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

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Product Details

• Item Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B002SQKVE4
• Item model number: 85mm f/3.5G
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #972 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• 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

October 14, 2009 - Just Announced By Nikon!
The new AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR, a DX-format, medium-telephoto micro lens with built-in Vibration Reduction (VR II) and Silent Wave Motor (SWM). With a focal length of 85mm, this compact and lightweight lens is recommended for users of Nikon DX-format digital SLRs such as the D5000 and D90. The18°50’picture angle is equivalent to a focal length of 127.5mm in Nikon FX- and 35mm-format cameras).

The AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR can be used in a wide range of applications. While users can enjoy the natural perspective and beautiful blur that a medium-telephoto lens can offer in landscapes and portraits, this micro lens is especially expected to promote the enjoyment of macro photography for taking insects, small animals and flowers. High resolving power is realized throughout the entire shooting range from infinity to the closest focusing distance (1:1 life size) to reproduce even the fine texture of flower petals.

Built-in VR II (Vibration Reduction) enables users to take sharp pictures at shutter speeds approximately four stops slower* than would otherwise be possible, thereby minimizing image blur caused by camera shake. This remarkably expands user freedom during hand-held shooting. In addition, blur-corrected image in the viewfinder makes focusing and composition easy.
*As determined in Nikon performance tests

Built-in SWM (Silent Wave Motor) enables quiet AF operation, especially effective for the macro shooting of easily disturbed subjects such as insects and small animals. Internal Focusing (IF) system means the lens barrel length does not change during focusing, which ensures worry-free macro shooting while maintaining a constant working distance. M/A (manual-priority autofocus) mode enables instant switching from autofocus to manual focus by rotating the focus ring, even during AF servo operation. This permits fine focus adjustment without removing your e

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very pleased with this lens, January 15, 2010

By	K. eiland "honolulu bob" (waikiki) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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. This is important to me because i'm not a big fan of bokeh and want as much dof as possible. Once my exposure is set i can concentrate on focus and composition.

Cons:

Like i said, this is my first macro lens so i don't know if i'm missing a feature other lenses have. There is nothing about this lens i do not like.

I made this purchase because of the 85mm and the brand. I bought from amazon because i knew if there was a problem or if i didn't like the lens returning would be easy and painless. I do reccomend this lens as a first time macro user.

11 of 12 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

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.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars first impressions... i like this lens, December 10, 2009

By	P. Shepard (ARKANSAS) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this lens after reading reviews of numerous other (many excellent) lenses by Nikon and other manufacturers. Following considerable thought (weighing the pros & cons) and an examination of my economic condition, I made my choice. In case you are wondering, the lens came well padded inside the Nikon box within Amazon's box (minimal extra padding required). Worked fine on a D-300 out of the box: focused quickly, quietly. I have done very few photos with it to date, but images are very sharp-- comparable to my old manual focus Nikkor-Micro 55mm, F/3.5
I want to try this as a portrait lens, too, but haven't had the opportunity, yet. Here is a link to a new group on FLICKR (photo sharing site) where a few photos taken with this lens are popping up. ([...]. NOTE: LINK PROVIDED IN FIRST COMMENT TO REVIEW, BELOW.
I'll consider this a work in progress and plan to come back in a few weeks to update review after having more experience with it. Just wanting to say it is out there & first impressions are very favorable.