A Review of the Impressive Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S Lens

Nikon's new NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens has been turning heads for offering an extreme design and the promise of impressive image quality and beautiful bokeh. Can it deliver on that promise? This excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect. 

Coming to you from Bobby Tonelli, this great video review takes a look at the new Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens. Because of their popularity with portrait and wedding photographers, wide-aperture 85mm lenses are often where manufacturers showcase some of their most impressive features and optical design, and the 85mm f/1.2 is no exception to that rule. Of course, with such levels of performance come high prices, but in fairness, this particular option is not out of line with the prices of similar offerings from other manufacturers. It is quite impressive to see how well the lens performs, even at ultra-wide apertures, where traditionally, such lenses offered relatively middling sharpness. While it certainly is not necessary for a lot of photographers, who might be better served by the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S, which costs $2,000 less, if you want the absolute best, it looks quite impressive. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Tonelli. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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1 Comment

I’m better served by the 85mm f/1.2 over the f/1.8 but got the lesser lens anyway. With the difference in price I got the 85 f/1.8 , Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2 in M mount two M mount adapters and the FTZii .
But do I have regrets…… kind of yes . I have shot several shoots with these other lens’s and I’d still be waiting on the f/1.2 .
But for a touch more …. Well $300 more I could have gotten the 40mm f/2.0 Nikon which I love it’s rendering. The ikon 85mm f/1.2 has that special look also that the 1.8 is just dull n plain . And for those that dis the 40 f/2 don’t . It’s for a modern lens has a special rendering. My Voigtlander 40f/1.2 does too and it’s fast. I’ve been shooting live music with it wide open . With Nikon Z9’s focus peaking it’s pretty easy. Can’t say that for my Sony bodies.