Nikon releases the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S, a fast, mid-telephoto prime lens for the Nikon Z mount system

July 31, 2019

The perfect portrait lens with a sharp and clear focal plane and natural bokeh that emphasizes the subject

TOKYO - Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce the release of the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S, a fast, mid-telephoto prime lens for the Nikon Z mount system's full-frame (Nikon FX format) mirrorless cameras.

The NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S is an S-Line high-performance lens compatible with the FX format. It supports a focal length of 85mm and a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, allowing users to enjoy taking advantage of beautiful blur characteristics (bokeh) with the recording of high-quality still images and movies.

The beauty of the natural bokeh that increases gradually as the distance from the focal plane increases is best seen with portrait photography. The gentle, rounded bokeh generated when point light sources are blurred exhibits very little color fringing and remains pleasing all the way to the edges of the frame, enabling expression of a dreamy ambiance. Adoption of a multi-focusing system*¹ greatly suppresses aberrations at all focus distances, including close distances, demonstrating superior imaging performance all the way from maximum aperture. Superior resolving power can be achieved regardless of the focus distance or subject. The exquisite balance between the stunning bokeh made possible with the f/1.8 maximum aperture and superior imaging performance enables impressive portraiture in which the human subject is emphasized.

Lens optics are constructed with two ED glass elements. In addition, the use of Nano Crystal Coat, Nikon's exclusive anti-reflection coating technology, effectively reduces the ghost and flare generated by incident light for sharp and clear images, even when a light source is included in the frame. Furthermore, while many lenses are bright only at the center of the frame and exhibit peripheral illumination falloff, which results in diminished brightness at the edges of the frame, the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S is able to acquire the large amount of light needed for a frame that remains bright all the way to the extreme edges.

The lens barrel is equipped with a control ring that can serve as a focus ring for manual focusing. Functions such as focus (M/A)*², aperture and exposure compensation can be assigned to the control ring. For example, if the exposure compensation function is assigned to the control ring during movie recording, smooth exposure control that minimizes flicker caused by frame-by-frame variations in exposure is possible, enabling the video to exhibit natural changes in brightness. In addition, adoption of a very quiet stepping motor (STM) for the AF drive mechanism prevents recording of the sound of AF motor operation with movies.

The NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S makes the most of the Nikon Z mount system's large-diameter mount and short flange focal distance to achieve the polished optical performance required of a portrait lens. It further expands possibilities for expression for both still images and movies with rendering capabilities that will change the perceptions of what an f/1.8 mid-telephoto prime lens can do.

• *1Multiple AF drive units work together to control the position of multiple focus lens groups with great precision for superior imaging performance regardless of shooting distance.
• *2A function that enables immediate switching from autofocus to manual focus using the control ring.

Primary features

• A high-performance lens that is part of the S-Line, a newly designated grade of NIKKOR Z lenses that adheres to a new benchmark in optical performance, creating new definitions of design principles and quality control
• Achieves the three-dimensional appearance so vital to portrait photography with natural bokeh that gradually increases as the distance from the focal plane increases
• Images that are sharp and clear all the way to the extreme edges of the frame stand in conspicuous contrast to the smooth and beautiful bokeh, which the lens is also capable of
• A multi-focusing system that dramatically reduces aberrations for excellent imaging performance at any focus distance, including close distances
• Adoption of two ED glass elements provides effective compensation for axial chromatic aberration
• Acquisition of an abundance of peripheral light enables worry-free shooting at maximum aperture with a slight and gradual drop in light volume
• Nano Crystal Coat, Nikon's exclusive anti-reflection coating technology, effectively reduces ghost and flare for sharp and clear images
• Effective suppression of sagittal coma flare* for superior point image reproduction characteristics beginning at maximum aperture
• A control ring that demonstrates superior operability with quiet and smooth operation
• Adoption of stepping motor (STM) enables fast, quiet, and accurate AF drive for both still-image shooting and movie recording
• Quiet and smooth aperture control optimized for movie recording minimizes flicker
• Designed with consideration given to dust- and drip-resistant capability with sealing throughout
• An electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism enables extremely precise aperture control

• *A type of aberration that causes the edges of point light sources in night landscapes or similar to appear to flare out like a bird with its wings spread.

The information is current as of the date of publication. It is subject to change without notice.

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