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.

Great stuff

This lens would have been 5 stars, but Nikon had to make a 1.8 version that is 95% of this lens, and 1/3 the cost. So It get's -1 for the cost to performance ratio. For the masses the 1.8 is a steal for the must have the best there is no 1.4 better.

Amazing Bokeh; Durable; Easy To Use; Reliable; Sharp

Pricey

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

A wide aperture short-telephoto lens with a silent focusing motor and Nikon's latest Nano Crystal lens coatings.

Good resolution performance; Beautiful out of focus blur; Excellent build quality; Negligible levels of CA; Good resistance to flare and ghosting; Maybe a touch pricey; but you get what you pay for

Good resolution performance; Beautiful out of focus blur; Excellent build quality; Negligible levels of CA; Good resistance to flare and ghosting; Maybe a touch pricey; but you get what you pay for

I've never seen anything like it. Completely different sharpness and strong colours to my other Nikon lenses. I compared previous photos to my new shots. Did a set of Brisbane around Fortitude Valley, impromptu portrait shots when a neighbour came over with his daughter, portrait of guitar playing,...

The price tag might not suit everyone's budget, but this optic's performance is hard to argue with

Solid MTF figures

Hefty price

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

This is a wonderful lens and a must have for a wedding or portrait photographer. Beautiful color, Bokeh and sharp focus. Produces amazing photographs also in low light situations. Worth every penny!!