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Nikkor AF 85mm f/1.8 D - Review / Test Report |
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Lens Reviews -
Nikon / Nikkor (APS-C)
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Page 1 of 3
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published April 2006
Lens kindly provided for testing purposes by Julio M. Alperi Gonzalez!
Introduction
The Nikkor AF 85mm f/1.8 D is one of Nikon's classic (full frame) portrait lenses.
Unlike its faster cousin, the AF 85mm f/1.4 D it remains relatively affordable at around
480 EUR/US$. Nonetheless it is also comparatively expensive when looking e.g. at the
corresponding Canon lens (EF 85mm f/1.8 USM) which sells at around 360 EUR/US$.
As usual we'll have a look how it performs on a modern APS-C DSLR (Nikon D200)
where its field-of-view is equivalent to 127mm on classic full-frame cameras.
As such it doesn't leave its original scope.
Typical for most medium to high-end Nikkors the build quality is very
good. The outer barrel is made of good quality polycarbonate with a sleek finish.
The rubberized focus ring operates very smooth and slightly damped.
The AF 85mm f/1.8 D is a true IF (internal focusing) design so its length remains
constant regardless of the focus setting and the front element does not rotate.
Using a polarizer is therefore no problem.
The lens has no internal AF motor and relies on a slotted drive screw
operated by the camera. As a result the AF generates a moderate
degree of noise. However, the AF speed is very fast thanks to a rear-focusing
system.
| Specifications |
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| Equiv. focal length | 127.5 mm (full format equivalent) |
| Equiv. aperture | f/2.7 (full format equivalent, in terms of depth-of-field) |
| Optical construction | 6 elements in 6 groups |
| Number of aperture blades | 9 |
| min. focus distance | 0.85 m (max. magnification ratio 1:9.2) |
| Dimensions | 72 x 59 mm |
| Weight | 380 g |
| Filter size | 62 mm (non-rotating) |
| Hood | Nikon HN-23, barrel shaped (screw-in) |
| Other features | Lens provides distance (D) information to the camera. |
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