MorkSvartson's reviews

Nikon 85mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor

This lens has both fans and haters. I became interested and I bought it. Assembled very well, I do not understand the complaints. Inside it is metal (the lenses are fixed in an aluminum tube), only the outer frame is made of polycarbonate. The Micro-Nikkor 60 / 2.8D and Micro-Nikkor 105 / 2.8D are made in the same way, which no one complains about. Autofocus on professional cameras is fast and tenacious. I was unlucky to get a front focus lens, but after adjusting the AF in my D300, I got accuracy. Unfortunately, due to the front focus, I can't use it on my favorite D200 and S5pro, which have excellent color reproduction but no autofocus adjustment.

Technically, the lens turned out to be good. I don't like shooting at wide apertures, so image quality issues at f/1.8-2.2 don't bother me. Starting from f/2.8 the lens is sharp and contrasting, in the f/5.6-11 range it is quite suitable for technical shooting, not much inferior in resolution even to Micro-Nikkor lenses. There are practically no distortions, there are chromatic aberrations, but they are not annoying and can be easily removed in the editor. There is also a problem - a large focusing distance does not allow you to approach small objects at the right distance. I did not check how the lens works with macro rings. It does not seem to have a CRC system, but at the minimum focusing distance I had no complaints, so I think it will be good for shooting at 1:4 - 1:2 scales.

Portrait. At f/2.8-5.6 you can get good close-up portraits. Technically, there is nothing to complain about - the lens, I repeat, is contrasting and sharp. But the quality of his bokeh leaves much to be desired. It is "rough" and "nervous", somewhat similar to the bokeh AF Nikkor 50/1.8D. You need to watch the background very carefully, or shoot in a studio where you can control everything. I was surprised that the color reproduction of the lens tends to be cold. I have a late version of the lens, I know that the early version of Nikkor 85/1.8 (without "D") has a different lens coating. Perhaps she has a different color rendition, I did not check. But my lens noticeably cools the image, which is perfectly visible in comparison with the same AF Nikkor 50 / 1.4D or the superb old Nikkor 85/1.4 AiS. I prefer "warm" color tones, although "cold" ones may be closer to someone, this is a matter of taste.

I summarize. If you want to shoot at wide apertures - look at more modern devices, this old man reveals himself after f / 2.8. If you are not confused by the nature of bokeh and cold color reproduction, the lens is wonderful. It is inexpensive, well made, well suited for studio portraits, still life, and technical photography.

Good luck everyone, and sorry for my english :)