I am looking at buying a 85mm f1.4 Minolta. Speaking from experience, the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 is a remarkable lens. But it doesn't fit a Minolta body. Why do you want to switch? How much have you already got invested in your kit?

Speaking from experience, the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 is a remarkable lens. But it doesn't fit a Minolta body. Why do you want to switch? How much have you already got invested in your kit? I`ll be using a 28mm, 50mm and a 85mm.  Minolta has a fair 50mm and 28mm.  I am going to invest in two flashes, maybe a Dynax 9, a wireless controller and a 85mm. I am close to bying an entire system.  If word has it that the Minolta 85 is mediocor to the competition, I might go for a used 1N, to name one. I`ll loose about 200$, if i switch. Frode

<< I`ll be using a 28mm, 50mm and a 85mm.  Minolta has a fair 50mm and 28mm.  I am going to invest in two flashes, maybe a Dynax 9, a wireless controller and a 85mm. I am close to bying an entire system.  If word has it that the Minolta 85 is mediocor to the competition, I might go for a used 1N, to name one. I`ll loose about 200$, if i switch. Frode   I guess the question is what are you planning on doing with your photography. Are you showing your work?  Selling it?  If you're interested in doing portraits, especially for sale, maybe you might just want to look into MF. Make no mistake, the Minolta 85 is sharp.  Are the others sharper?  I really can't say...but what I can say is that if you're doing portraits, sharpness is a double edged sword.  Pock marks, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, moustaches on women, zits, saggy jowls, bad teeth, bloodshot eyes are often part of the human condition.  IF that's what you're so intent on capturing then by all means go for the sharpest of sharp lens you can get.  Heck, maybe just get a sharp macro lens so you can get INTO the pores! ; - ) It seems like you have a couple choices...looking at bar graphs demonstrating sharpness....asking folks what they think is best and hoping their eyes match yours...or borrowing/renting comperable lenses and doing tests on your own. Especially since it sounds like you're going to plunk down big money on  glass, a pro-body as well as flashes, you might want to go this route. IF, however, you will feel most comfortable with a system that other folks tell you is THE BEST, then I'd suggest just losing the $200 and switching to a system that makes you feel more confident in your shooting...since much of what makes a great portrait shot...in my book at least, is the artistry of the photographer.

I am close to bying an entire system.  If word has it that the Minolta 85 is mediocre to the competition, I might go for a used 1N, to name one. Looking closely at the Photodo graphs, it appears that the main reason the Minolta 85mm f/1.4 scores lower than the Nikon is that it isn't as sharp at f/1.4 as the Nikon is at f/1.8.  What would you expect?  It is just hard to retain optical sharpness at lower F stops.  At f/2.8, f/4 and f/8 the Minolta is almost as good as the Nikon (.02 difference). Personally I would really prefer to have an f/1.4 over an f/1.8 lens! The 85mm lens offerings are not a reason to switch away from Minolta. The Canon 300 f/4 or 100-400 L IS, now THOSE are reasons to switch.

The 85mm lens offerings are not a reason to switch away from Minolta. The Canon 300 f/4 or 100-400 L IS, now THOSE are reasons to switch. Aehhmm... Minolta has a 4/300... or is the Canon with IS? Then it is a different thing. =) An other thing would be a TSE lens. Just hoping Minolta brings out one... somewhen. -Leonhard

The 85mm lens offerings are not a reason to switch away from Minolta. The Canon 300 f/4 or 100-400 L IS, now THOSE are reasons to switch. Aehhmm... Minolta has a 4/300... or is the Canon with IS? The Canon 300mm f/4 IS weighs 160 grams less than the Minolta, and has full time manual focus! and 150cm versus 250cm close focus!! and IS!!! Nikon makes a lot of lenses, but not many that I would want, especially at the prices they currently charge for AFS and VR.