Picked up a Nikkor AI 85/2 in good user condition

[kivis]

Nice compact. Glass just perfect. Anyone else have this lens? AI or AIS?

 

[fschifano]

Yes. Great little lens. Love it for portraits.

 

[Pumal]

Excellent!

 

[PhotoJim]

I've got the AF 85/1.8, which is completely different, but I love this focal length. The 85/2 is considered to be the least desirable of Nikon's 85s, but I've read more than a couple of owner reviews of the lens and I get the impression that the /2 is underrated.

 

[nyoung]

It will be your favorite until you pick up a 105/2.5.

 

[Leighgion]

I've got an AIS sample with a rather loose focus ring. Still works well. Doesn't see tons of action, but I've gotten shots I like from it.

Couple of my early frames on Tri-X with the 85mm f2 AIS:

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

I have an 85mm f2.0 AI version of this lens. It is often overlooked by those wishing to get the much larger and heavier f1.4 version, and I think that lens is why the f2.0 has been so looked down upon. Perhaps there was poor quality control at some point, but the example I got is quite good. The defocus and wide open are not as good as the 105mm f2.5, but that lens is nearly legendary from Nikon. One thing I think very important on the 85mm f2.0 is to use the lens hood, since this lens can be very prone to flare from light striking the surface of the front element directly. Use the lens hood always, and no worries.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography

 

[fschifano]

I've got an AI 105 f/2.5 too, and yes that lens is absolutely spectacular. But I find that focal length a little bit too long for my liking and it doesn't see nearly as much use as the 85. I don't understand what the gripe about the 85 f/2 lens is. I mainly use mine between f/4 and f/8, and at these apertures it's a hard one to beat.

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Yeah, I really think this lens is kinda under-rated. In comparison with my H.C. 1.8, MF 1.4 and AF 1.8, at 5.6-11 they are all pretty interchangeable in terms of sharpness. At f2 and 2.8 the 85mm f2 holds up quite well, yes, not as good as the 1.4 or the AF but not by much. In fact the influence of a slight veiling flare (wide open to 1/2 stops down) looks quite nice in some portraits, quite handy on the ladies of a certain era, if you know what I mean. My version of the 85mm f2 is the Ai, and I really wish I had the Ais, the long-----> throw makes it slow handling, the 1.4 is quicker (even the 1.8) in fast moving situations.

 

[kivis]

It will be your favorite until you pick up a 105/2.5.

Picked up a pre AI 105/2.5. Wow sharp as a tack. But love the compact size of the 85/2.

 

[mudman]

Good lens. Here's my favorite shot with my 85 f2 AIS.

My only problem with the lens is that at the wrong distance, the bokeh is extremely nervous.

i.e. here

 

[kivis]

I'm liking both images.

 

[dynachrome]

85/2 AI Nikkor

I have the 85/2 AI Nikkor and I like it. At greater than portrait distances it is quite sharp even wide open. I don't like the look of a portrait with too little depth of field. The speed of the 85/2 is more for ease of focusing for me. It's decent enough at f/2 even close up and very good at f/2.8. If the light is better I will use a 105/2.5. I like both versions of this lens.

 

[Ronald Moravec]

I have the 85 1.8 AF and 85 2.0 MF. optical performance is the same for both, but evidently there are some bad 2.0 ones out there. I can`t complain about mine and they are the same as the three 105 2.5`s, 135 2.8 and 3.5. So maybe I have a better than average sample, I don`t know.

 

[elekm]

Was this still based on the Carl Zeiss Sonnar (f/2.0 85mm)? I know that Nikon's early lenses were based on Zeiss designs, but I don't know if the design was changed after that.

 

[Ap507b]

Have heard that the 85mm F2 can be prone to getting oil on the blades. Don;t have one, but am on the hunt for one to fill a gap in my lineup of primes. Have seen some lovely images from them posted online.