I really love the 105mm F1.4 and the 70-200mm F2.8. It's great to see them perform so well against the Z 85mm lens. BUT also it goes to show how good the Z 85mm lens is when you consider how big the price difference is between all these lenses. The 105 and 70-200mm being more than Double the price of the 85mm. As always Thank you for watching !
I already have the 105mm 1.4E. But due to its weight I rarely take it with me (I am not a pro). So probably a switch to the Z 85mm 1.8S would be a good idea. But selling the 105mm 1.4E somehow feels still like a bad idea.
Enjoy your content very much! You do an excellent job covering extremely interesting subject matter and I am very interested in this type of video! I have been a Nikon shooter for 13 years and currently have the Nikon Z7. Previously I owned a D850 and while there is no doubt it is a superb camera and may be the best DSLR ever made I wanted to share something with you. Recently I borrowed a D850 and took it to shoot at The Phoenix Zoo. I shoot there a lot and for the last 6 months it has been with my Z7. I thought it would be fun to go back to the D850 for a few hours just to see how I felt about it after using the Z7 for quite a while in the same location. Well, as great as the D850 is I could not believe how much I missed having my Z7. Even though the Auto Focus is better with the D850 I still found myself favoring the Z7 substantially. The D850 felt, well, like an older model camera. Much larger, heavier, no EVF, no full spread of focus points and no IBIS. As I was walking around I felt like I had an out of date, older camera to be quite honest. Again, I respect the D850 immensely, just telling you how I personally felt. As much as I rave about the D850 I could not wait to pick up the Z7 as soon as I got home! Yes, it hunts a bit during low light AF, it doesn't have a full functioning battery grip, has only one card slot and does not have the diversity of native lenses yet, things are changing. What the Z7 brings to the table right now, to me, is a lot more exciting and just flat out better than what the DSLRs have. Not having to mess with the AF Fine Tune, better lens mount, better lenses, the EVF etc. make it a slam dunk in my opinion. This is why I am so excited about the performance of the Zs S lenses and how well they perform, the sizes and weight of them and how future development of them seem so encouraging. Take care and best of luck with your channel. I enjoy it very much! Thanks, Rick
Back And Fort No, not at all. I’m semi retired and as a matter of fact just switched to the Sony system. I shot Nikon for 13 years and think they have fantastic products. Sony is a better fit for me at the current time. Have a great day!
Just getting around to watching this. Another of your excellent videos! I’ve loved my F 70-200 since I bought it to go with my D750 in 2019. Today it’s still a mainstay on my Z7ii.
Once again, nice comparison!!! I have theZ 24-70 f4, Z 14-30 f4, and Z 50 f1.8. Your comparisons are invaluable in helping decide my next lenses or prime.
We landscape photographers care mostly about sharpness, but most portrait photographers care less about that feature and focus more on the character of the particular lens, bokeh, and chromatic aberration.. in post most people especially women have heavy make up and the clarity is a bit reduced. Thank you! And keep posting good reviews!
Thanks. I've got the Sigma 105 1.4, which I LOVE, but it's a hassle to take around everywhere. I grabbed the 85, just to have a smaller lens I can take with me anywhere.
TizOnly1 I just rented the sigma 105 mm f1.4 for a week from lens rental and used it on my Z6. It worked about 90% of the time with the eye auto focus. A couple times it was just hunting and would not find the persons face or eyes. It was a sad day today and I had to send it back but that sigma Lens is the sharpest lens I have used so far. Are use the sigma 105 mm for a whole week straight and never took it off my camera. It is so sharp wide open and it just melts the background, i would definitely buy it next time I have that much to stand. I’m thinking about buying this 85 mm Z lens and I already have the Nikon 85 mm f 1.8 G That works perfect on the Z6. But I do want to start investing in some Z mount lenses. I use the Tamron 70 to 200 mm F2.8 G2 with my Nikon Z6 and it works great. I will not buy the new Z lens when it comes out, I am content with this one.
@@LMActionsports I've got the Tamron 70-200 G2 also, and I'm not even thinking of upgrading to the Nikkor Z version. The Tamron is that good.. and even for video. I find that video autofocus is always so much better on the Z lenses than the F-Mount versions, but the Tamron 70-200 focuses as well as a native lens for me. And yeah the Sigma 105 is great
@@TizOnly1 I contacted Amazon about the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 G2 not working that good with my z6 and they sent me the TAP console for free and I upgraded the firmware on it. And I love it. I don't do much video, well pretty much I don't do video so the f-mount lenses have been working pretty good for me for my photography. I'm thinking about just getting the sigma 105 f 1.4 and just getting rid of my 85 mm. But I'm glad you're having great success with your Tamron
Seems like the 85 1.8s is great.. few months ago I thought about getting the 105 1.4 for my z6, but now the 85 looks more appealing! Do they have differance in bokeh smoothness?
Most enlightening. I having toying with idea of picking up the 105 f1.4. However, if feet dragging Nikon launch a 105mm F1.8 on the Z, the F mount 105 might comparatively be inferior.
I have the 85 /1.8S Z mount and it is excellent. The key feature is size and weight. This kind of performance in a compact package exceeds my expectations and delights me. I took a number of candid photos of my granddaughter at f/1.8. She moves around a lot, and the autofocus was perfect when using the eye focus settings and the images are just beautiful.
Hey, I currently own a D850 but of thinking of moving to a Z7 or adding a Z6 to my bag for the obvious superior video features. Do you think the AF while shooting stills is on par with the D850 on the z series? Also, have you tried any F series glass with the FTZ adapter, if so do they work flawlessly and by any chance does the FTZ adapter act as an extension tube for your F lenses? I mostly shoot food, fashion and architecture. So if you have experienced the same on Z series please do share. Thanks!
@@aradhyakumar7383 I have an D850 and a Z7. The Z glass is better and autofocus works very well. I have the FTZ adapter and have found that the advantages of the Z (compactness and all features of the lens/body combination) are better with the native Z glass. Having said that, I use the Z for travel, and if I need a lens that I don't have a native Z lens, I leave the Z at home and take the D850. This would be the 24-120, the fisheye, and telephotos. 24-70, 24, 35, 50, and 85 are all better with the Z, and it is smaller and easier to carry, as I am on foot most of the time. For video, I don't own the Z6, but if I did a lot of video, that is where I would go. I have tried the Z7 for video, and I have concluded you don't need to pay extra for the Z7 and the Z6 has been very will received. Get the Atomos recorder if you are going with video.
Thanks Ricci. I sold a tamron 70-200 f2.8 g2 that I bought after loaning and trying out the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 from a Nikon specialist. The tamron was nearly as good. Both lenses are really too heavy for walkabout. Following your review, I think I'll get a Z 85 f1.8 plus a cheaper 150mm f2.8 prime (maybe macro) to replace the heavy 70-200. I think the myth of the heavy 70-200 2.8 needs busting. They take good photos but people buy them and rarely use them because there not portable.
Great review, nice comparisson. Could it be that: Since you are comparing different focal lenghts, out of focus errors in the corner are more visible on longer focal lengths. Let me explain: If the text in the center is not perfectly on the same focal plane with the text on the Df lens ring, a 1mm difference in the corner would result in more out of focus result on longer focal length. This because longer zooms have shallower depht of field at same aperture. Anyway the 85mm Z is probably still the best value for money in case of corner sharpness/bokeh and technology for the Z. Keep the great work!
I did some real world tests among 85 1.8 Z, 85 1.4 F, 70 200 2.7 2 ED F mount. 85 1.4 + FTZ sharp at 1.4 sharp as anyone needs at1.4, but more than I want to carry. 85 1.8 Z is a nice small light and sharp lens. 70 200 2.8 just came back from service after auto focus died in storage. Bought new years ago and has seen almost no use. Nikon New York repaired. Sharp in center at 2.8 but still big and heavy. My normal kit is 26 2.8, 40 2.0, 85 1.8. Classic 3 lens set. Sharp, light, portable. 24 120 M +FTZ also works decently. Do not need to change lenses, but heavy regardless of focal length. 105 2.4 135 2.8 180 2.8 200 4.0 primes are fine with FTZ.
I think the 105 1.4 is the ultimate portrait lens. I don't own it yet but; I own a Z6 and was waiting to see if Nikon does a Native 105 1.4 Z lens. I have the 105 2.8, using the FTZ adapter.
105mm f2.8 VR Micro-Nikkor is my dual-purpose portrait and macro lens. It works a treat on the FTZ adapter. 2.8 is enough aperture for most of my shooting: I'm more often let down by too little depth of field than by too much. Wider is nice in low light. If I really want more bokeh than 2.8 offers, I just have the subject take a step closer to the camera. Or I use light and exposure to separate subject from background. It all depends...
Thank you for a very informative video. It seem the z series 85mm wins hands down everywere. I know I'm watching through TH-cam's compression and viewing on a 40" 4k monitor but the 85mm 1.8 z seems to clearly win, not just in corner sharpness but also chromatic abberations, fringing and contrast. I was looking to buy the 104mm 1.4g but seeing that green fringing and contrast when stopped down, I'm not so sure now considering the cost of it.
I know this is a year old now. I was looking at the 105 f1.4 and there's seems to be a very divided opinion with it's IQ. Quite a few reviews mention poor saturation, poor micro contrast ( especially when used for black and white photography) and swirly cats eye bokeh? Obviously watching through TH-cam's compression, its difficult to ascertain. I own the s50mm and s85mm 1.8. I do miss the reach of the 85mm 1.4g bokeh ( I love bokeh/good focus seperation) but hated the C/A of that lens. As a portrait photographer would the 105 1.4 be a worthwhile investment ??
The out of focus areas differ softness-wise I noticed. Even at the same aperture the 1.4 lens appears to renders out of focus more softly. Maybe something to 'focus' on in a next/sequel review.
So satisfactory to see your comparison Ricci, having bought into (now all) Z/S primes. As we discussed colored reflections in your other videos, I went back to this one and it does not show up here. Very odd.
Really useful comparison, thanks Ricci! For real world photography I don't think even the difference in corner sharpness will matter much. The one advantage I do see with the Z lenses here is that there appears to be a tiny amount of purple fringing to the F mount lenses wide open, though I'm sure that's pretty easy to eliminate in post processing. I've been using the 50mm 1.8S recently, and have been blown away by it's sharpness.
Agreed! Practical usage wise this has to be the biggest difference. It's fixable in post but a nuisance none the less! The edges of the DF body were green and the colour checker charts had pink fringing when wider apertures were used.
CA was the main reason to migrate away from F to Z, for me. These Z primes have no visible CA on my Z 7. 35/1.4G and 85/1.4G were my main F lenses and now 35/1.8S and 85/1.8S are. The new 1.8 form factor works fine (does not get in the way of the focus assist light). And these new primes are optically rather complex compared to older designs. I feel the electronically amplified mirrorless viewfinder mitigates the 1.4-1.8 difference. All in all, I am really happy with them.
Just purchased the 85 1.8. Though I love the Sigma 104 with the Z at least I can somewhat out to bed the desire to have a go to portrait lens. At $800 I'm also more likely to Buy the 24 1.8 than buy that 70-200 when it releases. Dont see myself spending 3k on any Z mount lens.
Hey Ricci ! As a wedding photographer, is it still more beneficial for me to invest in the faster f mount lenses since it will be a while for the Z mount lenses to be out or would you still take the new 1.8 versions over the older F mount 1.4s ? Thanks for sharing man
Hard to say. If you mostly use the older 1.4s at 1.8 or f2 then it makes sense to get the Z 1.8s. If you like the softness at 1.4 then it means stick with the F mount glass. I suppose it all comes down to how much you want to shoot at 1.2 , 1.4 , 1.8. And just knowing the characteristics of each lens and what they look like when shot at that setting.
@@RicciTalks I appreciate the reply! I think my main concern is light gathering ability and what the Z6 can handle at higher ISOs . I am coming from the Fuji ecosystem where light gathering is EVERYTHING lol
@@RicciTalks Wud be great if you can make a real life review with portrait of people, especially focusing on depth of field. Can the 85mm 1.8S produce a soft out of focus area that is comparable to the 105mm 1.4 ? TIA
Great video and very useful comparison. I just bought a Z7 and use the 85mm 1.4 as my go to for portraits but this makes me strongly consider getting the 1.8s instead. Thanks for sharing!
great content as always Ricci. Waiting on that 70-200 Z testing :-) Hope they will bring out a Z series sports with 2 slots soon, want to cut over to mirrorless, def see the benefits of it.
Of course the 105mm 1.4 F mount will beat the 85mm 1.8 Z lens. This is like comparing apples to oranges really. I'm sure if Nikon came out with a Z variant of the 104 that would be different. For what the 85 1.8 costs it's a very good deal (especially compared to a 70-200 2.8, which might be more flexible in terms of uses, but I think the 85 1.8 even at $800 is a good bargain, considering the F-mount version (which isn't as sharp) still goes for about $450. I actually bought the 85 Z lens with the intention of getting a 70-200 2.8 (using the 85 as a temporary portrait lens) but to be honest, I love that lens so much, I'm not sure I'm going to bother with a 70-200 right now.
In terms of pleasing Bokeh I think they are very similar nice and smooth and not distracting. But in terms of subject separation (thinness of depth of field) obviously the longer focal length compression and the f1.4 will give you better results with the 105 F1.4 over the 85mm f1.8 but that would be the case between any 85 f1.8 and 105 f1.4
own the 70-200 E FL. killer lens. don't see myself selling it anytime soon. good to see the new S series 85 perform so well. makes me excited for the faster version due out... who knows... :p
Great video, we can see why the FL zoom costs so much. Where were those beautiful places, please? Do you think both the last 2 Z lenses will appear this year, as promised? Thx
How much better can new s line 70-200 might be?? Currently I use vr2 version of nikon lens on my z6 and everything is like ok, i am happy about results. However, the most annoying thing about any f mount lenses and specially my 70-200 vr2 is focusing motors noise.. There is no point of silent mode with this lens on my camera. Is vr3 or FL model more silent on new Z cameras with ftz adapter?
The FL lens still has motor noise. granted it‘S not as loud as the older VR2 but you can still hear it. So a Z 70-200mm would have to be completely silent just like the other Z lenses have been
I find your lens tests very helpful and illuminating. In this case, I would echo the sentiments previously put forward that for portraits, sharpness is not the primary concern, though it is easier to take sharpness away in post than to add it. And an 85 mm lens has uses other than just portraiture, though it is a classic portrait focal length.
Nice comparison - I had to sell a few items including my 70-200mm 2.8 (v1) to get into the z system. I have just ordered the 85mm 1.8s and managed to get a good price here in the uk on Amazon for £660 looking forward to trying it. I like the Z6 and I bought it with the 24-70mm f4 and the 35mm 1.8s - the build quality performance and weight are really impressive but they are quite long lenses. I realise it's probably just physics and the mechanics of lens production but I have a beautiful 40 yr old Olympus OM2 film camera and the lovely 50mm 1.4 is exceptionally well made and yet very small by comparison even on the end of an adapter!
Nice review. Just a coupla comments: what you call the corner is really closer to the DX/APS -C corner, and some bokeh comparisons would be nice in this focal length range. Ta.
As long as the lenses from fmount can get quick focus is the key, if u cant grab the focus when you need, then I can't use the image then it is useless, even u can get the best sharpest image in a slow pace and control environment.
I think this was a very useful video. Your intent to show the different types of lenses makes a lot of sense - less gear to carry with basically the same results. This is a very worthwhile video. Thanks. ;-)
What made me lean to the 85mm 1.8 z over the 85mm 1.4 or the 105mm 1.4 is firstly the sharpness, but mostly the fringing. I shoot a lot of protraits wide open in the sun, chromatic aberration is non existent on the Z lens!
I am thinking of buying the Z7 with the 14-30 s for landscapes. Then I need a long 500mm for wildlife. I am thinking of the 200-500 F mount lens until a native Z mount 500mm lens is built if ever. Hopi g Nikon makes a PF Z mount 500mm.
I have thought about Adding in the f4 I’m abit concerned that it will turn in to a very long video comparing six different lenses. I might do it in two parts.
@@RicciTalks ditto to Lawrose, I'd like to see the 24-70 f4 compared to the primes. In your April video with the 24-70 f4 S and 24-70 2.8 S, the 2.8 only slightly held an edge. Reason why I'm interested is I'd prefer to have the a zoom lens live on the body instead of lens changes to help keep sensor dust minimal. Thanks. Hamish
I sold my 85 1.8 No magic in it. I hope Nikon comes out with a 85 1.2 or 1.4 I'm currently using my Canon 85 1.2 with a fringer adapter. So much more beautiful than the 85 1.8
If there is one particular F prime to be treasured, then the 105mm f1.4 E ED is that lens. Seriously, there's no deficit on this monster when pitted with any Z primes
Thanks for the video mine is still on order. It looks like I will be happy when I receive it I think I am going to grab the 20mm 1.8 on the wide end and maybe skip the 24mm 🤔
The Z series will gain better performance below 70mm. Telephoto lenses will problaby not be much of a difference from F mount to Z mount. I will get a Z camera in the future to shoot more wide angle shoots where Z mount will be better edge to edge. I do not think there will be much of a difference with the future 70-200 but parhaps a little less weight to it.
I really appreciate your videos, but you focus only on sharpness. Can you also comment on color accuracy, distortion, micro-contrast, and fringing? These Z mount lenses are near perfection in terms of sharpness, but they lack character in my opinion. My 50 1.8E has such an interesting bokeh at 1.8, you can create amazing art that way. I would use Z lenses more for stock and product photography, tho.
I only talk about sharpness Because “character” is entirely subjective, I could make a comment on character and almost everyone would have a different opinion, where as you can’t argue with sharpness you either like it or you don’t. you can see colour accuracy on the colour check board used in the shots, no difference between them all distortion on all these lenses is virtually none existent, There is a small amount of fringing on the f mount lenses when wide open but no where near as bad as other f mount lenses like we saw in the 85mm f mount. I think “character” is the entire user experience, how it feels in the hand and image quality of course, I don’t like the fmount 50mm f1.8 but fell in love with the Z 50mm f1.8 to me it feels better to use and the picture quality is awesome. BUT everyone has different likes and dislikes and it’s great we have a choice. Also I don’t want to comment on everything making the video too long. 🤗 Thanks for watching ! Since day one. 😉
the Z lenses have a lens profile already baked into them when opened in LR which adds sharpness to the slider automatically. These lens comparisons are completely false unless all the sliders are zeroed out in LR before comparing. There is no mention this before you started the comparison.
@@RicciTalks don't be so sure. I cross-shopped the Nikon vs Sigma 105 and ended up with the Sigma based on cost and iq. But now, after lugging this beast around, I'm looking at options. I got too greedy :)
Good to know and for sure anyone with an existing 70-200 f/2.8 is likely to stick with that. One thing I am curious about is the autofocus performance, but I suppose this will be covered by a comparison between the old and new 700-200m lenses. I suspect the native Z lens on a Z body will naturally be faster but still if you have a comment you like to share about the AF between these lenses I'd be happy to hear it. Thanks again for a great comparison video.
Apple to Oranges, in this case, makes sense to me because we can't afford to buy every lens we fancy - even though I seem to try. We are "forced" to use what we have and in the real world that seems to be the norm. My Z 85mm is still on order and I have the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art lens, but I'm looking forward to the smaller form factor of the 85mm. Nice work!
Absolutely!! These are lenses that are so different but I think it’s great to just compare what different lenses photographers might have ! I hope you enjoy using ur 85mm I do like the size and weight compared to the 70-200 and 105mm. Thanks for watching !!!
@@RicciTalks I have the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G, 85mm f/1.8G, 105mm f/1.4G, Zeiss 135mm f/2.0 and Nikkor 200mm f/2.0 which I used on an FTZ. But as the Z-mount 85mm f/1.8 S is lighter, sharper, good bokeh, have minimal CA, focus accurately, is quieter and is faster than the F-ount 85mm and 105mm, I have used the Z-mount 85mm f/1.8 S far more frequently since I got it than all of the above lenses on the Z.
Should have included AFS85F1.8G lens. Much cheaper much smaller. For its intended purpose, does a very good job in focus speed, color rendition, sharpness in the center. 105F1.4 is in a different league and 70-200FL is a gobsmack ridiculous zoom lens matching several primes within its range I don't think world had seen before, maybe apart from 200-400 180-400 brothers. $2800 is a steal if compared to $1000 each for f1.8 primes. If Nikkor announces a 180F2.8s or 200F2.8s I bet it won't be below $1500.
Pretty stupid test. You are comparing 3 awesome lensens up against each other. They are all awesome for the task they are created for. Take them out and use them in a real world senario. Then come up with examples and thoughts. Sharpness i just one small piece of an image
Lars Erik Nes , also all the Z lenses have a lens profile already baked into them when opened in LR which adds sharpness to the slider automatically. These lens comparisons are completely false unless all the sliders are zeroed out in LR before comparing. There is no mention of him doing this before he started the comparison.
@@EricTobiasPhotography Thats why my default LR settings when import files from my z6 is all set to zero :-) I don't want any settings from my camera, just a flat raw file :-)
Why do you test lenses for portraits as you told with color palette and camera bodies? What should we see? all is interesting here is skintone in compare of each other and it also hard to understand with youtube video quality. Your tests are trash, corners sharpness is not very important in this lenses. DISLIKE. What to do: find a model, shoot her with this lenses in same situations, like it is done in some other youtube channels, compare results and tell your opinion about each other in that shoot. And have profit. Thats all.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the 70-200 suffers somewhat from purple fringing, so by correcting it in software the difference in sharpness would be even less.
I really love the 105mm F1.4 and the 70-200mm F2.8. It's great to see them perform so well against the Z 85mm lens. BUT also it goes to show how good the Z 85mm lens is when you consider how big the price difference is between all these lenses. The 105 and 70-200mm being more than Double the price of the 85mm. As always Thank you for watching !
I already have the 105mm 1.4E. But due to its weight I rarely take it with me (I am not a pro). So probably a switch to the Z 85mm 1.8S would be a good idea. But selling the 105mm 1.4E somehow feels still like a bad idea.
Enjoy your content very much! You do an excellent job covering extremely interesting subject matter and I am very interested in this type of video!
I have been a Nikon shooter for 13 years and currently have the Nikon Z7. Previously I owned a D850 and while there is no doubt it is a superb camera and may be the best DSLR ever made I wanted to share something with you.
Recently I borrowed a D850 and took it to shoot at The Phoenix Zoo. I shoot there a lot and for the last 6 months it has been with my Z7. I thought it would be fun to go back to the D850 for a few hours just to see how I felt about it after using the Z7 for quite a while in the same location. Well, as great as the D850 is I could not believe how much I missed having my Z7. Even though the Auto Focus is better with the D850 I still found myself favoring the Z7 substantially. The D850 felt, well, like an older model camera. Much larger, heavier, no EVF, no full spread of focus points and no IBIS. As I was walking around I felt like I had an out of date, older camera to be quite honest. Again, I respect the D850 immensely, just telling you how I personally felt.
As much as I rave about the D850 I could not wait to pick up the Z7 as soon as I got home! Yes, it hunts a bit during low light AF, it doesn't have a full functioning battery grip, has only one card slot and does not have the diversity of native lenses yet, things are changing. What the Z7 brings to the table right now, to me, is a lot more exciting and just flat out better than what the DSLRs have. Not having to mess with the AF Fine Tune, better lens mount, better lenses, the EVF etc. make it a slam dunk in my opinion.
This is why I am so excited about the performance of the Zs S lenses and how well they perform, the sizes and weight of them and how future development of them seem so encouraging.
Take care and best of luck with your channel. I enjoy it very much! Thanks, Rick
Back And Fort No, not at all. I’m semi retired and as a matter of fact just switched to the Sony system. I shot Nikon for 13 years and think they have fantastic products. Sony is a better fit for me at the current time. Have a great day!
Just getting around to watching this. Another of your excellent videos! I’ve loved my F 70-200 since I bought it to go with my D750 in 2019. Today it’s still a mainstay on my Z7ii.
Once again, nice comparison!!! I have theZ 24-70 f4, Z 14-30 f4, and Z 50 f1.8. Your comparisons are invaluable in helping decide my next lenses or prime.
Thanks for watching !! 🤗
We landscape photographers care mostly about sharpness, but most portrait photographers care less about that feature and focus more on the character of the particular lens, bokeh, and chromatic aberration.. in post most people especially women have heavy make up and the clarity is a bit reduced.
Thank you! And keep posting good reviews!
Thank you, Ricci. These side-by-side comparisons are hugely useful!
Thanks for watching
Thanks.
I've got the Sigma 105 1.4, which I LOVE, but it's a hassle to take around everywhere.
I grabbed the 85, just to have a smaller lens I can take with me anywhere.
TizOnly1 I just rented the sigma 105 mm f1.4 for a week from lens rental and used it on my Z6. It worked about 90% of the time with the eye auto focus. A couple times it was just hunting and would not find the persons face or eyes. It was a sad day today and I had to send it back but that sigma Lens is the sharpest lens I have used so far. Are use the sigma 105 mm for a whole week straight and never took it off my camera. It is so sharp wide open and it just melts the background, i would definitely buy it next time I have that much to stand. I’m thinking about buying this 85 mm Z lens and I already have the Nikon 85 mm f 1.8 G That works perfect on the Z6. But I do want to start investing in some Z mount lenses. I use the Tamron 70 to 200 mm F2.8 G2 with my Nikon Z6 and it works great. I will not buy the new Z lens when it comes out, I am content with this one.
@@LMActionsports I've got the Tamron 70-200 G2 also, and I'm not even thinking of upgrading to the Nikkor Z version. The Tamron is that good.. and even for video. I find that video autofocus is always so much better on the Z lenses than the F-Mount versions, but the Tamron 70-200 focuses as well as a native lens for me.
And yeah the Sigma 105 is great
@@TizOnly1 I contacted Amazon about the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 G2 not working that good with my z6 and they sent me the TAP console for free and I upgraded the firmware on it. And I love it. I don't do much video, well pretty much I don't do video so the f-mount lenses have been working pretty good for me for my photography. I'm thinking about just getting the sigma 105 f 1.4 and just getting rid of my 85 mm. But I'm glad you're having great success with your Tamron
Seems like the 85 1.8s is great.. few months ago I thought about getting the 105 1.4 for my z6, but now the 85 looks more appealing! Do they have differance in bokeh smoothness?
Most enlightening. I having toying with idea of picking up the 105 f1.4. However, if feet dragging Nikon launch a 105mm F1.8 on the Z, the F mount 105 might comparatively be inferior.
I have the 85 /1.8S Z mount and it is excellent. The key feature is size and weight. This kind of performance in a compact package exceeds my expectations and delights me.
I took a number of candid photos of my granddaughter at f/1.8. She moves around a lot, and the autofocus was perfect when using the eye focus settings and the images are just beautiful.
Hey, I currently own a D850 but of thinking of moving to a Z7 or adding a Z6 to my bag for the obvious superior video features. Do you think the AF while shooting stills is on par with the D850 on the z series? Also, have you tried any F series glass with the FTZ adapter, if so do they work flawlessly and by any chance does the FTZ adapter act as an extension tube for your F lenses?
I mostly shoot food, fashion and architecture. So if you have experienced the same on Z series please do share.
Thanks!
@@aradhyakumar7383 I have an D850 and a Z7. The Z glass is better and autofocus works very well. I have the FTZ adapter and have found that the advantages of the Z (compactness and all features of the lens/body combination) are better with the native Z glass. Having said that, I use the Z for travel, and if I need a lens that I don't have a native Z lens, I leave the Z at home and take the D850. This would be the 24-120, the fisheye, and telephotos. 24-70, 24, 35, 50, and 85 are all better with the Z, and it is smaller and easier to carry, as I am on foot most of the time.
For video, I don't own the Z6, but if I did a lot of video, that is where I would go. I have tried the Z7 for video, and I have concluded you don't need to pay extra for the Z7 and the Z6 has been very will received. Get the Atomos recorder if you are going with video.
Ricci will we ever get a 105mm 1.4 S lens?
Thanks Ricci. I sold a tamron 70-200 f2.8 g2 that I bought after loaning and trying out the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 from a Nikon specialist. The tamron was nearly as good. Both lenses are really too heavy for walkabout. Following your review, I think I'll get a Z 85 f1.8 plus a cheaper 150mm f2.8 prime (maybe macro) to replace the heavy 70-200. I think the myth of the heavy 70-200 2.8 needs busting. They take good photos but people buy them and rarely use them because there not portable.
That’s a nice collection of great performers. In real world work, it would likely be hard to be disappointed, or distinguish between them.
Great review, nice comparisson. Could it be that: Since you are comparing different focal lenghts, out of focus errors in the corner are more visible on longer focal lengths. Let me explain: If the text in the center is not perfectly on the same focal plane with the text on the Df lens ring, a 1mm difference in the corner would result in more out of focus result on longer focal length. This because longer zooms have shallower depht of field at same aperture. Anyway the 85mm Z is probably still the best value for money in case of corner sharpness/bokeh and technology for the Z. Keep the great work!
Why doesn't an FTZ adapter work like an extension tube?
I did some real world tests among 85 1.8 Z, 85 1.4 F, 70 200 2.7 2 ED F mount. 85 1.4 + FTZ sharp at 1.4 sharp as anyone needs at1.4, but more than I want to carry. 85 1.8 Z is a nice small light and sharp lens. 70 200 2.8 just came back from service after auto focus died in storage. Bought new years ago and has seen almost no use. Nikon New York repaired. Sharp in center at 2.8 but still big and heavy. My normal kit is 26 2.8, 40 2.0, 85 1.8. Classic 3 lens set. Sharp, light, portable. 24 120 M +FTZ also works decently. Do not need to change lenses, but heavy regardless of focal length. 105 2.4 135 2.8 180 2.8 200 4.0 primes are fine with FTZ.
I think the 105 1.4 is the ultimate portrait lens. I don't own it yet but; I own a Z6 and was waiting to see if Nikon does a Native 105 1.4 Z lens. I have the 105 2.8, using the FTZ adapter.
Good review. Can you make a real life review with portrait of people images in which you compare 85s vs 85g lens?
105mm f2.8 VR Micro-Nikkor is my dual-purpose portrait and macro lens. It works a treat on the FTZ adapter. 2.8 is enough aperture for most of my shooting: I'm more often let down by too little depth of field than by too much. Wider is nice in low light. If I really want more bokeh than 2.8 offers, I just have the subject take a step closer to the camera. Or I use light and exposure to separate subject from background. It all depends...
As always very interesting Ricci. Whatever you do don’t look at the Sigma 105f1.4, it is of another order altogether , it’s phenomenal .
Another Excellent Review... Thank You !!
Was this test conducted on the same body or was the f lens shot on a F body ?
Thank you for a very informative video. It seem the z series 85mm wins hands down everywere. I know I'm watching through TH-cam's compression and viewing on a 40" 4k monitor but the 85mm 1.8 z seems to clearly win, not just in corner sharpness but also chromatic abberations, fringing and contrast. I was looking to buy the 104mm 1.4g but seeing that green fringing and contrast when stopped down, I'm not so sure now considering the cost of it.
A testament to the superb optics of the Nikon 70-200 FL.
good one and helpful....thanks
Which would you like,z85/1.8s or 105e? It's a stupid question. If preferring the one of z85 you trade in 105e and whether I shall replace it.
I know this is a year old now. I was looking at the 105 f1.4 and there's seems to be a very divided opinion with it's IQ. Quite a few reviews mention poor saturation, poor micro contrast ( especially when used for black and white photography) and swirly cats eye bokeh? Obviously watching through TH-cam's compression, its difficult to ascertain. I own the s50mm and s85mm 1.8. I do miss the reach of the 85mm 1.4g bokeh ( I love bokeh/good focus seperation) but hated the C/A of that lens. As a portrait photographer would the 105 1.4 be a worthwhile investment ??
It is the best portrait lens ever made.
The out of focus areas differ softness-wise I noticed. Even at the same aperture the 1.4 lens appears to renders out of focus more softly. Maybe something to 'focus' on in a next/sequel review.
Yes, but it may be related to its greater focal length.
So satisfactory to see your comparison Ricci, having bought into (now all) Z/S primes.
As we discussed colored reflections in your other videos, I went back to this one and it does not show up here.
Very odd.
How does the Z 85mm f1.8 compare to the Z 50mm f1.8 in optical quality and autofocus?
I purchased the 24-70 2.8 all rounder lens. The sharpness is great compared to prime lenses.
Really useful comparison, thanks Ricci! For real world photography I don't think even the difference in corner sharpness will matter much. The one advantage I do see with the Z lenses here is that there appears to be a tiny amount of purple fringing to the F mount lenses wide open, though I'm sure that's pretty easy to eliminate in post processing. I've been using the 50mm 1.8S recently, and have been blown away by it's sharpness.
The Z lens seem not to have any CA's compared to the other lenses as visible in the video.
Agreed! Practical usage wise this has to be the biggest difference. It's fixable in post but a nuisance none the less! The edges of the DF body were green and the colour checker charts had pink fringing when wider apertures were used.
CA was the main reason to migrate away from F to Z, for me. These Z primes have no visible CA on my Z 7.
35/1.4G and 85/1.4G were my main F lenses and now 35/1.8S and 85/1.8S are. The new 1.8 form factor works fine (does not get in the way of the focus assist light). And these new primes are optically rather complex compared to older designs. I feel the electronically amplified mirrorless viewfinder mitigates the 1.4-1.8 difference. All in all, I am really happy with them.
Thx for the effort. Would it be possible to download the raw files in this video?
Just purchased the 85 1.8. Though I love the Sigma 104 with the Z at least I can somewhat out to bed the desire to have a go to portrait lens.
At $800 I'm also more likely to Buy the 24 1.8 than buy that 70-200 when it releases. Dont see myself spending 3k on any Z mount lens.
I would love to see the new Nikon 85 mm up against the Nikon 85 mm F1.8 G in the future. Thank you for the great comparison
That’s in the previous video
Hey Ricci ! As a wedding photographer, is it still more beneficial for me to invest in the faster f mount lenses since it will be a while for the Z mount lenses to be out or would you still take the new 1.8 versions over the older F mount 1.4s ? Thanks for sharing man
Hard to say.
If you mostly use the older 1.4s at 1.8 or f2 then it makes sense to get the Z 1.8s. If you like the softness at 1.4 then it means stick with the F mount glass.
I suppose it all comes down to how much you want to shoot at 1.2 , 1.4 , 1.8.
And just knowing the characteristics of each lens and what they look like when shot at that setting.
@@RicciTalks I appreciate the reply! I think my main concern is light gathering ability and what the Z6 can handle at higher ISOs . I am coming from the Fuji ecosystem where light gathering is EVERYTHING lol
@@RicciTalks Wud be great if you can make a real life review with portrait of people, especially focusing on depth of field. Can the 85mm 1.8S produce a soft out of focus area that is comparable to the 105mm 1.4 ? TIA
Very interesting results. A big thumbs up. ;-)
Great video and very useful comparison. I just bought a Z7 and use the 85mm 1.4 as my go to for portraits but this makes me strongly consider getting the 1.8s instead. Thanks for sharing!
This is great news that my F mount lens are going to be useful on my Z7 II when I get it.
great video thanks, the z glass for video is so much better than every other f mount lens, but yes I'm holding into to my 70 to 200 for photos
great content as always Ricci. Waiting on that 70-200 Z testing :-) Hope they will bring out a Z series sports with 2 slots soon, want to cut over to mirrorless, def see the benefits of it.
I'm also waiting for comparison between the Z mount and the F mount 70-200 f2.8. What's the chance of it being in people's hands before the holidays?
High I would say. Nikon said the 70-200 will be available this year.
@@MikeHeller little over 3 months.
Nice review!!! Subscribed
Great evaluation common sense appraisal, thankyou. Thanks
Of course the 105mm 1.4 F mount will beat the 85mm 1.8 Z lens. This is like comparing apples to oranges really. I'm sure if Nikon came out with a Z variant of the 104 that would be different. For what the 85 1.8 costs it's a very good deal (especially compared to a 70-200 2.8, which might be more flexible in terms of uses, but I think the 85 1.8 even at $800 is a good bargain, considering the F-mount version (which isn't as sharp) still goes for about $450. I actually bought the 85 Z lens with the intention of getting a 70-200 2.8 (using the 85 as a temporary portrait lens) but to be honest, I love that lens so much, I'm not sure I'm going to bother with a 70-200 right now.
What do you think about the bokeh in the 85mm S vs the 105 1.4?
In terms of pleasing Bokeh I think they are very similar nice and smooth and not distracting.
But in terms of subject separation (thinness of depth of field) obviously the longer focal length compression and the f1.4 will give you better results with the 105 F1.4 over the 85mm f1.8 but that would be the case between any 85 f1.8 and 105 f1.4
own the 70-200 E FL. killer lens. don't see myself selling it anytime soon. good to see the new S series 85 perform so well. makes me excited for the faster version due out... who knows... :p
Great video, we can see why the FL zoom costs so much. Where were those beautiful places, please? Do you think both the last 2 Z lenses will appear this year, as promised? Thx
How much better can new s line 70-200 might be?? Currently I use vr2 version of nikon lens on my z6 and everything is like ok, i am happy about results. However, the most annoying thing about any f mount lenses and specially my 70-200 vr2 is focusing motors noise.. There is no point of silent mode with this lens on my camera.
Is vr3 or FL model more silent on new Z cameras with ftz adapter?
The FL lens still has motor noise.
granted it‘S not as loud as the older VR2 but you can still hear it.
So a Z 70-200mm would have to be completely silent just like the other Z lenses have been
I find your lens tests very helpful and illuminating. In this case, I would echo the sentiments previously put forward that for portraits, sharpness is not the primary concern, though it is easier to take sharpness away in post than to add it. And an 85 mm lens has uses other than just portraiture, though it is a classic portrait focal length.
Nice comparison - I had to sell a few items including my 70-200mm 2.8 (v1) to get into the z system. I have just ordered the 85mm 1.8s and managed to get a good price here in the uk on Amazon for £660 looking forward to trying it. I like the Z6 and I bought it with the 24-70mm f4 and the 35mm 1.8s - the build quality performance and weight are really impressive but they are quite long lenses. I realise it's probably just physics and the mechanics of lens production but I have a beautiful 40 yr old Olympus OM2 film camera and the lovely 50mm 1.4 is exceptionally well made and yet very small by comparison even on the end of an adapter!
Nice review. Just a coupla comments: what you call the corner is really closer to the DX/APS -C corner, and some bokeh comparisons would be nice in this focal length range. Ta.
As long as the lenses from fmount can get quick focus is the key, if u cant grab the focus when you need, then I can't use the image then it is useless, even u can get the best sharpest image in a slow pace and control environment.
You are the great! 💪❤✌
I think this was a very useful video. Your intent to show the different types of lenses makes a lot of sense - less gear to carry with basically the same results. This is a very worthwhile video. Thanks. ;-)
Thanks a lot 🤗
What made me lean to the 85mm 1.8 z over the 85mm 1.4 or the 105mm 1.4 is firstly the sharpness, but mostly the fringing. I shoot a lot of protraits wide open in the sun, chromatic aberration is non existent on the Z lens!
I am thinking of buying the Z7 with the 14-30 s for landscapes. Then I need a long 500mm for wildlife. I am thinking of the 200-500 F mount lens until a native Z mount 500mm lens is built if ever. Hopi g Nikon makes a PF Z mount 500mm.
I would also love a native 500mm PF
The F-mount 500mm PF is becoming one of my most used lenses.
I am a happy user of Z6 + 200-500 F5.6 (went from D500 to Z6), works really well :-)
Thanks again for sharing, Sir.
I hope nikon don't give up on f mount. I love my d810. I love optical viewfinder and great battery life.
thank you for your research! I want to suggest a second comparison about the Bokeh of three candidates!
Thanks for this video. I was wondering also. Looking forward to comparing the 24-70S to the primes. I bet it’ll be close
I do really think it might be abit too close to call ! Thanks for watching!
Could you add the Z 24-70 f/4.0 S to those comparisons?
I have thought about Adding in the f4 I’m abit concerned that it will turn in to a very long video comparing six different lenses. I might do it in two parts.
@@RicciTalks ditto to Lawrose, I'd like to see the 24-70 f4 compared to the primes. In your April video with the 24-70 f4 S and 24-70 2.8 S, the 2.8 only
slightly held an edge. Reason why I'm interested is I'd prefer to have the a zoom lens live on the body instead of lens changes to help keep sensor dust minimal. Thanks. Hamish
I sold my 85 1.8 No magic in it. I hope Nikon comes out with a 85 1.2 or 1.4 I'm currently using my Canon 85 1.2 with a fringer adapter. So much more beautiful than the 85 1.8
If there is one particular F prime to be treasured, then the 105mm f1.4 E ED is that lens. Seriously, there's no deficit on this monster when pitted with any Z primes
Thanks for the video mine is still on order. It looks like I will be happy when I receive it I think I am going to grab the 20mm 1.8 on the wide end and maybe skip the 24mm 🤔
I’m also probably more interested in the wider 20mm than the 24 but I’ll hold off judgement till I see the 20mm
Hi plz show more actual pictures than just charts. It’s very very important to see how lenses render
Great review! Thank you!
The Z series will gain better performance below 70mm. Telephoto lenses will problaby not be much of a difference from F mount to Z mount. I will get a Z camera in the future to shoot more wide angle shoots where Z mount will be better edge to edge. I do not think there will be much of a difference with the future 70-200 but parhaps a little less weight to it.
I really appreciate your videos, but you focus only on sharpness. Can you also comment on color accuracy, distortion, micro-contrast, and fringing? These Z mount lenses are near perfection in terms of sharpness, but they lack character in my opinion. My 50 1.8E has such an interesting bokeh at 1.8, you can create amazing art that way. I would use Z lenses more for stock and product photography, tho.
I only talk about sharpness Because “character” is entirely subjective, I could make a comment on character and almost everyone would have a different opinion, where as you can’t argue with sharpness you either like it or you don’t.
you can see colour accuracy on the colour check board used in the shots, no difference between them all
distortion on all these lenses is virtually none existent,
There is a small amount of fringing on the f mount lenses when wide open but no where near as bad as other f mount lenses like we saw in the 85mm f mount.
I think “character” is the entire user experience, how it feels in the hand and image quality of course,
I don’t like the fmount 50mm f1.8 but fell in love with the Z 50mm f1.8 to me it feels better to use and the picture quality is awesome. BUT everyone has different likes and dislikes and it’s great we have a choice.
Also I don’t want to comment on everything making the video too long. 🤗
Thanks for watching ! Since day one. 😉
the Z lenses have a lens profile already baked into them when opened in LR which adds sharpness to the slider automatically. These lens comparisons are completely false unless all the sliders are zeroed out in LR before comparing. There is no mention this before you started the comparison.
You may have just saved me about $800 for the time being. Will continue to stick with the AF-S 70-200mm and pick up the 85mm Z at a later date.
I want to admit. The diferense is chromatic aberation. Thats it :)
it would have been interesting to see the sigma 105 f1.4 which seems to be scary sharp!
I might be wrong because Iv never even seen a sigma 105mm
but I think most say the Nikon 105mm is better than the sigma.
@@RicciTalks the sigma is vastly superior to the Nikon equivalent www.lenstip.com/535.4-Lens_review-Sigma_A_105_mm_f_1.4_DG_HSM_Image_resolution.html
@@RicciTalks don't be so sure. I cross-shopped the Nikon vs Sigma 105 and ended up with the Sigma based on cost and iq. But now, after lugging this beast around, I'm looking at options. I got too greedy :)
Nice, but portrait lenses not really about sharpness.
Now try it against the Sigma 104mm 1.4 Art !
I just can't get past the plastic build quality of the Z glass... it just feels cheap compared to the F.
Good to know and for sure anyone with an existing 70-200 f/2.8 is likely to stick with that.
One thing I am curious about is the autofocus performance, but I suppose this will be covered by a comparison between the old and new 700-200m lenses. I suspect the native Z lens on a Z body will naturally be faster but still if you have a comment you like to share about the AF between these lenses I'd be happy to hear it.
Thanks again for a great comparison video.
The Z lens seems sharper across the board.
As expected, Z-mount lens at 1.8 has the same shutter speed as F-mount at 1.4...
Apple to Oranges, in this case, makes sense to me because we can't afford to buy every lens we fancy - even though I seem to try. We are "forced" to use what we have and in the real world that seems to be the norm. My Z 85mm is still on order and I have the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art lens, but I'm looking forward to the smaller form factor of the 85mm. Nice work!
Absolutely!! These are lenses that are so different but I think it’s great to just compare what different lenses photographers might have !
I hope you enjoy using ur 85mm I do like the size and weight compared to the 70-200 and 105mm.
Thanks for watching !!!
@@RicciTalks I have the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G, 85mm f/1.8G, 105mm f/1.4G, Zeiss 135mm f/2.0 and Nikkor 200mm f/2.0 which I used on an FTZ. But as the Z-mount 85mm f/1.8 S is lighter, sharper, good bokeh, have minimal CA, focus accurately, is quieter and is faster than the F-ount 85mm and 105mm, I have used the Z-mount 85mm f/1.8 S far more frequently since I got it than all of the above lenses on the Z.
f mount 85mm 1.8 is better than 1.4 for me
WTF. 85f1.8 vs 104f1.4???? Whyyyyyy
Should have included AFS85F1.8G lens. Much cheaper much smaller. For its intended purpose, does a very good job in focus speed, color rendition, sharpness in the center. 105F1.4 is in a different league and 70-200FL is a gobsmack ridiculous zoom lens matching several primes within its range I don't think world had seen before, maybe apart from 200-400 180-400 brothers. $2800 is a steal if compared to $1000 each for f1.8 primes. If Nikkor announces a 180F2.8s or 200F2.8s I bet it won't be below $1500.
Pretty stupid test. You are comparing 3 awesome lensens up against each other. They are all awesome for the task they are created for. Take them out and use them in a real world senario. Then come up with examples and thoughts. Sharpness i just one small piece of an image
Lars Erik Nes , also all the Z lenses have a lens profile already baked into them when opened in LR which adds sharpness to the slider automatically. These lens comparisons are completely false unless all the sliders are zeroed out in LR before comparing. There is no mention of him doing this before he started the comparison.
@@EricTobiasPhotography Thats why my default LR settings when import files from my z6 is all set to zero :-) I don't want any settings from my camera, just a flat raw file :-)
Why do you test lenses for portraits as you told with color palette and camera bodies? What should we see? all is interesting here is skintone in compare of each other and it also hard to understand with youtube video quality.
Your tests are trash, corners sharpness is not very important in this lenses. DISLIKE.
What to do: find a model, shoot her with this lenses in same situations, like it is done in some other youtube channels, compare results and tell your opinion about each other in that shoot. And have profit. Thats all.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the 70-200 suffers somewhat from purple fringing, so by correcting it in software the difference in sharpness would be even less.