Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S vs Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S

Nikon Z 85mm f1.2 S Review: Astonishing, But Worth the Money?

The Nikon Z 85mm f1.2 S lens offers a blend of technical sharpness and creamy bokeh. It has a wide aperture for soft backgrounds and is weather-sealed. However, the JPEG colors are undersaturated and the autofocus struggles with action on some camera bodies. The lens is heavy and expensive compared to the f1.8 option. Overall, it delivers great image quality but falls short in some areas.

Hands on with the Nikon 85mm F1.2: Nikon Z Mirrorless Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

The Nikon Z 85mm F1.2 lens is highly praised for its outstanding optical performance, particularly its sharpness and unique bokeh. The lens has a soft and natural background blur, with a subtle and gradual transition from the plane of focus. It features 11 rounded diaphragm blades that create smooth and circular bokeh. The use of ED glass helps suppress color fringing, and the lens construction eliminates any "onion-ring" characteristics. Overall, the lens is described as dreamy, opulent, and desirable for fashion, boudoir, and bridal photography.

1.2: Nikon Z Mirrorless Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 lens is highly praised for its bokeh and sharpness. It can produce extremely thin depth-of-field shots at f/1.2, although some may find the shallow depth of field not to their taste. The lens handles flare and ghosting well, especially when the hood is used. It is sharp even when wide open and performs well in terms of focus speed and distance. The only complaint is that the minimum focus distance is a bit far. Despite its size and weight, the lens is manageable during long shoots. The price is justified for professionals who will use it extensively. Overall, it is recommended for wedding, event, and portrait photographers.

1.2 Review & Sample Images by Ken Rockwell

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 lens is a large and heavy lens that is ideal for astronomy and low light shooting. It has great optics and is sharp and contrasty even when shot wide open at f/1.2. However, it is not a practical lens for everyday use and is too short for headshots. The Z 85mm f/1.8 lens offers similar optical performance at a lower cost and weight. The lens has a focus breathing issue and the bokeh quality is only average. Autofocus is slow and the lens is mostly made of plastic. It does not focus closely and does not have image stabilization. Overall, it is a good lens for specific needs but not a versatile option.

Nikon Z 85mm f1.2 S review

The Nikon Z 85mm f1.2 S is a large and heavy lens with a bright focal ratio of f1.2. It has a similar weight to other comparable lenses on the market. The lens features 15 elements in 10 groups and has a minimum object distance of 0.82m. It does not have optical stabilization but can be used with Nikon's built-in sensor-shift stabilization. The lens has autofocus capabilities and a control ring for aperture, exposure compensation, or ISO sensitivity. It is weather-sealed but lacks a fluorine coating. The lens is priced higher than its competitors. Overall, the lens performs well in terms of focus accuracy and repeatability, with minimal focus breathing.

Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S Review

The Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a well-built lens with stunning optics, delivering sharp results from edge to edge. It has a pleasingly shallow depth of field and is a great choice for still photographers. However, videographers may have some complaints, such as the lack of a linear focus response and the sensitivity of the control ring. The lens is compatible with Nikon's Z mirrorless system and offers excellent resolution, even when shot wide open. It has a circular aperture design for smooth, defocused highlights. Overall, it is an excellent prime lens for the Z system.

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S review: The perfect balance of price and performance

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is a prosumer offering that provides outstanding image quality and a well-built, weather-sealed body. However, it is relatively expensive for an f/1.8 lens and has a slower focus motor compared to competitors. The lens has a solid build quality with a metal mount and a smooth focus ring. It features a complex optical formula with two extra-low dispersion elements for reduced color fringing and chromatic aberrations. The autofocus performance is smooth and accurate, although not particularly fast. The optical quality is excellent, with sharp and 3-dimensional images, pleasing bokeh, and minimal distortion. The lens does have some vignetting wide-open, but it can be easily corrected in post-processing. Overall, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens offers great value for professionals and is a compelling option despite its slower aperture.

1.8s for landscapes: Nikon Z Mirrorless Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8s lens is highly impressive for landscapes, with excellent optical quality and a good balance between size and weight. It performs well for portraits, travel, and landscapes, with only a slight sharpness falloff in extreme corners. The reviewer rates it on par with the Z 50mm f/1.8s lens and shares a landscape capture from the Lofoten Islands to showcase its quality.

1.8 S: Nikon Z Mirrorless Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is significantly better than the 85mm f/1.8G in terms of image quality. It offers superior distance resolution, better bokeh, less chromatic aberration, and improved out-of-focus transitions. The lens is impeccably balanced in terms of aberration control, resulting in a superb rendering and character. It performs exceptionally well for portrait distances and is highly recommended, especially considering its price. A rental or long-term evaluation is suggested to fully appreciate the difference between these two lenses.

Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm F1.8 S Lens review: Sharp prime

The Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm F1.8 S Lens is a high-performing prime lens designed for portraiture and indoor sports. It has excellent sharpness at all apertures and minimal distortion. The lens features two ED elements to reduce chromatic aberration and has low levels of vignetting. It is dust- and moisture-resistant and is priced at around $799. Overall, it is a top-tier performer and rivals more expensive models in optical quality.

Nikon Z 85mm f

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 is a high-performance lens designed for optical excellence. It offers autofocus and is comparable to the expensive ZEISS OTUS lens. The lens is sharp and has no distortion. It has a programmable control ring and is dust and drip resistant. The lens is compatible with Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras and has a 67mm filter thread. It is a full-frame lens and weighs 16.5 oz. The lens is made in China and is priced at $797.

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S Review

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a professional-grade lens designed for portrait photography. It has a large aperture of f/1.8, making it great for low-light situations and creating smooth backgrounds. The lens is optically impressive, with 12 elements in 8 groups and two extra-low dispersion elements. It is coated to reduce ghosting and flare and has nine rounded aperture blades. The lens is fully weather-sealed and attaches securely to Nikon Z cameras. It is lighter and smaller than other 85mm lenses on the market, making it a convenient choice for Nikon mirrorless users.