Tuesday, February 15, 2011

85 millimeters of glory

I have drooled over a lens for a while now.  All the reviews and research I encountered all said that it is everything that is good and pure and right in the world.  I put it on my wish list long ago...  Well, since then Nikon started the process of upgrading their lenses to include even more fancy-pantsness and my beloved drool-inducing wished-for lens was upgraded.

Fast forward to today and after much bru-ha-ha, complications, cancellations and good ol' fashioned bad customer service (by Nikon directly no less, hmph!) I hold in my hot little hands the wonderment of glass.  I bit the bullet and got the AF-S 85mm 1.4G.

Now - I feel like I need to explain myself here.  My everyday lens for the past - oh I don't know - long time, has been the 17-55mm f2.8.  It is a wonderful, fabulous, glorious lens and I adore it.  And I have gotten used to the zooming capabilities as well as the general wideness of it, so when I slapped on a 85mm prime - it really threw me for a loop!  First of all 85mm is a long way away, especially on a DX camera body and secondly, someone who is accustomed to the 17-55 range - well, is accustomed to the 17-55 range.

I am thinking that I am going to love my new lens, I really do believe that (just look at that bokeh!) - but in the meantime, it is really going to take some playing to feel comfortable with it.  So that's exactly what I did, I played!  My poor photo subject (aka: daughter) is getting annoyed with the camera in her face, but hey - at least I took her somewhere she could swing and be annoyed at the same time.

Most of these were taken at f1.6 and let me tell you - that is HARD to capture a 3 year old at 1.4 and get a decent focus.  Practice, practice, practice.

Notice the sidewalk behind her foot is in focus?  Ya, she's not.

Look at the sharp eye there - lovely bokeh.

Love the speed of the 1.6 - this was low light conditions in the fort - but again the focus is a bit off. (hey, it's hard at such an open aperture!)

Just look at that dreamy blur action.  I hope to perfect this eventually

FAST!

Do you have a favorite lens that is your go to?  I love the capability of this one - but it hasn't replaced  my 17-55mm as favorite yet...  

19 comments:

  1. These pictures are absolutely gorgeous!

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  2. Wow, these photos are gorgeous...she is so cute!

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  3. great shots! i have that same focus problem with my 3 year old :) I live by my 50mm 1.4, I rarely take it off, but am thinking I may need to try the 85 and see the difference for myself!

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  4. First of all, she is a doll! Secondly, I think your shots are beautiful. Just call it... Creative focus. ;). Sometimes the best pics aren't perfect.

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  5. It was so fun to 'meet' you @ #photochat!
    Kayla is an absolute doll!!!
    Those are some incredible shots you captured at 1.4. *I* think they're gorgeous!

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  6. Your little one is adorable. I love the first and last shots from behind. Enjoy that new lens. I'm totaly jealous.

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  7. Missy, these are all so beautiful. Without your commentary I would have thought they were all perfect:) I just picked up a book the other day on photography, so I will be experimenting with the basics.

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  8. Wonderful pics, love the tutu! I know what you mean about focusing on kids, when I get an in focus pic of my 11 mo old I jump for joy;) You are such a talented photographer!

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  9. oh my -- that last photo? I think I need that lens!!!

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  10. Love that tutu! she knows how to rock it! adorable!

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  11. Well, first off, she is GORGEOUS. Would not take much to get a great shot with that subject!!

    And the lens. Yes, they do take time to adjust too, but I'm very partial to prime lens. Love them.

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  12. What a beautiful girl! And beautiful photos too! I wouldn't have even noticed the tiny bit they were out of focus if you hadn't mentioned anything.

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  13. I can see why you love this lens - beautiful shots (and what a little cutie-pie, love the skirt)! I think my favorite is still my 50mm, 1.8... for now, anyway! :)

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  14. Because, why WOULDN'T you wear boots and a tutu? LOVE.

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  15. These are beautiful photos! Your daughter is adorable, and the tutu...so sweet! I just got a 50mm lens, and I am trying to practice with it. It's really taking some getting used to!

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  16. beautiful, beautiful photos... just contemplating the nikon 17?-105mm... i usually use a tameron 60mm that i love, but want that zoom! so funny you went in reverse. :)

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