Video Chat with a Photography Expert - Live

Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Nikon F

BH #LELBV85N • MFR #LBV85N
Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Nikon F
Key Features
  • F-Mount Lens/FX Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
  • Soft Glowing Effect at Wide Apertures
  • Inspired by Classic Portrait Lenses
A unique short telephoto with distinct classic appeal, the Nikon F-mount Velvet 85mm f/1.8 from Lensbaby produces a mid-20th century-inspired image quality that is well-suited to portraiture. Characterized by a smooth, glowing aesthetic, this lens's softness can be controlled by stopping down in order to produce a range of effects from soft and dreamy to sharper and crunchier at smaller apertures. A 12-blade diaphragm also contributes to the lens's aesthetic, and helps to produce a smooth bokeh quality to suit shallow depth of field imagery. Additionally, the manual focus design affords a working distance of 9.5" with a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:2 to benefit working with close-up subjects.
In Stock
$499.95
$84/mo. suggested payments for 6 Mos.
with the credit card.§ 
or Save the Tax with the credit card. 
Protect Your Gear
Add a protection plan from $59.99
Lens Mount
Canon EF
Nikon F
Trade in your gear for cash: Learn more
Ask Our Experts
800.606.6969

Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Overview

A unique short telephoto with distinct classic appeal, the Nikon F-mount Velvet 85mm f/1.8 from Lensbaby produces a mid-20th century-inspired image quality that is well-suited to portraiture. Characterized by a smooth, glowing aesthetic, this lens's softness can be controlled by stopping down in order to produce a range of effects from soft and dreamy to sharper and crunchier at smaller apertures. A 12-blade diaphragm also contributes to the lens's aesthetic, and helps to produce a smooth bokeh quality to suit shallow depth of field imagery. Additionally, the manual focus design affords a working distance of 9.5" with a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:2 to benefit working with close-up subjects.

Short telephoto portrait-length lens is designed for FX-format Nikon F-mount DSLRs, however it can also be used with DX models where it provides a 127.5mm equivalent focal length.
Bright f/1.8 maximum aperture affords greater control over depth of field for working with shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques, and also benefits working in low-light conditions.
Inspired by classic portrait lenses from the mid-20th century, this lens is designed to produce an ethereal glowing quality with soft, smooth tonality that is well-suited to portraiture.
Softness can be controlled by stopping-down the lens: when stopped-down to f/16, the image exhibits a smooth quality with greater central sharpness.
A working distance of 9.5" along with a 1:2 reproduction ratio suits working with close-up subjects.
Manual focus design with a smooth, dampened focusing movement is complemented by engraved focus distance indicators.
A 12-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth bokeh quality that is ideal for selective focus imagery.
UPC: 850366006792

Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Specs

Focal Length85mm
Maximum Aperturef/1.8
Minimum Aperturef/16
Lens MountNikon F
Lens Format CoverageFull-Frame
Minimum Focus Distance9.5" / 24.13 cm
Maximum Magnification0.5x
Macro Reproduction Ratio1:2
Diaphragm Blades12
Focus TypeManual Focus
Image StabilizationNo
Filter Size67 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)2.99 x 3.5" / 76 x 89 mm
Weight1.17 lb / 530.1 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight1.465 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)5.75 x 4.25 x 3.95"

Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Reviews

Interesting Lens - Unique

By Virginia
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-12-29

I have only used this lens a couple of times and there is definitely a learning curve involved in getting images that I an hoping for. Lens seems to be in good working order and tutorials online are a great help.

Give your images that soft glow

By Michael
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-08-04

I have been a fan of Lensbaby lenses for years and the Velvet 85 is no exception. This lens gives the entire image a soft pleasing glow - the entire image as this is not a elective focus lens. You dial in that amount of glow with aperture. As you stop down you can get get quite sharp images but the point of the lens is to open up your aperture to the point of soft glow you feel the subject requires. As with all Lensbaby lenses there is a learning curve - don't give up too early. Since the image you are trying to achieve has a soft glow, optimal focus can be tricky to achieve with this manual focus lens. I am using it on a Canon R5. Focus peaking on mirrorless camera really helps with focusing. It's still early days for me but I am really enjoying shooting with this lens. You can dial in the glow effect from almost non existent to full throttle at f1.8. This is a substantial lens so be prepared to carry some weight but I have not found this to be an issue. Loving the velvet glow.

I'm in love with this lens!

By Pamela
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-08-03

This is my first Lensbaby lens and I'm in love! I've been into photography my entire life, starting with film in my childhood and switching to digital in 2005. I've done portraits, macro and landscapes. There has just seemed to be a missing piece in my photography. I've found it in Lensbaby. The creativity this lens opens up is freeing and inspiring. The way this lens captures light is breathtaking! Wide open this lens creates unique, soft and ethereal images that you can't get with other lenses or in post processing. Stop down and this lens is extremely sharp! I only wish I would have discovered Lensbaby sooner in my photographic career. I'm already trying to decide what my Lensbaby lens will be. I'm hooked!

Dreamy

By Erik
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-21

A bit of a one-trick pony, but it's a nice trick-dreamy portraits and closeups.

SUPER LENS and SERVICE FROM B&H

By Chris
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-17

I received the lens faster than I had expected and am thrilled with its performance! Better than I had hoped considering some of the reviews I had read regarding it being difficult to focus. REMEMBER: It's an all MANUAL lens and requires patience to use it properly. If you remember that then you too will be blown away by its capabilities. I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND you purchase the close-up lens set for it for one-to-one and even closer magnification.

Loving it.

By Charles
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-01-07

Most of my work is portraits and headshots and being able to get a dreamy, soft-focus quality when you shoot wide open to a nice sharp image stopped down some is a total joy.

A Great Macro Flower Lens

By Nancy
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-09-01

Knowing this was a favorite lens of two awesome flower photographers in Anne Belmont and Kathleen Clemons I just had to try this lens. I already had the Lensbaby Velvet 56 but to be honest had not mastered that lens to my satisfaction. I decided to buy the Velvet 85 after spending more time with my Velvet 56. I love the backgrounds that are created by the Velvet 85. I am still in the learning stages of it but from my playing with it I really do love it so far. I am not into portrait photography but this lens can also be used for that. I definitely recommend this lens.

Disappointed

By Frank
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2022-08-07

This lens does nothing but produce soft focus on any subject. I can obtain this with any of several lenses that I own. This lens is a waste of money.

See any errors on this page? Let us know

YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

Where is this lens manufactured?

Where is this lens manufactured?
Asked by: Robert
This lens is manufactured in China.
Answered by: Zach L
Date published: 2021-04-27

What is the difference between the black and ...

What is the difference between the black and silver model?
Asked by: Bonita
There are no differences other than the color.
Answered by: Dan
Date published: 2021-05-06

Where is this lens manufactured??

Where is this lens manufactured??
Asked by: Robert
This was made in China.
Answered by: Jeremy
Date published: 2021-04-25

Will live view work with this lens? I use a Nikon ...

Will live view work with this lens? I use a Nikon D850.
Asked by: Reid
Yes.
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2020-11-16

Will this lens work on: a) Nikon D700 and b) ...

Will this lens work on: a) Nikon D700 and b) Nikon (FM2/FE2/FM3A/F3 Thanks!
Asked by: Victor
Yes, will work on both cameras.
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2021-09-01

Does this lens come with a lens hood?

Does this lens come with a lens hood?
Asked by: Kenneth
Just received mine today. It comes with a screw-on lens hood.
Answered by: harry
Date published: 2022-06-21

Will this lens fit a nikon Z fs, do i need an ...

Will this lens fit a nikon Z fs, do i need an extra adaptor?
Asked by: Courtney
The Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Nikon Z (Black) fits direct on to a Nikon Zfc Mirrorless Camera.
Answered by: Robert
Date published: 2023-02-06

This lens will work on the Nikon Z5?

This lens will work on the Nikon Z5?
Asked by: Shanelle
Yes, the Lensbaby Velvet 85 mm 1.8 is compatible with the Nikon Z5.
Answered by: louisa
Date published: 2023-02-06
  • y_2023, m_3, d_23, h_22CST
  • bvseo_bulk, prod_bvqa, vn_bulk_3.0.34
  • cp_1, bvpage1
  • co_hasquestionsanswers, tq_15
  • loc_en_US, sid_1338159, prod, sort_[SortEntry(order=HAS_STAFF_ANSWERS, direction=DESCENDING)]
  • clientName_bhphotovideo
036