to buy, the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 seems a better choice for me (also, the focal length is even better for my needs). I would really need these little puzzels to be solved in my head, so I could decide properly, as I never want to rush into buying new lens.
Thank you for your answers!
Added (1). Fhotoace, thank you for your explanation, but I know quite well what is out of focus blur and unshrap image in areas where it was focused. Maybe I should expressed it as unsharp from f/1.4 up to f/2.
Wide open at f/1.4, the depth of field is supposed to be shallow (what you are calling soft)
If your plan is to shoot portraits, the 50 is the correct focal length for that.
The 85 mm is the focal length used for shooting portraits using a full frame dSLR or 35 mm SLR.
To decide which produces the best out of focus background, you will have to mount both on your camera and do some tests. You can do this, usually in a camera store.
How shallow the depth of field is, is determined by the combination of the focal length and aperture. You will have to determine which lens is best for you by actually using them. If I were concerned as you seem to be, I would rent them and do some extensive tests until I was satisfied I had enough data to make a good choice.
The ace is correct. For flattering portrait shots on APS-C sensor cameras the 50 f/1.4 gives just enough perspective compression to produce quality portraits. Wide aperture lenses tend to be a little soft when shooting wide open. If you don't like this, reduce aperture, or sharpen in post.