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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.
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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
Available Warranties for This Item
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
102 of 103 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
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.... Read more ›
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.... Read more ›
124 of 127 people found the following review helpful
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.
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.
74 of 78 people found the following review helpful
By K. eiland
Amazon Verified Purchase
I've had this lens for a month and have taken @ 1000 shots. This is my first macro so i can't give any comparisons. All my shots are at the Honolulu Zoo. This is a great walk around lens for a zoo. The 85mm is right for the animals and the macro for bugs and flowers. Past 3 feet you don't get any magnification other than the 85mm which is not insignificant.
Pros:
1. The minimum focus distance is 5 1/4 inches from the front of the lens. This is way better than my point and shoot. That's 5 1/4 inches at 1:1 which i rarely use because of the thin dof and my shaky hands. At 1:2 it's 9 inches and you can fill the frame with a bee.
2. The lens is plastic but feels solid in weight and construction. The mount is metal. It sticks out 4 1/2 inches from the front of my d40. Really a tidy package considering all it can do.
3. Very sharp images, sharper than my 18-55 and 55-200, which do not have vr so that contributes.
4. The focus switch. Two positions, M and M/A. The M is manual of course and mostly what i use. I have to use manual with the larger magnification ratios (1:2,1:1.6,1:1.4,1:1.2 and 1:1). On auto the lens freaks out due to slight changes i make in camera position. The M/A is auto focus with a manual override. The auto focus works great with anything over 3 feet and the override is useful for slight changes in subject position. If you are steady or an old hand at macro maybe the auto focus will work at closer magnifications.
5. The scale window. It is on top of the lens and easy to read. It shows magnification ratio and distance to subject in feet and meters. When i want a macro shot i choose 1:1.2, 1:1.4 or 1:1.6. On manual focus i focus by moving the camera and as long as i don't touch the focus ring the ratio stays put.... Read more ›
Pros:
1. The minimum focus distance is 5 1/4 inches from the front of the lens. This is way better than my point and shoot. That's 5 1/4 inches at 1:1 which i rarely use because of the thin dof and my shaky hands. At 1:2 it's 9 inches and you can fill the frame with a bee.
2. The lens is plastic but feels solid in weight and construction. The mount is metal. It sticks out 4 1/2 inches from the front of my d40. Really a tidy package considering all it can do.
3. Very sharp images, sharper than my 18-55 and 55-200, which do not have vr so that contributes.
4. The focus switch. Two positions, M and M/A. The M is manual of course and mostly what i use. I have to use manual with the larger magnification ratios (1:2,1:1.6,1:1.4,1:1.2 and 1:1). On auto the lens freaks out due to slight changes i make in camera position. The M/A is auto focus with a manual override. The auto focus works great with anything over 3 feet and the override is useful for slight changes in subject position. If you are steady or an old hand at macro maybe the auto focus will work at closer magnifications.
5. The scale window. It is on top of the lens and easy to read. It shows magnification ratio and distance to subject in feet and meters. When i want a macro shot i choose 1:1.2, 1:1.4 or 1:1.6. On manual focus i focus by moving the camera and as long as i don't touch the focus ring the ratio stays put.... Read more ›
73 of 78 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazingly sharp Macro, VR works, and interesting working distance
December 16, 2009
Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
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I am into orchids and this lens is just the thing for getting those great close up shots of the flowers.
Published 2 months ago by Lori A James
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Spectacular
Just picked this up used..got a stellar deal at auction on the Bay. I've only shot a few pics, but it is a fantastic lens from what I can tell. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mark
5.0 out of 5 stars
I wanted to buy this lens when it was 426 ?
How come this lens went up100 rollers in 2 weeks I will buy at price it was 2 weeks ago
Published 2 months ago by Ben
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great lens from. Nikon
I purchased the lens to photo small objects up close. It does well and will give a one to one image
Published 2 months ago by theringco
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surely destined to be my favorite lens.
I am not going to attempt to add to the technical matters which have been thoroughly, and, I believe, accurately provided by other reviews. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Charles W. Long
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good lens
this lens is excelent for take a macro picture, it's amazing for bugs, spider and another insects picture. it's some difficult for focuse when you take a picture
Published 2 months ago by guillermo Castro
5.0 out of 5 stars
Astonishingly good for the price and speed
A lot of people will be quick to knock the lens because it's slow (3.5 is pretty sub par) and because it's a "cheap dx lens."
This lens has surpassed my expectations. Read more
This lens has surpassed my expectations. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Michael C. Jackson
