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Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D Review

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8

The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 is the little brother to the Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4. The 85mm f/1.4 has a rather stiff price tag to it at almost $1000, compared to about $400 for the f/1.8 version reviewed here. One thing that's quite special about the f/1.8 version is that it's a RF design, meaning the focusing is carried out with the rear lens group. The outer casting is built with plastic, and this is where you get what you pay for comes in mind. As usual the lens will be tested on a Nikon D3 Dslr.

Specifications


Lens Construction: 6 elements in 6 groups
Picture Angle: 28°30 (35mm/FX)
Minimum focus distance: 0.85m
Filter Size: 62mm
Lens Hood: HN-23
Included accessories: Front lens cap
Rear lens cap LF-1
Size: Approx.

71.5mm length: 58.5mm

weight: 380g
Diaphragm: 9 straight blades
Price from: $424.95 USD

Positives


  • Price vs performance, outperforms it's price with ease.
  • DOF/IR markings, although it's only provided Depth Of Field for f/11 and f/16
  • Bokeh, creamy and smooth.
  • CA no problems with CA was detected at any aperture.
  • Size and weight, the downside is poor build quality though.

Drawbacks


  • Build quality, don't bang it around to much.
  • Not as much "snap" wide open as the 85mm f/1.4

Verdict

Quite an astonishing lens, performance is almost at top of the line. The lens outperforms it's price with ease, delivering great results. Contrast is pretty damn good even wide open. I rated this lens for portrait photography, as this is what the lens is more or less made for. I would rate it 4 out of 5 for other types of shooting, the reason for this is quite simple, on a portrait lens it's ok for some softness wide open. From f/2 and to f/8 the lens shows remarkable results. Definitely worth it's price.

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Price from: $424.95 USD

Alternatives

Purchasing items through these links helps me adding more content to this website. The links takes you to B&H's website, which is my recommended store to get equipment from. I've used B&H personally since 2005, and I get all my equipment from them these days(including the lenses used for these reviews). Thanks for your support, Fredrik.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF. Price From: $1,149.95 USD

Nikon MF Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D PC-E. Price From: $1,699.95 USD

Nikon AF DC Nikkor 105mm f/2.0D Price From: $1,019.95 USD

Vivitar 85mm f/1.4 Series 1 Price: $349.95 USD

*Prices are subject to change. Listed price is from March 7, 2010

Sample Pictures

Images have been imported to photoshop CS4 through Capture NX 2 thus leaving the original image settings as shot, I. E white balance, sharpening, etc .etc. Full resolution sample images are in RGB color mode. Check out my copyright page for information about usage of these images.

 
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Camera Nikon D3 Nikon D3, Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 @ f/1.8
ISO 640
Picture control Portrait
Focal Length 85mm
Exposure 1/250sec f/1.8
   
   
   
Camera Nikon D3 Nikon D3, AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 @ f/2
ISO 1000
Picture control Landscape
Focal Length 85mm
Exposure 1/250sec f/2
   
   
   
Camera Nikon D3 Nikon D3, AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 @ f/2,8
ISO 200
Picture control Vivid
Focal Length 135mm
Exposure 1/250sec f/2.8
   
   
   
Camera Nikon D3 Nikon D3, AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 @ f/4
ISO 800
Picture control Landscape
Focal Length 85mm
Exposure 1/250sec f/4
   
   
   
Camera Nikon D3 Nikon D3, Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 @ f/5.6
ISO 800
Picture control Vivid
Focal Length 85mm
Exposure 1/250sec f/5.6
   
   
Home  
Camera Nikon D3 Nikon D3, AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 @ f/8
ISO 1600
Picture control Vivid
Focal Length 85mm
Exposure 1/250sec f/8
   
   
   
Nikon AF 85mm f/1.8D Review © 2009 Fredrik A. Rasmussen. All rights reserved.