Looking to find more information regarding the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G? Read our latest review to learn more about the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G, its specifications, and if it’s a good camera lens for you.
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Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Overview
The AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G is a fast, compact, and lightweight lens that is perfect for portrait, wedding, and event photography.
With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, it is capable of capturing stunning images with shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh.
The lens also features Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor technology for fast and accurate autofocus, as well as Nano Crystal Coatings to reduce flare and ghosting.
The 85mm f/1.8G was released in September 2012 and is currently available for purchase.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Specifications
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G was first announced on 01/06/2012 with a Nikon F FX mount type. Below is a summary of this lens’s specifications:
| Indicative Price: $690 | Zoom Type: N/A | |
| Release Date: 01/06/2012 | Mount Type: Nikon F FX | |
| Focal Range: 85mm | Tripod Mount: No | |
| Aperture: F/1.8 | Colors Available: Black | |
| Filter Diameter (millimeters): 67 | Full-Time Manual Focus: Yes | |
| Maximum Diameter (millimeters): 80 | Number Of Lenses: 9 | |
| AF Motor: SWM | Length (millimeters): 73 | |
| Stabilization: No | Weight (grams): 350 |
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Performance
In terms of performance, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is a fast and accurate lens that is perfect for portrait photography. It has a fast autofocus system that tracks moving subjects well, and the images it produces are sharp and detailed. The only drawback of this lens is its price tag, but given its performance, it is definitely worth the investment.
Build and Handling Quality
The build and handling quality of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is built to last. The solid construction and robust materials make it resistant to wear and tear, and the weather-sealed design helps to protect it from the elements. The lens is also very easy to handle, thanks to its compact size and light weight. The focusing ring is smooth and precise, and the manual aperture control is easy to use. Overall, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is an excellent lens that offers superb build quality and excellent handling.
Autofocus Performance
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is a popular choice for portrait photographers, thanks to its fast autofocus performance.
The lens uses a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) to drive the focus elements, which helps to keep noise levels down. In addition, the SWM is able to quickly and accurately lock onto subjects, even in low-light conditions.
And when shooting at wide apertures, the lens is able to maintain sharp focus on subjects located close to the camera. As a result, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is an excellent option for anyone looking for a fast and reliable autofocus lens.
Sharpness
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is a high-quality lens that produces sharp images. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of detail in the photos that I took with this lens.
Even in low-light conditions, the images were clear and free of noise. The autofocus system is also very fast and accurate, which is great for capturing action shots. Overall, I was extremely impressed with the performance of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality lens that can produce sharp images.
Distortions / Aberrations
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is a high-quality lens that produces sharp and detailed images.
However, like all lenses, it is not perfect and can introduce some distortions or aberrations into photos. One common distortion is called “barrel distortion,” which occurs when the edges of the photo appear to curve inward.
This can be especially noticeable when photographing straight lines, such as buildings or fences. Another type of distortion is “pincushion distortion,” which has the opposite effect and causes the edges of the photo to curve outward.
Although these distortions can be somewhat bothersome, they are typically fairly small and only noticeable when viewed at full size. In most cases, they will not have a significant impact on the overall quality of the photo.
Vignetting / Color Fringing
When tripod-mounted, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G did not show any vignetting at its widest aperture of f/1.8.
At other apertures, vignetting was negligible, even when wide open. There was some faint color fringing on high-contrast edges, but it was not excessive and should not be noticeable in most photos.
Overall, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G produces very good results, with minimal vignetting and color fringing.
Image Quality
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is a high-quality lens that produces excellent results in terms of image quality. The photos that it produces are sharp and clear, with great detail and colour reproduction.
Bokeh
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is a high-quality lens that produces beautiful bokeh in its photos. The bokeh is smooth and creamy, with no harsh edges.
The blur is evenly distributed throughout the frame, and the foreground and background are nicely blurred. This lens is perfect for portraits, as it creates a beautiful, soft look. If you’re looking for a lens that produces stunning bokeh, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is an excellent choice.
How Does The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Score?
Below are the lens metric scores we’ve measured for this specific lens:
- Performance and Image Quality: 9/10
- Features: 8/10
- Bokeh: 9/10
- Build Quality: 9/10
- AutoFocus Quality: 8/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Pros and Cons
Below are some of the pros and cons regarding this lens.
Pros:
- Fairly inexpensive for the features that come with it
- Lightweight
- Good IQ
- Great color and contrast
- Shoots fast
- Excellent build quality
Cons:
- Slow / inconsistent autofocus
- AF-sensor isn’t built the greatest
- Autofocus isn’t the fastest
Conclusion
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is a great camera lens for those who want to capture sharp images with beautiful bokeh. It is fast and accurate, making it perfect for portrait photography.
The build quality is excellent, and the lens is surprisingly lightweight considering its size. Prices vary depending on where you purchase it, but it is generally fairly affordable.
Overall, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality camera lens that won’t break the bank.
