Hi--

>On manual focus cameras the 1.4 will be brighter than the 1.8.
>
>Not commonly known is that the screens on modern AF cameras are optimized
>for brightness with slower lenses.
>
>The matte part does not even admit light from part of the lens faster than
>about f/2.8 to f/2.
>
>Therefore, on an AF camera the 1.8 will be as bright as the 1.4. I
>discovered this by using the depth-of-field preview with a 1.4 lens, and
>noticing that it doesn't get any darker at f/2.
>
>You can confirm this by looking through the front of a lens at the focussing
>screen. On an MF camera you will see the entire clear aperture of the lens
>illuminated. On my F100 only the middle of the clear aperture conforming to
>about f/2.5 is lit. Nikon does this with a very clever laser machining of
>the screen.
>
>I have the 85/2 MF and love it. Darned if I can MF well enough to make use
>of f/1.4 anyway. The F100 is also not perfect with focus, so the main
>benefit to me of the 1.4 over 1.8 is that the 1.4 AF looks cooler. Image
>would be the same, and to be honest, the 1.8 probably has less linear
>distortion and flare.
kenneth.r.rockwell@exgate.tek.com

Yes, to all...! ;-)
(Nasty AF cameras!!! ;-)
But the F100/F5 have far sharper VF's than most AF cameras
(the 8008 is a useable second - as sharp in the center, less sharp
at the edges...).
I usually leave the f1.4 85mm MF home in favor of the small 85mm f2 MF
unless I need the speed - the f2 is easier to carry, hold, and focus.
(BTW, it would be nice to post the above observations on r.p.e.35mm...)