Lens review

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.8G

4. Image resolution

Before we go into details let’s remind here that in case of tests conducted on the D3X a decency level is situated around 30-31 lpmm and the best fixed-focal lenses can reach the values of 45-46 lpmm. The Nikkor’s 1.8/85G results compare very well here. In the frame centre, already at the maximum relative aperture, you get fully useful images; after stopping down to f/2.8 you are able to enjoy very sharp photos indeed. The highest results, exceeding the level of 44 lpmm, the lens gets by f/4.0 and f/5.6. You have a full usefulness at the maximum relative aperture and brushing against record values on stopping down – you couldn’t expect more from an amateur lens.

Equally positive things can be said about the performance on the edge of the APS-C sensor. Even at the maximum relative aperture the image is fully functional and after a slight stopping down its quality becomes very good. A bit worse situation can be noticed on the edge of full frame. In that case by f/1.8- 2.0 you just brush against the decency level and you see it exceeded only near f/2.5.

These results show that the f/1.8 model, when compared to the more expensive f/1.4 construction, has nothing to be ashamed of. What’s interesting, in the centre of the frame the cheaper Nikkor 1.8/85G fares actually a bit better. It is worse than the fastest Nikkor on the edge of the frame.

Below we present some crops taken from our resolution chart’s photos, saved as JPEG files.