Reviewing The Nikon Z 85mm 1.8 S | Nikon's Perfect Portrait Lens?

It's about time I did a review on the Nikon Z 85mm 1.8 S considering the f1.2 has just been released, so I took my son out for a walk and tested it in multiple lighting situations to see how it would fare. I've also used it a couple of times at recent weddings too with excellent results!
(Full review starts at 03:45)
Music: Epidemic Sound
Gear: Nikon Z6ii with Z 85mm 1.8 S and GoPro for BTS
Website: www.abyjoannephotography.co.uk
Instagram: abyjoannephotography
Facebook: abyjoannephotography
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/onestopphotographyshop

[@Vahagraphy]

Hi Aby. Nice to meet you. I love this lens. Awesome shots of the kid. ROCK N ROLL!!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@Gr1ff1D0]

I waited for the 85mm F1.2 then bought the F1.8 for hand held studio and natural light portrait shots. Yes I could have bought the 1.2 for bragging rights but the 1.8 is the better choice. Optically it is brilliant, size, weight and ergonomics are excellent as well. I don’t need the 1.2 and the issues it comes with. The size, weight and up-front cost are disadvantages. I could have just ignored the cost issue, like I did when I bought the Z9 but in this case there were other factors to consider. If price was not the issue, am I crazy? No , I am not settling for the 1.8 instead. The 1.8 has advantages which meet my needs better than the 1.2 would. Going for the extreme speed and luxurious bokeh is not always the right choice. In this case I wanted something smaller, lighter and less work. Something which requires less care, thinking and work from me and produces the type of image I want from an 85mm I love the shooting experience and look of the 85 F1.8S in way that I never did with the F mount 85 1.8. I understand that for lots of other people the F1.2 look is what they are chasing. I am not looking for that type of image or experience when I use the F1.8. In this case I decided to get the option which I know I will use with the most satisfaction.

[@abyjoannephotography]

I couldn't agree more, well said! The f1.2 is most definitely a 'bragging rights' lens for sure, I'm more than happy with my f1.8! :)

[@SceneGrabs]

The fact that you wrote such a long winded response about your choice tells me you’re not so sure about it contrary to aforementioned response.

[@Gr1ff1D0]

@@SceneGrabs Now there is an assumption! I understood that the buzz that the 1.2 is generating, means that there is currently a strong general assumption that it is “best” for everyone. The choice was actually the easy bit. I find I normally use F4 or even 5.6 for head shots. I am therefore not aiming for razor thin depth of field. So why buy a lens with 1.2? I am not going to use the narrow depth it provides. The bokeh on the 1.8 is nice but largely irrelevant with a studio background. If I had any interest in wedding photography, it might be different. I would probably still have an 85 F1.8 in the bag as well though. Razor thin depth of field isn’t always your friend. It depends how you do things and what you want from a lens. My 500mm F4, for example produces a very narrow depth of field at minimum focus distances. Most of the time it is wonderful but sometimes especially as you get close to minimum focus distance, it makes life more “challenging”, it depends on the shot.

[@merakiphotos4603]

Yeah, 1.2 isn't for everyone. That's for sure. But it's an AMAZING glass that far outperforms the 1.8. It's more than just 1.2. But once again, it's not for everyone. Just like the 50 1.2 isn't. But saying 1.2 is a bragging lense, is a bit silly. lol.

[@Gr1ff1D0]

@@merakiphotos4603 It is certainly a serious lens. I think most of the on-line “discussion” about lenses like this have zero to do with actual photography. Is it sharper than xx brand? That’s where the bragging comes in. Too much emphasis is placed on how it compares. Why are comparisons such a thing?

[@Muzeishen]

Thank you I just bought the 85 1.8 and your video made me confident in my purchase. I was afraid of missing out on what the 85 1.2 offered but I’m not even at the level of needing that much lens.

[@abyjoannephotography]

So glad I could help!

[@mylucksmiles]

I have the 85 z and the 105z the 85 is much more responsive . I like it's simplicity..I also should note the 40 z although not as sharp as the 85 still gives a natural look for those starting to learn the carft of photography. If you have any z ranage camera then it's important to choose wisely .The z range lense need to be carefully chosen. The 24 x120 z is a great lens. Has it covers the 35 , 40 85 and 105 range , if or when you choose to buy a prime check up which of the foucal leaght you have naturally been choosing using the 24-120z money wise the 24-120 tends to be more expensive. But if your professional you will need the primes in my oppion. I would say don't buy cheaper 85 lenses for your z . The 85 z is a great lens . Thank you for taking time to do the review . One quickie the 70-200 z I have it but not using it as much as I thought I would with the new z system.

[@18yearsoldnot]

Thanks man! Why do you not use the 70-200 much? Would you now get the 100-400 if you did it again?

[@abyjoannephotography]

I'm also curious about your thoughts on the 70-200 z, as I'm currently considering this, a colleague of mine has the Canon version and the compression is just gorgeous, it really elevates his couples portraits at weddings!

[@johnz4412]

I have the 1.8 as well. Love the quality and weight. The 1.2 is excess in both areas. Rather than spend a fortune to "upgrade," I'd rather purchase a 70-200 for additional image possibilities that are MUCH greater.

[@merakiphotos4603]

lovely images. I have this lense. Had it since 2020. It's great. I also recently got the 1.2 version and it's AMAZING. Much faster focusing and amazing bokeh, rendering, and quality. But it's heavier and more expensive. The main issue with the 1.8 on is the very slow focusing. But i will use the 1.8 for my travels, and 1.2 for everything else. The same wit the 50 1.2. Now I need to wait for the 35 1.2 haha. Thanks for the video!

[@abyjoannephotography]

I am so tempted to try the 1.2! Though the 35mm 1.2 would be amazing, I reckon that would be more versatile as well

[@v3rlon]

Have the 85 1.8. Got to use the 1.2 at an event. Now I have the 1.2, and the 1.8 is for sale. The 1.2 is just amazing, and worth all the effort to carry the larger version.

[@abyjoannephotography]

I would definitely love to try it!

[@v3rlon]

@@abyjoannephotography well, if you happen to be in the neighborhood, we could work together on some project or other. Beyond that, catch a Nikon rep at an event (which is how I got hooked) or rent one.

[@Ben_Stewart]

I think if I get into any more portraiture I would opt for the 135 f1.8. The 85 f1.8 is more than enough for what I do. I skipped the 50mm range in the Z department to opt for the 35mm. I also would be very interested in a 35mm f1.2 or even 24mm. That would be far more useful for video imho.

[@abyjoannephotography]

The 35mm is next on my list too!

[@Ben_Stewart]

@@abyjoannephotography I should say for astro as well.

[@indrajitadvani3742]

Lovely images, both stills and video. FWIW I bought my 85 f/1.2 last week when I was traveling (cheaper in Asia 😊) and I gotta say it’s mind-blowing. It was unbelievable when I was photographing a 5aside football game under floodlights and of course portraits are phenomenal. Never thought I’d say this but I’m probably going to sell my Otus Zeiss 50 f/1.4 because of it.

[@abyjoannephotography]

Thank you! ☺️ I’m glad you love your 1.2, how do you find the bokeh? Is it too much some times or are you loving it? I know it’s all subjective really but I love to know how others feel about it!

[@indrajitadvani3742]

@@abyjoannephotography I'd say the bokeh is awesome but obviously it could be too much for some people. Clearly you can adjust the aperture setting if it's too much - and that then begs the question why not save money and buy the 1.8? But I think it's more than the bokeh - can't put my finger on it - I've only had it a week - but the little use I have had of it, it gives me confidence to shoot in low light - which I seem to do a lot. By the way, in terms of bokeh, not sure if you've ever used the Nikkor 200mm f/2.0 (I had the VR1) but that had even more bokeh IMHO.

[@obedbrinkman]

its one of my favorite lenses for shure!

[@kevingoza]

I believe you’re spot-on! Love your pics!

[@abyjoannephotography]

Thank you!

[@castieldiallo2945]

Both the 1.8 and 1.2 are very good. Its a matter if use case. Studio and general use the 1.8 because you will stop up. Dark situstions and outdoors the 1.2 is the better choice. You do not need to own both.

[@abyjoannephotography]

Very true absolutely, it’s all about what you need it for! I primarily shoot weddings and portraits with this lens, I’m super curious to see how I would feel about my work using a 1.2 and comparing them

[@castieldiallo2945]

@@abyjoannephotography try it out. youll like the 1.2 a lot. you might actually pick one up down the road.

[@merakiphotos4603]

i own both lol. I can't bring 1.2 lenses during my travels overseas. The smaller ones are better for that.

[@castieldiallo2945]

@@merakiphotos4603 naturally.

[@gregcorker2193]

Excellent review!

[@abyjoannephotography]

Glad you liked it!

[@Swine1ord]

Очень крутые снимки этого крутого парня )) с удовольствием посмотрел это видео, но все же купил 35mm 1.8 для своего nzf 😅

[@Juventinos]

honestly there isn't anything wrong with the the f lens 85 1.8. i use that one on my 100mpx gfx and it's a beast of a lens.

[@abyjoannephotography]

Absolutely, I love it!

[@manilamartin1001]

new to your channel. Great review.

[@SatendraKumar-fp4br]

I am Nikon z 8 user and lens To lens 28-75mm and 85mm

[@photo-markus]

Really do you say it is not necessary the 1.2? I own the 1.4 and still have desire for the 1.2...In your video and photos, the environment is very distracting, the vegetation is sometimes very harsh and high density. A 1.4 or 1.2 would make everything creamy ad the little boy would be showed better, without distractions...I don't say the photos are bad...but common, the conclusion is that you would need a 1.2!!!

[@abyjoannephotography]

So I prefer being able to actually see the background a bit more, whilst I love a bit of bokeh, for my personal taste I sometimes find 1.2 lenses way too much, to the point you can't even tell what the background is, and sometimes its so much that the subjects even look photoshopped! Just my opinion of course but it depends on what you are shooting of course. For weddings which is my main job its important to let the venue in the background shine through, I think my couples wouldn't be too happy paying all that money for their venue when its all completely blurred out in the background!

[@Flashback543]

The 1.2 isn’t necessar as a person that owns both I will be selling the 1.8, the 1.2 shit on it

[@ddolde]

Too much of the boy