85'ers: Milvus 85/1.4 vs. Nikkor 85/1.8G

[stenrasmussen]

Ok, not a fair comparison at all...one may think. But to go straight to the gut of this:
The Nikkor is actually really, really good compared to the german prince.
Price: The price ratio is in the order of 4.40557275541796:1 when the noggie currency is on the sticker. It is clear that Zeiss has done their homework and are charging accordingly.
Physics: The weight ratio is in the order of 2.03361344537815:1 when the scale's display shows the grams. It is clear that metal and glass elements that go up to 11 weighs more than "plastic" and glass elements that only goes up to 10. The Zeiss requires a lot of manual rotation in order to make sure the target is in focus. The Nikkor less so...a lot less. Going to the gym regularly is almost a prerequisite in order to lift the Tiger tank.
Optics: The resolution ratio is in the order of 1.234567891011:1 when the non-pixelpeeping is omitted and real world results are looked at. Even in the extreme corners of coma land there is hardly any difference. The light gathering ability is of course non-negotiable as the 1/3 EV faster lens from Oberkochen wins. When the aperture gets smaller and smaller the difference closes as well and my memory still banks this fact.
Some samples below, the paper close-ups are at 100% crop and the one with the candles is at 25% crop. The last two are landscape shots at each lens' full opening.

[PedroS]

Very interesting.
Thanks for sharing.
Can you do it versus the Nikkor 85mm f1.4 G?

[stenrasmussen]

With regards to OOF rendering I threw in the 58G for comparison. To me it's easy to see why the neonoct is a smooth rendering tool 
At this short distance it is almost like Zeiss have a smoother foreground drawing than the background smoothie of the 58. The 85/1.8G is more even Steven.
The first is a 50% crop and in the 100% crop I've increased saturation, contrast and brightness to highlight LOCA. The Milvus is also living la vida LOCA.

[Erik Lund]

For sure the 85mm 1.4 G is missing here but wow the 58mm 1.4 G is a Bokeh machine

Thanks Sten - Wonderfull night shot btw

[Bjørn Rørslett]

All this serves to show that there is nothing magical about the 'Zeiss' designation. Phew. I deleted the Zeiss 85/1.4 immediately from my list of candidate lenses. Did the same with the ZF 50/1.4, but then after test-shooting it first. You saved me the bother for the 85. Thanks.

[Jakov Minić]

For sure the 85mm 1.4 G is missing here but wow the 58mm 1.4 G is a Bokeh machine

Thanks Sten - Wonderfull night shot btw

Is it the Nikon 85/1.4G or Nikon 85/1.8G?
I am curious how the Nikon 85/1.4G would behave in such a test.

Thanks for the test Sten and lovely night-scape!

[stenrasmussen]

I may get hold of a 85/1.4G for a quickie.

[Erik Lund]

Is it the Nikon 85/1.4G or Nikon 85/1.8G?
I am curious how the Nikon 85/1.4G would behave in such a test.

Thanks for the test Sten and lovely night-scape!

I was wishing for the 85mm 1.4 G images... 

[Frank Fremerey]

The 58 neo noct features extreme smoth transition from sharper to unsharper parts of the frame.

That is what connisseurs pay the money for.

Thank you Sten

For me straight steven kind of guy the 1.8/85 and the 1.8/50 are great enough and I would
own the 1.8/24 if I would not already have the 1.4/24 to full satisfaction

[aerobat]

Many thanks for the comparison. For me the most interesting is to see the smooth rendering of the 58mm Nikkor.

[JohnBrew]

Wow, thanks for this Sten. Great job, btw. I, too, was wondering about the differences (if any). You have put to rest all the bs. I had the 85 1.4G which produced just fantastic results, but I sold it on as it was a pita to manual focus.