Nikkor 85mm f1.2Z - Worth the price, size & weight?? 

What lenses should I compare this against? Download the Sample files: learn.mattgranger.com/courses/8512 Nikon Expert Setup Guide: learn.mattgranger.com/courses/zsetup

The comparison of depth of field background bokeh starting at 7:51 was very interesting. I haven't seen that done in such a straightforward manner on any other photo channels and it really shows you the value of the shallower DOF. The difference between f/4 and 2.8 was a big deal, and between f/1.8 and 1.4 is also very noticeable. Between 1.4 and 1.2 was underwhelming however.

The shot of trucks passing by you was HORRIFYING.

Omg! How wonderful! You finally received it! 😊

I was at a coffee shop the other day. The House Photographer was there working with this lens. I don't know how he got it so quick but you are correct.. it's a beast of a lens he had it snapped on his Z9. He let me hold it... Man o man was the Kit heavy! The results were stunning.

Thanks Matt. I was sitting on the fence on this. Your candid opinion helps.

Mine just went from backordered to order in process, can’t wait. My lord the subject separation is God tier lol

I have the Z9 + Z85 f/1.8S lens. Incredibly satisfied with the images for portrait work. Triple the cost and excessive weight would need to have triple the image quality. If I can't see significant difference, neither will my customers. Even if cost wasn't an issue, I'd keep my 1.8, since comfort and mobility are important to not begin subtracting from mental focus on creativity and connection with subjects. Great lens, but lacking in overall value and functionality.

For me, Nikon’s best portrait lenses have been the 85mm f1.4D, 105mm f1.4 & 300mm f2.8 - so would love to see comparisons against those 😊

Compare it with 105 f1.4E. I am using that combo on Z9 and its just amazing apart from occasional missed focus

Excellent review, thanks Matt.

Hi Matt, good review and looking forward to the next installmentr. I just downloaded the sample files and while the 1.8 photos are terrific, viewing them after the 1.2 they just didn't elicit the same 😱 reaction............the 1.2 gives sensational results..................sadly it is out of my price range and I couldn't do it justice, even if I had the money. Thanks for your work in putting these vids together for us mate! 🙏

Thanks been waiting for this review ,thanks for the files so creamy😊

Definitely a comparison with the Nikon 105mm 1.4 ! Including sharpness wide open for both. Great work as always Matt 👍🏼

Great work! Please compare to the 105mm F1.4E...Let us know if the lens hood of 85 can fit the 105. I know that's unlikely, but it would be good to know

Matt your looking awesome bro. Whatever your doing keep it up!

Thanks for the sample files. I use them to edit since I don't have a muse right now.

Thanks @mattgranger ! I always appreciated your reviews. You're one of the OG's with Nikon Gear. I appreciate you sharing your shots around HK. I forgotten to subscribe as I just watch things in the youtube feed, just did that now. :) I'm waiting to see the Z8, I still have all my Nikon DSLR, and a Nikon film camera.

I throw in my vote for the 105mm f1.4 (because I own it w/d850) as I am thinking of going to a z7/8. Thanks for the content.

Matts looking super trim. Getting ready for those summer photoshoots. ;)

Thank you so much for this review. 85mm is my favourite focal length. There's a huge difference in the rendition between 1.2 and 1.4/1.8. The price however, is astronomical.

Thanks Matt for the comparison, I don't't have a Z mount 85mm since I don't do a lot of people shots anymore but I still have my "F" mount 85mm f1.4G and for now due to my use case I will just hang on to that. The 1.2 is obviously the best but for a lot of people the 1.8 will be more than adequate, I would assume a Pro like yourself would have wanted to jump on the 1.2 so I'm a bit surprised you have a few reservations due to Price and weight. It will be interesting to see once you use it a bit longer if you don't just fall in luv with it like the 50mm f1.2 S.

Matt, nice review. As others suggested, it’d be cool to see how the 85/1.2Z stacks up to Nikon 105 lenses and I’d like to see how well the vintage Nikon 105/2 DC lens compares as well.

Since you mentioned it, I would enjoy a comparison with the 70-200S as a bang for the buck winner. Thanks.

Nice work on this video Please compare the 85/1.2 S with the 70-200/2.8 S at 85mm And then use your ‘zoom feet’ With the 85mm to get the same Image size at 70 and 105 of the 70-200/2.8 S

can't wait to get mine

Love your comment in the beginning, ' For the negative Nancies..." I am one of them in reagrds to that lens LOL That was brilliant

Elia rolling her eyes at 16:07 was so cute 😄

Great review Matt. I would love to see the 85mm f/1.2 next to the 50mm f/1.2. Love that lens.

great vid, thx a lot 🙂

For your next video to evaluate the Z-mount F/1.2, I would like you to include for evaluation the F-mount 105mm F/1.4 and 200mm F/2.0. While I have the 200, I have regretted letting go the 105. Is it worth considering it against this new 85mm? I suppose from a cost perspective, the 105 would be a better value. Also, it would be interesting to include the 70-200 Z-mount lens. I think, and I am not an expert, that it rivals the F mount 200m F/2.0 but that is just speculation on my part. As always, I am really impressed with the images you provide particularly how well you frame the models. One would think you must do this for a living.

Matt has THE HOTTEST models around, the MOST EXCITING shoots, and the most I N T E R E S T I N G photography projects, there is no denying it

Thanks Matt... unfortunately, (other than my severe G.A.S.) I haven't seen a compelling reason to buy this just yet. I'm only a semi-pro/enthusiast and what I shoot professionally doesn't need an 85mm prime. The 35mm f/1.2 has WAY more appeal to me. I bought the 85mm f/1.8 to verify I wouldn't use it enough to justify that much money and so far I've been proven correct. If I would need an 85mm I'd likely grab my 105mm F mount adapted and still be happy with the results. Beautiful lens and happy for Nikon's pro shooters. Great video as always.

Man, I'm working on getting the 85mm 1.4G and here we have this monstrosity. I did try it on the Z5 and loved it, so I know it's going to work well on my D750.

200mm F2 is potentially the best portrait lens Nikon has ever made.

Hi Matt, thank you for this test! :) My favorites for comparison would be the Canon 85 1.2 and Sigma Art. :)

B&H shipped mine this morning! Cannot wait to attach it to my Z9....

Great video, for me the sweet spot has always been 1.4 and your comparison shows that, so neither z lenses are suiting me. But also a lot of photographers like myself are gear-heads, when we know the results don't differ that much.

I've had the plena for a couple weeks and think i still prefer the 85 1.2 Not an insult on the plena, but a compliment on the 85. Both amazing!

Great review of the 85mm. I have the 1.8 S and 1.4 G versions (older, but still an awesome lens for my work). Would you consider making a 105mm f/1.4 E vs 85mm F/1.2 S video?

Great video, Matt. Would live to see some more info on how much is actually is in focus when it's shot wide open. The bokeh is stunning at F1.2 but can you get the eyes and nose together even half way in focus at that aperture?

The Viltrox 75mm 1.2 is a great lens too even if it’s only APSC it works wonderfully on the Z8 or Z30/50 and provides beautiful bokeh and sharpness

For me, 85mm f/1.4D and 105mm f/2 DC. Delicious rendering of subject and background. Would be great to see side by side, not for sharpness but, indeed, for the more je-ne-sais-quois aspects.

I'm eagerly awaiting my 1.2 to arrive. I have an adapted 85/1.8G on my z9 and I expect this to be a massive improvement.

Thank you for the great review. How does it compare the very old 105-135 DC lenses

For me the Sigma 85 1.4 was the best lens I ever tried on my dslr. This would be interesting as that is also a large lens and you showed the bokeh difference isn’t much between 1.4-1.2. The cost difference is significant however.

It perfectly explained that great lens and great photos are two different things.

I'd love a comparison with the 105 1.4. Beautiful bokeh with character - I'd really love to see if the character is different or better (more personality). I'd also be curious against the 200mm 2.0.

Would’ve liked to see the Sigma 85 1.4 Art lens in comparison to the 1.2.

You need to reappraise the comparison if you think the 24-70/2.8 is better than the 85/1.8. The 85 is sharper, higher contrast and has smoother bokeh. The zoom has the advantages of a zoom.

Thanks for the review, but I don‘t understand your lens comparison choices. In my opinion, this lens mostly „competes“ with the F-mount 104/1.4. To a lot of photographers it‘s the desired look of pictures the 105/1.4 enabled, albeit for the 85 with closer distance and hopefully better AF/more keepers due to hopefully better mirrorless AF precision with it. Neither the old 85 1.4G nor the Z 1.8 produce this desired look for people. Congratulations for getting your‘s, I‘m still waiting for mine.

I obviously don't own this lens but I do own the previous AF-S 85mm f/1.4 which I use to shoot basketball inside where the lighting is minimal. I found shooting at f/1.4 from the corners was just about the perfect location and with the extra light I kept my ISO down around 1200 which saves a bit of work in post. That lens (and I'm assuming the new one as well) is SHARP and it produces great sports photos as well as portraiture. Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in... sorry.

Your model is lovely.. She reminds me of my Granddaughter, such a natural..

i would like to see a comparison between the nes 85 1.2 Z and the Sigma 105 1.4 Art. the Sigma is one of the best lenses i have seen a long time, sometimes even better than the 105 1.4 Nikon

The BEST lens for the Z8 & Z9!!!

Looking forward to the portrait lens head to head.

Can you test against the 105 1.4E.

While I'm sure you're correct on the quality of the imagery, and for the price, it better be better, I think that the Z 70-200 f2.8 S lens is the better option. Yes, I've had it for a year now, and it's still my favorite lens. LCD screen included. (Not sure why Jared Polin doesn't like it. I think it's cool.) I do like my vintage nifty fifty that my Opa left me, even though it's a manual lens. Also, from your video, Matt, about the vintage 105 f2.5 manual lens, I picked one up off of eBay a few years back that was in great shape and I really like the dreamy bokeh and soft focus it produces. Images just feel really like a portrait, taken with either of those lenses. Now, if I were a high end world famous portrait Tog, then I think it would be a kit bag requirement. However, I do portraiture once in a while, and the "un-holy trinity" these three lenses afford me, is more than sufficient for my purposes. Great shoot, model, and lens. However, I would say to those who do not do very high end portraiture, that the 70-200 is a much better investment. Add the two manual lenses for another $250-$300 (total) for great examples, and you have a really nice kit for portraits, even when coupled to a camera like my Z6. Then, for added versatility, add the Z-TC 2X and the image quality at 140-400mm is actually REALLY nice! (I use it for sports photography of my son and his high school baseball team.) That saved a ton of mullah vs. getting the Z 400mm lens, too! So the 70-200 is the best lens to get for versatility. Yes, I'm awaiting the Z8, or a much improved Z6-III, as I really like the low light capabilities of my Z6!

Matt Irwin found significant improvement in chromatic aberration and lens flare with the new 1.2, so specifically testing that might be enlightening. The extra coatings make a big difference. He also found the Viltrox 85mm to have some autofocus issues, as you might expect from a reverse engineered lens that can't keep up with firmware updates.

Compare it to the Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, both at their widest aperture and at f/1.2.

The best 85 I have used was canon RF 85 F1.2L, I'm ok for the huge size , but RF 85 was not an fast focus lens, I hope Nikon do better, as I already switch to Nikon Z9 and ready upgrade to this (if the focus speed was fast)

@1.4 so good perfect pleasing look

Hello Matt, So far into your review I love what I am seeing and agree with what I am hearing from you. Its a big and weighty lens and using it on the small Z series may be off balance, trying to keeping your kit weight down. But if you like me are trying to get the best images I can shooting with a Z9 or a Z7ii with grip then I am hoping that it all balance out well. Just one question that you may of answer by the end of the video I know at one point you had the mighty Ziess Otis 85mm, I know that was manual focus. How dose it compare? Keep well, keep safe and have fun. P.S. I do have the 85mm f1.4 and use it with the FTz, and I have on order the new 85mm f1.2 Z lens.

Hi Mett, from what pictures I've seen of the new Z 85 mm 1.2, like most, it's extremely high-contrast. That doesn't really make a good picture for me. Zeiss already showed what the new 85 mm 1.2 can do in 2014 with the Otus 85 mm 1.4. And especially with the Otus 100 mm 1.4, which was released in 2019. I would always prefer this Otus, even if I have to focus it manually, which I would always consider to be the more professional option!

As a hobbyist, for portraits, I usually shoot at f/1.8. If I need extra bokeh I can add in post.

What a lovely subject you had there. She has an interesting face and a stylish physique. Nice choice. I love all of those lenses, but I must say, I DO appreciate the difference of the 1.2 and if I had the money, which eventually I will, I will do what I always do, and buy the lense that I covet. I get a lot of criticism for having the lenses I have, all primes so far, tho eventually I'd like to have a few Z Zooms for some situations. But despite the criticism for spending the money I do, the pictures I get PLEASE ME, and I also get compliments on them from other people who think they are great. It is worth the money to me, and I am not even selling my work at this point. I just do it for fun. A lense like this can change a snapshot into a keeper. It has a very unique and artful look. I am a big fan of the seperation you can get, and of course it has better coatings, complexity, and allows you latitude to use less grainy ISO's and pick the exposures you really want especially in low light. A winner that I think is worth the money, if it is worth the money to YOU. Certainly in todays inflated price world, there is a lot of engineering machining, crafting and polishing and coating in this lens, and you could from that perspective be amazed that a lense like this even exists at a price this low. Databyter

Hi Matt, can I suggest the Tamron 70-200mm G2 F2.8 would be a interesting comparison

I like how you ended of saying she has no voice haha. Actually that was one thing I thought would be very interesting. To get the clients opinion. Would they potentially be willing to pay that little bit extra to counter the additional discomfort and expense using the lens may put you through for the results?

Can u kindly compare with the 200mm f2 and the 105mm f1.4, cheers.

I wish you could compare it with a Leica APO Summicron 90mm (either the M and L mount). Thanks!

I’m going to buy it just because of how much I love the 50 1.2. I would say compare it to the 50 f1.2

Really wish Nikon would put 2 fn buttons on their shorter lenses. Shooting in landscape is fine, but I find portrait orientation a bit awkward to use button.

Can you compare against the Grapefruit, (105 1.4G) and the Z Mount 70-200 @ 85 ?

Matt Granger 's the best content out there. I would love to get a Z8 or Z9 and an 85 1.2. I'm loving my R6 but I want more mpx and a stacked sensor. I shoot mainly bikes stuff like motocross/supermoto portraits. Tell me if its worth it.

What do you think of the famous 200mm f/2 or out of the box one of the DC- lenses? ( 105 f/2 or 135 f/2)

I have 85mm 1.4G , 105 DC , 105 1.4 , 180mm 2.8 , 200 F2 , 70-200mm 2.8 E FL so if you'd test against those that'd be great. I think I've overcome the gear lust for this lens and will try to use what I have.

To me, the 85 1.8 seems unnaturally sharp compared to the other two lenses, as if the software intervenes strongly. Thanks for the comparison.

I would have hoped that for the price it would come with a proper case instead of that joke of a lens pouch. That one is a money object nice to have for me (I already have a 1.8). Not sure if would use the 1.2 for but I’m sure I would find work for it to do. Lens wise I am itching for that 200-600, and will buy one of the new Z bodies we’re expecting this year.

Let me throw this out here, how about the 58mm 1.4 for a purely tight portrait shot? All of D850ers, are still holding on to the 105mm 1.4 as the best portrait combo?

I really would like to see it compared to the Sigma art 105 1.4

Make a comparison between this 85f1.2 and 105mm f1.4, !

As owner of both 85 1.2 and 105 F1.4, I would say if that's the lens you mostly used for portrait, my answer is no, I really don't see the new lens offers that much more over the 105. The 85 1.2 is much sharper especially at the edge, but do I really care how sharp the edge my picture can get when I am shooting portrait at 1.2/1.4?

please please compare with Zeiss Milvus 85mm 1.4....

How about the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S?

Nikon 58mm f1.4 I think amazing lens

after downloading the files i would say that 1.2 has amazing sharpness and quality, then its 1.8z is also good, and 1.4g is only good at the studio, outdoor shoot were full of CA and out of focus areas were too soft

For those who have the 105 f1.4, I'll say keep it because comparing it with this new 85 z f1.2 is very very minute really?

Compare with the Noct

Matt you look great - have you lost weight? Great video bud. Cheers!

Hi Matt, great video thanks for sharing. For double the price and only one third of a stop faster than a f/1.4 I dont think it is worth it.

Eilia is the best

Any chance of comparing it to those old Nikon special defocus lenses?

Thank you for this comparison MATT! Not seeing a big difference between the 1.8 and the 1.2 in bokeh or PQ. THE 85 1.2 is more like 3 times the price as the 1.8.....

It is sooo creamy though… my favourite Z lens I’ve tried (and own) so far is the 50mm/f1.2 and I love it. But the 85mm/f1.2 is way out of my non-proffessional wallet 😅 Thanks Matt

Matt what's your thought about DP REVIEW? WILL IT BE MISSED?

amazinf compare ! can i edit and share the sample fils on IG and tag you as a photographer ?

Did he say "nice headlights" to the lady in 7:17? It has a subtle meaning in Cantonese.

Any word on when this will be shipped to the regular consumer? I pre ordered a little over a month ago from two different stores in hope it'll get to me quicker (this worked well when Z9 was on backorder last summer).

As a user of both Nikon and Canon a comparison of the Nikkor 85 F1.2 Z against the Canon EF 1.2 L would be of interest. Would the Z be worth it over the EF on the 5DSR?

My loved Nikon lens for humans is the 105m f1.4. 😊