Overview
Its inexpensive price and Nikon quality are two reasons why many experts recommend this compact telephoto lens. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Lens does everything you would expect a sub-$600 lens to do… and more.
As a part of Nikon’s f/1.8G prime lens series, this lens outperforms the competition at its price range. Its optimized f/1.8 aperture helps it excel at shooting still images and high definition video in various shooting scenarios, specifically those in low light.
You’re going to get a lot of use out of this lens, especially if you’re an avid photographer, beginner or burgeoning professional. Its auto-focus system makes shooting sessions less of a hassle—and there’s even a seamless manual auto-focus system if you need more precision.
Features At A Glance
- Nikon F Mount Lens/FX Format lens
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
- Measures 3.1 inches by 2.9 inches, weighs 12.35 ounces
- Compatible with Nikon FX, Nikon DX + 35mm/Full-Frame Digital Sensor formats
- Focal Length: 127.5mm
- Silent Wave Motor AF System products fast and silent auto-focus
- Super Integrated Lens Coating reduces glare and improves colors
Key Characteristics
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Lens is fast, inexpensive and probably the best compact FX-format telephoto lens available in its class. This lens’ fast f/1.8 aperture helps it excel at shooting still images and high definition video in low light.
Lens is produced with Nikon Super Integrated Coating, which helps significantly improve light transmission, color consistency and reduces flare.
Its 7-blade circular diaphragm helps the camera produce great-looking out of focus images when set at wider aperture settings.
This 85mm prime lens mount expands to about 127mm when mounted to a DX-format DSLR camera.
Key Features
Silent Wave Motor Auto-Focus technology with Internal Focus system produces fast and silent auto-focus, which doesn’t change lens length. The motor uses ultrasonic vibrations, instead of the usual gear system, to help focus the lens, producing smooth, accurate and silent auto-focus when in use.
Its internal optical processes, as a result, only utilize the non-extending lens barrel’s interior. This is why the lens is compact and lightweight in construction, better suited for close focusing distances.
Precise manual focusing is available through adjusting the lens’ focus ring. Its M/A mode switch easily overrides Auto-Focus system with no lag.
Pros
Fast, inexpensive and compact FX-format telephoto lens with a fast f/1.8 aperture that excels at shooting HD video and stills video in low light.
Nikon Super Integrated Coating helps improve light transmission, color consistency and reduces flare.
Its 7-blade circular diaphragm helps the camera produce great-looking out of focus images when set at wider aperture settings.
Ultrasonic Silent Wave Motor Auto-Focus technology with Internal Focus system produces smooth, accurate and silent auto-focus when in use.
The lens is compact and lightweight in construction, better suited for close focusing distances. Precise manual focusing is available through adjusting the lens’ focus ring and easily overrides Auto-Focus system with no lag.
Cons
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Lens doesn’t have finely tuned image stabilization when compared to competitors. Auto-focusing issues may occur in certain shooting scenarios. up in images at certain settings.
The lens lacks enough range to shoot long distance subjects. It’s also limited in shooting scenarios where close focus is required.
Why Should You Buy Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Lens?
If you want an inexpensive mid-range telephoto lens for shooting portraits and other scenarios, this lens is great for that. Its internal elements make for a finely tuned lens that probably won’t be coming off your camera anytime soon. It’s not the best lens for all scenarios, but it performs incredibly well in most.
Those who are just getting serious about photography will definitely be doing themselves a favor by making this lens their first choice.