Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8 G

Sharp as a Razor! Impressive bokeh. This is an excellent lens! I will note that I calibrated the lens to my Nikon D750 camera using a paper calibration tool with a ruler (tick marks) to ensure it wasn't focusing in front of the center or behind it. In my case, it focused behind the center (i.e. the number -2 was sharper than 0). I modified the camera settings to correct that, saved the settings for this lens, and it's spot-on. Everyone should learn how to do that (youtube to start) because there are many lenses and many camera bodies. Think about trying on a suit. Are the sleeves perfect, or does the coat need alterations? That's my point. The suit was made for a manikin, not you. Each lens most likely needs calibrating (i.e. alterations).

Primes are Awesome, the 1.8's are Unbeatable Let me touch on two points. In photo/video there is the old conversation of zooms v primes. I don't care what tests and studies show. I get sharper images easier with primes. Capturing photos or video of people I strongly recommend a quality set of 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm (or 105) fixed focal length lenses. Commercial photo video is my job and I am a Nikon shop. So I do have a 14-24, 24-70, and 70-200. Those are all excellent. But if I am setting up for professional portraits or interview video, I use the prime lens that fits the location. The 85mm gives me tight crops, sharp eyes, and soft backgrounds. And the second part. I don't know about Canon, Olympus, Lumix, Fuji, Sony or others. But Nikon will design and produce their fastest focal lengths, like 1:4 or 2:8. These are their premium professional products. Then they will release a 1:8 or maybe f4 version. Generally half the expense or less. Sometimes the slower models test a little better (I think DXOMark scores the 50mm 1.8 higher than the 1.4) The more expensive lenses are more durable and better weather sealed. So consider your application. For me this 85mm is going to be a portrait session lens with controlled lighting. The 1.8 is fantastic for this. Once you setup your shoot and use one of these single focal length lenses you will see what I mean. Primes deliver awesome images.Read full review

Lightweight with great optics This is a light lens with incredible optics on DX cameras. I assume the optics would be better on full frame due to less cropping of the image, but on crop sensors, this lens is tack sharp all throughout the image, with no vignetting or distortion. The autofocus is fast, but nothing to write home about. Coming from a 35mm 1.8G, the mechanics on this lens feel incredible. The focusing ring is smooth, unlike the plastic gear-grind feel I get from my 35mm 1.8G. If you're looking for a good first portrait lens for both FX and DX cameras, I would highly reccomend this.