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Guide

Nikon Z 105mm Macro Vs 85mm 1.8

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • 8 S lens is a better choice for portrait photography than the Nikon Z 105mm macro lens.
  • The Nikon Z 105mm macro lens is a better choice for macro photography than the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.
  • The Nikon Z 105mm macro lens is made of a combination of metal and plastic, while the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.

The Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 VR S and the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S are two of the most popular lenses for portrait and macro photography. Both lenses offer excellent image quality, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we will compare the two lenses and help you decide which one is right for you.

Image Quality

Both the Nikon Z 105mm macro and the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lenses produce excellent image quality. However, there are some subtle differences between the two lenses.

  • Sharpness: The Nikon Z 105mm macro lens is slightly sharper than the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens. This is especially noticeable when shooting at close distances.
  • Contrast: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens has slightly higher contrast than the Nikon Z 105mm macro lens. This can be beneficial for portrait photography, as it can help to create more flattering images.
  • Color: Both lenses produce accurate colors. However, the Nikon Z 105mm macro lens has a slightly warmer color tone than the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens.

Focal Length

The Nikon Z 105mm macro lens has a focal length of 105mm, while the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens has a focal length of 85mm. This difference in focal length can have a significant impact on the way you shoot.

  • Portrait photography: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is a better choice for portrait photography than the Nikon Z 105mm macro lens. This is because the 85mm focal length is more flattering for portraiture, as it can help to compress the features of the face and create a more pleasing bokeh.
  • Macro photography: The Nikon Z 105mm macro lens is a better choice for macro photography than the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens. This is because the 105mm focal length allows you to get closer to your subject and capture more detail.

Aperture

The Nikon Z 105mm macro lens has a maximum aperture of f/2.8, while the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens has a maximum aperture of f/1.8. This difference in maximum aperture can be beneficial for different types of photography.

  • Low-light photography: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is a better choice for low-light photography than the Nikon Z 105mm macro lens. This is because the wider maximum aperture allows you to let in more light, which can help to reduce noise and improve image quality.
  • Bokeh: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens also produces better bokeh than the Nikon Z 105mm macro lens. This is because the wider maximum aperture allows you to create a shallower depth of field, which can help to isolate your subject from the background.

Autofocus

Both the Nikon Z 105mm macro and the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lenses have excellent autofocus systems. However, there are some slight differences between the two lenses.

  • Speed: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens has a slightly faster autofocus system than the Nikon Z 105mm macro lens. This can be beneficial for shooting moving subjects or capturing candid moments.
  • Accuracy: Both lenses have very accurate autofocus systems. However, the Nikon Z 105mm macro lens has a slight edge in terms of accuracy when shooting at close distances.

Build Quality

Both the Nikon Z 105mm macro and the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lenses are well-built lenses. However, there are some differences in the materials and construction of the two lenses.

  • Materials: The Nikon Z 105mm macro lens is made of a combination of metal and plastic, while the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is made entirely of metal. This makes the 85mm lens slightly more durable than the 105mm lens.
  • Construction: The Nikon Z 105mm macro lens has a weather-sealed construction, while the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens does not. This means that the 105mm lens can be used in more challenging weather conditions than the 85mm lens.

Price

The Nikon Z 105mm macro lens is more expensive than the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens. The 105mm lens typically retails for around $900, while the 85mm lens typically retails for around $600.

Which Lens is Right for You?

The Nikon Z 105mm macro and the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lenses are both excellent lenses. However, they have different strengths and weaknesses. The 105mm lens is better for macro photography, while the 85mm lens is better for portrait photography. Ultimately, the best lens for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Instead of “Conclusion”

So, which lens should you choose? If you’re primarily interested in macro photography, then the Nikon Z 105mm macro lens is the better choice. It offers superior image quality, a longer focal length, and a closer minimum focusing distance. However, if you’re more interested in portrait photography, then the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is the better choice. It offers a more flattering focal length, a wider maximum aperture, and a faster autofocus system.

Basics You Wanted To Know

Q: Which lens is better for low-light photography, the Nikon Z 105mm macro or the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S?

A: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is better for low-light photography because it has a wider maximum aperture.

Q: Which lens is better for bokeh, the Nikon Z 105mm macro or the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S?

A: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens produces better bokeh because it has a wider maximum aperture.

Q: Which lens is better for video, the Nikon Z 105mm macro or the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S?

A: Both lenses are good for video, but the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens has a faster autofocus system, which can be beneficial for shooting moving subjects.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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