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Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens Imported

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The Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Lens is a medium-telephoto lens with special "Perspective Control" tilt and shift functions, making it ideal for architectural, portrait, product, and nature photography. Using tilt and shift correction will help obtain a natural-looking perspective in a distortion-free architectural image. The PC-E 85mm lens is compatible with all digital and 35mm film SLR cameras (in manual mode). With the latest digital cameras (i.e. D3, D700 & D300, and later models), auto-aperture control is possible directly from the camera itself.

Nikon's Nano Crystal Coat virtually eliminates internal reflections for greater image quality. The Super Integrated Coating (SIC) offers outstanding color performance and substantially reduced ghosting and flare.

Wide shifting range of ±11.5mm, with a tilting range of ±8.5°
Revolving capability of ±90° in 30° increments for versatile tilt/shift shooting effects
The Nano Crystal Coat virtually eliminates internal reflections across a wide range of wavelengths for even greater image clarity
High-performance Super Integrated Coating (SIC) offers superior color performance and substantially reduced ghosting and flare
Rounded 9-blade diaphragm for more natural appearance of out-of-focus image elements
Performance
Focal Length 85 mm
Aperture Maximum: f/2.8
Minimum: f/32
Camera Mount Type Nikon F
Format Compatibility Nikon FX/35mm Film
Nikon DX
Angle of View 28°
DX Picture Angle: 18°
Tilt/Shift Shifts ± 11.5mm
Tilt ± 8.5°
Minimum Focus Distance 1.3' (39.62 cm)
Magnification 0.50x
Maximum Reproduction Ratio 1:2
Groups/Elements 5/6
Diaphragm Blades 9
Features
Image Stabilization No
Autofocus No
Tripod Collar No
Physical
Filter Thread 77 mm
Dimensions (DxL) Approx. 3.3 x 4.2" (8.38 x 10.67 cm)
Weight 1.4 lb (635 g)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens
 
4.8

(based on 12 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (10)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Durable (8)
  • Strong construction (8)
  • Consistent output (6)
  • Fast / accurate auto-focus (5)
  • Rugged (5)

Cons

  • Heavy (4)

Best Uses

  • Landscape photography (5)
  • Special effects (5)
  • Landscape/scenery (4)
  • Macro photography (4)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Semi-pro photographer (4), Enthusiast (3), Pro photographer (3)
    • Was this a gift?:
    • No (7)

Most Liked Positive Review

 

Extremely sharp

This is a very sharp lens...period. I'm familiar lens, as I owned the older version and sold it. This new version "PC-E" has much less CA and more contras...Read complete review

This is a very sharp lens...period. I'm familiar lens, as I owned the older version and sold it. This new version "PC-E" has much less CA and more contrast than the older version, unless I just had a bad copy. Anyway, the tilt/shift function is very useful for macro photography, as well as the smaller apertures i.e. F/22 and F/32 with no diffraction. Yes, the older version can stop down to F/45, but it was not useful for me. My main use of this lens is for landscapes and floral photography. The next great feature is the electronic aperture button vs. the older plunger style. This is a great convenience, since you can think more about the subject matter than the metering; this lens will work in auto aperture mode with the newer digital bodies.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

 

crisp lens

Excellent lens, very sharp. I've been using the shift function for landscape panoramas and I couldn't be happier with the results. I'm still playing around with the tilt functions and find it very easy...Read complete review

Excellent lens, very sharp. I've been using the shift function for landscape panoramas and I couldn't be happier with the results. I'm still playing around with the tilt functions and find it very easy to get those miniature toy like shots. There is quite a bit of vignetting in the far corner when the lens is both fully tilted and fully shifted on a FX sensor. Its a fun lens in that it allows view camera capabilities with a DSLR.
The one complaint that I do have, and this is a HUGE one, is that the lens is NOT a fully manual lens. On a full manual camera, or if you add a Nikon extension tube, you will loose all functionality of the aperture.
Come on Nikon get with the program and update you extension tubes to be compatible with the computer age, and your own equipment! Must go third party (Kenko) for this one.

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 12 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-12

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3.0

crisp lens

By PhotoDady

from Woodbury, MN

About Me Semi-pro Photographer

Verified Buyer

Pros

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Landscape/Scenery

      Comments about Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens:

      Excellent lens, very sharp. I've been using the shift function for landscape panoramas and I couldn't be happier with the results. I'm still playing around with the tilt functions and find it very easy to get those miniature toy like shots. There is quite a bit of vignetting in the far corner when the lens is both fully tilted and fully shifted on a FX sensor. Its a fun lens in that it allows view camera capabilities with a DSLR.
      The one complaint that I do have, and this is a HUGE one, is that the lens is NOT a fully manual lens. On a full manual camera, or if you add a Nikon extension tube, you will loose all functionality of the aperture.
      Come on Nikon get with the program and update you extension tubes to be compatible with the computer age, and your own equipment! Must go third party (Kenko) for this one.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Comment on this review

      (3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      JUST MAGNIFICENT

      By Ligh Eater

      from Houston, TX

      About Me Pro Photographer

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Easy to use
      • Great quality images
      • Ideal for product shots

      Cons

        Best Uses

          Comments about Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens:

          When commercial photography was done with big format analog cameras we were able to correct parallels and to get in focus the whole image by using the different movements of the camera. Then the all-digital era came and if we wanted to keep using our big format cameras we needed to attach to them a digital back that could represent an investment of several tens of thousands of dollars. Now, for less than two grands we can convert our SLR in a parallel-correction-get-everything-in-focus digital image generator.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Comment on this review

          (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          Love the lens

          By Scoop

          from Corvallis Oregon

          About Me Semi-pro Photographer

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Consistent Output
          • Durable
          • Strong Construction

          Cons

          • Heavy

          Best Uses

          • Indoors/Low Light
          • Landscape/Scenery
          • Macro Photography

          Comments about Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens:

          This is a very versatile lens and allows one to focus on the entire subject plane. This creates all kinds of creative opportunities. The one thing I would have liked in the manual is better instruction on how to use the lens properly. This is not a lens that you will get used too immediately but once you do it's amazing.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Comment on this review

          (5 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED !

          By Walt[@]

          from Eugene,Oregon

          About Me Pro Photographer

          Verified Reviewer

          Pros

          • Consistent Output
          • Lightweight
          • Nice Bokeh
          • Perfect Macro
          • Strong Construction

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Macro Photography

            Comments about Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens:

            I have the 105/ 2.8 macro on board, However if you are really into macro and wan't total perceptive control you can now stop your research.
            " Do not buy this lens" unless you have your photographic skills in order.This lens is defiantly for the advanced photographer. You must have the skills to be able to keep up with this magnificent interment. Get ready to do some real macro photography and separate your photography from the common everyday macro shots you see everywhere.
            We have been blessed here in Oregon this winter, with mild weather. I took this baby out last sartirday and located an old 1948 international pickup truck that had been left in the woods forever. The light was perfect and so are the photographs.
            I hope that this review well help those photographers who still take photographs, NOT PICTURES .

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Comment on this review

            (7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            Fantastic Perspective Control

            By Rick

            from Batavia/Chicago, IL

            About Me Semi-pro Photographer

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Durable
            • Easily Interchangeable
            • Nice Bokeh
            • Rugged
            • Strong Construction

            Cons

            • NONE

            Best Uses

            • HDR
            • Landscape/Scenery
            • Stitched Panoramas
            • Table-Top

            Comments about Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens:

            Sharp, fast, easy to use, unparalleled perspective control for DSLR photography. View camera experience helpful in understanding application of swing and tilt adjustments. Ideal for my table-top, stitched pano, creative, HDR and architectural applications. A marvelous special purpose DSLR lens for the serious photographer needing or wanting advanced perspective controls. Manual focus is easy and desirable with this fast 2.8f lens when determining focus points and DOF. I use it with my D3x in the field and, when in the studio, tethered to my laptop – works well in both situations. I have a full set of Nikon lenses but find this lens meets my needs more often than originally anticipated. I would recommend it for anyone needing or wanting the perspective control this lens offers. Expensive but very pleased with the results.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Comment on this review

            (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Foc

            By John

            from Bridgeport, CT

            About Me Pro Photographer

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Consistent Output
            • Durable
            • Easily Interchangeable
            • Rugged
            • Strong Construction

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Macro Photography

              Comments about Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens:

              I love this lens, when photographing products at a low angle I have the depth of field I need with the movement of the lens. I now have the sharp edges corner to corner that I had with a 4x5 camera.

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Comment on this review

              (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              Lives up to it's reputation...

              By Gul

              from Singapore

              About Me Semi-pro Photographer

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Consistent Output
              • Durable
              • Easily Interchangeable
              • Nice Bokeh
              • Strong Construction

              Cons

              • Heavy

              Best Uses

              • Indoors/Low Light
              • Landscape/Scenery
              • Macro Photography
              • Night Photography
              • Portraits

              Comments about Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens:

              This is a manual focus lens that requires learning - and it's best companion is nothing less than a pro-grade Nikon (D3X or D700) to deliver the best results. Produces incredibly sharp images, with the right focus bokeh, if you know what you're looking for. Tilt swivels move very smoothly with no creep. Even though construction is strong, this is NOT a lens to be tossed around - needs care in handling.

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Comment on this review

              (16 of 22 customers found this review helpful)

               
              4.0

              Good lens, hard to use effectively

              By William Hoiles

              from Summit, NJ

              About Me Professional

              Verified Reviewer

              Pros

              • Rugged
              • Sharp Focus
              • Strong Construction

              Cons

              • Expensive
              • Hard to use
              • Heavy

              Best Uses

              • General Use
              • Landscape Photography
              • Special Effects

              Comments about Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens:

              The image quality from the lens is very sharp. The build is excellent. But it's very difficult to get the hang of. I think this is true of all tilt/shift lenses, the difficulty isn't specific to this one lens. I also think the focal length is slightly awkward for t/s, (even more so if you're using a DX camera). The 24mm would have been an easier range to work with. I use it on my D200 and D3. The controls take time to get used to. I've let my friends borrow it and they've had the same difficulty.

              If you purchase it, don't take it off your camera until you fully understand how it works. Become familiar with how the shift influences the photo vs. the tilt, and how much of each you need to apply -- full shift or full tilt is often overkill.

              To me, this is a specialty lens that you shouldn't get unless you have either disposable income, or a very specific need like product photography, landscape work, or the need to make things in the distance look tiny. You CAN take incredible pictures with it. A brief internet search will show you what you can certainly achieve, but it takes a lot of practice in my opinion.

              Comment on this review

              (7 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              Quality with a price.

              By Clarkie

              from Sanbornville N.H.

              About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Durable
              • Easily Interchangeable
              • Quick Focus
              • Rugged
              • Sharp Focus
              • Strong Construction

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Landscape Photography
                • Special Effects

                Comments about Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens:

                Nikon always gives it's all and this is no exception. Fantastic collar, very smooth barrel action with a great window of focus. Only practice will make you perfect with this lens.

                Comment on this review

                (13 of 16 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                5.0

                about the best nikkor lens there is

                By kers

                from amsterdam

                About Me Professional

                Pros

                • Durable
                • Lens quality

                Cons

                • Heavy

                Best Uses

                • Architecture
                • Landscape Photography
                • Macro
                • Special Effects

                Comments about Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens:

                This lens gives perfect images from d2,8 till d22



                it is razor sharp- and handles flare very well ( a problem with the d1,8 85mm nikkor (hat is also a great lens and a lot cheaper)

                It has no distortion also not when shifted-

                it is also designed for high quality macro and tilt can also be very useful there
                It is ready for the d4 in the sense of image quality
                It is manual focus - but when getting used to that you will be able to focus quite fast - but you need a good viewfinder ( D3, D3x-D700)

                the tilt and shift let's you redefine photography.

                Comment on this review

                (18 of 18 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                5.0

                Extremely sharp

                By FG

                from New York

                About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                Verified Reviewer

                Pros

                • Consistent Output
                • Durable
                • Sharp Focus

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Landscape Photography
                  • Special Effects

                  Comments about Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens:

                  This is a very sharp lens...period. I'm familiar lens, as I owned the older version and sold it. This new version "PC-E" has much less CA and more contrast than the older version, unless I just had a bad copy. Anyway, the tilt/shift function is very useful for macro photography, as well as the smaller apertures i.e. F/22 and F/32 with no diffraction. Yes, the older version can stop down to F/45, but it was not useful for me. My main use of this lens is for landscapes and floral photography. The next great feature is the electronic aperture button vs. the older plunger style. This is a great convenience, since you can think more about the subject matter than the metering; this lens will work in auto aperture mode with the newer digital bodies.

                  Comment on this review

                  (9 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

                   
                  5.0

                  wonderful quality and performance...

                  By Jerseysse

                  from New Jersey / Florida

                  About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Consistent Output
                  • Durable
                  • Rugged
                  • Sharp Focus
                  • Strong Construction

                  Cons

                  • NONE

                  Best Uses

                  • Close-up
                  • General Use
                  • Landscape Photography
                  • Portrait
                  • Special Effects

                  Comments about Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens:

                  Very precise and smooth focus
                  Excellent contrast
                  relative ease of use on the D3 and D700

                  Comment on this review

                  Displaying reviews 1-12

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