As one of theforgotten announcements of CES 2012, a lot of people ignored Nikon's new lens, the 85 f1.8G, when confronted with its flagship dSLR,the D4. However, for anyone who cared to look, the 85G us quite a lens, incorporating the latest of technology and continuing the trend of Nikon updating its old, mechanical-drive 'D' lenses with AF-S motors, thus allowing full compatibility with all current Nikon dSLRs.
Now, this being a direct update, one can't help but ask the question: which lens to buy, the new 'G' or the old 'D?' Well, let's have a shoot-out.
Advantage: 85G
AF-S focus
Usable on all current dSLRs
Closer focusing
Advantage: 85D
Smaller
Lighter
Can be used on MF cameras
Cheaper
Which to buy? Well, on paper, that's a pretty tough choice. The question of which one to get will all depend on what kind of camera you're shooting. If you like to shot MF film, the 'D' is a no-brainer thanks to its aperture ring. If your camera is one without an internal AF motor, by all means, shell out the extra cash and get the 'G' so you can AF. If these scenarios don't apply to you, it may be worth waiting for the 'G' to hit the market and get tested to see what kind of images it produces.
Want to buy the 85 f1.8G in the Cleveland area? Well, there's Cleveland-based Dodd Camera, with its downtown superstore. In addition, there are many smaller Cleveland metro area chain stores in the Cuyahoga County area, too. Live West of Cleveland? Loomis Camera, located in downtown Elyria, Lorain County, is another place to go for all your photographic needs. Both are authorized Nikon dealers. As for availability and pricing, the lens is expected to hit stores at a price of around $499.95 with the first shipments hitting stores in March.
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