Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G lens

I received this today just as I was writing the introduction of the Nikon D4. Nikon is also launching a nice prime lens, a fast portrait lens : the AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G, net !

With the AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G, Nikon is adding a new piece to its affordable prime lenses range. Just like the AF-S 50mm f/1.4G gets a half priced equivalent with the AF-S 50mm f/1.8G, the expensive and not so impressive (optically speaking of course !) AF-S 85mm f/1.4G will now have this $500 lens.

The AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G still offers a fast aperture. When used with an APS-C DLSLR like the D7000 / D5100 / D3100, it will  be an equivalent 127mm. Have you noticed I did not mention the D300s in the Nikon APS-C DSLR range ? It is mainly because I don’t see the point buying it now as its sensor is really aging compared to the high dynamic 16 megapixels APS-C CMOS of the D7000 and the D5100. Actually, I have dreamt about the Nikon D400 the other night…

Let’s get back to this lens. The technical specs make no mention of any interesting optical stuff like ED glass or nanocrystal coating. Nikon still says that its 9 elements in 9 group optical formula is designed to offer the best image quality possible. The 7 circular aperture blades should help getting an aesthetic smooth bokeh. Note that the 1.4G gets 9 blades.