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Home → Reviews → Cameras and Lenses

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S Review

One of Nikon's signature portrait lenses for their mirrorless system - large, expensive, and wonderful.

By Spencer Cox 37 Comments
Published On March 6, 2024

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Introduction

This hands-on review covers everything that you need to know about the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S, a high-end prime lens that Nikon announced in February 2023 for the Z System. It is one of Nikon’s flagship portrait photography lenses – and the longest f/1.2 lens that Nikon has ever made.

From the maximum aperture and focal length alone, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S is clearly a professional lens. The price tag only solidifies that impression. At $2800, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S is not going to be a lens for casual photographers. Those who buy this lens are likely to be dedicated portrait, wedding, and documentary professionals, or advanced amateurs who are willing to pay through the nose to reach the coveted maximum aperture of f/1.2.

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S boasts a complex design: 15 lens elements in 10 groups, including two aspherical elements. The rounded, 11-blade aperture helps keep out-of-focus highlights nice and circular even as you stop down the lens. Meanwhile, the dual STM focusing motors help the lens focus quickly despite the sheer volume of glass.

Our team tested three copies of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S extensively, including one copy in the lab. Its performance was impressive in almost every way, rivaling some of the best lenses that Nikon has ever made. But is it worth the high price, and are there any other lenses you should be considering instead? We’ll answer those questions and more in today’s review of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S.

Nikon Z 85mm f1.2 S Product Photo
The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S
Nikon Z 85mm f1_2-samples__LVP8423-NEF
NIKON Z 9 + NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S @ 85mm, ISO 450, 1/320, f/1.2

Build Quality

The high-end nature of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S is apparent the moment you hold it in your hands. The lens is large, solid, and well-built. There are no externally moving parts, and the lens is extensively weather-sealed. While a majority of the barrel is plastic rather than metal, it’s high-quality plastic that feels very reassuring to use. It befits a $2800 lens – although if you’re dead-set on an all-metal lens, you should keep in mind Nikon’s 135mm f/1.8 S Plena.

The only downside of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S’s construction is how large and heavy it is. At 1160 grams (2.56 pounds), it’s even heavier than lenses like the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 and Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena (which weigh 1090 and 995 grams respectively). It’s bulky, too – Nikon paid little heed to the size of this lens in their singleminded quest to achieve the f/1.2 maximum aperture. The result is a lens that feels optimally balanced on a camera like the Nikon Z9 or a gripped Z8. It absolutely dwarfs an un-gripped Z6 or Z7-type camera.

Nikon Z 85mm f1.2 on Nikon Z6 Size Comparison
The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S swallowing a Nikon Z6

Using the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S in practice, I was very impressed by its build quality and tight tolerances. The lens focuses internally and has extensive weather sealing, making it a good match for harsh weather conditions. Strangely, there is no fluorine coating on the front element, but that’s the only downside to the lens’s otherwise excellent construction.

Adam Cory Nikon Z 85mm f1.2 Sample Photo -00002
NIKON Z 9 + NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S @ 85mm, ISO 64, 1/200, f/6.3 © Adam Cory

Handling

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 handles as you would expect of a professional-tier lens. The focusing ring is large and well-damped, and the barrel of the lens has plenty of useful manual controls. There’s the typical M-A switch, a custom function button, and an additional control ring near the back of the lens. There’s another ring-looking section at the front of the lens, but this doesn’t spin and is for grip purposes only.

Nikon Z 85mm f1.2 Buttons Switches Controls and Rear Lens element
The Z 85mm f/1.2 S has an A-M switch, a function button, and an extra control ring

This lens takes large, 82mm filters on the front filter thread. The huge HB-106 lens hood is included and features a push-button to unlock from the front of the lens. When you put the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S back into your bag, you’ll want to reverse the hood first. If you don’t, the lens hood will take up a considerable amount of space in the bag.

Nikon Z 85mm f1_2-samples__LVP9744-NEF
NIKON Z 9 + NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S @ 85mm, ISO 400, 1/125, f/2.0

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S Specifications

  • Full Name: Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
  • Mount Type: Nikon Z Mount
  • Focal Length: 85mm prime
  • Angle of View (DX): 18°50′
  • Angle of View (FX): 28°30′
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.2
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Aperture Blades: 11, rounded
  • Filter Size: 82mm
  • Lens Elements: 15
  • Lens Groups: 10
  • Special Elements: 1 ED glass, 2 aspherical
  • ARNEO Coating: No
  • Nano Crystal Coating: Yes
  • Super Integrated Coating: No
  • Fluorine Coated Front Element: No
  • Electronic Diaphragm: Yes
  • Vibration Reduction: No
  • Internal Focusing: Yes
  • Control Rings: Two (one focus, one custom)
  • Function Buttons: One
  • Switches: One (A-M)
  • Focus Motor: Dual STM
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 0.85 m (2.79 ft)
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.11× (1:9.1)
  • Mount Material: Metal
  • Weather/Dust Sealing: Yes
  • Dimensions (Length × Diameter): 142 × 103 mm (5.6 × 4.1 in.)
  • Weight: 1160 g (2.56 lbs)
  • MSRP: $2799.95
  • Lowest Sale Seen: $2596.95 (check current price and availability)

Here is the construction of the lens, courtesy of Nikon:

Nikon Z 85mm f1.2 S Lens Construction Diagram

The next page of this review covers the optical characteristics of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S, including focusing performance and sharpness tests in the lab. So, click the menu below to go to “Optical Performance”:

Table of Contents

  • Introduction & Build Quality
  • Optical Performance
  • Lens Comparisons
  • Verdict
  • More Image Samples
  • Reader Comments
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Disclosures, Terms and Conditions and Support Options
Filed Under: Cameras and Lenses Tagged With: Lens Reviews, Nikon, Nikon Lens, Nikon Reviews, Nikon Z

About Spencer Cox

I'm Spencer Cox, a landscape photographer based in Colorado. I started writing for Photography Life a decade ago, and now I run the website in collaboration with Nasim. I've used nearly every digital camera system under the sun, but for my personal work, I love the slow-paced nature of large format film. You can see more at my personal website and my not-exactly-active Instagram page.

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