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

Features Features

Build &

handling

Build &

handling

Performance Performance

Value Value

4

Overall

4

Overall

TS

his Nikon lens is much
smaller and only about
half the weight of the
competing Sigma 85mm
f/1.4, but more expensive (especially in
the UK). It’s only natural to feel you’re
not getting as much for your money.
The optical path consists of 10
elements, compared with the Sigma’s
14, and the forward elements have a
considerably smaller diameter. As with
the Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8 lens on
test, there are neither aspherical nor
ED elements in the line-up.
On the plus side, the Nikon’s
compact and lightweight build make it
easier to manage. Autofocus is quick
and quiet for a ring-type ultrasonic
system, and the mount has a weather-
seal ring. Nano Crystal Coat minimizes
ghosting and flare.

Performance
Shooting wide open, sharpness drops
off more than with any other f/1.4 lens
in the group, apart from the Samyang.
Meanwhile, bokeh is a little bit fidgety
and less smooth than with other f/1.4
lenses in this Big Test, but there’s only
minor degradation when stopping
down a little.

horter, slimmer and less

than two-thirds the weight

of the mighty Sigma’s

whopping 105mm lens, this

Nikon has an identical focal length and

aperture rating. It’s much more

manageable for handheld shooting,

although the price tag is more difficult

to swallow. Unlike in the two Nikon

AF-S 85mm lenses on test, this one

has ED elements (three of them) in the

optical path, while sharing the f/1.4’s

Nano Crystal Coat.

As with the Sigma, an incredibly

tight depth of field is available. In the

context of portraiture, you can have a

single eye sharp while the surrounding

eyelashes are blurred. You’re best off

shooting with the help of a tripod, for

the sake of focusing accuracy, at which

point the Sigma is better balanced as it

can rotate for portrait-orientation

shooting in its mounting collar.

Performance

Levels of sharpness across the frame

are very similar to those from the

Sigma 105mm lens. Again, bokeh is

beautiful but marginally less smooth

than from the Sigma, with slightly

more axial fringing in evidence.

Nikon

AF-S 85mm f/1.4G

£1479/$1597

Relatively small in size, but not in price

Nikon

AF-S 105mm f/1.4E ED

£1799/$2197

Can it be a David to Sigma’s Goliath?

Sharpness

It’s not particularly sharp wide

open, but sharpness becomes

very good at f/2 and narrower

apertures.

Sharpness

It’s very close but the Nikon

tends to be sharper than the

Sigma at the centre and worse

at the edges.

Fringing

Axial and lateral chromatic

aberrations aren’t as minimal

as in the other Nikon, Sigma

and Tamron lenses.

Fringing

Both axial and lateral

chromatic aberration can be

a little more noticeable than

from the Sigma 105mm.

Distortion

While most lenses on test

exhibit very slight pincushion,

this one has a touch of barrel

distortion.

Distortion

There’s slight pincushion

distortion but not enough

to cause any real concern

in portraiture.

N-Photo verdict N-Photo verdict

It’s a fine lens but not
much better than the
Nikon AF-S 85mm
f/1.8G. It’s dubious
value at the price.

It’s not supreme for

bokeh, as the Sigma

105mm does a better

job and costs less. Still,

it’s a cracking lens.

BIG TEST