Nikkor 85mm f1.8 or Tamron 90mm f2.8

[mobbes]

Hi all, just wondering what you all think about these two lenses. I've only done desktop reviews but will definitely try them at the shops soon.

Here's what I looked at before narrowing down to these 2 fellas:

Nikkor 55-200 VR - cheapest at about RM800, light weight, got VR but aperture not fast, you get what you pay for

Nikkor 70-300 VR - not really cheap but value for money at about RM1900, relatively light weight, got VR but aperture not fast. Question for me is whether I need that long focal length

Sigma 50-150 f2.8 - most expensive @ about RM2400, fast aperture, no VR, small 3x zoom range but bloody heavy (for me la)

Between the Nikkor85 & Tamron90, the differences are:

Nikkor cost a little bit more (less than RM200 diff)
Nikkor has more than 1 stop larger aperture than the Tamron... f1.8 vs f2.8
Tamron can do 1:1 macro... Nikkor can't
Weight wise, both are just nice & not bulky either


Currently, I only have the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and Nikkor50 f1.8.

Why the sudden itch? haha I've got hooked on shooting live bands and so far, the 17-50 has served me well. Then again, so far I've been to the more intimate venues where you can get way up close to the band. I'm just preparing for less intimate venues but don't see myself going to some big concert in a stadium to shoot from the stands.

I believe both can do double duty as portrait lenses with the Nikkor85 having the edge. On the other hand, the Tamron90 offers macro & is cheaper.

Appreciate any and all feedback on these two lenses :)

[galee]

Closer range ah for band... hmm

From every corner I see, you need either the 80-200 or 70-200VR. Both are midrange tele-photo which is good for band as usual venue held for this kind of event is low in lighting... :D

[ShaolinTiger]

Completely different lenses, not comparable IMHO.

For the record I own both as they don't overlap in my books.

Both are excellent lenses, the Tamron is too sharp for portraiture, it's a pure bred macro lens, also the f/2.8 isnt fast enough for concert/venue photography.

You need f/1.8 or preferably f/1.4, I generally use 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.8.

Both are wonderfully sharp lenses, 85mm f/1.8 is a great lens for portraiture both indoors and outdoors.

It's sharp but not unflattering and can be wonderfully soft and dreamy at f/1.8.

I managed with the Tamron for a while, but it didn't do it for me.

For portraits now I use 85mm f/1.8, 70-300mm VR and 17-50mm f/2.8.

You could look for a second hand 80-200mm f/2.8 aswell, excellent lens.

Of course the best for band/venue photography is the 70-200VR f/2.8 and closeup with the 135mm f/2 or ever better the 200mm f/2 VR.

[mobbes]

Thanks for your response ST :)

Both are excellent lenses, the Tamron is too sharp for portraiture, it's a pure bred macro lens,
Might you have any examples that I could look at? Anyone else use the T90 for portraits who'd like to share their results?

Both are wonderfully sharp lenses, 85mm f/1.8 is a great lens for portraiture both indoors and outdoors.

It's sharp but not unflattering and can be wonderfully soft and dreamy at f/1.8.
I've seen what the N85 can do & I like it too. Just trying to see if the T90 could be my save-me-some-money-multi-purpose lens

You could look for a second hand 80-200mm f/2.8 aswell, excellent lens.

I've heard many good things about this and the 70-200VR ... unfortunately don't think I can handle the bulk and weight :)

[LoctorMayat]

85mm is useful for half body shots... or even full body if you can go far far and shoot...

the perspective produced by this lens is very pleasing for portraits... 50mm also a good portrait lens but the perspective is just different. With FOV crop the 50mm STILL has the telephoto compression of a ... well... 50mm.

Anyway, for SP90mm... it's a macro lens. Macro lens are designed to focus much closer for you to get that 1:1 magnification ratio. When you use it to shoot people, CAN.......

I have both lenses and I sold the SP90mm since I don't do much macro photography anymore.

What I can tell:

SP90mm:
- Colours are warmer (Don't know why all 3rd party lenses produce warm colours)
- Tack sharp
- Relatively Big & Heavy
- Focus is SLOW
- Excellent for macros coz that's what it is made for

85mm F/1.8:
- Superb half body shots portraits
- Sharp
- Good neutral colours
- Fast focusing
- Nicely built
- Small & Light

[Steven Chen]

For me, I will settle with sapu both lense, a new Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 & a 2nd hand Tamron 90mm Macro (since many out there for sale). Believe me, you will never ended up with just one lense, since both are different purpose lense. :D:D

[apocalypse]

From a beginner's point of view, you should just drop 70-300 VR coz you've mentioned you are looking at shooting live bands = dim lights.. hard to focus if you ask me...

if $$ is no object, 70-200 is the solution... BUY! BUY! BUY!

[mobbes]

Closer range ah for band... hmm

From every corner I see, you need either the 80-200 or 70-200VR. Both are midrange tele-photo which is good for band as usual venue held for this kind of event is low in lighting... :D

Of course the best for band/venue photography is the 70-200VR f/2.8 and closeup with the 135mm f/2 or ever better the 200mm f/2 VR.

From a beginner's point of view, you should just drop 70-300 VR coz you've mentioned you are looking at shooting live bands = dim lights.. hard to focus if you ask me...

if $$ is no object, 70-200 is the solution... BUY! BUY! BUY!
Wow, you guys really swear by this lens & focal range. Appreciate if y'all can post up any concert pics or links to live band pics taken with this lens ... I might just be "turned over" :)