On 18 Aug 1998 07:15:54 GMT, ddchao@garbanzo.engr.ucdavis.edu (David Daiwei Chao) wrote:

>Recently I saw this lens (used) priced for $200. I only took a quick
>look at it, but as far as I can tell, besides some cosmetic scratches,
>the lens themselves look fine with no scratches. I'd rank it at least an
>8 or even 9. I believe it is an AI lens, manual, and comes with front
>and rear lens caps as well as a metal hood (scratches, no dents). I'm in
>the market for a 85mm lens, so I was hoping people here can give me some
>performance and quality evaluations. Specifically, I was wondering if this
>lens compares well with the current 85/1.8 AF-D lens which is priced at
>around $340 or so. Many thanks.

In a good sample (these vary slightly...), the 85mm f2 is excellent
wide-open, and sharp to the corners. Performance improves some
with stopping down, but not enough to consider that necessary
(with the exception that performance declines at wide stops near
the minimum focus distance). The AF 85mm f1.8 is very similar in
performance, but with the corners worse near infinity focus, and
with better overall performance near minimum focus. I take the
small/light/sharp/fast 85mm f2 with me unless I really need
the extra speed of the f1.4 (the f1.8 is not enough faster than f2
to worry about...). All the Nikkor 85mm lens versions are excellent.
BTW, you may find my Nikkor evaluation list (on my web page
under "I babble") interesting...