In article <32ca4a82.987532@news.microtec.net>, dcardish@microtec.net says...

>What do you think of the 85/1.4 AIS lens for portraits (especially
>natural light)?

It is good. Both the 85mm f1.4 Nikkor and 85mm f1.8 AF Nikkor perform
well near minimum focus, even at wide apertures. The otherwise excellent
85mm f2 softens somewhat near minimum focus distance at wide apertures
(no compensating CRC or IF...). The early MF 85mm f1.8 is also excellent,
but more flare-prone than later designs. It would be hard to go wrong
selecting ANY Nikkor 85mm...
Hope This Helps