Detailed Examination of Nikon's Z 85mm f/1.8 S Lens

Detailed Examination of Nikon's Z 85mm f/1.8 S Lens

Introducing the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S: A Revolutionary Portrait Lens for Nikon Z Mount

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S has made a significant impact in the world of portrait photography, offering exceptional optical performance and a host of innovative features.

This professional-grade lens, designed for the Nikon Z mount, boasts a large aperture of f/1.8, making it ideal for low-light photography and subject isolation. It stands out with its outstanding sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and effective flare resistance, all thanks to Nano Crystal and Super Integrated coatings.

Compared to other 85mm lenses on the market, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S offers superior optical performance and rendering within its f/1.8 aperture class. It achieves this by avoiding the use of aspherical elements, ensuring smooth bokeh.

Key Features of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S

• Large aperture of f/1.8 for low-light photography and subject isolation
• Nine rounded aperture blades for smooth out-of-focus highlights
• The focus ring is not mechanically coupled, allowing for custom functions
• The front element does not rotate during focusing, making it easy to use circular filters
• Does not feature Vibration Reduction (VR), but can take advantage of all 5 axes of stabilization when used on a camera body with in-body image stabilization (IBIS)
• Weather-sealed for durability in various shooting conditions

Comparing the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S with Other Notable 85mm Lenses

| Lens | Aperture | Optical Quality | Bokeh Rendering | Autofocus | Build & Features | Price & Size Notes | |--------|------------|------------------|-------------------|-----------|------------------|--------------------| | Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8 | Outstanding sharpness, low aberrations, strong coatings reduce flare and ghosting | Smooth, creamy bokeh optimized by avoiding aspherical elements | Fast, quiet autofocus | Weather-sealed, relatively lightweight but bigger than F-mount 85mm f/1.8G | Expensive for f/1.8 but less than f/1.2 siblings | | Nikon 85mm f/1.8G (F-mount) | f/1.8 | Sharp, but older design with slightly lower contrast and more aberrations; more focus breathing in video use | Good but less refined bokeh | Decent autofocus | Lighter, smaller, no weather sealing | More affordable, less advanced optics | | Nikon 85mm f/1.4G (F-mount) | f/1.4 | Very sharp, classic pro lens with some bokeh falloff issues but good subject separation | Slightly harsher bokeh than newer Z lenses | Good autofocus | Larger, heavier, older optical coatings | More expensive than f/1.8G, less than Sigma Art | | Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art | f/1.4 | Extremely sharp, excellent control of aberrations, high contrast | Very smooth bokeh, among the best out there | Fast and accurate autofocus | Large and heavy, solid build | Popular for best image quality at f/1.4 price | | Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 | f/1.8 | Sharp, good contrast, modern optical design but less known | Pleasant bokeh but sometimes harsh highlights | Fast and quiet autofocus | Compact, lightweight, good value | Often priced competitively vs Nikon f/1.8 lenses | | Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 (for Nikon Z) | f/1.4 | Manual focus version known for decent sharpness, some softness wide open | Smooth bokeh | Manual focus only on Z mount | Affordable alternative, less advanced coatings | Good budget option but no autofocus on Z | | Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 85mm f/1.2 | f/1.2 | Ultra-wide aperture with good sharpness but focus challenges | Very shallow DOF, notable bokeh effect | Manual focus only | Fast aperture but large, heavy | Specialized lens for creative portraiture at f/1.2 | | ZEISS Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZF.2 (F-mount) | f/1.4 | Excellent sharpness, contrast, and color rendition | Classic smooth Zeiss bokeh | Manual focus | High build quality, heavy | Premium mature optical design | | ZEISS Milvus 85mm f/1.4 ZF.2 (F-mount) | f/1.4 | Further refinement over Planar, superior sharpness, improved coatings | Beautiful and smooth bokeh | Manual focus | Weather sealed, robust construction | High-end lens for demanding shooters | | ZEISS Otus 85mm f/1.4 ZF.2 (F-mount) | f/1.4 | Top-tier sharpness and almost zero aberrations, “benchmark” optical quality | Gorgeous bokeh, very smooth and natural | Manual focus | Largest and heaviest, premium build | Extremely expensive, best optical performance available |

Conclusion

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S exceeds the earlier Nikon 85mm f/1.8G optically, especially on mirrorless Z bodies, offering smoother bokeh, better coatings, and weather sealing. Compared to f/1.4 lenses like the Nikon 85mm f/1.4G and Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art, the Z 85mm f/1.8 S may lose some shallow depth of field but delivers superb sharpness and cleaner bokeh for its aperture.

It offers a modern autofocus system superior to manual-focus-only lenses like the Samyang and ZEISS ZF.2 lines, although the Zeiss Otus remains unmatched purely on optical quality. Among more affordable options, the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 and Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 give reasonable alternatives but with compromises in autofocus or coatings.

The Mitakon Speedmaster 85mm f/1.2 is unique with its f/1.2 aperture but manual focus and size limit its use to specialized portraiture applications. Overall, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is regarded as the best modern f/1.8 85mm portrait lens, combining excellent optical performance, autofocus, and build quality, making it highly competitive against other offerings in the 85mm category.

1. The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S, a revolutionary lens for Nikon Z Mount, delivers exceptional results in portrait photography, with a prime focus on low-light conditions and subject isolation.
2. With a large aperture of f/1.8, this lens offers superior optical performance and rendering, featuring outstanding sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and effective flare resistance.
3. Nine rounded aperture blades in the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S ensure smooth out-of-focus highlights, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the photographs.
4. The focus ring of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is not mechanically coupled, allowing for custom functions and greater control over the focusing process.
5. This lens' front element does not rotate during focusing, making it easier to use circular filters, a valuable feature for countless photography gadgets and techniques.
6. The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S does not feature Vibration Reduction (VR), but it can take advantage of all 5 axes of stabilization when paired with a camera body that has in-body image stabilization (IBIS).
7. This weather-sealed lens is designed for durability in various shooting conditions, providing peace of mind for photographers who venture into difficult environments.
8. When compared to other 85mm lenses on the market, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S offers superior optical performance and rendering within its f/1.8 aperture class, achieving this by avoiding the use of aspherical elements.
9. Reviews of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S highlight its capabilities for capturing stunning portraits with high-quality highlights, sharpness, and excellent control over the aperture, providing photographers with a powerful tool for their craft.
10. Those looking for tips on mastering the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S can explore techniques such as adjusting the ISO, manipulating the aperture for depth of field, and utilizing manual focus for precise control over the focusing plane to further elevate their portrait photography skills.

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