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Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Nikon
The Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Lens is a special effort in the independent lens manufacturer world, being a popular focal length for serious portraiture combined with an extra large f/1.4 maximum aperture. Most independent manufacturer lenses are either zooms or very short or long focal length fixed lenses. This lens is appropriate for Nikon FX "full frame" cameras in addition to their 15.6 x 23.7mm "APS-C" style digital 'DX' SLR cameras, and works similarly upon the cameras as later-model Nikon manual focus lenses. This lens is precision manufactured in South Korea.
With a 35mm equivalent focal length of ~127mm and that f/1.4 aperture on DX cameras (or a classic 85mm f/1.4 on FX cameras), this Bower 85mm lens opens up photographic opportunities you'll never get with your zoom. Capture close portraits of singers on dark stages with only spotlights on their faces, and those background lights will be soft cascades of low-contrast coloring. With the big f/1.4 opening, you'll have enough light to stop subject motion. Or try it in brighter conditions at fast shutter speeds and low ISOs to make great shots of people in front of blooming trees, with background flowers almost looking like paintings. It isn't easy nailing manual focus at f/1.4-2.0 (nor for that matter is it easy for an AF system), but you'll get better with practice, and soon be making many snaps that stand out in a crowd.
This lens was truly created with large-aperture shooting in mind. Though a fine performer with plenty of contrast and resolution at f/5.6-f/11 apertures, it is at its best shooting between f/1.4-2.8, where it presents a high-peak-resolution focus point surrounded by lower resolution/contrast out-of-focus areas. Rather than just sharpness all around, for many pictures it is this stark drop off in resolution and contrast that effectively draws a viewer's eye towards a subject.
- Bright f/1.4 aperture
- Aspherical lens element provides high quality images
- Fully multicoated optics
- Ideal portrait lens
- Low weight relative to many 85mm f/1.4 lenses
- Smooth helicoid manual focus action
- Internal focusing means that lens length remains constant during focusing (lens front also does not rotate)
- Made in South Korea
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 85 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/1.4 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Nikon F |
| Format Compatibility |
Nikon FX/35mm Film Nikon DX |
| Angle of View |
28.3° APS-C Picture Angle: 19.1° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 3.28' (1 m) |
| Magnification | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Groups/Elements | 7/9 |
| Diaphragm Blades | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | No |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 72 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.0 x 3.75" (76.20 x 95.25 mm) |
| Weight | 1.15 lb (0.52 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 6 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Durable (3)
- Reliable (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Professional (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (4)
Reviewed by 6 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-6
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Portraits
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Nikon:
Awesome lens for the price. Manual focus makes it difficult to use for children's portraits, but other than that its sharp and creates beautiful images.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Reliable
Cons
- Difficult To Use
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape Photography
- Macro Photography
- Portraits
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Nikon:
This lens is very high quality, solid metal and glass construction. For this price, I wouldn't worry too much about breaking it although it would be a challenge none the less. The image quality is very good. I also have the latest Nikon 85 1.4g and comparing the images there is very little difference. Comparing the price...eesh that's another story. The one real downside is that this is a manual focus lens only. Shooting portraits of still models, still object, or still anything this lens will amaze. Once things begin moving around, it's almost impossible to nail focus at F/1.4
Still amazing value, I am glad I purchased it and will likely keep it on me while traveling for a cheap and effective ultra-fast, mega-Bokeh lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Similar:
- Nikkor 85mm 1.4g, Nikkor 70-200 VRII 2.8
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Studio
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Nikon:
I wanted to have a portrait lens with a fast aperture and the price of the other lenses was too much because I mainly use it for video with my Canon T2i. This lens deliver beautiful images with a lovely bokeh and the manufacturing quality is really good.
I am very pleased with this lens , I will plan to use it with the AG-AF100 with and adapter and will post the experience on a Micro Four Third Sensor
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- Not Durable
Best Uses
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Nikon:
I love this lens. This is the only non-nikon lens in my prime kit, and I have no regrets buying it over the Nikon 1.4 or the 1.8, as it performs as well and is cheaper. Sure, it has a slightly cheesy plastic housing (what do you expect for the price), but it has excellent optics, is sharp, has a beautiful creamy bokeh, and is fast. I use it with my AF100 for video use as my goto portrait lens, and love the images it produces, as do my clients. No one believes the image is from a $330 generic lens.p.s. Ken Rockwell does an excellent review of this lens here. I have found it to be spot on:[@]
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great bokeh
- Very affordable
- Very good optical quality
Cons
- Hard to focus low light
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Nikon:
Use this lens for mostly portraits but gives the informal sittings great "glamour bokeh". Downside is that it is difficult to get proper focus (aging eyes) especially in low light situations. Never seem to have that difficulty when I was shooting Nikon F3 and a 50mm f/1.4 but that was 25 years ago...
Overall, if you can shoot at a slower pace, concentrate on the focusing, it is an excellent lens, especially for the price!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Traveling
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Nikon:
I have many vintage manual focus Nikkor lenses but was lacking the 85mm f1.4. I am impressed with the feel and quality of this lens for the price. Much of my photography is still with B&W film on manual bodies and judging by the results thus far this lens compares favorably with my vintage lenses in sharpness and image contrast. The build and internal focusing feels solid and handles really well. The narrow depth of field at f1.4 may be an issue for those not accustomed to manual focus lenses but with practice will improve.
Displaying reviews 1-6
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What's in the Box
- Front & Rear Lens Caps
- Lens Hood
- Lens Pouch
- 1-Year Warranty
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