prime35mmdiscontinued
Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 AI-S
Nikon · 1981-2006
The definitive portrait lens for Nikon manual focus shooters. CRC floating elements maintain sharpness at close distances. The 9-blade aperture produces legendary bokeh that's made this a cinema favourite. Heavy but worth every gram.
Known for
- Portraits
- Headshots
- Cinema
- Events
- Low light
Considerations
- Heavy at 618g
- Large 72mm filter size
- Expensive
- Manual focus challenging at f/1.4
Optical Characteristics
Sharpness (wide)3/5
Sharpness (stopped)5/5
Contrast4/5
Flare Resistance4/5
CA Control3/5
Vignetting Control3/5
Distortion Control5/5
Bokeh: Legendary, creamy smooth with 9-blade rendering
Rendering: Beautiful 3D pop, cinema favourite
Color: Warm, flattering for skin
Common Issues
- Focus ring stiffness from old grease
- Aperture blade oil
- Hood dents easily
Buying Guide
A serious investment but delivers serious results. Check focus smoothness and aperture action. CLA (Clean, Lubricate, Adjust) service often needed on older copies. Hood scratches are common and cosmetic.
Specifications
MountNikon F
Focal Length85mm
Max Aperturef/1.4
Min Aperturef/16
Aperture Blades9
Min Focus0.85m
Filter Size72mm
Weight618g
Optical Design
FormulaDouble Gauss
Elements7
Groups5
CoatingNIC (Nikon)
SpecialCRC (Close Range Correction)
Pricing
£500 - £800
Typical used price
Mint: ~£1000
Prices rising. Cinema demand increases value.
Adapts To
Sony EFujifilm XCanon RFNikon Z
Compatible Cameras
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Last verified: Jan 2026Report an error