AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f / 1.4G - new from Nikon, the lens for portrait shooting

Every photographer, like a real professional, and an aspiring amateur experimenter, certainly has a favorite optics. To shoot picturesque portraits, completely different lenses are used, and today no one is surprised by experiments with wide-angle or even television, but traditionally for portrait photography, lenses with average focal lengths of 35, 50, 85 mm are used. Not so long ago Nikon pleased his fans with a novelty - a high-speed portrait with a distance of 85 mm and a minimum diaphragm value of 1.4. What did this lens like to photographers like, how it showed itself in the work and what advantages does it have over competitors? Consider everything in order.

Cult Nikon optics: NIKKOR 85mm f / 1.4D IF lens

This portrait became truly legendary. This lens was developed back in 1995 and has not undergone any significant changes since. The glasses produced almost 20 years ago are quite suitable for work and today - the highest quality of all Nikon equipment is evident. The 85mm f / 1.4D IF lens is ideal for portrait and subject photography, performing the main tasks. He pretty sharply draws an object, smoothly blurs the background, with proper lighting gives an interesting bokeh. But still these lenses are not easy to withstand the growing competition.

New development of Nikon - AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f / 1.4G lens

Therefore, a new modification was developed. Announced by leading world photo-sites, the lens went on sale in the end of 2012. The growing demand makes it clear that professionals have appreciated the new optics on their merits.

Features of the new lens

From the legendary predecessor Nikon, the lens-novelty is characterized by a number of improvements. First of all, attention is attracted to the ultrasonic drive, which provides the fastest automatic focusing. In addition, the novelty differs in the optical updated scheme and the presence of a strong nanocrystalline coating that provides the necessary contrast of the image and complete absence of undesirable glare even in conditions of insufficient or excessive illumination. Improved and the mechanism of manual focusing - now the rings move very smoothly and fairly quickly. To undoubted advantages, one can also refer to the renewed case made of heavy-duty titanium alloy.

Scope of application

The 85mm Nikon AF and AF-S lenses are mainly designed for professional portrait photography. The new lens perfectly copes with the task. A diaphragm with nine rounded petals is designed to maximally favor the object on the background, while at the same time giving a beautiful bokeh. It is also important that the minimum minimum diaphragm number is 1/4. Due to this, you can achieve an expressive selection of the object.

Technical data and delivery set

• The focal length of the lens is 85 mm.
• Range of aperture values: from F / 1.4 to F / 16.
• The angle of view is 28˚30 '.
• The maximum increase is x0.12.
• The diaphragm consists of nine rounded petals.
• Focusing is manual and automatic.
• Weight 595 g.
• The kit includes a small round hood and a cover.

Compatibility

NIKKOR 85mm f / 1.4G is compatible with all Nikon FX and DX cameras. These lenses will perfectly suit the Nikon D3100 - a new budget camera, which was released in September 2012.

Photographer's reviews

Having become acquainted with the possibilities of the new lens, professionals note, first of all, its highest light transmission. The images he made are realistic and vital. Chromatic abberations are not observed. A small discomfort can only be provided by the relatively large weight of the lens, however, it is not intended for everyday use. High impact resistance of the case allows it to be used in "field conditions" without fear for its safety. An important advantage - the clarity of the object, even with minimal diaphragm indexes. In general, the lens is excellent for solving a variety of creative tasks and fully justifies its high enough price.