Nikon 85mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

This lens is fast, clear, and sharp! I'm mainly using it for portraits, along with the 50mm 1.8, on the D80 body. The feel and build of the lens is solid, giving a pleasing balance on the D80. The next in line, will be the 35mm f2, for indoor groups and everyday walk around lens. Someday I own the D300, and these primes will shine even more.

I bought this lens for my Nikon D80, and I love it! It is incredibly sharp, and renders beautiful bokeh. I've taken many portraits with this lens, and all have turned out beautifully.
If you're like me, and can't afford the 85mm f/1.4, this lens is perfect. I'm so glad that I bought it, and now that I have it, I can't see myself ever needing the f/1.4, this one does the job amazingly well.

I have used Nikkor lenses for almost 40 years. I have 6 in my bag right now. This is the best lens I have ever used. It is better than the 105 f2.5, and that should say it all. Fast focus, perfect color, contrast, and razor sharp. The 85 mm focal length is perfect for portraits even with the 1.5 factor on a D300 [feels almost like you are using the 105 f2.5!]. On a D700 this lens is stunning in all regards! Combine the 1.8 f-stop with the low noise of today's Nikons and you are set to capture great images in almost any low light situation. The real point of the lens is, of course, the incredible DOF control you have to make your subject pop. I always use aperture priority with this lens to make sure I am controling the f stop, the results are amazing, even wide open. This prime lens really needs to be in your camera bag if you are a serious Nikon photographer. The fit and finish are pure Nikon. One more important thought to remember, this lens will work perfectly on the FX sensor of the D3 and D700 as it is not a DX lens. You will not be sorry you bought this lens, esp at the current price.

This is a great lens for the price you are paying. The 85mm f/1.4 is about 3 times the price (I don't own it so I cannot compare apart from the specifications), and gives you about 2/3 more stops of light. This lens has 9 aperture blades, which gives a very nice bokeh. On a crop factor camera (except the D3 at the time of this review), this lens is about 127.5mm, which becomes a tele portrait lens. This is one lens you would not regret buying!

I bought this to shoot some indoor basketball for a friend where flash isn't allowed. The 1.8 allowed me to shoot at 1/125 freezing all but the fastest action.

As mentioned by others, the bokeh is not exceptional, but it is adequate. The metal hood with screw threads makes it more time consuming to put on and off, but that's the only complaint I have against an otherwise great lens.