Compare its construction and MTF data at its review. The optics are similar and MTF curves are the same! ( Nikon's MTF is at 10 and 30 cyc/mm whiles Zeiss' are at 10, 20 and 40 cyc/mm.)

It may be the best Nikon 85mm lens for wedding photography because even though the optics of the are better in most regards, the focus speed and low weight of the 85mm 1.8 Nikon are extremely important for weddings. Nikon made over 100,000 of the original (1987-1994) AF version, and has made more then 225,000 of the current AF-D version — so far. While 595 grams doesn’t feel very heavy on its own, put it on any DSLR and wear it around for an entire day and you start to really feel that weight. Even the 350 grams of the Nikon 85mm 1.8 G combined with a DSLR starts to wear on your shoulders after a long day but at least it keeps weight to a minimum as far as DSLR setups go.

For less money, the B+W 67mm 010 is an excellent filter, as are the multicoated version and the basic multicoated Hoya filters, but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best. While a maximum aperture of f/1.8 is respectable, we wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few photographers feeling a littledisappointed that this offering doesn’t go down to f/1.4, as in Nikon’s pro-level AF-S 85mm f/1.4G F-mount lens for DSLRs . However, being able to achieve such a wide aperture also typically means a big increase in size and weight, andthe reality is that lenses with apertures of f/1.4 can be pretty unwieldy if you’re not working in asuper-controlled environment. Plus, if you’re dealing with subjects that are moving – even by just a fraction – then it can be easy for your focus to slip. This is why, if you’re feeling disappointed by the f/1.8 maximum aperture, we’d urge you tolook beyond that to judge this piece of glass for what it is.

In the corners at wider apertures there’s some expected softness but stopped down to f/2.8 and smaller, the lens does really well in terms of sharpness. From its widest aperture to f/5.6, central performance is sharper than the corners. The Nikon 85mm 1.8 G really is an excellent lens and it’s a great lens for photographers of all levels. If you want the sharpest possible 85mm lens for your Z camera, this is it. You can save money with an F-mount AF-S 85mm f/1.8 and use the FTZ adapter, which also works very well. Build quality feels very solid, as you’d expect in a lens at this price point. Multiple weather-seals are fitted around all of the joints, control rings, and the L-fn button and A-M focus mode switches. That’s another plus point for photographers shooting portraits at weddings and other events, which need to go ahead whatever the weather. PerformanceAlthough Nikon is most likely going to announce an 85mm f/1.2 S lens in the future (yes, that’s now possible with the Z mount), it is not going to be a cheap lens, and it will likely be much bigger and heavier compared to this f/1.8 version. Until such lens arrives, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is likely to remain as the top choice for the Z mount, other than adapted F-mount 85mm primes, which there are plenty of. Thankfully, the 85mm prime selection is quite extensive for a Nikon shooter. Just take a look at some of the lens options available today: The newer 85mm f/2 AI-s sells for about the same price used, and is smaller, lighter and better optically. This is Nikon's first 85mm lens for SLR cameras, introduced in 1964 and replaced in 1977 by the optically superior, smaller and lighter 85mm f/2 AI.

With those caveats, the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 AF-D is super sharp at every aperture even on the 24 MP Nikon D3X and 36 MP D800, even the first 1987 version, even out to the corners at f/1.8!

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Specifications

Coma ( saggital coma flare) often causes weird smeared blobs to appear around bright points of light in the corners of fast or wide lenses at large apertures. In lenses that have it, coma goes away as stopped down. There are two almost identical version of this lens: the original AF version from the dawn of Nikon's autofocus made from 1987-1994, and today's AF-D version, made since 1994. Nikon's highest performance 85mm lens of all time — and even Nikon's first 85mm f/2 of 1949 is still an excellent performer adapted to Z cameras.