Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8G Available for Pre-Order

The new AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G

This new lens may be 2/3 stop slower than its f/1.4 cousin but it’s also $1,200.00 cheaper!

Nikon continues its trend of updating the G series lenses with this economically-priced fast prime. 85mm is the classic portrait focal length in 35mm and full-frame digital format, and works well in the smaller APS-C format as well, where its focal length is equivalent to 127.5mm. As focal lengths get longer, compositionally the differences between full-frame (FX) and APS-C (DX) become less pronounced.

This is a significant release for Nikon, as it makes this important lens available to a wider group of users. It improves on the already excellent D-Series version featuring both compact size and an excellent bokeh, as only prime lenses can. It uses nine elements in nine groups, and has a more economical 7-bladed diaphragm. Compare it to its bigger brother at over three times the price…

Recently added AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G

The 77mm filters alone for the f/1.4 will set you back a few dollars. The f/1.8 uses more economical 67mm filters. But the f/1.4 uses a different optical formula with ten elements in nine groups and has a smoother nine-bladed shutter. Here are two more portrait options:

Nikon’s previous 85mm f/1.8 offering

The D version will save you about forty dollars, and you get a bonus aperture ring making it backwardly compatible with earlier bodies. But it uses a simpler six element, six group formula, and a 62mm filter ring.

If you must have an f/1.4 aperture, and you don’t mind manual focus, the Samyang is an excellent option…

Nine elements, seven groups, 8 blades, 72mm filters. A bargain at around $300.00 for the chipped version (slightly less for the unchipped version), this lens gets consistently excellent reviews. Manufactured by the Korean firm Samyang, it’s marketed in the US under the Bower, Opteka, ProOptic, Rokinon and Vivitar brand names.