Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 Was A Let Down Until I Realized...

[@gonzalovillota7840]

With such shallow depth of field and focal length, if your subject moves slightly, you loose focus at 1.2. I noticed you were shooting your dog using AF-S. It takes millimeters of movement from you or the dog to loose focus. If you try AF-C with 3D enabled (on the Z9) your in-focus rate will improve dramatically. If you combine that with using the back focus button, you have a winner combo and all your shots in focus. The sharpness people talk about is the product of loosing focus if proper technique is not used. I shoot all my primes at their widest aperture, including the 50 f/1.2, and rarely have shots out of focus or not sharp. Give it a try.

[@ZWadePhoto]

I switched later on to continuous

[@felm.974]

I wonder if KZbinrs just buy gear to complain about them lol... They should send me this 85, I will find zero to complains about it 😃.

[@ZWadePhoto]

No. Nikon sends free samples to people who hate them. THEN they complain about it. hahaha

[@felm.974]

@@ZWadePhoto LOL true... I dont get it, I can think of one with a big afro who always has to find something wrong with anything Nikon... he hates Nikon so much, that he heasn't even reviewed the 85 1.2 because it is perfect... so he must be thinking of all the negative stuff he will say about the lens before he releases his review lol.

[@Photojouralist123]

Love your video's Zwade! I'm sure your very happy with your new 85mm. Have fun buddy and can't wait to see some great images from you.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Thanks Mr. Ishii

[@Vahagraphy]

awesome video bro. super lens. man’s best friend in beautiful smooth bokeh 👍🏻👍🏻🤘🏻

[@ZWadePhoto]

Thanks V. The Doggo and 85mm. A good day

[@kaminobatto]

I think the shots look good Z. And this lens definitely has tons of contrast. In Jared's preview, he had two of the same shot with the 85 1.8 and the 1.2 at 1.8 with the same settings, and without him even saying when he pointed to the shades of blue on the model's jeans and the black on her boot, you could clearly see the difference in contrast between the two as night and day. It's superb optic, enjoy it!

[@ZWadePhoto]

Thanks Yamen. I remember that video and said the same thing. Noticeable contrast improvement on this one. Thanks for your support Yamen!

[@michael-4k4000]

Jared Polin hates Nikon with a passion

[@kaminobatto]

@@michael-4k4000 I don't think he does. I just think he's too proud to acknowledge that they've come a long way since he switched systems, and it gives him an opportunity to throw jabs at them as part of his jokes.

[@merakiphotos4603]

awesome video and music choices. I Have the 85 1.2 as well the 50 1.2s. I loveeeeeeeeeeeeee the 50 with a passion. I have not been able to play with my 85 yet, but will be able to tomorrow and sunday with some sessions. I am really excited to put this lense to work!

[@ZWadePhoto]

Same! I think everyone has been waiting for the weekend to do work haha

[@waynerm002]

Great video! The images look really nice, all the folks that bought this lens love it. Waiting to see what else Nikon brings out.

[@ZWadePhoto]

I'd say I'm set for now, but in reality Nikon will drop something else that I'll want. lol

[@michael-4k4000]

Not seeing the purple fringing at all!

[@ZWadePhoto]

Thats my bad, I corrected for it out of habit then mentioned it as an afterthought. lol. I'll bring it up again later in a time under use review.

[@waveland]

I got mine a couple of days ago, and then got pulled into director/cinematographer duty for a micro-short over the weekend. This has left me with limited time to thoroughly get to know the 85. Nevertheless, based on the shooting I’ve done so far, subjects really pop with this lens wide open. The in-focus areas have lots of contrast and good color saturation with a nearly 3D level of separation. It’s a portrait lens for today’s TikTok world, where vibrancy matters and post-processing of skin can be done quickly. This is very much in contrast to traditional portrait lenses which were designed to bring more glow and cut down on the contrast, so you didn’t have to spend days touching up blemishes and the like. So far I’m very pleased with the purchase and look forward to getting more shooting done later in the week. [After I’ve finished post-production on the short that is.]

[@ZWadePhoto]

Right on BT. I did 2 portrait sessions over the weekend, the videos are in progress, but, spoiler…this lens is pretty f’ing phenomenal

[@indrajitadvani3742]

I’ve had mine a week and I’m so wowed by it that I’m now considering selling my Otus Zeiss 50mm f/1.4, which at one time I thought I’d never part with. But the 85 kinda obviates it

[@ZWadePhoto]

Whoa… I just shot my first portraits with it and it’s pretty magical. It’s doing something real special with eyes

[@khengteoh4318]

Can't wait to try it out this weekend

[@ZWadePhoto]

Me too! I've got a few portrait shoot to video this weekend so I hope you'll be back to tell me how it worked for you!

[@KevinNordstrom]

Looks like a killer lens Zach. Great job with the post processing.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Thanks Kevin

[@RobNotANumber]

I'd love to see you use the Z5 with this glass

[@ZWadePhoto]

Coming soon! The winner of the last 100 like challenge got to choose a combo and that’s what he chose!

[@RobNotANumber]

@@ZWadePhoto so happy to see this and no more z8 news. Here in nz where we are a very low wage economy, the z8 is close the price of a new home deposit.

[@roybixby6135]

Great Info of the lens. Seems to be a different beast than the 50 f1.2 I still miss that little LCD panel. FYI Audio seems a bit muffled ... 🦘

[@ZWadePhoto]

Audio is my current focus. Got very expensive upgrades to improve mixing in post processing.

[@jserenity]

I probably will get the 50mm f1.2 due to the tight space I have of portrait shooting inside a tight room. But currently I am using the F mount 50mm f1.4 adopted to z

[@ZWadePhoto]

I think you'll love the 50mm f/1.2. That lens kicks a LOT of donkey.

[@martinhild]

What a cute model! While the 85 probably is not for me, it looks like a real good buy for your type of shooting. I hope you get loads of fun from that lens. Means more content for us I guess.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Best model I ever had!

[@michael-4k4000]

Can’t wait for Vahagraphy to get one of these lenses. He has the best equipment in the world.

[@ZWadePhoto]

WHAT AM I??? CHOPPED LIVER?! Lol. Thanks for stopping by Michael.

[@grantking4681]

WHO?

[@acronymphotography]

I’m shooting a wedding with it on Sunday- I’m looking forward to using it side by side with the 50.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Right on! Come on back and let’s us know how it does

[@michael-4k4000]

The Nikon 85mm 1.2 is a real game changer! And will change photography from a fundamental level!

[@ZWadePhoto]

I'm eager to REALLY put it to the test this weekend with the portrait videos i'm making. THAT is where the beast belongs. thanks for commenting.

[@pete_stewardson]

I'm not seeing any softness with this lens, it's super sharp. What I am seeing is that there is a lot of missed shots at 1.2 due to the AF on the Z9. You can take a burst where there is barely any movement in anything and the focus point has drifted a fair amount, which then means you get a lot of 'soft' looking images but the reality is it missed focus. When the focus is spot on this lens is super sharp, loads of contrast, and just looks beautiful. I notice the AF point jumps to front focusing then back a lot, like the AF is hunting when it doesn't need to.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Thanks for commenting Pete. As people spend more time with it, I think we will start to see some really raving reviews.

[@OkwyUgonweze]

I also have z9 and this is its achilles heel.

[@iamphotovideoist]

The secret sauce is the "B" for Bohhhkkk-HHEEYYyyLicious!!!

[@ZWadePhoto]

She's Juuuuiiiiicy.

[@corniste]

There is a hood on that lens that you should use all the time if your are serious. At least for comparison. If some light is getting in the lens by the side, the results might be quite different with the hood. Some other guys noticed that already.

[@ZWadePhoto]

I never use a hood when I’m using a lens for the first time. That’s no way to explore the limits of its corrections and coatings which to me, is just a curiosity, I don’t think most people care. I’ve done that with every lens ever. After that, I always use hoods, even at night if only for the small chance that I’d bump into something and the front element isn’t totally exposed.

[@realnikonlover6207]

"Zeek" you are exactly right... No one has had this lens long enough to establish an acceptable baseline of performance and output. I think the lens will fair well. IMHO I am waiting for the (if produced) 105 1.2/1.4 in the Z flavor. I think it would be advisable to buy the 50mm first, the 105 second and then if needed fill in with the 85. That is what I did with the F lenses and it worked out well. Time to sell off all my F lenses. LOL Thanks for the video Z! Good job.- Jim

[@ZWadePhoto]

I appreciate you checking out the video my guy. I'll be back with another impression after I've run this lens through the ringer.

[@avnerbenzvi8757]

compare to the 1.8 to see id 4-time price is equal to sharping different

[@ZWadePhoto]

I sadly held off on buying the 1.8. I had rented it an wasn't impressed with anything but it's sharpness so sadly I probably won't be able to do that comparison. I appreciate your viewership Avner.

[@LymanMedia]

Great video, I have a Giant Black Bear, I mean black Newfoundland with hair that often covers her eyes. I might need to do a similar test with the animal eye af. I think my dog would need a bear setting though.... :)

[@ZWadePhoto]

I bet all camera will struggle there haha. Dark eyes dark coat. Oof. Don’t judge ANY camera too hard there. Thanks for swinging by Brad

[@LymanMedia]

@@ZWadePhoto I'll let you know how it goes haha, you bet!

[@manilamartin1001]

Nice review

[@ZWadePhoto]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@livejames9374]

Where’s the fringing?

[@ZWadePhoto]

Corrected for 👌👌👌👌

[@chrisferenz8297]

How did you add the I-control for AF-are mode/subj. detectin. I can't seem to locate it in the Menu options? Just picked up the 85mm 1.2 myself and in love so far.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Right here buddy. G1 in menu onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/z9/en/15_menu_guide_04_g01.html

[@chrisferenz8297]

@@ZWadePhoto Thank you much! Apparently that is a Z9 only option. No dice for us Z7'ers

[@ZWadePhoto]

@@chrisferenz8297 oooooooh weak sauce…

[@borlach321]

I would pay for the 50mm, but not the 85. Too expensive, and don’t need it.

[@ZWadePhoto]

I appreciate your viewership none the less Phillyboy

[@366nina]

So which one u prefer the 85mm or 50mm 1.2?

[@ZWadePhoto]

Well they come out together as my portrait kit. But my favorite lens of all time now is the 85

[@aykayorg9236]

Why are you shooting a moving subject in AF-S mode?

[@ZWadePhoto]

The 00:50 mark, using single point there for the visual and audio confirmation to see how fast this lens achieves focus. Thats how I like to test it because AF-C constantly adjusts and doesn't beep at me. Even if not testing though, you can get away with Single point AF all day no problem here timing the pauses of the subjects head. At 02:50 mark, I just didn't switch it back after shooting the leaves. But it's still easy to get focus when ole Lolli is listening for squirrels. BUT, normally, if Lolli isn't laying down, you better have AF-C on because she will bolt at any moment haha. Continuous AF is so good now that mixed with IBIS and Tracking, unless I'm in a DARK scenario, I just leave it there.

[@ozweddingphotography9688]

As a wedding photographer, with the 24-70mm lense would you get the 85mm 1.2 or the 135mm 1.8 Plena for the second camera?

[@ZWadePhoto]

I’ve actually got a video coming up that builds my perfect Z kit! 🤙🤙🤙🤙

[@jaimeduncan6167]

This lens is big but not better than 1.4 costing a fraction of the price. What does it mean the lens has purple fringing issues and a massive vignette when it's so big? If this lens performed as it does but was a fat 105mm I will not mind (even at that price). If it was the same size, the same good but not extraordinary performance and it cost 1400$ I will say, ok it's cheap. But it is expensive, heavy, and average performing (for a top lens). I really don't want to see the sharpness numbers, it will be a disaster if it's not exceptionally sharp either (not a must for a portrait lens, but it will mean it does not excel at anything). Finally, there is the sigma cool rendering, almost Sigma-like.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Thanks for watching

[@jeffrey3498]

Hey Nikon, this man needs a new camera body to play with. 📷😃👍

[@ZWadePhoto]

Hey Nikon, listen to this man 👆

[@jeffrey3498]

@@ZWadePhoto I need one too 📷😂🤙