General impression
This lens is small, well built, even if not on par with pro metal lenses. I bought it based on a few positive reviews I had seen, and because I found an opportunity to buy a used one at a very low price in my neighborhood. This is probably the best move I made regarding lenses. For what I paid (the lens is relatively cheap anyway, even new), it is one of the best performers I have ever seen. That lens is incredibly sharp, even fully open, delivers the most detailed pictures I can get on my D200 (to be honest next to the 50 1.8, 85 1.4AIS and 105 VR). The performance increases a bit between 1.8 and 2.2. I use that lens for portrait, concerts and for indoor sport and I am very happy with it. Highly recommended. This is my favorite prime. It is light on the camera, very small, AF is reasonably fast and quiet, even if not on par with AF-S lenses and the bokeh is nice. The lens is also relatively small (see for instance the size comparison in my 105VR review) which is an advantage for informal portraiture. Wedding shooters using a 70-200VR know what I am talking about, some people feel a bit aggressed when they see such a giant lens on the camera. The 85 1.4 AF is even better but is much more expensive. What you get then is a metal build, a little bit extra speed (1.4) and according to some reviewers, a nicer bokeh. Personally, I don't think it is worth the money, unless you have deep pockets or you are a professional.
Pros
- cheap (for the delivered performance)
- light and reasonably discrete
- super sharp
- nice bokeh
- fast (1.8)
- comes with bag and sun hood
Cons
- it is not an 85 1.4 ? (the 1.4 is a bit faster, has a slightly
better creamy bokeh, metal build, better finishing and is much more expensive)
- finishing not as good as a professional lens (plastic vs metal)
- ???
The lens compared to the 105mm VR... the 85mm is on the left, with the sunhood installed.
An example on the D3
An example of the bokeh - some people don't like it - I do
