Over the years I have used many, many short telephoto lenses and this one simply takes the cake as my favorite. It's tempting to think of this only as a portrait lens -- and it *shines* in that role (more in a bit) -- but this is a jack-of-all-trades that can be used for landscapes, cityscapes, event shooting, concerts, etc. etc. etc. Autofocus is quick and accurate on my Z7. Optically, the lens is stellar. It's just a joy to use.
And yes, if you want to use this for portraits, you'll have a hard time topping it. The lens is sharp enough especially towards infinity where it's bitingly sharp. Crucially, though, in the portrait distance range, it's just soft enough to take the edge off of that sharpness to not be harsh. The bokeh is very, very pleasant but what makes it really shine is that the transition from in-focus to out-of-focus is just sooooo smooooth. It's about as graceful as the transition zone gets and it really serves to make your subject pop in ways that don't normally happen.
There is a little cat's eye effect to out-of-focus specular highlights wide open, but this disappears quickly by stopping down. The aperture maintains a very circular opening at mid apertures so this helps keep the aforementioned good bokeh looking good even as you stop down. For portraits, I like to shoot this in the f2.2 to f4 range but for other subject matter, I honestly have no qualms about using it at any aperture.
There may be other 85mm lenses that excel over this one at a certain style of photography (the Sony GM 85mm f1.4 is ever so slightly better at portraits, for example) but nothing I've used so far can compete with this Z lens as an all around short telephoto. So far I've been pleased with every Z lens I've purchased but this one is easily the most recommendable. Simply a stunning optic that you should run, not walk to buy.
Very, very highly recommended.
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This Item  Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S | Premium large aperture 85mm portrait prime lens for Z series mirrorless cameras | Nikon USA Model |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -13% $696.95 List: $799.95 | $1,146.95 | $476.95 | $1,596.95 | -11% $615.00 New Price: $696.95 | $1,046.95 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Monday, Feb 19 | Get it as soon as Monday, Feb 19 | Get it as soon as Monday, Feb 19 | Get it as soon as Monday, Feb 19 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Feb 22 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Feb 20 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Picture quality | ||||||
| Auto focus | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Sunshine Photo & Electronics | Amazon.com |
| lens type | Telephoto | Wide Angle | Telephoto | Telephoto | Telephoto | Wide Angle |
| compatible mountings | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Nikon F (FX) | Nikon F (FX) | Nikon Z | Nikon Z |
| lens design | Prime | Zoom | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime |
| focus type | Automatic with Manual Mode | Auto Focus | Ultrasonic | Auto Focus | Automatic with Manual Mode | Auto Focus, Manual Focus |
| minimum focal length | 85 millimeters | 14 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 20 millimeters |
| max focal length | 85 millimeters | 30 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 20 millimeters |
| fixed focal length | 85 millimeters | 30 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 20 millimeters |
| real angle of view | — | 114 degrees | 18.8 degrees | 0 degrees | — | 70 degrees |
From the manufacturer
Captivating Portraits. Breathtaking Details.
A premium S-Line lens that blends optical ingenuity and artistic nuance. Flattering perspective. Breathtaking resolution. Stunning bokeh. Unwavering focus and lifelike accuracy compensation. This 85mm lens will thrill and inspire those who shoot portraits, headshots, close-ups and tight video shots.
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Pure Natural Beauty
Few subjects showcase the strengths and shortcomings of a lens more clearly than the human face. The NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S captures every detail in breathtaking clarity and sharpness.
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Flattering Perspective
The shape of a face is greatly affected by focal length. The 85mm perspective is within the sweet spot for portraits and fashion, rendering faces naturally and beautifully, free of distortion.
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Dreamy Bokeh
Nine rounded aperture blades give defocused points of light a soft, round consistent shape. Plus, the transition from tack-sharp foreground to dreamy background is smooth and natural.
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Edge-to-Edge Brightness
One of the many advantages of the larger Z mount is its ability to retain even illumination, especially at the corners of the frame. This results in bright, even exposures with minimal vignetting.
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Unwavering Autofocus
Powered by an ultra-quiet stepping motor and enhanced by the additional light gathered by the Z Mount, focusing is fast, silent and accurate. Great for stills; even better for video.
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An Outstanding Lens for Video
The artistic qualities, natural perspective, quiet AF and smooth aperture control make this an outstanding video lens for documentaries, interviews and b-roll footage.
NIKKOR quality at its absolute best.
S-Line
At the top of the ever-expanding NIKKOR Z lens lineup, S-Line lenses push Nikon’s tradition of optical excellence and innovation to unprecedented new heights. Superior resolution, sophisticated features, specialized technologies and adherence to Nikon's strictest image quality and build standards.
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Aberration Correction
ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) Glass
3 ED glass elements correct for chromatic aberrations, preventing colors from fringing in images.
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Aberration Correction
Anti-Reflective Performance
Nano Crystal coating reduces ghosting and flare in backlit images.
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Weather Sealed
Dust and Drip Resistant
Extensively sealed to keep dust and moisture out, including around all moving parts of the lens.
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Speed and Precision
Multi-Focus System Built-In
Two precisely synchronized AF drives focus with speed and accuracy while suppressing aberrations.
1 ED Glass 2 Anti-Glare Coating 3 Dust and Drip Resistant 4 Multi-Focus Technology
The NIKKOR Z f/1.8 S-Line Family
 NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S |  NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S |  NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S |  NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S |  NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S | |
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Customer Reviews
| 559
| 131
| 55
| 423
| 650
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Price
| $696.95 | $1,046.95 | $996.95 | $846.95 | $526.95 |
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IN-CAMERA IMAGE STABILIZATION
| 5-Axis | 5-Axis | 5-Axis | 5-Axis | 5-Axis |
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APERTURE BLADES
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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ED LENS ELEMENTS
| 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
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ASPHERICAL LENS ELEMENTS
| 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
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ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING
| Nano Crystal | Nano Crystal | Nano Crystal | Nano Crystal | Nano Crystal |
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MULTI-FOCUSING SYSTEM
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
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CUSTOM CONTROL RING
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
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WEATHER- SEALED
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
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MINIMUM FOCUS DISTANCE
| 2.62 ft. (0.8m.) | 0.66 ft. (0.2m.) | 0.82 ft. ( 0.25 m) | 1.32 ft. ( 0.4 m) | 2.62 ft. (0.8m.) |
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FILTER SIZE
| 67mm | 77mm | 72mm | 62mm | 62mm |
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S-LINE
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Reviews with images
This is my favorite lens. It never leaves my Nikon z7ii
I literally had to buy a second camera to use my other lenses with because I refuse to take this stunning, beautiful, fantastic lens off my Nikon z7ii. It's so versatile and dreamy. @meganw.photography
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2023
This is my favorite lens. It never leaves my Nikon z7ii
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2023
I literally had to buy a second camera to use my other lenses with because I refuse to take this stunning, beautiful, fantastic lens off my Nikon z7ii. It's so versatile and dreamy. @meganw.photography
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2023
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Kunal Mukherjee
Superb telephoto and portrait lens
Reviewed in India on April 3, 2022
Kunal Mukherjee
Reviewed in India on April 3, 2022
85mm focal length is too good.
Build quality feels very premium which is expected as it's a prime series lens.
Almost silent stepper motor while focusing on subjects.
Images in this review
T. Wieland
NIKON Z 85mm, 1.8
Reviewed in Germany on November 9, 2020
T. Wieland
Reviewed in Germany on November 9, 2020
Images in this review
