honestly the d850 is a beast for portraits because of that 45.7mp bsi sensor, but you really need glass that can keep up with that resolving power. i have been shooting with f-mount glass for a decade and im very satisfied with how these specific primes perform on high-res bodies.

• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED is the absolute king here. the mtf curves are significantly better than the older 85mm, especially regarding sagittal coma flare. the electromagnetic diaphragm gives you more consistent exposures which is huge for event work. i have no complaints about the focus speed either, it is snappy even in lower light.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G is a classic but technically it struggles with some longitudinal chromatic aberration when shot wide open. its still a solid lens and works well for skin tones, but it doesnt quite have the bite of the 105mm.
• Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Nikon F is the one to get if you want the highest lines per millimeter resolution. it features two fld elements and one sld element which basically eliminates most optical defects. it fits your 1000 dollar budget perfectly too. dont sweat the working distance, the 105mm just requires you to stand about 4-5 feet further back than the 85mm for a standard headshot. im happy to dig up some raw files for you if you want to see the bokeh transitions or corner sharpness comparisons... just let me know.

tbh i was really disappointed with the older G-series primes once i started using high-res bodies like yours. The 85mm f/1.4G just doesnt have the resolving power for a D850... you get tons of purple fringing and it feels soft wide open. I also had issues with focus hunting in lower light which is annoying for professional work. Its just not as good as expected given the price tag. For a $1000 budget, these are better technical choices for outdoor portraits:

• Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD for Nikon F is actually sharper than the Nikon 1.4G and the Vibration Compensation is a game changer when the Seattle clouds roll in and your shutter speed drops.
• Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art for Nikon F is the sharpest lens i have ever put on an F-mount. If you can handle the working distance, the bokeh is way creamier than any 85mm.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED is the gold standard but unfortunately you wont find a clean copy under a grand right now.

^ This. Also, if youre worried about sharpness on that D850, the G-series 85mm is a bit soft wide open. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED is the dream lens but finding one under a grand is tough... Heres my take:

• Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Nikon F is sharper than the Nikon G.
• 85mm is easier for shouting instructions to the graduate. The 105mm has better compression tho.

> I have about $1000 to spend. I'm totally torn between the classic 85mm f/1.4G and the 105mm f/1.4E Honestly, if you go with the older G-series glass, just be prepared to spend a lot of time cleaning up chromatic aberration in post. It is super frustrating when you have that D850 resolution and everything is ruined by purple fringing around high-contrast edges. It happens way more than people admit when you shoot wide open at f/1.4. Also, a huge mistake people make is not accounting for the sheer weight of these faster primes when shooting handheld all day. You're going to get fatigued way faster than you think, especially in a place like Seattle where you might be walking around a lot. My advice? Rent both for a weekend before you commit the full budget. You really need to see how the working distance feels for your personal style because jumping from a zoom to a fixed focal length can be pretty jarring if you are used to the 24-70 flexibility. Don't rush into it.