After waiting, saving, considering, and studying, I finally chose this lens for my portraiture work over the 105mm lens and over competing brands of 85mm lenses. I was not disappointed at all. The lens is solidly built and delivers a sharp image from corner to corner.

I am a professional photographer. I do fine art reproductions. I have been using the 105mm lens for years and I recently upgraded to the 85mm lens in anticipation of using a D850. I have been using a D810. I do not want to move the camera further back with the D850. This lens takes beautiful photos.

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G is one of the company's premiere lenses, part of its series of f/1.4G prime optics, and a strong performer. It draws subjects sharply, with a shallow depth of field at wide apertures, and while it casts a strong vignette, that aspect of rendering can be compensated...

Very sharp; Minimal distortion; Bright aperture; Classic portrait focal length; Relatively lightweight

Pricier than third-party options; Omits optical stabilization; Strong vignette at f/1.4 and f/2

Serious portrait photographers often reach for an 85mm lens to capture images with some pop. Pros using the Nikon system are likely to use the company's marquee 85mm, the AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G ($1,599.95), which is able to seriously blur out backgrounds and capture incredibly crisp photos, free of distortion but with a natural vignette. It's a strong performer, and the right choice for Nikon shooters who want an 85mm f/1.4 that's relatively light in weight. If you're willing to work with a heavier lens, our Editors' Choice Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art delivers excellent image quality for a few hundred dollars less, and there are also f/1.8 alternatives out there for photographers on a stricter budget. Design The Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G ($1,796.95 at Amazon) measures 3.3 by 3.4 inches (HD), weighs 1.3 pounds, and supports 77mm front filters. It ships with front and rear caps, a reversible hood, and a soft carrying pouch. Compare this with the bulkier Sigma 85mm F1.4, which comes in at 5...

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G is the go-to lens for shooting portraits with a shallow depth of field, but is more expensive than third-party alternatives.

Very sharp; Minimal distortion; Bright aperture; Classic portrait focal length; Relatively lightweight

Pricier than third-party options; Omits optical stabilization; Strong vignette at f/1.4 and f/2

I had the 1.8G but after getting a 105mm F2 DC I wasn't using it. So I decided to upgrade to the 85mm 1.4G. The main benefit has been shooting at 1.4 and 1.6 for family/candids which the 1.8 can't do. The 1.8G is sharp but it seemed clinically sharp instead of flatteringly sharp.

Bokeh Sharpness

Price

Of course, I'm thrilled! This is my dream lens, and it didn't disappoint. It was very well packaged, and a dream to use right out of the box.

Wow! 85mm f/1.4 takes photography to the next level.

Easy to use

Great stuff

Love it

Incredible lens, quickly became my favorite - surprisingly easy to carry and produces excellent images, both of scenes and portraits - great contrast and really sees "light" better than most!