Very nice review Ken, your knowledge really comes through. Nice to see you doing reviews on KZfaq!

The lens is almost all metal even though it feels lighter and there is a clear difference between this lens and either current F mount 85mm Nikon lenses. This is the sharpest lens Nikon has every made in this FL, and the least distortion with almost no color fringing. This mounted on a Z7 is a better than an 85 1.4G on either the FTZ adaptor or on a D850. I have tested both extensively and for a world-class portrait lens, it is a bargain. The repeated remarks about being made in China reflect a lack of understanding of how it is an advantage. No, not because of cheap labor since Chinese workers now earn more than other Asian countries except Japan. It is an advantage because now China is the leader in precision automation. I have not heard of any complaints of decentered lens elements or defects. These S lenses are the main advantage of the Z6 and 7, superior results at reasonable prices. Another clear winning trait compared to F mount lenses is corner to corner sharpness wide open. For example, the Sigma 85 1.4 ART is almost as good in the very center of the frame but the areas outside the center fall off in sharpness and color fringing and are not that good in the corners yet costs more, focuses slower and is not as quiet. No other lenses I have seen are as sharp wide open as they are stopped down except for S lenses which seem to take full advantage of the very large flange diameter and shortest flange distance in the industry. If someone has the larger heavier 85 1.4G they might not need this lens unless absolute image quality is required but that lens has a lot of color fringing and falls off pretty significantly at the corners and costs twice as much. It is superior in optics in the same way the 24-70 2.8 S is superior to all other mid zooms on the planet. I have both the G and E version 24-70 2.8 and they are very good but the E is really expensive and slightly less image quality than the older G version but neither comes close to the outstanding 24-70 2.8 S lens. Nothing on the market and a lot of top primes are beating the build, image quality and feel of the S. The S lenses is a major reason to get a Z6 or 7, that and the great handling and EVF. It took a lot of camera to sideline and shelf the excellent D850, the best DSLR ever made, but the Z system has. Anyone getting a Z camera and using legacy F lenses on it is losing out on the real advantage of their new system

Really nice to see you here, making things clear at this side of the pond!

Nice to have you on KZfaq on your own channel! Great review

Thanks for this! I used to watch a lot of reviews from different (and strange...) "experts", but I always come back to Ken Rockwell. I`ve got very nice old lenses, but wanted something special for portraits on my z6. Just ordered it and can`t wait to try it!

It's a helluva nice lens, both on and off the tripod. I've put it through it's paces both in the field and in the studio and this is sharper and more contrasty than the G series f/1.4 or f/1.8, and that's saying a lot. Optically stunning lens. I don't give a shit if it's made in China, the QC is definitely there. Like most excellent primes, there is CA, but easily corrected in LR or Capture 1. Thanks Ken.

Nice yo hear an independent voice answering the questions that some of us old holdouts still have!

Mine is coming tomorrow, can’t wait ❤️

Thank you very much, Ken! I have been using this lens for general purpose, also for portraits (that it's just great) and also for close-up pictures (not macro, of course) but having the camera Nikon Z 7 II, you can crop a lot and it becomes almost a macro picture. Thanks!

u gave me my answer which i was searching for time thank you..😊😊

How was I not subscribed to Ken Rockwell? Didnt know you had a channel. Get this rock off my head.

great review, I love the history bit :)

Using an 85 mm for more than just portraits is great it really makes you focus on your composition improving your photography skills Don't let anybody tell you you can't shoot More than just portraits with this lens

Thanks Ken!

Hi Ken, did the 3.0 firmware make this lens autofocus faster?

Hello Ken! Have you tested this 85mm in the Z50 DX? If so, what do you think?

I have a simple but majorly important question about this lens, does anyone know if the ring can be turned off completely because i like to hold a lens in one hand and camera in the other and I don't want to accidentally move the ring and adjust an aperture or the focus in af mode is this possible as it is on most af lens as another video suggests that the ring is ready to change the aperture in manual focus mode, for me I'd need it switched totally off for af mode, or as bare minimum have that option ?

Because of the crop sensor on Z50’s would this still be a good buy?

105mm Micro Nikkor is a great portrait lens and it will also do macro

Hi Ken, how you will compare this Z 85mm 1.8 s vs the Nikon 105mm 1.4 f mount?....is that sharp...?Thanks

Ken, great review, thanks!

There is 35 1.8G ED, is it worth changing to 35 1.8Z, will there be a difference in sharpness and resolution?

welcome to youtube ken, i'm sure you will be very successful

A great lens 'Nikon's been making 85mm lenses from 1949 - for their S rangefinder cameras.

It looks s great lens but im also hoping something more travel minded will also be released as this is a pretty big unit. The samyang 75 1.8 would fit the bill nicely.

Better lower the shutter speed, up the ISO or open that aperture due to all the shade tossed at the Zeiss guys. LOL. Great review.

One of the things that’s really holding me back from getting this lens is the bokeh. I’m a bit disappointed you didn’t do the 3m with background at infinity test and therefore I remain sceptical about this lens

Wow, perfect review. ty

I love my Nikon 85mm 1.8S...good review. Hey, my iPhone 11 Pro is made in China.

Ken love your reviews. I would not say the lack of motor drive support on the FTZ or the Z cameras is a design flaw. My 4k blu ray player cannot play 8 track cassettes. That is also not a design flaw. Let it go, bud.

starting to see a trend in your videos where you have a tone of contempt for scenarios wherein someone is swapping out the F mount for Z. For those who have (f)lenses that function just fine, and they are curious whether or not they are going to get another extra out of spending a ton of cash to go Z, your tone probably resonates with them well. Ive got a 70-200 2.8 and a 50mm 1.4. Those are literally the only two lenses i own and shoot with. I shoot almost exclusively portraits as a hobbyist, and I am just trying to figure out what Z lenses might be a good upgrade or compliment to my selection. You didnt inspire any confidence in a need for me to grab the z 50 1.2, or the z85 1.8. that leaves me with contemplating a z 24-70 2.8 (never owned anything in that focal range before, except a dx fisheye 2.8 15 years ago)

Thank you for the complete review I wish you make one for Z lens 35mm f1.8👌🏻

Will this lens work in z50?

It may be just my problem but let me mention one finding about new Z serie lens I discovered (in my case Nikkor Z 50 1.8 S) .While its overall color balance is great,when I use this lens for portraits of people it makes skin tones undesirable brown-greenish (faces looking like more asian than european) and such effect very heavy to correct in Lightroom. When I use manual lenses adapted on Nikon Z6 trough FTZ adapter,all colours is natural,no problems at all. May be Nikon's Z DSP optimised for asian skin colours? Just my guess. While when using manual lenses DSP is off and colours is great.

great,,,,ty

The 85 1.8 D also only goes to F 16 , just a small correction for your video ;-)

I would say this lens is way sharper than the G lens wide open. I have both.

Just wondering, if you can activate MF by just turning the focus ring, then what is the reason for the AF/ MF switch?

That's a lot of kenrockwell lmao 🤣🤣

Not sure it is a design flaw. The goal of Nikon is the new lens as the diameter will allow more light. The optics are what make an image...

Just sold my sigma art and settled for the Z 85mm and yes I'll miss not having f1.4 but honestly I'm going to be more happy, am I the only person on the planet that thinks that sigma 85mm is going to RIP that mount off my Z camera lol

Just got the lens. It is SHARP. Good performing lens. but it does feel cheap. I wish it had a little more weight

Thank god that that horrible recycled polyester carpet has gone but more seriously thank you very much for your (as ever idiosyncratic and excellent review). Greetings from Poole, Dorset

I’m very sure that the 85mm lense does not have any VR in it, that’s why there is no switch for it.

My 85 f/1.8G doesn’t go to f/22 either.

Thanks for your review. I was wondering about differences were between the older version of the 85 mm and, this new one. It looks like it's all about the cheapskates that will be saving some money :-)

I disagree with your statement that if you buy an 85mm and use it with an FTZ adapter that you're going to save quite a bit of money since I can buy this lens for $799.99 and those two items will run you about $726.

Telescope user here. Lenses are just specialized refractors. If the design does not include FPL-53/FPL-54 or fluorite glass in at least the front element, there is no hope whatsoever of gaining even MODEST control over CA. There is FPL-51 and Lanthanum glass but the focal ratios of most lenses on the low end would be very demanding on the glass.

Why u keep point out it was made in China ?

My girlfriend also has some design flaws

Why can't cellphones have lens mount that could do much more than camera bodies - that only take silly photos.

I cant speak for others but im having difficulty paying big bucks for a lens thats made in China...it just doesn't feel right !

So damn big - why?

I'm 70, I don't care about looking cool, that is for kids.

Who wants expensive 1.8 that looks like old Tamron?

It does look cheap...