A quality 85mm lens with a fast aperture is a go-to option for portrait work, offering a balance of image quality and background separation. But getting those features with autofocus at a budget-friendly price is rare. The 7artisans Photoelectric 85mm f/1.8 AF aims to do just that, delivering solid performance at just $299.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this thorough video review takes a closer look at the 7artisans 85mm f/1.8 AF in its Nikon Z mount form. While the lens performed decently on Sony cameras, Frost evaluates whether the Nikon version lives up to expectations, especially when paired with a high-resolution Nikon Z7 body. The lens maintains a compact form and decent build quality, with a metal exterior and a weather-sealed mount, although the sealing is minimal. An aperture ring is also present, which can be set to auto or manual, but it tends to drift out of place due to its loose mechanism.
One of the key points highlighted in the review is the autofocus performance. The Sony version had some autofocus issues, and the Nikon version is no different. While the lens locks on accurately, it’s slower than what you’d typically expect from native lenses. In quiet environments, you’ll also notice a subtle clicking sound that wasn’t present in the Sony mount version. This might not be a dealbreaker for some, but it’s worth noting if you need a fast, silent focus.
Where this lens shines is its optical quality. On the Nikon Z7, which has a 45-megapixel sensor, the 85mm f/1.8 AF produces impressively sharp images in the center of the frame, even wide open at f/1.8. The corners show some softness at maximum aperture, but it improves noticeably as you stop down. By f/4, the lens delivers excellent clarity and contrast across the entire frame. There’s a slight amount of color fringing at the edges, but it’s minimal and easy to correct in post-processing.
Vignetting is moderate at f/1.8, but that’s expected for a fast portrait lens and can often add to the overall look when shooting portraits. As for distortion, the lens shows minor barrel distortion, but nothing out of the ordinary. The lens also handles bright light reasonably well, with no significant issues of ghosting or flare. Coma is well-controlled, making it suitable for nighttime cityscapes or astrophotography.
Overall, the Nikon version of the 7artisans 85mm f/1.8 AF performs similarly to the Sony version but with a few quirks in autofocus speed and noise. Still, considering the price point and the optical quality it delivers, it’s a solid budget-friendly option for portrait work or general shooting if you’re willing to trade some autofocus performance for sharp, vibrant images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
