N-Photo - The Nikon Magazine - UK (2019-12)

Features Features

Build &

handling

Build &

handling

Performance Performance

Value Value

4.5

Overall

5

Overall

SL

martly turned out with a

strong, weather-sealed

metal barrel and mounting

plate, the Tamron is no

lightweight at 700g. Like other ‘Di’

lenses, it’s designed from the ground

up for digital SLRs. Indeed, it features

two types of nano-structure coating

which work in tandem to keep

aberrations to a minimum.

Further high-tech finery includes a

fast and highly accurate ring-type

ultrasonic autofocus system and

Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration

Compensation) optical stabilization

system. The aperture is controlled by

a nine-blade diaphragm, which is more

well-rounded than in the Nikon AF-S

f/1.8 lens on test.

Performance

Sharpness could be better at f/1.8, but

it’s good enough and even across the

entire frame. Despite the modest f/1.8

aperture, bokeh is excellent, matching

most f/1.4 lenses for smoothness.

Bokeh fringing is negligible, as is lateral

chromatic aberration and distortion.

Add the bonus of stabilization for

consistently sharp handheld shots,

and the Tamron is a smart buy.

ast month, the Nikon Z

35mm f/1.8 S was the

winner of our Big Test on

‘street lenses’. With that

lens and the Z 50mm, the f/1.8

aperture rating enables great quality

with a compact and lightweight

construction, befitting Z-series

cameras. But in the 85mm sector a

faster aperture is often preferred, so

this Nikon Z lens has to prove itself.

Quality optics include two ED

(Extra-low Dispersion) elements and

Nano Crystal Coat. Up-market build

quality includes comprehensive

weather-seals and autofocus is

courtesy of a quick yet virtually silent

stepping motor. The electronically

coupled control ring enables high-

precision manual focusing and can

also be used for adjusting the likes of

aperture and exposure compensation.

Performance

Sharpness across the entire frame is

amazing even when shooting wide

open, as is contrast. Meanwhile, bokeh

is stunning and smooth with

wonderfully rounded defocused points

of light. Resistance to ghosting and

flare is also remarkably good.

Tamron

SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD

£749/$749

A high-tech lens to beat the shakes

Nikon

Z 85mm f/1.8 S

£799/$797

Oh dear, not another fabulous Z-series lens...

Sharpness

Shooting wide open,

centre-sharpness isn’t as

good as from the Nikon AF-S

f/1.8, but it’s pretty close.

Sharpness

It’s unlikely you’ll need such

exceptional sharpness across

the whole frame, but it’s

available anyway.

Fringing

Levels of both axial and lateral

chromatic aberrations are

very minimal indeed and

rarely visible.

Fringing

There’s virtually no chromatic

aberration of either kind, right

across the whole frame and

into the corners.

Distortion

Pincushion distortion is also

extremely minor, less even

than in the Nikon AF-S

85mm f/1.8.

Distortion

Along with the Sigma 85mm

Art lens on test, this Nikon Z

series optic is virtually

distortion-free.

N-Photo verdict N-Photo verdict

Performance is great,

and the stabilizer can

make a huge difference

with portraits under

ambient lighting.

It’s pricey for an f/1.8

lens but handling,

image quality and

performance are

utterly fabulous.

BIG TEST