Customer Reviews for Nikon Inc. AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
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Nikon Inc. AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
DX-format medium telephoto Micro NIKKOR lens is ideal for extreme close-up and general photography with continuous autofocus from infinity to life-size (1:1).
Average Customer Rating:
(20 Reviews) 20
Rating Snapshot 20 reviews
5 stars
17
4 stars
3
3 stars
0
2 stars
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1 star
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20 out of 20(100%)customers recommend this product.
Customer Reviews for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Review 1 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Great little macro lens for the money!
PostedNovember 29, 2012
Grimbot
Location Grimsby, ON, Canada
Age 55-65
Favorite Subject Landscape
Nikon Family 21+ years
Experience 6-12 months
Role Semi-professional photographer
The Nikkor Micro 85 mm VR is a great macro lens for the money. Quite sharp with almost no distortion at all. For DX users this is a superb addition to your kit. The VR enables good macro results hand held, and the 85mm focal length is great for general photos and portrait work (as long as you don't need super smooth bokeh). For a modest price this macro lens opens up a whole new world of creativity.
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+14points
Review 2 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Big surprise in small package
PostedMay 11, 2012
Trying to get the shot
Favorite Subject Nature
Nikon Family 6-10 years
Experience 1-3 months
Role Serious passion, hobbyist
I waited a few weeks before writing this review. One to get familiar with the true macro lens and to work out my kinks. I ordered this Nikon 85mm micro lens after many weeks of researching what I should get. I have used all the various attachments, i.e. magnifiers, extension rings, x times filters and the Raynox M-250 ring. Which is great in a pinch. Not to mention the macro feature of a Tamron 70-300 zoom with macro feature. They all do a really good job and I never thought I would see a big difference in an actual macro lens. As the Pro’s say, there’s nothing like a real macro 1:1 lens. I’m now a believer.
I struggled with various brands, sizes, etc. Let’s remember everyone has their own specific needs and price range. I actually wanted everything, distance, VR, internal focus, light weight, quality and because of the price, I was hoping to get more use out of this one lens, I did. I must say I almost made the wrong choice for me, but I’m glad I kept thinking about it.
After much review and study, the Nikon (Nikkor) 85mm micro lens was the one. It seemed to fit right in the middle of what I wanted, needed and could afford.
The Nikon delivers. I use this on a D7000. I have included a few pics for sampling. I found that very helpful when I was researching the various lenses. Although I not sure what size and quality the samples actual post at. The lens is sharp, fast and very responsive. I realize when shooting macro, a tripod is the way to go, but that is fine when you have a setup shot. A spontaneous moment requires that grab the camera and shoot. That’s one of the best features of the Nikon, the VR. The internal focus (so the lens does not get any longer) is also a Great feature. You can be at a very reasonable distance 9-10 inches at 1:1 for a great shot. The Infinity range of the lens takes good shots also, what a nice short telephoto lens. I’m sure going forward I will have more uses for this lens.
I won’t go on about the other brands I checked out, and I sure there are good ones out there, but I am very very satisfied with the 85mm Nikkor. I would recommend it to anyone. If I had a Full frame camera, the 105 would have been my choice, but not this time.
By the way, the samples I have included were all taken with the camera hand held. Limitation to file size though.
By the way, the samples I have included were all taken with the camera hand held. Limitation to file size though.
I hope this review helps other to make a good decision, and to find the lens right for you.
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+81points
Review 3 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
A superb lens for a botany photographer!
PostedSeptember 8, 2011
Suzanna
Location Gainesville, FL
Age 45-54
Favorite Subject Nature
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience More than a year
Role Semi-professional photographer
This lens is an excellent intro lens for those looking to practice micro/macro photography. It is fast, easy to focus, and very accurate. I use it in botanical gardens and have consistently turned out quality captures using the camera in a hand-held, rather than a tripod, shooting method.
The lens produces images with great clarity for the price. I've also used it for portraits and it excels there as well, especially when you don't want to be too close to your subject. You can walk it out for landscapes, also.
I have used this lens, simply because it is so much fun to use, more than my wide angle and zoom lenses. It opens up a whole new world of artistic expression and composition that you wouldn't suspect otherwise.
Highly recommended!
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+52points
Review 4 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Awesome Lens
PostedJuly 9, 2011
Photographer
Location Bozeman, MT
Age Under 18
Favorite Subject Nature
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience More than a year
Role Serious passion, hobbyist
I'v had this lens for a little over a year now and I love it. I am really into photographing flowers and it's perfect. It allows me to get in as close as I want and it always captures beautiful colors.
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+14points
Review 5 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Everyone who enjoys macro should own this lens.
PostedJuly 7, 2011
wrecker
Location Rockaway, NJ
Age 35-44
Favorite Subject Nature
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience 3-6 months
Role Serious passion, hobbyist
This lens is absolutely FANTASTIC! I love taking pictures of insects, and the amount of wonderful shots I've gotten this spring/summer so far is just amazing. I've never had so much fun. It takes you in close and the picture quality is astounding. I use it with my D3100 (A terrific, user friendly SLR). It's also very light and all the focusing and mechanics is internal so there is no lens movement to scare away potential subjects when you're in close. I will include a few of the shots I've gotten so far. This lens should be in everyone's camera bag. The price is right also.
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+58points
Review 6 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
GREAT LENS
PostedJune 10, 2011
LMC
Location Toront, Ontario
Age 45-54
Favorite Subject Nature
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience 6-12 months
Role Serious passion, hobbyist
This is my go-to lens. I have had great success with this lens in almost everything I've tried. It's great for close-ups and for landscapes.
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+8points
Review 7 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
A Defining Lens !!!!! The Pinnacle has been set !
PostedMay 26, 2011
Nicky Nikon
Location Baltimore, MD
Age 25-34
Favorite Subject Nature
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience 1-3 months
Role Professional photographer
Using this lens with a D300 brings marvel with every photo !! Image quality is unmatched with all but the top end lenses over $2,000 and equivalent to those as well. The VR function allows you to reach alot further into demanding the shot that most lenses fall short of. I've shot with most of Nikon's lineup and used almost every lens available in Nikon's line up and this is in the Top 5 and THE TOP in its price range scaling $1000 up or down. IF YOU DON'T HAVE THIS LENS, YOU ARE NOT SEEING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL AS A PHOTOGRAPHER ON ANY LEVEL !
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+23points
Review 8 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Compact, light, easy to use
PostedApril 21, 2011
Michael
Age 55-65
Favorite Subject Sports
Nikon Family 21+ years
Experience 6-12 months
Role Occasional user, memory keeper
We bought both the 85 mm DX micro and the 105 mm micro for work. I read that the 85 has significant barrel distortions and is below par for a Nikon lens. In contrast, the 105 is considered excellent. I have used both extensively for close work on small inanimate objects. For what I am doing, I see no difference at all between the pictures I get with 85 and the 105. The 105 is certainly more solid, but considerably heavier and twice the price. If you rather carry around a much lighter lens, the 85 should do just fine.
I find both VR and auto focusing to be quite helpful. I have never had to manually focus, despite what I have read about the need for doing so under high magnifications. I also take all my close-ups without a tripod because the VR works so well. This is certainly not the advice I have seen. Everything I read says that micro picture must be taken with a tripod.
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+36points
Review 9 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
A 'must have' lens!
PostedApril 19, 2011
Lobo
Location Bristol, CT
Age Over 65
Favorite Subject Landscape
Nikon Family 21+ years
Experience 1-3 months
Role Serious passion, hobbyist
I only learned about Nikkor Micro lenses relatively late in my film camera days, but they quickly became favorites. This 85mm is the best yet. I love taking pictures of the various plants and shrubs I have in my yard and the ability to get in close for a dramatic image has enhanced my enjoyment of both the plants and the photography. Mated with the D7000, I have the perfect 'rig' for taking these photos. The sharpness of the images and the smoothness of operation make taking pictures a lot more fun. The biggest surprise was the discovery of the fine, delicate, details of blossoms, leaves, etc. I had not seen them before. When I post some of them on my facebook page, I get almost immediate feedback. Some of it comes from folks I don't even know. If you haven't ever tried a micro lens, you owe it to yourself to do so. It will open your eyes to a whole new world of subject matter.
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+9points
Review 10 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Great for model closeups an portraiture
PostedApril 18, 2011
ArchProf
Location Springfield, MO
Age 45-54
Favorite Subject Nature
Nikon Family 6-10 years
Experience 1-3 months
Role Serious passion, hobbyist
I purchased this lens to explore 1:1 micro photography, but discovered it is great for portraits also. I also have used it for closeups of small architecture models in day lit conditions with good effect.
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+11points
Review 11 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
great image quality
PostedApril 17, 2011
Pat-tographer
Location Newfoundland, Canada
Age 45-54
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience More than a year
Role Semi-professional photographer
I love the quality variance of color and sharpness of the images I get with this lens, I've used it from Macro to portraits and never fails to give me excellent results and all this for a lens that don't break the bank. I have 5 Nikon lenses and this is one of my favorites
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+8points
Review 12 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Just what I was looking for.
PostedApril 14, 2011
Dave in Central FL
Location Florida Space Coast
Age Over 65
Favorite Subject Nature
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience 6-12 months
Role Semi-professional photographer
This Nikon 85mm f/3.5 micro is a great lens. Edge to edge clarity and focus are very good, autofocus works very well and fast. It's light, easy to handle and easy to pack.
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+24points
Review 13 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Amazing!
PostedMarch 2, 2011
Tommy
Age 35-44
Favorite Subject Portrait
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience 1-3 months
Role Serious passion, hobbyist
Super sharp and fast focus on my D90 & D7K. It's a whole new world when I take close-up or micro shot. The details just astonishing with this lens and the f3.5 great addition in low light too.
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+14points
Review 14 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Almost as good on DX as its big 105 mm FX sibling
PostedAugust 31, 2010
Dragonflies
Location South Florida
Age 55-65
Favorite Subject Nature
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience 6-12 months
Role Serious passion, hobbyist
The AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR has wonderful sharpness and contrast. When used on our D90, we have found the 85 mm to often be the equal, in sharpness and clarity, of its bigger and heavier sibling, the AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED used on a D300. This conclusion was based on hundreds of close-up hand-held insect photographs, taken under natural light and flash, using a monopod as an effective inertial stabilizer.
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+43points
Review 15 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Great closeups!
PostedJuly 30, 2010
Rick
Location Parsippany, New Jersey
Age 55-65
Favorite Subject Nature
Nikon Family 21+ years
Experience 1-3 months
Role Serious passion, hobbyist
I've been shooting with Nikon equipment, both as a pro and as a hobbyist for forty five years and have never been disappointed . I bought this lens a few weeks ago and immediately tested it out shooting in my garden...both flowers and insects. The lens provides incredible 1:1 detail. At this distance I usually focus manually, but I did shoot several shots on autofocus with good results. Another happy Nikon purchase! Now, if I could only get those bugs to sit still for a minute while I focus!
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+44points
Review 16 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Stunning quality of photos
PostedJuly 30, 2010
tjhess1962
Location Oklahoma
Age 45-54
Favorite Subject Family & Friends
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience Less than a month
Role Semi-professional photographer
I recently purchased this lense to add to my arsenal. I have only had a couple of opportunities to take it out, but I was amazed at the detail I was able to capture. I was taking shots outside and this is by far one of my favorite lenses. I would definitely recommend this lense.
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+16points
Review 17 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
GREAT!!!! THIS TELEPHOTO IS THE BEST!!!!!
PostedJuly 11, 2010
DALVO -BRAZIL
Location FORTALEZA -BRAZIL
Age 55-65
Favorite Subject Landscape
Nikon Family 11-20 years
Experience 1-3 months
Role Serious passion, hobbyist
I´M A DOCTOR IN MEDICINE AND USE THE TELEPHOTO FOR MY HEART CIRURGICS.
THE QUALITY IS BRILANT.
THANK YOU.
DALVO
THE QUALITY IS BRILANT.
THANK YOU.
DALVO
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-48points
Review 18 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Brilliant 1:1
PostedNovember 27, 2012
IZzi
Location Plano, TX, USA
Age 25-34
Favorite Subject Nature
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience 3-6 months
Role Serious passion, hobbyist
I am fairly new to macro. Recently I found my ground and needed a good lens for a good price. I bought 40mm before this, but the distance was always an issue with me, so I ended up buying this and I know I will never regret this decision. The lens is amazing. The ergonomics are a little slow, but that could be because I am using d3100 with fewer focus points then a pro level camera, but this lens delivers! 1:1 ratio is amazing!!
Only reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 because, I would have liked to see f 2.8 instead of 3.5.
I am learning and growing more into macro photography everyday because of this lens.
Very soon, I am planning to upgrade to d7000.
I hope this lens works on it. I really do !
If you are like me and make second - third decisions on everything. STOP! This is the right one. Buy this lens if you are serious about macro photography. Expand your horizons and grow. Below are some of my pictures.
Only reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 because, I would have liked to see f 2.8 instead of 3.5.
I am learning and growing more into macro photography everyday because of this lens.
Very soon, I am planning to upgrade to d7000.
I hope this lens works on it. I really do !
If you are like me and make second - third decisions on everything. STOP! This is the right one. Buy this lens if you are serious about macro photography. Expand your horizons and grow. Below are some of my pictures.
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+5points
Review 19 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Great lens for macro and portrait
PostedAugust 1, 2010
Billmcfa
Location Manassas, VA
Age 45-54
Favorite Subject Family & Friends
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience 3-6 months
Role Semi-professional photographer
This is a great lens to carry around for many uses. It is very sharp and the VR helps in low light or hand held macro photography.
I have used this mainly as a walk around lens which will give me the ability to do macro photography if I find something to shoot close up. The portraits are also excellent.
The lens is very sharp and fun to use.
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+31points
Review 20 for AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Overall rating
Love it
PostedJuly 31, 2010
Fra1
Location Newfoundland Canada
Age 45-54
Favorite Subject Nature
Nikon Family 2-5 years
Experience 6-12 months
Role Semi-professional photographer
Love this lens, image quality is flawless and crisp as a chip, my only gripe with this lense is the very narrow depth of field at any appture setting but that I can live with
Share:
-6points