Very helpful review! but as far as i know-at least on my zf- the focus shift from 1.8 to 5.6 isn’t a real problem since the Z cameras will be focusing with the selected aperture til f/5.6 even in darkness.
It depends — if you shoot with back-button autofocus (which I do generally recommend), then it’s easily possible to focus at one aperture and then shoot at a different one.
Luka
June 7, 2025 11:13 pm
How do you mean “To avoid focus shift completely, make sure to stop the lens down to the desired aperture before focusing.” Is there any other way??? Nikon Z System doesn’t let you auto focus with open aperture, unless you are insane to AF on 1.8, and then switch to MF and readjust exposure settings…. Z System always stops down the aperture while AF up to 5.6, beyond – you’ll need to engage dof preview to preview it, but system will AF at 5.6. If it’s dark enough – system will open it by a needed degree, but you’re still unable to control the process. You’re welcome ;)
Maybe you kept autofocus assigned to half-pressing the shutter button, in which case you’re correct. For photographers who use back-button autofocus instead, it is very easy to focus at one aperture and shoot at a different aperture without re-acquiring focus.
Eastwestphoto
May 27, 2025 6:22 pm
Cannot wait to try one!
SELVAKUMAR
January 30, 2025 3:33 am
Thanks for your review and excellent photos. I bought this lens along with z5 last month and the result are extraordinary especially potraits. Bokeh effect is nice..Sharp images..So far I didn’t see any vignetting or distortion.. The price is also reasonable. Weight and dimensions are ok. My only regret absence of control ring and fn buttons..
Steve Horne
December 4, 2024 9:05 pm
Thanks for the fine and detailed review. I learn a good deal about new lenses from you reviews. Keep them coming. BTW, your troubles focusing in low light are almost certainly due to the Z7 and not the lens. I also shoot with a Z7, and low light focusing is its biggest weakness. Newer Z bodies do not have this problem.
Jayatu
September 13, 2024 10:22 am
It’s mainly a portrait lens. But here most of the sample pictures are of landscape. I expect some sample portrait pictures with great bokeh.
JJP
August 24, 2024 2:10 am
Corner cats eye bokeh are caused by vignetting. More vignetting, causes more cats eye bokeh. Also the reason it goes away as one stops down from brighter to dimmer appertures.
Rob. B.
October 1, 2023 1:40 pm
Thanks for the great review and all your hard work… I’ve got this lens and I have to say, every time I use it, it amazes me in its rendition, especially at the price point.. A must have for the Z system.
Claus
September 7, 2022 3:29 am
Great review.
Since I use the lens (like almost all other Z lenses) very often for landscape photography, I would like the tests for this to be carried out in more detail.
Otherwise very good job.
Niko Ageenko
August 27, 2021 3:59 pm
I think Sigma Art 85 is a terrific lens, but it was not designed for Z system. IMHO it is the best lens at present and will go with any pro D camera. But, for Z, Nikkor is clearly better.
Very helpful review! but as far as i know-at least on my zf- the focus shift from 1.8 to 5.6 isn’t a real problem since the Z cameras will be focusing with the selected aperture til f/5.6 even in darkness.
It depends — if you shoot with back-button autofocus (which I do generally recommend), then it’s easily possible to focus at one aperture and then shoot at a different one.
How do you mean “To avoid focus shift completely, make sure to stop the lens down to the desired aperture before focusing.”
Is there any other way???
Nikon Z System doesn’t let you auto focus with open aperture, unless you are insane to AF on 1.8, and then switch to MF and readjust exposure settings….
Z System always stops down the aperture while AF up to 5.6, beyond – you’ll need to engage dof preview to preview it, but system will AF at 5.6.
If it’s dark enough – system will open it by a needed degree, but you’re still unable to control the process.
You’re welcome ;)
Maybe you kept autofocus assigned to half-pressing the shutter button, in which case you’re correct. For photographers who use back-button autofocus instead, it is very easy to focus at one aperture and shoot at a different aperture without re-acquiring focus.
Cannot wait to try one!
Thanks for your review and excellent photos.
I bought this lens along with z5 last month and the result are extraordinary especially potraits.
Bokeh effect is nice..Sharp images..So far I didn’t see any vignetting or distortion..
The price is also reasonable.
Weight and dimensions are ok.
My only regret absence of control ring and fn buttons..
Thanks for the fine and detailed review. I learn a good deal about new lenses from you reviews. Keep them coming. BTW, your troubles focusing in low light are almost certainly due to the Z7 and not the lens. I also shoot with a Z7, and low light focusing is its biggest weakness. Newer Z bodies do not have this problem.
It’s mainly a portrait lens. But here most of the sample pictures are of landscape. I expect some sample portrait pictures with great bokeh.
Corner cats eye bokeh are caused by vignetting. More vignetting, causes more cats eye bokeh. Also the reason it goes away as one stops down from brighter to dimmer appertures.
Thanks for the great review and all your hard work… I’ve got this lens and I have to say, every time I use it, it amazes me in its rendition, especially at the price point.. A must have for the Z system.
Great review.
Since I use the lens (like almost all other Z lenses) very often for landscape photography, I would like the tests for this to be carried out in more detail.
Otherwise very good job.
I think Sigma Art 85 is a terrific lens, but it was not designed for Z system. IMHO it is the best lens at present and will go with any pro D camera. But, for Z, Nikkor is clearly better.