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Nikon 85mm 1.8 Z Vs. G: Which Lens Is Worth The Money?

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

  • This is likely due to the Z-mount’s shorter flange distance, which allows for a more direct path of light from the lens to the sensor.
  • This is due to the Z-mount lens’s use of a stepping motor, which is faster and quieter than the traditional autofocus motor used in the G-mount lens.
  • 8 Z and G lenses are both excellent lenses, but the Z-mount lens is the better choice for most photographers.

The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 lens is a popular choice for portrait photographers, and for good reason. It’s a sharp, fast lens that produces beautiful bokeh. But with two different versions of the lens available, the Z-mount and the G-mount, which one is right for you? In this blog post, we’ll compare the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z vs G lenses and help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.

Image Quality:

When it comes to image quality, the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z and G lenses are both excellent performers. Both lenses produce sharp images with accurate colors and good contrast. However, the Z-mount lens has a slight edge in terms of sharpness, especially at the edges of the frame. This is likely due to the Z-mount’s shorter flange distance, which allows for a more direct path of light from the lens to the sensor.

Bokeh:

Both the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z and G lenses produce beautiful bokeh, but the Z-mount lens has a slight edge in this area as well. The bokeh produced by the Z-mount lens is smoother and more even, with less of a “busy” look. This is likely due to the Z-mount lens’s 9-blade aperture, which creates more circular highlights.

Build Quality:

The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z and G lenses are both well-built lenses, but the Z-mount lens has a slight edge in this area as well. The Z-mount lens is made of metal, while the G-mount lens is made of plastic. The Z-mount lens also has a weather-sealed design, which means it can be used in inclement weather without worry.

Autofocus:

The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z lens has a faster and more accurate autofocus system than the G-mount lens. This is due to the Z-mount lens’s use of a stepping motor, which is faster and quieter than the traditional autofocus motor used in the G-mount lens.

Price:

The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z lens is more expensive than the G-mount lens. However, the Z-mount lens offers a number of advantages over the G-mount lens, including better image quality, bokeh, build quality, and autofocus.

Which One Should You Choose?

The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z and G lenses are both excellent lenses, but the Z-mount lens is the better choice for most photographers. It offers better image quality, bokeh, build quality, and autofocus. However, the G-mount lens is a good option for budget-minded photographers who are willing to sacrifice some performance for a lower price.

Final Thoughts:

The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z lens is an excellent choice for portrait photographers who are looking for a sharp, fast lens with beautiful bokeh. The G-mount lens is a good option for budget-minded photographers who are willing to sacrifice some performance for a lower price.

Answers to Your Most Common Questions

1. What is the difference between the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z and G lenses?

The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z lens is a newer lens that is designed for Nikon’s Z-mount cameras. The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 G lens is an older lens that is designed for Nikon’s F-mount cameras.

2. Which lens is better, the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z or the G lens?

The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z lens is the better lens overall. It offers better image quality, bokeh, build quality, and autofocus.

3. Is the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z lens worth the extra money?

If you’re a serious photographer who is looking for the best possible image quality, then the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Z lens is worth the extra money. However, if you’re a budget-minded photographer who is willing to sacrifice some performance for a lower price, then the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 G lens is a good option.

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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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