We have already reviewed the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 and Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 full frame lenses for the new Nikon Z system cameras. Both were found to be exceptional performers, duly picking up the accolade of Editor's Choice. As the system expands and the choice of lenses widens, the continuation of this high standard will be crucial to its success, so it is with great interest that we now look at the new Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8S, using the 45.4MP Nikon Z7 camera body. Can Nikon do it again? We find out....
Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S Handling and Features
First impression is of a well made, very understated lens in terms of appearance, it being little more than a tube with one control ring and an AF/MF switch. It weighs a modest 470g, is dust and water-resistant and has nano crystal coatings that enable us to peer into the front element and clearly see the 9 bladed diaphragm. The diaphragm is electronic, as on all recent Nikkor lenses, making the operation smooth, silent and accurate. This is ideal for videographers in particular.
There is a provided bayonet fit lens hood, another simple tube that matches the lens itself perfectly. This clips firmly into place and has no tendency whatsoever to be accidentally shifted. Within the bayonet fit is a standard 67mm filter thread.
The manual focusing ring is very broad and allows for excellent grip. It is electronic and totally silent in operation, but it is more than that as it can be programmed to adjust focus (full time), aperture or exposure compensation; all silently and so having excellent potential for video shooting as well as stills. The focusing range extends down to 0.80m, or 2.62 feet, a maximum magnification of 0.12x or 1:8.3. This is marginally closer than some traditional 85mm lenses, but not by a hugely significant amount. It is an excellent focal length and focus distance for flattering portraits.
Optical construction is 12 elements in 8 groups, including 2 ED (Extra Low Dispersion). This relatively simple formula is no doubt possible because the maximum aperture has been held to f/1.8, rather than the increasingly used f/1.4. The benefits are lower cost, but mainly a much lighter and more compact lens. This is far more in keeping with the supposed ethos of a mirrorless system than adding a monster of a lens to a svelte body.
This reduced size and weight is well received and makes carrying the kit so much easier for longer periods. This is obviously ideal in travel situations, but can be appreciated for other photographic areas. The lens is so simple, but works superbly well and is a pleasure to shoot with.
Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S Performance
Sharpness is quite remarkable and is in fact outstanding, both centre and edge, all the way from f/1.8 through to f/8. It is still evenly matched at f/11 and f/16, centre and edge, where results are excellent. Simply put, use any aperture and images will be gorgeously crisp all over the image field.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85MM f/1.8 S MTF Charts
How to read our MTF chartsThe blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges.The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution and sharpness as LW/PH and is described in detail above. The taller the column, the better the lens performance. For this review, the lens was tested on a Nikon Z7 using Imatest. Want to know more about how we review lenses? |
CA (Chromatic Aberration) is virtually banished at the centre of the field, even with all in-camera corrections switched off. The figures approach zero. The edges also measure extremely low values, so CA is just not a problem at any level.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85MM f/1.8 S Chromatic Aberration Charts
How to read our CA chartsChromatic aberration (CA) is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more. For this review, the lens was tested on a Nikon Z7 using Imatest. |
Distortion measures +0.27% barrel, also a very low value, making the lens extremely suitable for architectural shots, or indeed any shots where straight lines at the edge of the frame are required to be rendered straight.
With such high sharpness, sometimes lenses can look a little severe in terms of bokeh, but the Nikkor does not fall into that trap. Bokeh can be described as creamy, ultra-smooth or having lovely gradation, but it all amounts to the same thing, a lens that renders out of focus areas with a beautiful smoothness.
Flare resistance is excellent, with no artefacts and only a very slight loss of contrast when shooting right into bright light sources.
Vignetting is well held at just -1.7 stops of corner darkening at f/1.8, reducing to -1.6 at f/2 and thereafter to around -1.4 stops for the rest of the aperture range. This is also an excellent performance, and what darkening remains can be either removed in software or used to advantage to help concentrate our eyes on the centre of the image. This will work well for portraiture in particular.
In summary, this is a superb overall performance, right in the top league of lenses.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85MM f/1.8 S Sample Photos
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85MM f/1.8 S Aperture range
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Value For Money
The Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is priced at £799.
To give an idea of value compared with other marques:
Sony FE 85mm f/1.8, £599
Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD, £749
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G, £429
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8, £995
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, £365
Samyang MF 85mm f/1.8, £319
Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8, £479
Whilst these will not fit the Nikon Z system cameras, notwithstanding any adapters that may be found, it does give an idea of the pricing level the Nikkor has been set at. The new lens is at the top end of the prices found, but it is also at the top end in terms of performance, so can justify itself.
For more options have a look at Top 44 Best Portrait Lenses.
Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S Verdict
What a cracker of a lens the Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S has turned out to be. With outstanding performance, outstanding handling and its diminutive size and weight there is a lot to like, in fact a lot to find that is highly desirable. The cost is at the higher end of such lenses, although nowhere near the cost that an f/1.4 version would result in. It might be an inspired decision by Nikon to keep their lens to be smaller, lighter but to ensure the highest level of quality.
We started out by asking if Nikon could do it again. The answer is yes, and they did. The result is another well deserved Editor's Choice.
