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Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Lens

BH #NIZ8518 • MFR #20090
191 reviews
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Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Lens
Key Features
  • Z-Mount Lens/FX Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
  • Two Extra-Low Dispersion Elements
  • Nano Crystal & Super Integrated Coatings
Popular for portraiture, the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S from Nikon is a short-telephoto prime characterized by its flattering focal length and bright f/1.8 design. The maximum aperture strikes a balance between size, weight, and speed, offering suitable speed for working in difficult lighting yet remaining sleek enough for handheld use. In terms of optics, two extra-low dispersion elements are featured, and help to reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to achieve high clarity and color fidelity. Also, both Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coatings are used to suppress flare and ghosting for greater color fidelity and higher contrast.
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Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Overview

Popular for portraiture, the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S from Nikon is a short-telephoto prime characterized by its flattering focal length and bright f/1.8 design. The maximum aperture strikes a balance between size, weight, and speed, offering suitable speed for working in difficult lighting yet remaining sleek enough for handheld use. In terms of optics, two extra-low dispersion elements are featured, and help to reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to achieve high clarity and color fidelity. Also, both Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coatings are used to suppress flare and ghosting for greater color fidelity and higher contrast.

Complementing the optical design, a multi-focus system, which employs two stepping motors, helps to realize impressively fast, accurate, and quiet focus performance, along with full-time manual focus override, to suit both stills and video needs. Additionally, a programmable control ring can be set for intuitive adjustment over a variety of camera and exposure settings.

Prime portrait-length lens is designed for FX-format Z-mount mirrorless cameras.
Bright f/1.8 maximum aperture suits working in difficult lighting conditions and also offers increased control over depth of field for isolating subjects and working with selective focus.
Two extra-low dispersion elements greatly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to produce greater clarity and color rendering.
A Nano Crystal Coat, along with a Super Integrated Coating, has been applied to lens elements to minimize surface and internal reflections for a marked reduction in lens flare and ghosting.
Multi-focus system incorporates two separate AF drive units, which are synchronized, to deliver especially fast and accurate focusing performance. This system uses stepping motors, which offer impressively smooth and quiet autofocus qualities, that are well-suited to both stills and video applications. Full-time manual focus override is also possible and an internal focusing design is used, where only the internal lens groups are moved during focusing, to maintain the overall length of the lens during use and to promote faster focusing speeds.
Programmable Control Ring is, by default, set to adjust manual focus, but can also be used to control aperture or exposure compensation.
Specialized electromagnetic aperture mechanism provides greater exposure control stability that is especially beneficial when working with fast continuous shooting rates.
Dust- and moisture-resistant lens barrel benefits the lens' use in inclement conditions.
UPC: 018208200900

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Specs

Key Specs
Focal Length
85mm
Maximum Aperture
f/1.8
Lens Mount
Nikon Z
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Focus Type
Autofocus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
67 mm (Front)
Maximum Aperture
f/1.8
Minimum Aperture
f/16
Lens Mount
Nikon Z
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
28° 30'
Minimum Focus Distance
2.62' / 80 cm
Maximum Magnification
0.12x
Optical Design
12 Elements in 8 Groups
Diaphragm Blades
9, Rounded
Focus Type
Autofocus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
67 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
2.95 x 3.9" / 75 x 99 mm
Weight
1 lb / 470 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.755 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
9.5 x 5.6 x 4.6"

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Reviews

Fast Becoming My Fave

By Varien
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-02-13

Buying a Nikkor Z 85/1.8 S has proven to be rewarding.  Adding an 85 to a set of five other Nikkor Zs ( 24-120 f/4 S, 26 f/2.8, 40 f/2, 50 f/1.2 S, MC 105 VR f/2.8 S) was a decision made after taking stock of how I use those lenses. That led to asking what additional lens, if any, would best help me take the photos I most enjoy making.  Sure, the 24-120 can be set to 85mm. But the downside of that, for me, is the 24-120’s smaller maximum aperture and the constraints that can impose on shutter speed and bokeh. Also, I prefer to use prime lenses. Nonetheless, the 24-120 is superb for a one-lens outing and I am very glad I have one. So why an 85? I primarily shoot portraits, flowers, landscapes, and street. I also take a LOT of pictures of my kitty, Ginger. Both my 50 and 105 render excellent images. However, the 50 can sometimes be too wide so that I have to step forward to constrain its coverage. Inversely, the 105 can be so narrow that I have to step back. The rub here is not having to reposition myself but, rather, that it is not always possible. For example, when in a garden I don’t like stepping on plants just to frame a photo. Having several prime lenses takes care of that issue with the 85mm field of view making a good intermediate option. Plus, an 85mm lens renders remarkably complimentary portraits and is otherwise useful for general photography Umpteen technical reviews rate the Nikkor 85 1.8 S as a superb lens. Likewise, the 85 f/1.2 S. Reviews tend to give the 1.2 an edge over the 1.8 but, for my use, the difference is not enough to counterbalance the 1.2’s cost, size, and weight.  The 85 f/1.8 delights me to the point it is pushing to become my favorite lens. Using my Z 7II to mount my other lenses, the 85 has been on my Zf since it arrived and I have used it almost daily between then and now. I favor especially its field of view, acuity, quick focus, color rendition, size, and weight. Images rendered by the 85 f1.8 glide smoothly between foreground, sharp focus, and background. This smooth glide caters to outstanding subject isolation and pleasing bokeh.. Photos (all Nikon Zf + Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S @ 1.8): 1) Ginger sitting tall; 2) Ginger surveying her neighborhood; 3) Are you taking my picture again?; 4) Ginger keeps an eye out over her front yard; 5) A look at DOF fall-off with African coffee (a delicious gift my daughter purchased while on a photo safari.

YESSSSSS!

By Sharolyn
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2024-11-21

I've been wanting an 85mm for years and I finally went for it for my Z7ii and I am not disappointed. Buttery bokeh, sharp as a tack optics. LOVE!

See any errors on this page?

Anyone uses this lens in an indoor basketball ...

Anyone uses this lens in an indoor basketball situation? Is it fast in tracking with Z7?
Asked by: Harry
If you are under the basket, you might find an 85mm to be "too close." I've used my 70-200 and 50 prime while under the basket, but not my 85. With my 70-200, I've always felt 70 was not quite wide enough when I'm positioned under the basket, so I tend to prefer the 50 if I want most of my shots to be of action right at the basket.
Answered by: Krista
Date published: 2024-03-28

When is this lens expected to be released?

When is this lens expected to be released?
Asked by: John
As of the time/date of this reply, we do not have an estimated arrival date from Nikon for the arrival of the the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Lens. The best I can state is if you are sure you want to purchase the lens, I would go ahead and pre-order the lens, as all pre-orders will be shipped in the order in which they are received, and all pre-orders will be shipped before the lens will be listed as "In Stock" on our website or in our NYC Superstore. If you are not purchasing at this time, but simply prefer to be notified when the lens is in stock and available for purchase, you may click the white "Notify When In Stock" button on our website and enter your e-mail address, and we will e-mail you once the lens is in stock and available for purchase.
Answered by: Manzell L
Date published: 2019-09-25

will this 85mm Z lens fit in a Lenscoat small ...

will this 85mm Z lens fit in a Lenscoat small pouch with the lens shade attached in the stored position?
Asked by: Frederick
Yes, you can fit Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Lens with the lens hood attached on reverse or front foward position inside the LensCoat LensPouch (Small). The pouch i made of a neoprene stretchable material.
Answered by: Llinelva D
Date published: 2023-11-27

Where is the Z 85mm F/1.8 S made?

Where is the Z 85mm F/1.8 S made?
Asked by: Terrence
Mine is made in China
Answered by: Jack
Date published: 2019-10-25

Has anyone tested this with a Z TC 2.0? is so, ...

Has anyone tested this with a Z TC 2.0? is so, how did it perform?
Asked by: ReNae
Unfortunately the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Lens is not compatible with the Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-2x.
Answered by: Daniel C
Date published: 2023-07-07

Can i use this on a d7200?

Can i use this on a d7200?
Asked by: Kim
No, mirrorless lenses are not compatible with dslr cameras, the other way around yes.
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2021-10-22

Can this lens be used for macro photography?

Can this lens be used for macro photography?
Asked by: Maureen
This is not a macro lens but with extension tubes and or close up filters, it will certainly fit the bill.
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2021-08-11

Does this lens come with a lens hood? Thanks

Does this lens come with a lens hood? Thanks
Asked by: Allen
Yes.
Answered by: Anonymous
Date published: 2020-01-22
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