Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.4 G (FX) - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Nikon / Nikkor (full format)
Article Index
Introduction
Analysis
Sample Images & Verdict

Page 3 of 3

Sample Shots

The following sample shots were taken with a D3x and RAW-converted via CaptureOne.

Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window).

Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure 1/800s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure 1/800s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/2.0
Exposure 1/4000s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/2.0
Exposure 1/4000s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2500s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/3.2
Exposure 1/500s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/5.0
Exposure 1/320s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/2.2
Exposure 1/8000s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/2.2
Exposure 1/8000s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/5.0
Exposure 1/1600s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/800s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/320s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/2.5
Exposure 1/2500s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/1.4
Exposure 1/8000s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/2.2
Exposure 1/3200s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/250s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure 1/1250s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/8000s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/3200s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/5.0
Exposure 1/1600s

Verdict

Nikon has a winner here, the AF-S 85/1.4 performs on a very high level. Sharpness is excellent in the image center at any tested aperture, border and corners follow only slightly behind wide open, reaching excellent resolution stopped down, too. For a portrait lens, this is a quite rare performance characteristic. For the intended usage, portraiture, a lack of sharpness towards the borders and corners usually would not be an issue, but having the extra sharpness available opens up new creative options.

Typical for a fast prime the amount of vignetting is rather high at large apertures, the same applies to Bokeh fringing. CAs and distortion are well controlled though. As you'd expect from such a lens it offers very smooth bokeh.

The build quality is on a very high level. Thanks to an AF-S drive autofocus action is virtually silent and quite fast for a portrait lens.

So, in summary, the lens is no doubt highly recommended!

Optical Quality:    
★★★★★
Field Quality:    
★★★★★
Mechanical Quality:
★★★★★
Price/Performance:
★★★★★

Click here for an explanation of our star ratings


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