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No wonder photographers reach out for an 85mm lens to create some beautiful portraits. With its ideal focal length, an 85mm lens allows you to bring the features, expressions, and personality of a subject to life in a still image.
The most peculiar thing about this lens is its focus, which offers a complex and interesting relationship with the background.
In this guide, we have presented some of the best 85mm lenses for your Nikon camera that will certainly carry out the most reliable results.
Contents
Review of the Best 85mm Lenses For Nikon Cameras
Now that we are done discussing the features you should always take into consideration whenever you set out to purchase a lens, let’s start the detailed reviews of our top picks currently available on the market.
Best Overall: Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G
PROS
- Autofocus is quite fast
- Compact design that is highly portable
- Capable of producing superbly sharp images
- Comes with a lens hood to mark the perfection
- Composed of high-quality materials to offer robust construction
CONS
- Made of plastic, not metal
- Bokeh effect is not impressive
- Might face some chromatic distortion
What Recent Buyers Report
This best overall product has succeeded in winning the confidence of many customers out there. They like this model for its fast and smooth operation, which gives excellent images under any conditions. Moreover, users report that with this lens, you can manually adjust the focus according to your desire.
Why it Stands Out to Us
An all-arounder, the Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G stands out from its rivals for a number of reasons. It comes with sturdy construction that can survive a drop on concrete. Similarly, the autofocus is very fast and yet silent, thanks to the silent wave motor. Moreover, it is lightweight and incorporated with a weather-sealed mounting plate to ensure reliability.
Who Will Use This Most
Weighing a modest 350g, this model is an ideal choice for anyone who does not want to add much weight to their luggage while going on an adventurous trip. Since it has fast autofocus and also allows you to adjust the manual focus, this lens is perfect for anyone who likes to take control during photography.
Bottom Line
A powerhouse of features, the Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is a compact and lightweight lens that perfectly suits a Nikon body to give you vibrant images in no time. With fast and silent autofocus in addition to a weather-resistant design, this lens will never wrong its user.
- Fast aperture medium telephoto lens
- Internal focus, focal length: 85 millimeter, minimum focus range: 0.80 meter
- Silent wave motor (SWM). Number of diaphragm blades: 7 (rounded diaphragm opening)
Runner-up: Rokinon 85MAF-N 85mm F1.4
PROS
- Great sharpness and contrast
- Nice aperture range to choose from
- UMC multi-layer coating to avoid any flare
- Attractive design with an appealing appearance
- High-quality construction to serve you in the long run
CONS
- Focusing can be hard at times
- Does not work well with EXIF data
- Aperture ring blacks out the viewfinder
What Recent Buyers Report
Users have many positive reviews about this product for providing them a wonderful experience. It is much admired for its image quality and best tone rendering, which adds a beautiful contrast to the pictures. Moreover, its users report that it has a robust construction that is meant to serve long.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Rokinon 85MAF-N is surely one of the most efficient lenses for Nikon body you’ll find on the market. It comes with a great aperture range of F/1.4-F/21, making it an ideal choice for photography lovers. Moreover, the manual focus and great filter thread add to the perfection of this lens.
Who Will Use This Most
A solid performer with sturdy construction, this model is an ideal option for photographers who need to take an extra lens onboard during their trips. It can easily endure harsh conditions without compromising on the performance, which makes it suitable for professional portrait photographers as well as videographers.
Bottom Line
Another great product on the list, the Rokinon 85MAF-N 85mm F1.4 is a sturdy and lightweight lens that goes perfectly with your Nikon camera. Not only is it weather-resistant and durable, but this model also offers some beautiful shots whenever you want. All in all, this lens should not be missed.
- Aperture Range: F/1.4 - F/21
- 14 Elements in 7 Groups
- Angle of View: 28.3 Degrees
Best for the Money: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM
PROS
- Better torque than its predecessor
- Most reasonably priced lens on our list
- Equipped with extremely fast autofocus
- Can be used with multiple Nikon cameras
- Features advanced specifications to give vibrant images
CONS
- Very heavy to carry around
- Slightly fatter than most lenses
- Calibration can be improved
What Recent Buyers Report
This model is also well-received by photographers. One of the most amazing things about it is its affordable price and sturdy construction. You get to enjoy a superb set of features that will surely result in stunning pictures. Moreover, users report that it gives sharp photos and creamy bokeh.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM mainly stands out to us for its super-fast autofocus due to the incorporation of the hypersonic motor. Similarly, an amazing filter thread of 86mm is perfect for getting exotic images in almost no time. Last but not least, color fringing, coma, distortion, and flare are completely negligible.
Who Will Use This Most
With so many features and a reasonable price, this lens is surely a suitable option for those who can’t afford an expensive lens. It is highly compatible with a number of Nikon cameras, including APS-C Nikon D7100, D7200, and D3100, as well as Nikon Full-frame DF such as D600, D750, D4, and D5.
Bottom Line
A great model packed to the brim with exceptional features, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM has extremely fast and efficient autofocus that ensures wonderfully soft and creamy bokeh. Moreover, it also features weather-seals to avoid any damage. Honestly, you won’t find a better lens at this price range on the market.
- The Sigma 85mm 1.4 DG HSM Art is the latest addition to the world renowned Sigma Global Vision Line
- It has equipped newly designed hyper sonic motor (HSM) for nimble AF control, 1.3 times better...
- Compatible with the Enthusiast APS-C Nikon D7100, D7200, D500, and D3100, D3200, D3300, D5100,...
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G
PROS
- Smooth and silent operation
- Provides extremely sharp images
- Pictures have a fantastic bokeh effect
- Compatibility with a number of Nikon cameras
- Design has a nano-crystal coating to ensure durability
CONS
- A bit on the pricey side
- Lens hood is a little loose
- Does not work well with all advertised models
What Recent Buyers Report
Many customers have given positive remarks about this lens. Most of its users are photography enthusiasts who love to do portrait photography. It is highly appreciated for its robust construction as well as its quality performance. Users report that its autofocus is extremely fast and meant to provide excellent images under every condition.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If you are looking for a great lens that is perfect for portrait photography, you must get your hands on the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR. It features fast autofocus capable of producing quality images that are flawlessly sharp in all the right places with a beautiful bokeh effect in the background.
Who Will Use This Most
The rugged construction of this lens ensures that it can handle traveling, making it suitable for professional photographers and videographers. Its super-fast autofocus makes it also suitable for outdoor shooting under every condition. Moreover, this lens works well with both FX and DX cameras to give stunning images.
Bottom Line
A near-perfect portrait lens, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G is equipped with a nice design that is built to serve in the long run. Thanks to its fast autofocus, it is capable of producing flawless images that have beautiful sharpness and contrast. In short, this model is a steal.
- Ultra-fast f1.4 classic portrait lens, Nano Crystal Coat
- Focal Length : 85 mm, Minimum Focus Distance : 3.0 ft. (0.85m). Compatible Format(s)- FX, DX, FX in...
- Optimized for edge to edge sharpness on both FX and DX cameras;Closest focusing distance:0.85 m
Samyang SY85MAE-N 85mm F1.4
PROS
- Equipped with a lens hood
- Fully capable in many applications
- Nice design with sturdy construction
- Ultra-multi coating to add to the perfection
- Splash-proof and dustproof model that lasts a long time
CONS
- Fairly bulky
- Somewhat expensive
- Heavy to carry around
What Recent Buyers ReportJust like other options on this list, this lens is also well-received by users. Customers report that it has a great design that is also protected by the lens hood to ensure reliability. Moreover, it has a great aperture range to let you take some worthy shots. Another striking aspect is that it is very easy to use, which is quite appealing to many photographers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Samyang SY85MAE-N features everything that you would look for in a great lens. It comes with the widest aperture, allowing you to concentrate purely on photography. It is weather-resistant and splash-resistant, thanks to its ultra-multi coating. Moreover, the 9 blades in the diaphragm assist in producing smooth bokeh.
Who Will Use This Most
With a 72mm filter thread, this model is quite suitable for portrait photography and videography. Its water-resistant and weather-resistant capabilities make it an ideal option to take with you while traveling. Furthermore, it can be used with a range of camera bodies to produce some stunning bokeh effects.
Bottom Line
Within this lens, you will find extremely fast autofocus and a standard 72mmm filter thread for producing some exotic images. It can be used for portrait photography by professionals as well as beginners. All in all, this model might be the one you’re looking for.
- Aperture Range: F/1.4 - F/22
- 10 Elements in 7 Groups
- Angle of View: 28.3 Degrees
Comparison Chart of the Best 85mm Lenses For Nikon
What Does 85mm Lens Mean?
85mm lens is a group of prime telephoto lenses, featuring a fixed focal length of 85mm. This means it does not have a zoom ring and indicates the focal length on the lens barrel. 85mm is a relatively large focal length and allows you to take some creative shots. These lenses are a bit longer than others and, therefore, quite easy to identify.
The minimum focusing distance of the 85mm lens is 2.8ft, which means you need to stand further away from the subject while making a shot. The wide aperture and decreased depth of field results in creating a creamy and blurry bokeh effect.
What is an 85mm Lens Good For?
85mm lenses are used by professionals and semi-professionals for adding an incredible effect to their pictures. With its fixed focal length, this lens limits any distortion and adds an artistic blur to your photograph.
Exquisite Bokeh Effect
The 85mm lenses are well-known for creating some stunning bokeh and compression effects in your pictures. It does so by making the background appear closer and allowing the object to stand out at the same time.
Street Photography
Another use of 85mm lenses is in street photography. Their wide aperture makes them highly efficient, even in low-light conditions. With these lenses, you can easily frame visual elements of a view, making it ideal for street photography.
Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G
Wedding Photography
Being one of the fastest lenses available today, the 85mm lenses are quite suitable for wedding photography. The wide and sharp aperture allows you to capture beautiful shots during a wedding ceremony.
Portraits
85mm is considered to be the ideal length for portrait photography and is therefore quite popular among portrait photographers. The main reason for the 85mm lens’ popularity is its ability to maintain closeness to your object without resulting in any distortion. Having negligible distortion and chromatic aberration are the main concerns of most photographers out there.
How Do I Choose an 85mm Lens?
While investing in an 85mm lens, you need to be careful about picking the right one. This is extremely important in order to bring value to your purchase. Therefore, we have listed a few features that must not be overlooked while selecting your ideal product.
Sturdy Construction
Perhaps the most prominent feature of a great 85mm lens is quality construction. It is essential to look for a lens that is made from high-quality materials and comes from a reputed brand. This way, it is likely to last for a longer period of time compared to one composed of cheaper material.
Weather-Proof
Another feature to look for is the weather-resistant capability of the lens. Go for a model that is dustproof, waterproof, and can easily endure harsh conditions. These benefits dramatically enhance the reliability and durability of the product.
Ease of Use
This feature is quite important for beginners, as they might get confused while working for the first time. Therefore, always look for a lens that does not require manual settings and results in amazing pictures.
Budget-Friendly
Not everybody can afford to spend much money on a lens; therefore, this feature is quite crucial for such people. Always pick a lens that is offered at a reasonable price with almost all essential features.
Pros and Cons of 85mm Lenses
The 85mm lenses have become quite trendy among beginners as well as professionals photographers for taking some worthy shots. These are quite preferred for providing a maximum angle of view and giving the best possible results. Below are some associated pros and cons of 85mm lenses. Let’s discuss them one by one!
Pros
Excellent Image Quality
One of the significant advantages of the 85mm lens is its capability to provide the best quality photographs. This is the reason it is often used by professionals to obtain vibrant images from their camera gear. All the pictures display perfect sharpness and contrast with negligible levels of distortion and chromatic aberration.
Versatile
Another amazing advantage of this lens is that it can be used for multiple types of photography. Whether you want to take some headshots or love to do street photography, an 85mm lens is there to serve you.
User-Friendly
The 85mm lens has fewer moving parts, which means it does not require much effort from the user. Ultimately, there would be fewer chances of any problem to arise from general use.
Cons
Cost
One of the major disadvantages of using an 85mm lens includes the price factor. They are quite heavy on the pocket, even the very basic models, when compared to their zoom counterparts.
Fixed Focal Length
Having a fixed focal length is another drawback of 85mm lenses. It lacks any zoom, so you have to frame the view by moving away from or nearer to the subject yourself.
People Also Ask
Many people have certain questions associated with 85mm lenses for Nikon cameras. Some of them are crucial to improve the picture quality and handling of the lens. In this section, we have tried to answer some of these frequently asked questions by customers, so you can make your decision accordingly.
Why is an 85mm Lens Good for Portraits?
An 85mm lens is suitable for portrait photography due to its ideal focal length, which provides sharp images and renders the background out of focus. It makes the background more closely framed on the object. The longer focal length of an 85mm lens tends to create portraits that are fantastic.
Is an 85mm Good for Street Photography?
Street photography is quite appealing as it lets you in the middle of the action without any distortion. Since the 85mm lens has a great focal length, it seems very suitable for street photography. With this versatile focal length, you can capture a variety of multiple visual elements without facing any distortion.
Is an 85mm Lens Good for Landscape?
Yes, the 85mm lens is undoubtedly a great choice for landscape photography. It gives you dynamic landscapes as well as imaginary views. The sharpest aperture and best focal length give you an edge in creating some stunning scenery shots. In short, this 85mm lens is not only good for portraits but also aids you in exotic landscape photography.
Is an 85mm a Prime Lens?
A prime lens has a fixed or single focal length and therefore, lacks a zoom in and out feature. Since an 85mm lens is also equipped with a fixed focal length and lacks the capability for zoom, it can be referred to as a prime lens. It offers just the right perspective for the subject as well as the background.
Conclusion
With wide aperture and great focal length, 85mm lenses have become a go-to choice for many beginners and even professionals. These are being used for portrait and landscape photography to create an effect of artistic blur. Hopefully, the thorough reviews we provided for each product on this list has helped you in selecting the ideal option for your interests. Moreover, it is recommended to always read through the buying guide at least once in order to avoid any regret in the future.
