85mm f/1.4 for Nikon

[Sachphotography]

Ok so I was doing some searching and came across this...

Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Nikon SLY85N -


First off I know it is MF. But 349? seriously? Anybody used one?
Any thoughts. I have to wonder at the quality of this. I have seen similar glass under different names...Vivitar, Rokinon...ECT....I bet the coma is out of this world...

 

[tirediron]

I'd file this under the heading of, "You'll get what you pay for".

 

[Derrel]

About a year ago,I went to the Manual Focus Forum and found some very good links of sample pages from that lens, mostly from Japanese photographers enamored of wide-aperture "bokeh photography". I downloaded about 150 high-quality sample pics from the lens, from all over the web...the lens is available under multiple brand names--Vivitar, Samyang, Bower, etc...it's the same lens, produced in Korea.

It's manual focusing, which is pretty easy technology to manufacture. The lens offers pretty good bokeh. It's well worth the money, in my estimation.

 

[shaunly]

Nikon 85mm Center Sharpness Comparison

Yes I kno it's Ken, but it's the only review that is a direct comparison with other nikon 85.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

for $350 it's actually a pretty darn good lens.

 

[shaunly]

Here's the flickr group for it

Flickr: Vivitar 85/1.4 Aspherical

 

[bigboi3]

Here's the flickr group for it

Flickr: Vivitar 85/1.4 Aspherical

Whoa. I'm impressed with the IQ out of that lens.

 

[Derrel]

This lens is sold all over the world....if you want to search for photos made by this particular 85mm 1.4 with aspherical design, search for the following brands:

Bower, Samyang, Opteka, Rokinon, Polar (in Asian markets), Vivitar, Walimex (in Australia)

 

[Sachphotography]

I bet that would be a great lens for Video on a DSLR.... Since you manual focus mostly.

Yeah I saw a bunch of different brands of this lens.

Im so tempted. One on ebay buy it now.....235! If I get it ill post some test shots for everyone.

 

[shaunly]

I noticed from the flickr group images, there's a lot of miss focused point. My guess is, it's most likely due to the ultra shallow DOF from the f/1.4 and MF. Either that or the focusing ring just sucks.

 

[Sachphotography]

I noticed from the flickr group images, there's a lot of miss focused point. My guess is, it's most likely due to the ultra shallow DOF from the f/1.4 and MF. Either that or the focusing ring just sucks.

1.4 is very shallow. They are going for 200-235 on ebay. I think I am going to get one. I think it could be pretty good for the price. I Man focused for 12 years and have a pretty good eye. That in addition to my D300, I think this would be a great lens for portraits. Time will tell

 

[Sachphotography]

Well I bit. When I get it in I will do a review of it on my D300 and post some test shots. I have not heard any bad about it really. Lots of good surprisingly. AF lovers might differ... lol
Ill keep everyone updated