NikonNIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S | Premium large aperture 85mm portrait prime lens for Z series mirrorless cameras | Nikon USA Model

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S is one of the best lenses for portrait photography on Nikon’s Z series mirrorless cameras. Its premium build quality, sharpness, and large aperture (f/1.8) make it perfect for stunning bokeh and low-light shooting. It is highly recommended for professionals and enthusiasts alike. You don’t need to be a pro photographer to capture amazing shots. You just need to get this.

Over the years I have used many, many short telephoto lenses and this one simply takes the cake as my favorite. It's tempting to think of this only as a portrait lens -- and it *shines* in that role (more in a bit) -- but this is a jack-of-all-trades that can be used for landscapes, cityscapes, event shooting, concerts, etc. etc. etc. Autofocus is quick and accurate on my Z7. Optically, the lens is stellar. It's just a joy to use.And yes, if you want to use this for portraits, you'll have a hard time topping it. The lens is sharp enough especially towards infinity where it's bitingly sharp. Crucially, though, in the portrait distance range, it's just soft enough to take the edge off of that sharpness to not be harsh. The bokeh is very, very pleasant but what makes it really shine is that the transition from in-focus to out-of-focus is just sooooo smooooth. It's about as graceful as the transition zone gets and it really serves to make your subject pop in ways that don't normally happen.There is a little cat's eye effect to out-of-focus specular highlights wide open, but this disappears quickly by stopping down. The aperture maintains a very circular opening at mid apertures so this helps keep the aforementioned good bokeh looking good even as you stop down. For portraits, I like to shoot this in the f2.2 to f4 range but for other subject matter, I honestly have no qualms about using it at any aperture.There may be other 85mm lenses that excel over this one at a certain style of photography (the Sony GM 85mm f1.4 is ever so slightly better at portraits, for example) but nothing I've used so far can compete with this Z lens as an all around short telephoto. So far I've been pleased with every Z lens I've purchased but this one is easily the most recommendable. Simply a stunning optic that you should run, not walk to buy.Very, very highly recommended.

Great build quality and still very light weight. This is important to me for long shooting days. Getting some great results with both my Zfc and my Z6ii. Highly recommend this in your bag for portraits.

Perfect 85mm lens.

Likes: Lightweight, focus is sorta fast but not like my 70-200. Very sharp edge to edge! Bokeh is nice and realistically for a f1.8 lens it's all I need. DoF with faster lens becomes a bigger issue. This lens has good balance.Dislikes: No real dislikes. The ONLY thing I've noticed is focus accuracy in low contrast situations. It does OK but not great. This is on a Z9 and non face/eye/car detection. Just autofocus on a still life subject (e.g. flower). Certainly something I can work with though and not a big issue at all. Haven't tried it in a low light portrait situation yet.

This 85 is the best lens ever. I use it for car shows, concerts, family and senior photos. Every photo comes out crisp and sharp. Might be a little pricey but it is worth the money

Great lens for portraits especially. Sharp. Natural color saturation. Focuses well.I use it on my Nikon Z fc. The crop factor makes the lens the equivalent of a 125mm so you can be a bit away from the subject.

Love this lens. Works great for what I need it for. Image quality is good.