Nikon 85 Question

I just got an 85/1.8 af-s G Nikkor. I am including this question in the 35mm section since it works on my Nikon N90S/F90X cameras. It won't work in Manual or Aperture Priority modes but works properly in Shutter Priority mode. I have plenty of Macro lenses but I wonder whether anyone has tried this lens with close-up lenses?

dynachrome said:

I just got an 85/1.8 af-s G Nikkor. I am including this question in the 35mm section since it works on my Nikon N90S/F90X cameras. It won't work in Manual or Aperture Priority modes but works properly in Shutter Priority mode. I have plenty of Macro lenses but I wonder whether anyone has tried this lens with close-up lenses?

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It should work OK with close up lenses but still only in Shutter Priority and Program mode.

By the way, there are some Nikon film SLRs that can use the G lens even in A or M mode. Per Ken Rockwell's table at https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm, these include the N55, N60, N65, N75, N80, F100, F5, F6 (essentially the last ~2 generations of Nikon film SLRs).

He says even the N4004s can use a G lens in PSAM modes, which kind of blows my mind and must have something to do with its control layout.

reddesert said:

He says even the N4004s can use a G lens in PSAM modes, which kind of blows my mind and must have something to do with its control layout.

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The N4004s has the aperture control, on the body, next the shutter speed dial.

I can't speak to the 85mm f/1.8G directly, but I would expect similar results to those I got using an 85mm f/1.8D and a Nikon 6T close-up lens. Compared to either my Tokina 90mm f/2.5 or my 85mm f/2.8 PC, contrast is lower, but at 1:3 the edges remain acceptable.



I just realized I took that test shot in 2008. Urk.

I think a close-up lens would be used when I did not want to also carry a macro lens. The subjects would be flowers and maximum sharpness to the edge of the frame wouldn't be so important. I also have an 85/1.8 AF D but have not tried to do any close-ups with it. The D lens feels better made but I'm sure I will enjoy using both. It's almost disconcerting how quiet and quick the focusing is with G lens.