The Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D is a classic portrait lens, highly regarded for its sharpness and excellent image quality. Introduced in 1994, it remains a popular choice among photographers for both its performance and affordability.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 85mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
- Minimum Aperture: f/16
- Lens Construction: 6 elements in 6 groups
- Diaphragm Blades: 9, rounded
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.85 meters
- Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.11x
- Filter Size: 62mm
- Dimensions: 72 x 59 mm
- Weight: 380 grams
- Mount: Nikon F-mount
Performance:
The Nikon 85mm f/1.8D is known for its fast and accurate autofocus, making it suitable for both portrait and action photography. It provides excellent sharpness, particularly from f/2.8 onwards, with very good control over chromatic aberration and distortion. The bokeh is pleasing, though not as smooth as its more expensive counterpart, the 85mm f/1.4D. The lens is also praised for its minimal vignetting and good color rendition.
Build and Handling:
The lens features a robust build with a combination of polycarbonate and metal components. It includes a rubberized focus ring that is smooth to operate, although the manual focus ring does rotate during autofocus operations. The lens has an internal focusing mechanism, meaning the lens length remains constant during focusing, which is beneficial when using polarizing filters. It comes with a metal, screw-in HN-23 lens hood, which helps to prevent flare and ghosting.
Use Cases:
This lens is ideal for portrait photographers looking for a high-quality prime lens at a reasonable price. Its fast maximum aperture of f/1.8 allows for excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field, making it a versatile option for various types of photography, including events and indoor settings.
Overall, the Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D offers great value for money, combining high performance with solid build quality, making it a reliable choice for both amateur and professional photographers.
References:
- Imaging Resource, “Nikon 85mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Review”
- Photozone, “Nikkor AF 85mm f/1.8 D (FX) – Review / Test Report”
- Photography Life, “Nikon AF NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8D”
