Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S - Lens review and specs

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Nikon Z Prime full-frame 2023

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85mm

Focal length

f/1.2

Max aperture

1160 g

Weight

14mm35mm85mm200mm600mm

▲ 85mm

Max aperture

f/1.4

f/1.2

f/2

Constant Aperture

Aperturef/1.2

f/1.2f/16

Near focus14' 9"

Far focus15' 5"

Total DOF8"

Hyperfocal685' 1"

Subject distance15' 1"

Focal length85 mm

Aperturef/1.2

SensorFull Frame

Illustrative scene preview based on this lens's focal length, aperture, and sensor coverage.

This preview uses 85mm, f/1.2, and Full Frame. Subject distance is estimated to keep lens previews comparable.

Min aperture: f/16
Diaphragm blades: 11

Optics

Optical construction: 15 elements in 10 groups
Special elements: 1 ED element, 2 aspherical elements
Coatings: Nano Crystal Coat

Focusing

Minimum focus: 85 cm
Max magnification: 0.11×
AF motor: Dual STM

Physical

Weight: 1160 g
Dimensions: ⌀103mm × 142mm
Filter thread: 82 mm
Hood included: HB-106
Color: Black

Handling & Controls

Custom Buttons: 1

Recommended Use

Ideal for: astro, Portraits, Weddings

Release year: 2023
Announced: Feb 7, 2023
Approx price: $2800 USD
Optical correction & RAW development: NDPix Photo Editor

The best

Benchmark professional portrait prime delivering exceptional f/1.2 speed for Nikon Z full-frame mirrorless.

Also

Elite S-Line optical formula featuring 11 rounded aperture blades, multi-focus dual STM, and Nano Crystal Coat.

Summary

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S stands as the pinnacle short-telephoto portrait prime within the mirrorless Nikon Z mount ecosystem. Pairing an essential 85mm focal length with an exotic maximum aperture of f/1.2, this premium S-Line optic provides commercial portrait, fashion, editorial, and wedding creators with unmatched subject isolation and painterly background defocus. Its optical formula incorporates 15 elements arranged in 10 groups, utilizing one Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) element and two aspherical elements to virtually eliminate spherical aberrations and color fringing right from wide-open apertures. Conceived with dedicated emphasis on dimensional rendering and bokeh aesthetic, the lens achieves buttery-smooth transitions from razor-sharp focal planes into lush out-of-focus fields. The aperture mechanism features 11 rounded diaphragm blades, crafting perfectly circular out-of-focus highlights and pleasing depth across diverse lighting situations. Nikon's Nano Crystal Coat provides immaculate contrast under challenging direct backlighting, while an innovative multi-focusing drive powered by dual stepping motors (STMs) delivers fast, hushed, and accurate focus acquisition suited for both candid portraiture and cinema capture. Built for rigorous field reliability, the chassis features extensive weather sealing across all movable joints, buttons, and switches, shielding internal mechanisms from dust and moisture. Hybrid creators and cinematographers benefit from well-controlled focus breathing, an assignable L-Fn barrel button, and a customizable clickless control ring for seamless exposure adjustments. Representing an uncompromising achievement in optical design, this prime lens showcases the absolute engineering capabilities of Nikon.

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Pros & Cons

Pros

Ultra-fast f/1.2 maximum aperture producing breathtaking subject separation and creamy background blur
S-Line optical engineering with 1 ED and 2 aspherical elements delivering extreme resolution wide open
Advanced multi-focusing system utilizing dual STMs for rapid, silent, and pinpoint autofocus precision
Proprietary Nano Crystal Coat thoroughly eliminates internal reflections, ghosting, and flare
Comprehensive weather sealing and suppressed focus breathing designed for high-end stills and cinema

Cons

Substantial physical footprint weighing approximately 1160 grams with large 82mm front filter threads
Lacks in-lens optical Vibration Reduction (VR), relying exclusively on camera in-body image stabilization
Substantial financial investment tailored primarily for working professionals and commercial studios