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Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S · Nikon UK lens photograph

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
Photo 1 of 6

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S · Nikon UK lens photograph

Nikon · NIKKOR

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

Released March 2023

A full-frame Z-mount portrait prime with an f/1.2 aperture, dual stepping motors, eleven diaphragm blades and a programmable function button.

Mount
Nikon Z mount
Focal length
85 mm
Max aperture
f/1.2
Stabilisation
No
Weight
1,160 g

What reviewers say

Both praise its sharpness, smooth background blur, fast accurate autofocus and substantial construction. Both consider its price and weight significant, and note the missing information display. Photography Blog finds it too large for general walk-around use and thinks the f/1.8 model sufficient for most users. Digital Camera World finds it manageable for prolonged handheld use, with excellent autofocus accuracy even close up at f/1.2; it notices corner shading wide open, while Photography Blog finds only slight shading in a white-wall test.

From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and digitalcameraworld.com

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
85 mm
Maximum aperture
f/1.2
Minimum aperture
f/16
Optical construction
Fifteen elements in ten groups
Special elements
One ED and two aspherical elements
Coatings
Nano Crystal Coat
Aperture detail
f/1.2–16
Diaphragm
Eleven rounded blades
Angle of view
FX 28°30′; DX 18°50′

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Full frame
Compatibility
Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX and DX cameras
Image circle detail
Physical 85 mm focal length; 127.5 mm full-frame-equivalent angle of view on DX, as both reviews note

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.85 m
Maximum magnification
0.11×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Multi-focusing system with two stepping motors moving two focusing groups in synchronisation
Focus distance detail
Internal focusing, minimum 0.85 m; manual override during autofocus. Linear manual focusing supported on selected cameras according to Nikon's announcement
Magnification detail
Maximum 0.11×
Stabilisation detail
No optical VR, as Digital Camera World confirms; compatible cameras can provide in-body stabilisation
Video features
Quiet operation, stable aperture transitions and reduced focus breathing. Nikon cautions that breathing may still be noticeable depending on subject distance

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Filter diameter
82 mm
Maximum diameter
102.5 mm
Length
141.5 mm
Weight
1,160 g
Controls
Focus ring, independent programmable control ring, L-Fn button and A/M switch; no OLED information display, as both reviews note
Filter detail
82 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Magnesium-alloy body with seals around moving parts and the mount. Nikon says dust and drip resistance is not guaranteed in every situation or condition
Dimensions detail
Approximately 102.5 mm maximum diameter × 141.5 mm from the lens mount flange
Weight detail
Approximately 1160 g
Lens hood
HB-106 included
In the box
LC-82B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-106 hood and CL-C2 case
Release detail
Nikon USA's February 2023 announcement states late March availability. Exact earliest global and first UK retail day are unconfirmed, so month precision retained

Pros and cons

Pros

  • f/1.2 maximum aperture
  • Eleven rounded diaphragm blades
  • Separate focus and programmable control rings

Cons

  • 1160 g weight
  • No optical vibration reduction
  • No focus-distance display

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Nikon Z mount85 mmf/1.8–470 gSept 2019
Nikon Z mount50 mmf/1.4No420 gSept 2024
Nikon Z mount50 mmf/1.2No1,090 gDec 2020

Sources

  1. nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/lenses/mirrorless/nikkor-z-85mm-f1.2-s
  2. nikonusa.com/press-room/85mm-26mm
  3. photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_z_85mm_f1_2_s_review
  4. photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_z_85mm_f1_2_s_review/conclusion
  5. digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/nikon-z-85mm-f12-s-review

Photo: Nikon UK lens photograph

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