Starting as a political news and celebrity portrait photographer in DC, Sam was instantly drawn to wedding photography as a space to promote more inventive ideas. Sam’s focus is on photographic techniques that are deceptively simple but have the potential to transform difficult or uninspiring shooting environments into one-of-a-kind opportunities for every photo made.
The Physically Impossible Lens?
TLDR: RAW files for you to experiment with are attached to this patreon post, and the short of the entire review is… I definitely recommend buying this lens if 85 is a workhorse focal length for you! I even prefer it to the legendary Canon 1.2 RF.
So, I took the plunge and bought the Nikon 85mm f/1.2 Z mount lens. Right from the start, I want to emphasize that every photo featured in this review is captured using this lens, paired with my Nikon ZF body. In case you weren’t already aware… the Nikon ZF ranks among my all-time favorite camera bodies, ever. For those interested, you can find my detailed review of the Nikon ZF here.
Nikon 85 1.2 Z Lens Ratings
- Value - 6.7/106.7/10
- Build - 9/109/10
- Sharpness - 9/109/10
- Autofocus - 9.6/109.6/10
- Size & Weight - 7.9/107.9/10
- Bokeh - 8.6/108.6/10
8.5/10
Quick Summary
I just bought the Nikon 85 1.2 to pair with my Zf, and while it’s undeniably large, it feels lighter than you’d expect and balances well on the camera. Shooting wide open delivers gorgeous, creamy bokeh with impressive sharpness and minimal need for post-production corrections. Autofocus is snappy even in tricky light, and its lens coatings preserve color and contrast when shooting backlit. Overall, if you’re an 85 mm enthusiast, this lens is a top-tier choice—just don’t expect it to magically defy physics or replace the look of a larger sensor system.
Pros
- Beautiful, creamy bokeh even at f/1.2
- Surprisingly balanced on the Nikon Zf despite its size
- Minimal distortion and post-production corrections needed
- Fantastic lens coatings for shooting into bright, direct light
Cons
- Still a hefty lens, and not ideal if you prefer ultra-light setups
- Pricey for those who rarely use 85 mm
- Physics remain physics, so don’t expect impossible shallow depth of field
- Not significantly smaller than some competitor offerings in this class
First Impressions and Comparisons
Who wouldn’t love a lens that’s lighter than you’d expect?
Diving into the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2, it’s important to note that I don’t typically shoot with an 85mm lens. My preference leans towards the 50mm range, with the Canon 50mm f/1.2 being one of my all-time favorites. I have spent some time with the Nikon 50mm f/1.2 Z mount lens, which, despite its excellent performance, is notably larger and heavier than this 85 1.2!
The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2, while also a large lens, pleasantly surprises with its lightness and balance… especially when mounted on a camera body. This is a stark contrast to the Nikon 50mm f/1.2, which, although it performs beautifully, can feel cumbersome, and front heavy due to its size and weight.
Technical Features and Design
I love that Nikon sticks to physical lens design that doesn’t require heavy correction in post.
The overall design of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 lens is fantastic… combining robust performance with a minimalistic design approach. The hardware of the lens is straightforward yet effective. It includes a customizable function button, customizable e-ring, and manual focus, which rounds out its hardware offerings. This simplicity is appreciated, as it avoids unnecessary complexity that could increase the size and weight of the lens.
“You have a function button, and e-ring that you can customize… and that’s it.”
The design philosophy of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 lens seems to emphasize minimalism. There is no on-lens digital readout for settings (which the Nikon 50 1.2 does have), which aligns with the desire to keep the lens compact and efficient. The focus seems to be purely on the quality of the glass, ensuring that it performs exceptionally well without the need for distortion correction in post-processing. This is a significant advantage, as many newer lenses I’ve reviewed require some level of correction to achieve the desired image quality.
Overall, the technical features and design of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 lens reflect a thoughtful balance between functionality and simplicity.
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Performance and Usability
I previously owned the Canon 85mm f/1.2, but (though the performance was respectable) decided to sell it due to its large size and weight. It literally wouldn’t fit comfortably in my shoulder sling bag. The Nikon lens performs on par with Canon’s offering, yet it is slightly lighter and smaller. The Nikon weighs approximately 1,160 grams compared to Canon’s 1,190 grams, making it a more portable option. This lighter weight and smaller footprint are definite wins for Nikon.
It does seem that this lens performs right on par with Canon’s offering.
One of the reasons I decided to purchase this lens was influenced by a photographer whose work really stood out to me. Their field of view + depth of field, particularly the bokeh, were remarkable, resembling the quality of medium or large format sensors. That photographer said the effect was achieved using the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 on a Nikon Z8, but after extensive use I have to conclude that there was likely some post process bokeh/lens blur happening to achieve the look they’re known for.
Real-World Testing and Observations
I was eager to see if I could replicate some of the seemingly impossible perspectives I had seen, all with a single click and no post-editing. Initially, I suspected techniques like a stitched panorama or the Brenizer method were involved, but according to said photographer – nothing like that would be necessary, and the results were achieved with just good technique and the lens itself.
Sadly, the more I used the lens, the more I realized that the original photographer whose work inspired me… might not be entirely transparent about their post-processing techniques. While they claimed to achieve their results straight out of the camera, I found that most of my shots, taken wide open at f/1.2, did not exhibit the same extraordinary depth of field.
(thanks for the sexy pose Nathan)
Despite this, the lens’s performance is still absolutely impressive. The bokeh produced is really, really buttery smooth… a subjective but fitting description. There’s no distracting artifacts even w/ busy backgrounds:
Conclusion and Recommendations
The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 lens absolutely stands out for its impressive sharpness and ability to maintain contrast even when shooting directly into sunlight. Still, at certain angles you’ll see some artifacts like this rainbow, which I actually really like the look of:
Overall, this lens performs exceptionally well even without the need for a lens hood, capturing unique artifacts like that rainbow streak, which IMO can enhance creative compositions. Of course, the real-time feedback provided by mirrorless camera EVFs allows you to adjust and optimize shots/compositions on the fly, making this lens a versatile tool in various lighting conditions.
One of the standout features of this lens is its minimal need for profile corrections, a testament to Nikon’s commitment to high-quality lens design. Unlike some other brands, where profile corrections are essential, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 requires little to no adjustment, preserving the integrity of the RAW file.
At the end of the day, this is a lens that’s totally worth keeping.
For photographers who frequently use an 85mm lens, this model is a worthwhile investment. It excels in sharpness and contrast retention, and offers a manageable size and weight. Just note… it doesn’t create an extraordinary shallow depth of field beyond what is traditionally expected from an 85mm f/1.2.
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