Nikon Nikkor Telephoto Lens for Nikon F - 85mm - F/18 Review

The Nikon Z mirrorless lens mountain is still relatively young, but a short telephoto prime is an of import entry in the itemize. Nikon'southward first full-frame mirrorless take on the pattern is the Nikkor Z 85mm f/ane.8 S ($799.99). Its optics are stunning, with precipitous results from edge to border at the maximum aperture, and an f/1.viii blueprint for a pleasingly shallow depth of field. The large third-political party lensmakers, Sigma and Tamron, haven't yet jumped in to support the Z mountain, so the 85mm f/1.8 S is currently the only real choice for Z owners, curt of adapting SLR lenses. It'southward an fantabulous lens overall, particularly for yet photographers, merely videographers may have a couple of complaints.

Well Built, simply That Control Ring…

There's nothing flashy nigh Nikon's mirrorless lenses. The company has gone basic black for the aesthetics of about entries. The lens itself measures three.9 past 3.0 inches (HD), weighs a little over a pound, and supports 67mm front end filters. Nikon includes the standard front and rear caps, every bit well as a reversible lens hood.

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The barrel is a mix of metal and polycarbonate. There's one control switch on the side, to toggle between car and manual focus, simply no other buttons. The manual focus band, finished with modest metallic ridges, occupies much of the cylinder. Internal seals prevent grit and moisture from getting within, merely Nikon opted not to include a grease-repelling fluorine glaze on the exposed front end element, at present an expected characteristic on premium lenses.

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Focus aligning is electronic, with a response scale that adjusts focus more than dramatically when the ring is turned quickly, and makes minute adjustments in response to wearisome turns. There's no option for a linear response, which is a downside for using the lens for video, where manual focus pulls need ready start and terminate points, regardless of the speed of a rack. This, forth with a skillful amount of breathing—an consequence where angle of view changes forth with focus, shown below—makes the lens less than ideal for video.

The manual focus band doubles as a control ring, and so it has a function when the lens is set to autofocus, but I find information technology to be much too sensitive for applied use. I typically turn it off, simply wanted to see if Nikon had done anything to improve it since I terminal picked up a Z 7.

I gear up the control ring to act every bit an aperture adjustment. What I found was that I'd often make an image at f/1.8, put the camera to my side, and pick it support to find it set at f/ii.2 or f/two.8—only a brush confronting my pants was enough to activate the ring function. When I tried to make a change on purpose, I found a pocket-size turn fabricated the lens jump all the way from f/1.8 to f/4.5. In short, Nikon has some piece of work to do with this function, hopefully via a firmware update. For at present, I recommend turning it off.

The lens is able to focus as close as 2.six anxiety (80cm). It'south non good enough for macro shots of insect optics or jewelry, simply information technology can capture subjects at 1:8.three life-size. Nikon hasn't withal released a macro lens for the Z organization, but has announced plans for 60mm and 105mm lenses. Until they come up to market, you lot'll need to achieve for the FTZ adapter for macro shots.

Stabilization isn't included in-lens, only Nikon'southward total-frame Z 6 and Z 7 camera utilise stabilized image sensors. It did leave stabilization out of the alone APS-C model, the Z 50.

As Sharp equally Information technology Gets

I paired the 85mm with the 45MP Z 7 in the lab and in the field. Imatest software shows that it delivers images with stiff resolution, from center to edge, even when shot wide open up.

At f/ane.8 the pair manages a 4,470-line average score, at the top of our excellent range for the Z 7's sensor. There's a footling drib in contrast every bit yous move toward the borders of the frame, but information technology's all the same very good at the edges (iv,000 lines).

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It's just as expert equally y'all end down, peaking at f/2.8 (4,638 lines) and continuing to deliver first-class results all the fashion through f/xi. We do see a drop in contrast at f/16 (3,639 lines), a upshot of optical diffraction.

There's no visible distortion, but you tin come across a chip of a vignette at f/1.8 and f/two. Nikon cameras offer automatic correction, with three levels of adjustment, giving you the selection to leave it untouched for a modest, soft, natural frame around portrait subjects, or to apply merely a piffling bit of correction.

A Lovely Curt Telephoto

Nikon knows a lot well-nigh optical design and it's all on show here. The Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.eight S captures images with loads of detail and pleasingly soft backgrounds. You'll exist able to snap shots at f/1.8 for very shallow depth of field, and maintain shine, defocused highlights when you want to stop down a little scrap thanks to its round aperture design.

For photography, in that location's actually nothing bad to say nearly the lens, aside from its finicky control ring. Videographers can find a few more than things to complain nigh, notably a bit of change in angle of view when adjusting focus, which can be distracting.

Notwithstanding, nosotros've been pretty happy with the Z lenses that Nikon has brought to market so far, and the 85mm is some other meridian-notch photographic tool for photographers invested in the organisation. It may not be equally exotic as rival Canon's RF 85mm F1.2 for its mirrorless organisation, but it's likewise a more practical purchase for many. Nikon does have a Z 50mm F1.ii on its roadmap, for those who appreciate wide aperture optics, but hasn't yet prepare a release appointment.

Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/one.8 S

The Lesser Line

The Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/one.8 S is yet some other fantabulous prime lens for the Z mirrorless organization.

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Source: https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/nikon-nikkor-z-85mm-f18-s

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