Leica Summilux-r 80mm f1.4 vs Nikkor 85mm f1.4

[wolan]

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Hi,

happy new year to everybody.

Which one of the two would you choose? And why?

 

Please share your thoughts

Thank you

 

[chasdfg]

Which Nikkor 85mm 1.4 version? The 80lux is my favourite portrait lens, after going through the 85 1.4D and 1.4G from Nikon and messing about with some 85s from Sony and Canon. I'd say the 1.4D might be next (1.4G wasn't anywhere close, it was rather sterile for me). Never tried the Nikon 85 1.4 AIS, so apologies in advance if your post refers to the AIS version.

1.4D vs 80lux:

Arguably the 85mm 1.4D also has a similar "look" to the 80lux as it too is under-corrected from today's perspective, is lower contrast and lacks modern-lens crispness wide open (but also sharp enough for me), and I liked the way both lenses flared. In these senses they have more in common than not compared to other 85mms I've used, on paper anyway. The main difference would be rendering, which is entirely personal preference (sample pics on flickr/the web would probably be best as I don't have anything side-by-side since i owned them years apart). Both knocked my socks off when I first got them but the 80lux had an enduring quality of continuing to knock my socks off every time I used it. It's one of the few lenses I regretted selling. Many will speak of the dual-character of the 80lux in being softer (not as soft as a Noct f1) wide open, but sharp stopped down even just to f2 or 2.8, which is very useful and provides flexibility to the photographer depending on situation. To be honest, I never shot the 85mm 1.4D stopped down very much, so can't verify if this applies to it (though I can't imagine why it wouldn't, though in a different way perhaps?).

Years later, I eventually got a 75lux, which has that look the 80lux but with its fair share of pros and cons...mainly mechanical, in having rangefinder coupling vs ninja star aperture blade shapes stopped down and the 75lux being twice the price or more for a lens I don't use much (this is for another conversation). I did consider the 85 1.4D again in the years in the intervening years when I didn't have a lens longer than 50mm. Nevertheless, if I had to pick one of the two, hands down, it would be the 80lux. I'd probably say the same if the Nikon 1.4 was the AIS version. I just hold the 80lux in that high regard.

Edited January 6, 2021 by chasdfg

[Narsuitus]

I own and use the following cameras and lenses for head & shoulder portraits and reportage type shooting:

85mm f/1.4 auto focus Nikkor on Nikon F4 35mm SLR

90mm f/2 Leitz Summicron on Leica M6 35mm rangefinder

180mm f/4.5 Mamiya on RB67 medium format SLR

The thought of using an adapter to mount the Leica Summilux-r 80mm f/1.4 on my Leica M6 is repulsive.

The auto focus 85mm f/1.4 Nikkor is hard to beat for portraits and reportage type shooting on a Nikon SLR.

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Film Portrait Cameras by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[Jeffry Abt]

I use the Nikon 85mm f /1,1:4 D with my SL2 for portraits. The combination makes fine images. I of course focus manually.

Edited January 7, 2021 by Jeffry Abt

[pgk]

It would depend on whether I had a Nikon or Leica R. Both are great lenses and will have only subtle differences. Whilst 'adapted' lenses work ok (I use many myself), they are not as easy to use as original equipment designed to work with the camera. I have had an 80/1.4 but now use a 75/1.4 on my Ms - it will work on the Sony cameras that I also use, but I much prefer to use it on the Ms where it works as intended.

[ZHNL]

Having both 80lux and 85d. Both are very special. I like 80lux better than 75lux but I can’t say I prefer it over 85f1.4d. 85d is sharper and has smoother bokeh most of the time but at the same time the image looks cleaner than 80lux. This could be better or worse. 80lux’s magic happen at close range, the background will be blurred to hide any busyness in this case and the spherical aberration dominate the image, render is very special like nothing you can find with modern glass. 85d will be cleaner with CFC close focus correction, so you won’t see the same look. However, at typical half body portrait distance, 85d is magic with good sharpness at the same time keep right amount of spherical aberration to make image nice looking. These two are my favorite mid tele range lenses. 

Edited January 8, 2021 by ZHNL

[Gobert]

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Nikkor 85/1.4D and Nikkor 85/1.4G have completely different characteristics. The D version is their Bokeh king, the G version is very sharp. The D version has it’s own aperure ring, G version is lacking it, but has a way better AF. D version is made of steel, G version is made of high quality plastic (which I personally never liked).

In my Nikon days I use to work with the D version, merely for portraits. Then I changed it for the G version, but a year later or so I changed it back for the D version.