Lens review
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.8G
8. Vignetting
The results of the new Nikkor are, within the margin of error, comparable to those of the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.8 USM. What’s interesting they are noticeably worse than those of the older version of the Nikkor 1.8/85D. The older lens, although physically smaller, had less elements and came without an autofocus motor so, perhaps, there was more space of the optics inside.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The comparison of values got by several 85 mm devices on small APS-C/DX sensors is presented in a chart posted below.
|
|
Nikkor AF-S 1.8/85G |
Nikkor AF 1.8/85D |
Canon 1.8/85 |
Samyang 1.4/85 |
Zeiss 1.4/85 |
|
f/1.4–1.8 |
26% |
15% |
24% |
25% |
21% |
| f/2.0 |
20% |
11% |
20% |
9% |
8% |
| f/2.8 |
6% |
3% |
7% |
2% |
2% |
Vignetting on full frame is quite a different story – the photos from the Nikon D3x, presented below, show it very clearly.
By f/1.8 and f/2.0 apertures it would be difficult not to notice the vignetting as it amounts to 43% (−1.64 EV) and 37% (−1.32 EV) respectively. A significant decrease of that aberration can be seen by f/2.8, where the light fall-off in the frame corners decreases to a not very bothersome value of 18% (-0.57 EV). The vignetting becomes imperceptible by f/4.0, where it reaches just 10%.
The comparison to other lenses is presented in a chart below. You can notice that on full frame the Nikkor presents itself a bit better than the rival Canon. What’s interesting it fares very well when compared to its sibling - the more expensive Nikkor 1.4/85G.
|
|
Nikkor AF-S 1.8/85G |
Nikkor AF-S 1.4/85 |
Canon 1.8/85 |
Samyang 1.4/85 |
Zeiss 1.4/85 |
|
f/1.4–1.8 |
43% |
48% |
47% |
38% |
41% |
| f/2.0 |
37% |
35% |
41% |
22% |
22% |
| f/2.8 |
18% |
16% |
21% |
13% |
7% |
| f/4.0 |
10% |
5% |
14% |
8% |
5% |
 |
