What a find! This is one of Nikon's best lenses and yet it is one of its cheapest--a remarkable bargain. In particular, it is an exceptionally sharp lens. It just might become the sharpest that you own. You have to try out this lens to appreciate just how excellent it is. And as you know, the better and larger your camera sensor’s size and resolution, the better performance you will get with the right lens & camera coupling. That is what DxOMark’s benchmark tests are based upon, pairings, and you can see on that site that this lens is very highly ranked. Basically it matches the performance ranking of this Nikkor 85 1.8G's heavier big brother that is $1,100 more expensive and equally highly regarded 85 mm f1.4
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras
. In my tests, although I love that lens too, I did not find what I needed in its performance wide open so why pay more? Some of my colleagues counter that it has better glass and a heavier build that is well worth the difference. It is a heftier lens, solidly built but just not the best choice available for my travel kit or budget. In a blind test I doubt I could distinguish which print came from which of these two Nikkor 85mm lenses.
On the other end of the price scale, if you are on a tight budget you can still find deals on older 85D auto focus lenses like these ones presently starting around $300 on Amazon,
Nikon 85mm f/1.8D Auto Focus Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras - Fixed
. There is also a faster, well respected, more expensive model, the 85D 1.4 that still has many loyal fans,
Nikon 85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
. All of these Nikkor 85 mm lenses offer very good to excellent optical quality. In general, from what I have seen over the years I think most newer lenses have more contrast and better color saturation because of improved internal coatings but the optical quality of the older glass is still superb. The "D" models have advantages of distance scales for DoF and infinity hard stops. As a Nikon user you have a lot of 85mm lenses from which to choose. And if you do not need auto focus Nikon's even older lenses might interest you and come at a great price. As a general rule, the problem with manual focus today is that digital cameras do not usually offer view screens that are close to being the most appropriate for manual focus and that is compounded by modern lenses' barrels, except for Zeiss, that no longer make it easy to control critical focus by offering more distance to gradually move the barrel as needed. Yes, I can and do manual focus but it is not remotely as easy as it was to control focus as in the film camera days when cameras used specialized screens and lenses were designed exclusively for manual focus. Otherwise my recommendations would be a bit different.
Do I have a list of Cons? Just two. The Nikkor 85G does not have image stabilization. Frankly, that would not be reasonably expected at this price, currently about $476. I have rarely, if ever, had image blur using this lens in the studio or outdoors. In part, that is also explained by using it most of the time between f4 and f5.6 at fast shutter speeds so motion is a less likely factor and the auto focus is dependable. Nonetheless, if you have any problems keeping your camera steady without a tripod, then the lack of VR would not be your best choice. Read on below for an 85 mm lens from Tamron that is also very sharp and it has image stabilization. One problem often reported for this Nikkor that I do see is CA on edges where there is quite high contrast. Thankfully, LR and other programs quickly and easily remove it. An lastly, although not really a con, this lens is not intended to be used for things like landscape photography. It performs best at or near wide open depending upon how much DoF you require. That doesn't mean you can't use it. It is still a good lens stopped down but there are simply better lens choices for things like landscape. You can still go ahead and use it in a pinch.
Third party alternatives? There are lots. I would be remiss if I did not mention some of the highly regarded 85 mm lenses that other manufacturers offer including my favorites if budget no longer matters. Zeiss offers several, terrific 85 mm lenses both old and new. But for most folks their higher price and lack of auto focus could be deal breakers. Tamron offers a new, highly rated alternative with auto focus for $749 that is distinguished by being the first 85 mm lens with image stabilization (VC),
Tamron AFF016N700 SP 85mm F/1.8 Di VC USD Lens (Black)
. I have not used it but but there are sufficient reviews that agree it is exceptionally sharp, that the VC is effective, but there are also some reports of consistent focus issues. In general, if the user is not at fault, there are two common kinds of trouble. Any manufacturer's lenses can suffer from focus shift but thankfully, unless the lens is damaged, that can be fine tuned in-camera to correct by the user. The other kind is more complicated and it only affects third party lenses' in their auto focus compatibility. It is a quite a different focussing issue. All third party lenses can have such problems with Nikon because it does not share its proprietary, secret handshake between camera and lens to ensure the highest level and consistency of auto focus compatibility. Companies have no recourse except to reverse engineer. But care must be taken in doing so to avoid patent infringement. In fact, Nikon successfully sued Sigma for a lot of money on that account c. 2011.
Sigma makes my highest recommendation for an 85 mm lens, the recently released, 85 1.4 lens from its renowned Art series,
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Nikon F (321955)
which at this time sells for $1,200. What distinguishes Sigma from competitors so far is that it came up with a good, cheap solution that can correct focus shift and any compatibility problems (so far) with Nikon cameras, using its affordable $59 dock,
Sigma USB Dock for Nikon
. The dock does not work with every Sigma lens but it covers all of the Art series plus some others. I have had excellent results with these lenses. IMO, their 50 1.4 Art lens is the best lens I have ever used in terms of sharpness and resolution although there have been Leica and Zeiss lenses that are also stellar. This Art series is an especially great match for my Nikon D800e. At this moment, the Sigma 85 1.4 Art is the highest rated lens overall at DxOMark. And just like the Sigma 50 1.4 Art, this newly released Sigma 85 1.4 Art lens rivals the performance of the esteemed Zeiss Otus lenses at their respected focal lengths. The Zeiss Otus 85 mm 1.4 lens,
Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 Apo Planar ZF.2 Series Manual Focusing Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras
is outstanding, manual only, and at $4,400, is by far the most expensive 85mm lens you can buy that fits a Nikon. Zeiss offers other excellent performing 85 mm lenses for less with a Nikon F mount but they all are manual focus only and are still relatively expensive such as the Milvus 85 1.4,
Zeiss Milvus 85mm f/1.4 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F
. Older, very good Zeiss 85 mm lenses will be less. I admit that I am a fan of Zeiss. Its lenses have always demonstrated a distinctive look with remarkably attractive color rendering and contrast. Just don't expect to see Zeiss lenses with auto focus for Nikon.
Before you buy an 85 mm focal length lens which I will assume is for portraiture, what are the best alternatives? This is a subjective matter. First of all nothing I can recommend is going to be as fine a performer or nearly as inexpensive as this Nikkor 85G AND also be as small and light weight. And of course, if you do primarily want it for portraits, 85 mm has been a favorite focal length for generations. But don’t feel constrained by convention. For example, some people prefer 50mm for portraits. However, if your subject has any feature that is larger than average you might find a 50mm lens exacerbates that. The counter argument would be that knowledgable posing technique and post production can minimize such problems. You will also being working closer to your subject for better or for worse. But if you do prefer a "normal" lens and you especially love bokeh, the Nikkor 58 mm
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G Fixed Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras
is exceptional for portraits. Sometimes it gets a bad rap but I think it is easily misunderstood because of its intended purpose. It is a kind of speciality lens because of the impressive way it makes distinctive transitions moving between what is sharpest to areas that are out of focus. The bokeh is remarkable, as good or better as anything I have seen. But again, that is a subjective matter. I just do not consider it to be an all purpose normal lens although I know people who disagree although with a few caveats.
Overall though, for portraiture, I recommend looking within the focal range of 85, 105, and to a lesser extent, 135 mm primes or else weigh the trade offs in using a relatively light weight zoom like the excellent Nikkor 70-200mm f/4 lens
Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
which costs about $1,400. I offer that range because there is never a single answer for all of us about what best suits our personal needs so keep your options open to begin with. If you like to work in low light obviously you will appreciate the fastest lens models at any focal length. But they will tend to be considerably larger, heavier and more expensive. No flying submarine exists although I come back to our little Nikkor 85G 1.8 lens that IMO just might come closest to offering a compelling case for being the best compromise. And you can't beat its quality for the price. Nonetheless, there are several alternatives I have mentioned here that deserve your consideration.
If feasible, nothing beats a side by side comparison of lenses using tests that are appropriate in covering everything it is you like to do and that you do the most frequently. See how it feels in yours, the balance with your camera as well as its optics. Those are the keys. Cameras come and go but it is solid planning to buy the best lenses you can when you can. It is very old but wise advice. I wish you great success in your hunt.
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This Item  Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Fixed Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $476.95 | -25% $599.00 New Price: $796.95 | $216.95 | -28% $1,502.08 New Price: $2,096.95 | $526.95 | $196.95 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 30 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 30 | Get it May 1 - 3 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Picture quality | ||||||
| Quality of material | ||||||
| Auto focus | ||||||
| For portrait photography | ||||||
| Durability | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Minty Gadgets (we track serial numbers) | Amazon.com | Minty Gadgets (we track serial numbers) | Norman Camera & Video | Amazon.com |
| lens type | Telephoto | Standard | Standard | Telephoto | Wide Angle | Standard |
| compatible mountings | Nikon F (FX) | Nikon F (DX) | Nikon F (FX) | Nikon F | Nikon F (FX) | Nikon F (DX) |
| lens design | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Zoom | Prime |
| focus type | Ultrasonic | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Ring-type ultrasonic | Auto Focus |
| minimum focal length | 85 millimeters | 20 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 105 millimeters | 35 millimeters | 35 millimeters |
| max focal length | 85 millimeters | 20 millimeters | 50 millimeters | — | 35 millimeters | 35 millimeters |
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Review: Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Fixed Lens
Honest Family Reviews
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Great Lens with Beautiful Bokeh
I was looking at the 85mm lens. I was torn between the 85mm f/1.8G lens and the 85mm f/3.5G Micro lens. While I enjoy taking macro/micro shots, I wanted a lens that was sharp and had good bokeh. I also wanted to use the lens for general photography. I was spoiled using my 40mm f/2.8G micro lens as it does a great job with both micro and general photography. I decided on the 85mm f/1.8G lens. I haven't looked back.This 85mm f/1.8 is a sharp lens with beautiful bokeh. I use this lens with my Nikon D7000 which equates to a focal length of 127.5mm. It took awhile to get used to the distance or focal length. I usually have to take a step or two back to get the object/subject to focus.I currently use the lens for florals and garden pictures. The pictures are sharp from f/1.8 through f/16. The bokeh is beautiful at f/1.8 through f/2.8. Creamy is the word that comes to mind. I've been really happy with the results from this lens.I've posted some pictures in the gallery. There's a few florals (e.g. daylilies) and I also took some pictures of the packaging for this lens.I'll be back to post any updates and additional pictures.** Update 07/12/12 **I've had the chance to use this lens over several days taking pictures for a VBS event at my church. This lens does an amazing job with portraits. I set my D7k to Aperture and f/4. The bokeh is beautiful. I like how my focused subject appears to pop out of my pictures. Love this prime lens even at 128mm (DX). I've figured out how far (distance) I need to stand away from my subjects. My pictures are very sharp! Great lens!** Update 08/09/12 **This has been my "go to" lens for the last several weeks. I'm using this lens for taking candid shots and portraits of people. I mentioned before that I have to take a step or two back when I compose my pictures. I love doing this as I don't appear to be intrusive with my camera. Sometimes folks don't even notice I'm taking their pictures.I've been using this lens in low light and haven't been disappointed. I love the results I'm getting.** Update 09/02/12 **This lens is now on my camera full time. It has become my favorite fixed prime lens (over my 50mm, 40mm, and my 35mm). I'm still getting great results whether photographing inside or outside. My images are always coming out sharp with lovely bokeh.** Update 09/23/12 **I used this lens for a class photo shoot using my D7000. Set my aperture around f/4 and f/5.6. I was extremely pleased with the end results. Pictures were sharp. I'm having a blast with this lens!** Update 11/10/12 **I'm now a proud owner of the Nikon D600 full frame DSLR camera. I mounted this 85mm lens and what a beautiful combination. Now I know what other reviewers mean when they say it's a fantastic portrait lens. It truly is! I'm getting beautiful results and it's great to be able to use this lens as a true 85mm.** Update 10/02/13 **I had another opportunity to use this lens for another class photo shoot, but this time with my D600 camera. The portraits came out beautifully. Sharp pictures with lovely bokeh at f/4. No surprise that this lens and my D600...a great combination. One of the students peered at the back of my camera to see what the pictures looked like. Her comment: "Wow...the pictures are clear!"
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Nicole Robson
Great lens
Reviewed in Canada on July 27, 2022*: BlackVerified Purchase
Nicole Robson
Reviewed in Canada on July 27, 2022
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Pascual lopez Alba
Bra varan snabb leverans och kommunikation ok
Reviewed in Sweden on May 3, 2023*: BlackVerified Purchase
