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Dave Groen



Joined: Thu Apr 5th, 2012
Location: St Louis, Missouri USA
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I have a chance to buy a slightly used mint-in-box 85mm f1.4G. They want $1400 firm. It's from a friend, so I know it's good... USA warranty, not grey-market. A new one costs $1700. It will be used with my D-800 and D2X infrared.

Any opinions on the lens or the deal?

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-s-nikkor-85mm-f%252f1.4g.html

jk



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Great lens. I have the AFD version.
The price seems a little high for a second hand lens but if you are happy then I would go for it.

Robert



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Hi Dave, great to see you post!

It's not a novice's lens, but you are no novice, go for it.

I am sure you will find it challenging and rewarding in equal measure. Please be sure to post some results.

The closet I have are the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 or the Nikkor 105mm f2.5 AI, both of which can be challenging wide open but are hugely rewarding when I get it right.

Gilbert Sandberg

 

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Dave,
For any second-hand item, the margin with a new one is not enough.
On infra red: I do not think anyone has tried this combo of lens and camera.
How would you focus this lens-camera ?
Regards, Gilbert

Robert



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While Bj¸rn does not appear to explicitly test the G version, I suspect there is little or no optical difference with this lens.

Having awarded his top rating of 5 for this lens in Infra Red, Bj¸rn states "IR performance: Similar to the MF version, this fast lens is - rather unexpectedly - a good IR performer and there are no evident hot spots."

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_short.html

Just to be sure, it might be prudent to make a couple of test exposures before parting with cash, IR hotspots can occur in some samples but not others of the same lens type.

Dave Groen



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My main use would be for portraiture (or anything else where I want an out of focus background) on the D800. The D2x IR would be secondary. Its focusing was recalibrated to IR when the filter was changed, so I'm hoping it's close enough at wide apertures.

The $1400 price didn't seem enough of a drop vs. new for me. I looked on Nikon USA's site today and I can get a refurbished one with warranty for $1215, so I told the first seller "thanks, but no thanks".

amazing50

 

Joined: Fri Apr 13th, 2012
Location: Kitchener, Ontario Canada
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Most of the 85mm f/1.4s can't get in closer than 3ft - 1m.

I have one and find it a bit anoying, much prefer my 90mm f2.8 macro for general shooting.

jk



Joined: Mon Apr 2nd, 2012
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Dave Groen wrote:

The $1400 price didn't seem enough of a drop vs. new for me. I looked on Nikon USA's site today and I can get a refurbished one with warranty for $1215, so I told the first seller "thanks, but no thanks".

I agree better to get a reconditioned item from Nikon which means it is essentially new!


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