Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

by Nikon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 5 x 6 inches ; 12.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002SQKVE4
• Item model number: 85mm f/3.5G
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 13, 2009

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

This compact, DX-format Micro NIKKOR close-up lens is an ideal choice for close-up, nature, portrait and general photography.

Close focusing to 0.9 feet
Extends versatility with focusing from infinity to life-size (1:1 reproduction ratio).

Nikon VR II (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization
Vibration Reduction, engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens, enables handheld shooting at up to 4 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper images.

Extra-low Dispersion (ED) element
Offers superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration, even at wide aperture settings.

Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC)
Enhances light transmission and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare.

Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM)
For fast, accurate and quiet autofocus.

Internal Focus (IF)
Provides fast and quiet autofocusing without changing the length of the lens, retaining subject working distance throughout the focus range.

Rounded 9-blade diaphragm
Renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image elements.

M/A focus mode switch
Enables quick response to changing situations between manual and autofocus operation.

Product Description

DX-format medium telephoto Micro NIKKOR lens is ideal for extreme close-up and general photography with continuous autofocus from infinity to life-size (1:1). AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Lens 52mm Snap-on front lens cap (LC-52) Rear lens cap (LF-1) Bayonet hood (HB-37) Flexible lens pouch (CL-1018)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

86 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what the DX ordered., March 12, 2010

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Camera)

It took me some thinking to come up with a criticism of this lens, which is, after all, sharp as a tack, light of weight, 'relatively' inexpensive, and the perfect working length for a DX camera. I finally decided that my only issue is that Nikon did not throw in an 85mm 1.4 as a two for one deal. Speed is nice sometimes, although crisp shots at infinity to 1:1 is really much nicer. And let's face it, 3.5 isn't all that much slower than 2.8 (Nikon's standard aperture for macro lenses). The decision to make this a 3.5 means a much lighter weight (and slightly lower price) than Nikon's flagship 105mm.

I already own the 60 and 105 macro nikkors which are usually mounted on D300s's. The 60's short working distance get's in the way too often when it gets used on a full frame camera, though. The 105 is a wonderful lens but I find that my aging wrists complain after a few hours hand holding. So it tends to stay in the studio on a tripod. The 85 solves these problems and, as an added benefit, takes wonderful photos.

I'm not going to go into analyses of sharpness or contrast - there are better sources for that. And everything Nikon says about the lens is true. If pushed into a corner I will admit that the 105 seems to have a VERY slightly snappier image (and it should), but for general utility on a DX camera, the 85mm 3.5 is the one to own.

69 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best lenses for Nikon, June 11, 2010

By 

A. Tegtmeier (Northern Alabama) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Camera)

I use this lens at my Nikon D-5000. Bought it to take pictures of the praying mantis that lives in the plants in our backyard.
Auto-focus is amazingly fast and silent, and the vibration reduction gives me 3 to 4 f-stops leverage. Photographing the mantis, I don't apply the auto-focus most of the time; instead, I focus manually to the closest distance, and then leaning forward (using a mono-pod to eliminate vertical and lateral movement) until the subject becomes sharp. Works like a charm, but requires some practice.
This lens has a very shallow depth of field at f3.5 - it measures in fractions of centimeters. The pictures this camera-lens combination generates are brilliant, with true colors and (provided the focus is correct) very sharp.
The lens is somewhat lightweight, using predominantly plastic materials. No cheap feeling on it, though, everything is well built and works flawlessly.
I like also the M/A functionality, where you can adjust/override the focus provided by the AF module manually without having to switch to the manual focus mode first; the lens has an AF/M switch, so you can operate it completely in manual mode.
The minimal focusing distance is very useful and much shorter than the most critters would allow you to use anyway. One nice feature is a scale that tells you the reproduction rate for the distance you focus at.
One small concern I had was the 3.5 f-stop instead of the more common 2.8. But in practical use, that difference is negligible, and would come into play only at some very limited occasions, like with portraits of people. Which, by the way, this lens also does an exceptional job at.
All in all, with over 35 years of photographic experience under my belt, I have to say that this is one of the best lenses I ever had. It beats some of my $1000+ lenses, that I had with the old film SLRs. If you are in the market for a macro lens for your Nikon DX-format DSLR, look no further.

64 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly sharp Macro, VR works, and interesting working distance, December 16, 2009

By 

S. S. Malhotra (Norwalk, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Camera)

I pre-ordered this lens as a present, but examined it before I gave it away.

I didn't think I was going to want to keep it, but I'll have to admit, the lens is VERY sharp. The MTF charts hold true.

PRO's:
It's a smidge sharper than my Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras.

What I really like the is the working distance on a DX body; it's nothing you could get on an FX body as a macro lens (FX equivalent of 127.5mm; only macro's for FX are 60 and 105 2.8). . .

The VR does work very well, but does not completely make up for fast aperture. Back to back testing in low light portrait shots, the VR gave me a about a 1-2 stop advantage (my 60mm 2.8 micro, thus, still better in that regard).

What this does offer to the DX community is one of the SHARPEST nikkor's produced in a very unique working distance.

Confirms Nikon's commitment to the DX line at affordable pricing with amazing optics.

CON's:
Only micro/macro lens in the nikon line up that ISN't compatible with FX lenses. . .would've increased the cost for sure, and weight, but would've have been nice.