Nikon Afs Dx Micro Nikkor 85mm F35g Ed Vibration Review

Nikon photographers have no shortage of options when it comes to macro lenses. The AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR ($529.99) is ane of a pair that's designed specifically for the APS-C sensor size used past Nikon DX cameras, and similar the AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G ($274.49 at Amazon) , it'southward extremely sharp. But it costs almost twice as much, which cuts out the value proffer that helped make the Micro-Nikkor 40mm an Editors' Pick winner. If y'all desire a longer macro lens and can afford it, we recommend going with the AF-Due south VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED ($274.49 at Amazon) , which adds full-frame compatibility (in case you lot upgrade cameras in the future), baloney-complimentary optics, and a very useful focus limiter function. If you're entrenched in the DX format, the 85mm is a solid choice for a longer, stabilized lens, but the 40mm is a more appealing upkeep option.

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The Micro-Nikkor 85mm ($274.49 at Amazon)  is fairly compact at three.nine by 2.9 inches (Hard disk) and 12.5 ounces. It uses 52mm forepart filters, includes a reversible lens hood, and produces a field of view that'due south roughly equivalent to a 130mm lens in terms of total-frame equivalency. The butt is hard blended, with a rubberized manual focus band and switches to command the optical stabilization system and switch betwixt transmission and autofocus. Even when set to autofocus, it'due south possible to turn the ring to adjust focus manually, which can exist helpful if the lens is hunting across its range to lock onto a subject field. There isn't a focus limiter switch, which is a downer every bit information technology would prevent that behavior.

The distance scale is presented in meters and anxiety, and too shows the magnification ratio. The lens achieves i:i magnfiication—that is, objects are projected onto the image sensor at life size—at its shortest focus altitude, about xi.ii inches. That'due south measured from the epitome sensor, so in reality you've got most v inches between the front chemical element and your field of study to hit the maximum magnification gene. That can exist an issue when photographing insects, or in light where you may cast a shadow on your subject field. If y'all're after a lens with a longer working distance, consider the Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM ($274.49 at Amazon) ; it'due south very large in comparison, but its working altitude is longer by a few inches.

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I used Imatest to check optical performance when paired with the 24-megapixel Nikon D5500 ($274.49 at Amazon) . At f/3.5 information technology scores 2,304 lines per picture height on a heart-weighted sharpness test, with fifty-fifty operation through much of the frame, only a noticeable drop (i,993 lines) at the edges. Even with this drib, the entirety of the frame exceeds the 1,800 lines nosotros like to see in an image.

Stopping downward to f/5.half dozen improves the functioning to 2,826 lines, with edges that sharpen up nicely to about 2,500 lines. At f/viii it shows 2,894 lines, and it hits 3,013 lines at f/11. The lens can be stopped downwardly all the manner to f/32 if needed. You don't associate narrow apertures with shallow depth of field, but the epitome of the flower above, captured effectually the minimum focus altitude, was shot at f/eleven and even so shows a smoothen, out-of-focus background.

Distortion is a minor issue. The lens shows most 0.ix pct barrel distortion, which is normally nada to be concerned about. But the best macro lenses show no baloney, and so even that minor amount is something to consider. If you practice notice distortion in an image, information technology'due south easily corrected in Lightroom ($274.49 at Amazon) , but information technology'south not something yous'll have to contend with at all if y'all spend a flake more on the Micro-Nikkor 105mm.

The AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR is another excellent macro lens from Nikon. When it all shakes out, the barrel distortion is a quibble that won't be noticeable in most images, and in that location's no questioning the detail that it can pick up. The optical stabilization organization will help you steady handheld macro shots, and the lens doubles as a short telephoto prime when working with not-macro subjects. At f/3.5 it'south possible to create a shallow depth of field, then you can use it for environmental portraits, and it balances well on smaller Nikon SLRs. The lack of a focus limiter switch is a downer, as autofocus can chase. Nosotros don't like it quite as much every bit our Editors' Choice DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/two.8G, which is less expensive, lighter, and includes a limiter function. And if you lot retrieve you'll upgrade to a full-frame model in the future, you'll be wise to spend a bit more on another Editors' Choice, the AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED. But just considering the DX Micro-Nikkor 85mm falls slightly short of top honors, it doesn't mean it'southward not a lens worth your dollar. Information technology's an first-class performer, and may well exist the best choice if yous're commited to the DX system and in want of a prime lens in this focal range that also offers shut focus capability.

Nikon AF-South DX Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR

The Bottom Line

The Nikon AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/iii.5G ED VR is another excellent macro lens from Nikon thanks to infrequent sharpness and 1:1 magnification.

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Source: https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/nikon-af-s-dx-micro-nikkor-85mm-f35g-ed-vr

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