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AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 D

By Romulo Lubachesky

The Nikon has two versions to this classic focal distance, 85mm: The pro grade version AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4 D and the more popular one, the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.8 D. The features of this version will be described on this review, but will not include a comparison between the two lenses.
Specifications Focal Distance: 85 mm Maximum aperture: f/1.8 Picture angle: 28o 30 Construction: 6 elements in 6 groups Closest focusing distance: 85 cm. Maximum reproduction ratio: 1:9.2 Minimum aperture: F/16 Diaphragm blades: 9 rounded blades Lens hood: HN-23 (supplied) Filter: 62 mm Size: 7,15 cm x 5,85 cm. whight: approx. 380 gr
Camera: Nikon D300 Aperture: f1.8 Shutter speed: 1/500 ISO: 200
Body and Design The outer barrel is made of good quality black polycarbonate, like the others non-professional lenses of this time, mid 90's. It is resistant and of good finishing. Compact and light, its body doesn't change size when focusing; therefore, it isn't sealed, so the particles of dust and humidity get an easy way in. The rubberized focus ring moves during the focusing, what diminishes the handling area making it uncomfortable to hold. The metal lens hood is screwed in front of the lens. My lid doesn't have internal catchers, so I can't use the lid when the lens hood is on.
Camera: Nikon D300 Aperture: f1.8 Shutter speed: 1/6000 ISO: 200

Performance

The focus ring only have to turn to cover all distances between 0,85m and the infinite; In addition, it include a RF system (Rear Focusing) witch uses the movement of the whole back optic set to do the focus, however this do not guarantee a high speed focus. Besides relatively slow, the AF is very noiseful. Even with a bad handling of the body, the balance and weight of the lens relating to the camera are very good, making possible to photograph sharp images in reasonably low speed, like 1/60s.
Optic The sharpness of this lens is spectacular, even in f1.8 the details level is excellent and increases considerably from f2.8 on. Colors are slightly cold. I don't appreciate the skin tones very much.
Camera: Nikon D300 Aperture: f1.8 Shutter speed: 1/350 ISO: 200

0 f1.8 f2 f2.8

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Evaluation chart of the relative quality, pondering the aperture of the lens. Nikon D300 Camera.
Usually, the brighter areas of the skin shine more than normal. This happens mainly in f1.8 but can also appear on other apertures, in a subtle way. Therefore, one should pay attention when measuring the light, I prefer overexpose a little the photo than lost details because of the high lights. The contrast is pretty normal, a bit low when is wide open, improving when it closes. Chromatic aberrations rarely appear, because despite large, it is very diffuse. The color predominant is blue, but you can also find red fringes. They occur in high contrast areas, normally when the highlights are overexposed.
Camera: Nikon D300 Aperture: f1.8 Shutter speed: 1/45 ISO: 3200
The low level of contrast and less sharpness on f1.8 are consequence of the spherical aberration present on this aperture. A result of this is a beautiful bokeh on the wide open aperture; however, on the other apertures the 9 blades do not form a perfect spherical disc and this geometrical form could come into sight on the bokeh. The geometrical distortion is despicable and couldn't be seen without specific lab tests.
Camera: Nikon D300 Aperture: f1.8 Shutter speed: 1/1000 ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D300 Aperture: f2.8 Shutter speed: 1/500 ISO: 200
Conclusion Excellent value, has a good body, but sadly a disappointing autofocus. Great sharpness and contrast with a beautiful bokeh. It would be an extraordinaire lens for portraits if wasn't the cold colors and the tendency to brighten the high lights, that could negatively affect the texture and the skin tones. Any way, is a good lens, very good for its price. Its imperfections are not fatale, knowing and controlling this features it is easily possible to by-pass it.
Camera: Nikon D300 Aperture: f1.8 Shutter speed: 1/750 ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D300 Aperture: f2.8 Shutter speed: 1/750 ISO: 200

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Comparao: AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF versus AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

By Romulo Lubachesky

The goal of this article is to compare tests made with the 85mm focal distance lenses, the f1.4 and f1.8, of the Nikkor current line, 2008. It will only be approached the differences between lenses; to feed your knowledge with the details of each lens I recommend the read of the specific reviews. On the lens body it was studied the construction, the handling, the performance, and the auto focus. On the image quality it was analyzed sharpness, colors, chromatic aberration, flare, and bokeh.
Specifications Focal Distance: 85 mm Maximum aperture: f/1.4 Picture angle: 28o 30 Construction: 9 elements in 8 groups Closest focusing distance: 85 cm. Maximum reproduction ratio: 1:8.8 Minimum aperture: F/16 Diaphragm blades: 9 rounded blades Lens hood: HN-31 (supplied) Filter: 77 mm Size: 8,0 cm x 7,25 cm. whight: approx. 550 gr
Specifications Focal Distance: 85 mm Maximum aperture: f/1.8 Picture angle: 28o 30 Construction: 6 elements in 6 groups Closest focusing distance: 85 cm. Maximum reproduction ratio: 1:9.2 Minimum aperture: F/16 Diaphragm blades: 9 rounded blades Lens hood: HN-23 (supplied) Filter: 62 mm Size: 7,15 cm x 5,85 cm. whight: approx. 380 gr
Body and design On this section you're going to find information about the material, functions, and accessories of the bodies. It is attributed a mark in front of each feature, consider by me, superior between both lenses. Information about the specifications of each the lens will not be approached on this article. AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF Metal P body with texturized black paint P Rubberized focus ring with 16mm width P mode selector key, A (auto focus), M (manual focus), gyratory with a lock button Focus P focus ring doesn't move during the auto focus The P Complete rotation of the focus ring with approximately 120 P of the expose elements moves when focusing None AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D Black polycarbonate body Rubberized focus ring with 11mm width Without control of the focus mode on the lens The focus ring moves during the focusing Complete rotation of the focus ring with approximately 90 Back element moves when focusing
Conclusion about construction Despite heavy, a metal body is more resistant and stable. A heavier lens helps the balance with the camera making the handling better. The larger focus ring is better to hold, besides that, a ring that moves during the auto focus is very uncomfortable and could embarrasses the handling. Bigger the rotation of the focus ring, more precise is the manual focus. When the focus ring has a short rotation the change of the focus distance is very abrupt, where any movement represents a huge change of the focus distance. The 85mm f1.4 final element doesn't move when focusing, this seals the lens interior impeding the particles of dust and humidity of getting in. These lenses, in spite of the same focus distance, are from a different category. The f1.4 version has a superb building, because it is a professional lens. There are no cutting costs to obtain a higher quality. Despite well built, the 85mm f1.8 has some features cheapened to get compatible costs for the big public. Therefore, it's indiscussable the superiority of the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF on the construction query.

Auto focus performance To determine the auto focus speed the lens was attached to the DSLR camera Nikon D300.With the cap on and positioned on the focus distance correspondent to the infinite, the button was pressed and the time was chronometry till all the distances of focus were covered till it got back to the initial position. It was measured 10 times to each lens and average out. It was also qualified the noise level when focusing. In an open environment it was measured the greatest distance needed to listen the noise generated by the auto focus. AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF Auto focus speed: 1,396 sec None perceptive noise from more than 3 m distance AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D Auto focus speed: 1,636 sec Perceptive noise till 7m These results prove that the 85mm f1.4 auto focus system is superior. Confirming what my daily use has already indicated me. Image Quality Sharpness On these tests I did 3 sets of photos. In all tests the camera used was the Nikon D300 attached on a tripod. To guarantee the better accuracy the pixels contrast focus on the tripod mode from liveview was used. After doing the focus, the auto focus was turned off to certificate that the focal plane didn't change among photos. The first photos set was taken to determine the sharpness on the center of the image on a 3 m distance between the subject and the camera.
The red rectangle approximately represents the crop done on the original photo to demonstrate the center detail. On the following page you will find this detail in several apertures. The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is on the left column and the AF 85mm f1.8D on the right one. The images weren't compressed; its original size is 600x400 pixels. It's possible to see more details zooming in (click on the photo with the right button of the mouse.)
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To verify the sharpness of the image corner it was used the same procedure of the center. Therefore, the focus point chosen was on the corner next to the crop showed on the image beside. This method was used to guarantee the smallest lost of quality, showing the higher sharpness possible on the corner of the photos. Once again, the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is on the left column and the AF 85mm f1.8D on the right one.

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This last sharpness test establishes the level of details on the center and on the border of the image on a distance between the focal plane and the camera close to the infinite. The focal method used is the same of the other sharpness tests. However, to do this test it wasn't necessary a second round of photos with the peripherical focus, because the large distance from the target makes a minimal relative difference between the center and the corner. The red rectangle on the center represents approximately the crop done to the first set of details. The yellow rectangle on the corner shows approximately the crop done to the second round of details. The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is on the left column and the AF 85mm f1.8D on the right one.

www.bokeh.com.br Conclusions about sharpness
All sharpness tests were made using the following RAW configurations: Image quality: lossless compressed 12 bits RAW ISO: 200 Exposure mode: aperture priority Metering: central-weighted White balance: direct sun light Color space: Adobe RGB Sharpness: 4 Contrast: 0 Brightness: 0 Saturation: 0 Hue: 0 Converted to JPG using the Nikon Capture NX 1.3 software without any processing, only the cropping of the sample images.

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Chart about the observed detail level on the sharpness test with the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF lens attached on the Nikon D300 camera from a 3m distance from the subject.
Chart about the observed detail level on the sharpness test with the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.8D lens attached on the Nikon D300 camera from a 3m distance from the subject.
Chart about the observed detail level on the sharpness test with the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF lens attached on the Nikon D300 camera from a near to the infinite distance from the subject. www.bokeh.com.br
Chart about the observed detail level on the sharpness test with the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.8D lens attached on the Nikon D300 camera from a near to the infinite distance from the subject.
These charts consider 10 the highest sharpness that a lens can get with the resolution of the camera, therefore its results is only related to this article. The level of sharpness was ponder to each lens and its respective apertures by direct observation of the details qualities of the image on the showed areas The results show that on the sharpness query the 85mm f1.4 is superior than the 85mm f1.8 on the image center, mainly with wide open apertures. However, on the corners the highest quality noticed is from the 85mm f1.8. Colors Both lenses are advised for portraits, therefore on the color test I checked the skin tones of each result with the aperture totally opened. I didn't use specific tests to this section; during a model photo shoot I gave preference to use these lenses. Notice that the position of the model change between shots, however, the light conditions are the same. Photos were taken with the 12bits RAW quality, lossless compressed on the ISO 200. The aperture priority exposure mode and the central-weighted light measure was used. For the white balance, the direct sun light and the Adobe RGB on the color space. On the image parameters the sharpness is on 4, the contrast, brightness, saturation and the hue on zero. Converted to JPG on the Nikon Capture NX 1.3 software without any alteration.

AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF Aperture: f/1.4 Shutter speed: 1/350
AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D Aperture: f/1.8 Shutter speed: 1/350
Detail without compression of the approximated indicated area by the red rectangle on the portrait above. AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF
Detail without compression of the approximated indicated area by the red rectangle on the portrait above. AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D
Conclusions about colors The taste for colors is very particular. There is no way to determine which is the best to all photographers. Although, is possible to identify the skin tones difference between a lens and the other. The 85mm f1.4 has warmers tones and preserve better the skin texture by not overexposing the reflexes. Meanwhile, the 85mm f1.8 makes the skin brighter, with colder tones and more evident reflexes. This is a common difference, but very obvious on wide open apertures. Chromatic aberration and flare On this test the camera was positioned in a way that the sun hit half of the frontal element surface with the lens-hood on. The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is on the left column and the AF 85mm f1.8D on the right one.
Conclusion about flare The flare test was examined only on the opened apertures. It's pretty visible the superiority of the 85mm f1.8 to the flare resistance, demonstrating more contrasts in all tested apertures. Besides having more flare, the 85mm f1.4 showed, in f4, a small ghosting next to the sunny corner. Chromatic aberrations The same flare images were used to observe the chromatic aberration. Crops without compression are disposed on the same order as the test above. The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is on the left column and the AF 85mm f1.8D on the right one.
Conclusions about chromatic aberrations The 85mm f1.4 lens has a similar chromatic aberration fringe width to the 85mm f1.8 on the wide open aperture. However, the 85mm f1.4 has the smoother chromatic aberration and the 85mm f1.8 is more bright, so, is more evident. In f2.8 the 85mm f1.4 doesn't demonstrate chromatic aberration anymore, while the 85mm f1.8 still has a bright and small blue fringe, that disappear on f4. The verdict is that the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF lens has a bigger control of the chromatic aberrations. Bokeh To perform this test the camera was set on the manual focus and the distance on the lens was 1.5m, because is a common distance for both lenses. On the background are branches and leaves of a tree with small light entrance. The distance between the tree and the camera is about 4 meters. The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is on the left column and the AF 85mm f1.8D on the right one. AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4 IF D in f1.4. The red rectangle represents the approximate area of the following details.
AF Nikkor 85mm f1.8 D in f1.8. The red rectangle represents the approximate area of the following details.
Conclusion about bokeh The measuring light mode and the exposure mode were the same on both lenses, pondered central measure and the aperture priority. Note that there is an exposure difference between the lenses, the 85mm f1.8 showed brighter images, so this made me believe that: The 85mm f1.4 bokeh is smoother in all apertures; Although both lenses have the same number of blades, the 85mm f1.8 doesn't have perfectly rounded blades to make perfect blurs discs when closed. For that reason, a nonagonal geometrical form is visible. Clearly the 85mm f1.4 is the winner when talking about the bokeh suavity. Overall conclusion The conclusions are divided on the two columns below. At mine observation, based on my professional use and particular taste, It will be attributed a mark on the best lens of each category listed.

AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF Body and design Heavier and bigger, but I don't think this is a problem, since the balance and handling are great. Besides, the durability and the functionalities are unbeatable, making the act of photographing pleasureful.
AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D Light and compact, easier to carry and draw less attention. Well builted, but isn't of a professional quality.

Auto focus performance

Quick, quiet and precise. Makes the perfect set with the Nikon D300.
A bit more slow and with way more noise. The precision is not that good, it's easy to loose a quick photo opportunity. Slightely less sharp on the center, however very superior on the corners. To other photographic subject, like landscapes, its performance is superior.

Sharpness

Very sharp, principally on the center. On the corner is not that good, but on a portrait rarely the subject is on the extreme border of the image, therefore this doesn't affect most of the photos. The skin tones are very pleasant and natural.

Colors

The skin tones are brighter and slightly colder and could easily erase the skin texture by reflexes excess.
Considering the gigantic frontal element, it is very resistant to flare and demonstrate ghosting only in f4. When is totally open show a lot of chromatic aberration, but it is smooth and less bright. When it's closed more than f2.8 the chromatic aberration disappears. The bokeh is beautiful, very smooth and with perfect blured discs.
More resistant to flare, the contrast is less affected on f2.8 and on.

Chromatic aberrations

Its chromatic aberration is very bright in f1.8 and diminishes on f2.8 but only disappears after the f4 aperture.
Beautiful bokeh on f1.8, but not great. Nonagonal geometrical forms are very visible mainly on f2.8 and on.
The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF will continue to be mine preference between the 85mm lenses for portrait images. If you want the best performance for portraits and doesn't worry about costs, the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D IF is recommended. Therefore, The AF Nikkor 85mm f1.8D has great optic quality, not so perfect for portraits, but very good. As a non-specific lens for portrait it has an excellent price, being recommended to one that don't want to spend much to have a only-portrait lens.

Nikon DSLR D300 with the AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF lens on: ISO: 200 Aperture: f1.4 Shutter speed: 1/1000