Nikon AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Lens Review

Nikon AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Handling and features

Weighing only 355g, this lens is quite lightweight for a telephoto macro, thanks in part to the modest f/3.5 maximum aperture. The lens barrel is constructed from high quality plastics, typical of Nikon's mid-range line-up of lenses and it balances well on the Nikon D300 used for testing. Although this lens makes no claims of wether resistance, a rubber gasket has been fitted to the metal lens mount to help prevent the ingress of dust and moisture into the camera.



A wide rubberised focusing ring provides ample control over focus adjustments, having just the right amount of resistance to stay put when adjusted, without being too stiff. As this lens sports a silent wave motor, auto focus is fast for a macro lens and virtually silent. Focus can be adjusted at any time by simply grabbing the focus ring too.



The minimum focus distance of 28.6cm provides ample working distance for many subjects and life sized magnification. A distance scale window is provided, but there is no scale for hyperfocal focusing, which can occasionally be useful. The lens also lacks a focus limiter switch, but as focusing is so swift with this lens, it isn't much of an issue in practice. As the lens employs an internal focusing design, it does not extend at minimum focus and the filter thread does not rotate.

Nikon's Vibration Reduction II system fitted to this optic promises to allow sharp shots to be taken at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than the normal rule of thumb for hand held shooting would allow. With care, sharp hand held shots can be taken at shutter speeds as low as 1/8 sec about half the time, which is roughly four stops slower than the recommended shutter speed for hand holding a lens of this focal length on a DX format camera.

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