The Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D lens, introduced in the mid-1990s, is a professional-grade prime lens renowned for its exceptional image quality and performance, particularly in portrait photography. Here are its key specifications and features:
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 85mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
- Minimum Aperture: f/16
- Lens Construction: 9 elements in 8 groups
- Diaphragm Blades: 9, rounded
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.85 meters
- Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:8.8
- Filter Size: 77mm
- Dimensions: 80 x 73 mm
- Weight: 550 grams
- Mount: Nikon F-mount
Performance:
The lens provides excellent sharpness and contrast, even wide open at f/1.4. It is particularly noted for its pleasing bokeh and minimal distortion, making it ideal for portrait photography. Autofocus is fast and accurate, although it relies on a slotted drive screw, meaning it will not autofocus with Nikon’s entry-level DSLRs that lack a built-in motor. Manual focusing is smooth, thanks to its well-damped focus ring.
Build and Handling:
The Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D is constructed with a robust metal exterior, featuring a crinkle finish typical of Nikon’s professional lenses from that era. It includes a recessed distance scale and a depth-of-field scale, along with an aperture ring situated towards the rear of the lens. The lens hood is a screw-in metal design, which can be somewhat cumbersome to attach and cannot be reversed for storage. Internal focusing ensures that the lens length remains constant during focusing, making it easier to use with polarizing filters.
Use Cases:
This lens excels in portrait photography, providing beautiful background separation and excellent low-light performance. Its build quality and optical performance make it a favorite among professional photographers for both studio and outdoor portraits.
References:
- Ken Rockwell, “Nikon 85mm f/1.4 D AF Review” Ken Rockwell
- Imaging Resource, “Nikon 85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Review” Imaging Resource
- Phillip Reeve, “Review: Nikon AF 85mm 1.4 D – The Ideal Portrait Lens?” Phillip Reeve
- Photozone, “Nikkor AF 85mm f/1.4 D (FX) – Review / Test Report” Photozone
