Product ReviewsNikon Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5 DX G SWM AF-S VR IF M/A ED Lens

Truly Very Good Macro Glass

This 85mm f/3.5 lens is used with both my D80 and my D5100, mostly the latter. I had done quite a bit of review and article reading about many Nikon, Tokina, Sigma and Tamron f/2.8 aperture prime lenses in the 60mm to 105mm range for my macro work, and then I literally stumbled on this beauty and became intrigued by it, the more I read. While I am not a pro, though have sold photos, I do have the desire to capture artistic images.

I do a lot of macro photography with flowers. I have taken many excellent close-up shots with my earlier 18-105mm as well as more recently with my 18-200mm, but I find that the consistency of obtaining truly crisp images is nowhere near what this 85mm lens will do for me. The yield of top quality shots is a much higher percentage, as it should be.

The auto focus is definitely fast and very sharp and this lens produces outstanding color and has a very nice bokeh. The VR function works exceptionally well for me in AF mode. I do have pretty steady hands and find that I rarely need to use a tripod for my flower macro work to obtain striking results. I even did a test, taking a dozen or so handheld shots and a similar number of tripod shots. I could really not see a difference until I was at home on my 23 inch monitor and started seriously zooming in on specific stamens. Then I could see a slight difference. Do keep in mind, however, that these images were not taken in low light, but fairly well-lit botanical gardens. Having said all of that regarding AF mode, I find I do need the tripod in manual. However, since I end up with such crisp shots in AF I find I am rarely using MF.

The build quality seems quite good. Yes, lots of plastic, but that is what we live with nowadays except for the most expensive options available. The bright side of that is the weight is quite minimal and it does not feel cheap. Using the 85mm with my D5100 is a pleasure. If you don't have $1,000 to spend on a higher quality lens, and need a very good DX macro lens, this is certainly one to consider. I highly recommend this lens.Read full review...

A terrific lens for macro photography and portraits.

I bought this lens as part of a new program (for me) focusing on macro and closeup photography. This lens is outstanding. It lets you focus nicely on the subject without having to get too close. Image quality is terrific and the VR has saved many images for me. The lens is also nice for portraits. I have three other good lenses for my Nikon D300 but this lens has become my favorite, and I store the camera with this lens on it, so I have a quality go-to lens for anything that might come up.Read full review...

This is the Lens You Need

This lens is the one you need if you like sharper images than zooms, a mild telephoto for those shots that your feet cannot take you, and the mustard on the hot dog is the macro capabilities. Nikon calls them micro, but it means you can get super close to your subject and experience remarkable focus across the field. I use it as a copy lens to capture frames from 16mm film. If you like to pepper your essays with close-ups of tiny objects such as your name carved on a grain of rice, this lens is your boy.

Downside is the autofocus is too slow for the world I live in, but the manual focus is fast and easy.

The filter size is 52mm and a Tiffen Digital HT ultra clear filter is required armour for this lens. Never expose the front element to the world.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: prophotosupply

Great lens, affordable price

I'm fairly new to digital photography, and this is my first macro lens. I did quite a bit of research prior to purchasing this one, and it seemed to be the best bang for the buck. So far it is been working perfectly, provides Sharp Images, and is easy to use even for beginnersRead full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: wandcelso_0

Great Lens!

I bought this lens for my wife because she is into micro photography and she loves it. She has a lot to learn and will admit this, but her pictures are getting better all the time. It is surprisingly light as compared to her normal zoom lens.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: brushnut

Great Lens!

Great Lens! Compact and excellent from infinity to 1:1 macro. 85 mm with a DX camera lets you take 1:1 macro pictures from about a foot. Almost no distortion or vignetting. Don't even need to use lens profile in Lightroom.Read full review...

great for up close

this camera is great for those up close shots. very impressed with the quality of my shots with it. very clear. a little big but not that heavy. have only used once since i bought it but so far works great. i bought this lens to have for those up close shots for nature and car shows. so far awesome up close shots at car shows.Read full review...

Looks good at first glance

Assuming durable based on prior Nikon experience. So far only had time to do a few test and familiarity images. Looks good so far but too early and not enough use to tell. Hoping for good value based on Nikon experience Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: focuscamera

A keeper.

Arrived well packaged and ahead of schedule. I've read conflicting reviews concerning the value of the lens. My lens is sharp any fast enough. I have no intention of doing doing micro in the dark.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: steveoliver1977

Awesome lens!

I love this lens, it's great for macro photography and is actually quite good for portrait photography aswell. All in all a very good value lens!

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: plumtree.ltd