Need a portrait lens like yesterday for a wedding next Sat. Looked at the 85mm 1.4G but heard the 105mm 1.4E is sharper, though it looks way too heavy for long days. I've only got $1200.
- sharp wide open
- under $1200
- manageable weight
Which one actually handles the D850 sensor better?
Jumping in here! You dont need to spend the full $1200 to get amazing results on that D850 sensor! I absolutely love the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD for Nikon because it has built-in stabilization which is a total lifesaver for long wedding days.
- fantastic sharpness wide open
- way lighter than the 105mm beast
- stays well under budget Its a super safe, reliable choice that wont break your back! Let me know if you need anything else!
Saw this earlier but just getting back to ya. Unfortunately, those bulky high-end primes were not as good as expected and gave me issues... they just feel like bricks after a few hours. Probably not worth the weight since sharpness is barely noticeable unless you're pixel peeping. Not sure if thats true for every copy, but my back definitely regretted the heavy gear choice. Save the cash for extra batteries tbh.
Adding my two cents here, honestly, if you want something that hits that D850 sweet spot without breaking your bank or your back, look at the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G. It is just fantastic for portraits and renders skin tones beautifully. I have used it for years and have absolutely no complaints about the image quality.
- It is super lightweight so you wont get tired halfway through the wedding.
- The sharpness wide open is more than enough for professional prints.
- It leaves you plenty of budget for extra gear or maybe a Nikon EN-EL15c Rechargeable Li-ion Battery for that long day. Honestly, the f/1.8 version works so well that I never felt the need to upgrade to the heavier glass. You will be really happy with the results it produces on that high-res sensor.
