AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G

I have been shooting this lens on my D7100 for about 6 weeks, initially with a rental (from BorrowLenses), and now with my own lens. It is superb.

If you follow the DXO Optics website (which, among other things, tests the performance of specific lenses with specific camera bodies), you may have noticed that the Nikkor 85mm 1.8G has exceptional ratings. On my D7100 these far surpass the metrics for the DX lenses that are designed specifically for Nikon´s crop-sensor bodies.

DXO´s metrics don´t lie. The brightness and clarity of what you see through this lens will blow you away. With a tripod at low light, the sharpness of the images I have gotten is astounding. Wide open at F1.8 the depth of field is incredibly tight, which makes it easy to isolate subjects. The bokeh is just beautiful. Except at very low light levels -- such as a candle-lit room -- I have not found the autofocus to be sluggish or to hunt excessively, as some reviews have suggested.

Keep in mind that this lens is designed for a full-frame body, so that if you plan to use it with a DX camera, the 85mm focal length will give you magnification equivalent to a 127mm. The lens therefore performs as a mild prime telephoto rather than as a portrait lens. (Consider the full frame Nikon 50mm 1.8G if you want the equivalent of a portrait lens for a DX body.) And of course, this *is* a prime lens; if you have become used to shooting almost exclusively with a zoom lens, as I have, you will have to make some adjustments in how you frame and shoot pictures with the 85mm.

This lens is certainly not cheap, but I paid $750 for my DX 16-85mm a few years ago, and never regretted the increased sharpness it provided on my old D-40X. In my opinion, this lens is worth every penny.

After only only 1 evening of shooting to try it out, and over 200 images later, I can only rave about this lens. The crisp images I was able to capture coupled with the shallow depth of field has left me in awe of the potential. The candid portraits that I tested with, gave a clear subject with enough focus drop to draw attention right where it was needed. I was even able to take a few hand held shots of the night skys, and the lens, coupled to my D800 captured stars that I did not see with my eyes.

I highly recommend this lens.

I bought it refurbished a few days ago. My first impression-absolutely amazing lens. I own 35mm and 50mm 1.8, but 85mm 1.8g quality blows me away. At 1.8 already is VERY sharp. I took several portraits of my family and it was a huge WOW when I opened the pictures in computer.
For portraits I would use 1.8 through 2.8, no need to go further. It´s almost too sharp. I can´t see how can somebody be disappointed with this lens.
I expected it to be a little smaller (I like small, compact primes), but it´s not a big deal.
Thank you, Nikon.

I can only reinforce what has already been said. This would be worth buying at twice the price. Great color, great focus, and super sharp.

this lens worked really good on my Nikon D-90 ...very sharp and bookeh so awesome .. I love it very much .. and it won´t disappointed.

So much better than the old model, delivers every time, great bokee and skin tones

Bought from Amazon. It is superb ! I own 50mm and 85mm. I also own the 18-105 kit lens.

85mm and 50mm G lenses are quiet, fast and perform extremely well indoors and outdoors. Their low aperture numbers 1.4 and 1.8 make them ideal for low light. I get some of the best pics almost effortlessly. My sample pic can be seen on amazon (cake cutting one in newly added).

Owned other branded cameras but after moving to Nikon, I am asking myself everyday...why did I not do it sooner ? Its quality is surreal and unsurpassed. This 85mm lens is perfect for portraits but also for any photo really includes landscape.

I would highly recommend this one and the 50mm 1.4G.

I have been looking for a nice 85mm lens, and when a member of my photo club recommended this lens, I pulled the trigger...and I´m so glad that I did. I its weight and sharp photo´s to be outstanding. I highly recommend you have this lens in your bag. You will thank me for it..well Nikon really. And the price is just Outstanding!!

I bought this lens from Amazon...I did research and read the reviews.
All were favorable...I bought the lens for portrait shooting, I like nice tight shots..Received the lens today March 1, 2013...This lens is very sharp...and has nice bokeh.
I was shooting at F2.2 the images were very crisp...at F5.6 and above the images were phenomenal..
If you´re considering this lens get it you won´t be sorry...Nikon you done good...
Willie...