Photography gear briefs & discussion links
Nikon's f/1.8 S-Line portrait prime for Z mount, from 2019. Launched at $799.95 (US). Who it suits: portrait photographers on Nikon Z.
Why it exists. Jay Vannatter of Nikon Inc. said "The NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is so sharp, yet the background blur is so natural; the incredible detail captured with this lens is nothing short of striking" (PR Newswire).
It weighs 470 g and takes 67mm filters.
Who should buy it? Nikon Z portrait photographers who want a light, affordable 85mm.
Nikon Inc. announced the lens on July 31, 2019, with a US suggested retail price of $799.95 (PR Newswire).
It uses 12 elements in 8 groups with two ED elements and a 9-blade aperture. Specs below are from Nikon Imaging.
Key specs for the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S, from Nikon Imaging and Nikon's July 31, 2019 release. Source for each row in brackets.
| Format / range | Full-frame (FX) Z mount, 85mm, f/1.8 [Nikon Imaging] |
|---|---|
| Optics | 12 elements in 8 groups; 2 ED [Nikon Imaging] |
| Aperture | 9 blades; minimum f/16 [Nikon Imaging] |
| Filters | 67mm [Nikon Imaging] |
| Size / weight | 75 × 99 mm; 470 g [Nikon Imaging] |
| Announced / price | July 31, 2019; $799.95 (US) [Nikon release] |
Five photos taken with the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S, shared on Flickr and Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licenses. Select a photo to enlarge it.
Nikon: Launched at $799.95 in 2019 (US).
Who it's for: Nikon Z portrait photographers who want a light 85mm.
Comparing portrait lenses? See our Lenses by purpose guide.
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