Best 85mm Lens 2026: Nine Ranked, and the Aperture Fields That Make No Sense

By · Updated

Three of the nine listings we looked at file the aperture in millimetres: the Sony f/1.8 as '1.8 Millimetres', the Canon f/2 as '2 Millimetres', and the Nikon f/1.8G as a minimum of '16 Millimetres'. An f-number is a ratio, not a length. So anyone hunting for the best 85mm lens by reading those fields learns nothing about how wide the lens actually opens. The two Viltrox f/1.4 Pro lenses cost the same £569 and quote the same 15-element, 11-group design. However, the Sony-mount sheet lists 9 diaphragm blades while its own bullet claims 11, and the Nikon-mount sheet lists 11. Meanwhile the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G is filed as 'Lens Type: Macro' with no magnification figure anywhere, while the only genuine macro here, the Canon RF 85mm f/2, states 0.5x.

We ranked nine contenders for the best 85mm lens on Amazon on four honest criteria: the price you pay, the specifications each listing actually publishes, the spread of ratings rather than the average alone, and whether the mount fits a camera you already own.

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1

Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Full-Frame Prime Lens

best 85mm lens
£490.00 4.7 2,435 reviews

Top of the ranking on 2,435 ratings averaging 4.7, the largest review base in the list by 120 ratings, with a published 0.8 m minimum focus distance.

Pros

  • 2,435 ratings at 4.7, with 86% five-star and 2% one-star
  • 0.8 m minimum focus distance, stated in the bullets
  • ED glass element and a circular nine-blade diaphragm
  • Linear motor autofocus described as near-silent, useful for video
  • 67 mm filter thread, shared with the Nikon f/1.8G and Canon RF f/2 here

Cons

  • No image stabilisation of any kind
  • Maximum aperture filed as '1.8 Millimetres', a ratio recorded as a length
  • £490, against £265 for the Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO FE
  • No magnification figure, so it is not a close-up option

What buyers actually say

Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon

Verified purchase

“This is the perfect budget 85mm portrait lens for sony E-Mount, both for APS-C & Full Frame. There are some quirks, but this has great character.Positives:Weight: Very Light & compactClarity: Clean image, even on higher resolution sensorsNoise: There is only the slightest autofocus noiseFocus: Although this is using an older motor design, for most photos - this meets my needs.Things to keep in mind:There aren't really any negatives at this price point. As this lens is also regularly on offer, you can't really go wrong. With that said, it's the perfect portrait carry for lovers of this focal length. The image is clear and the background separation is brilliant, you likely won't be using it for sport content and to be honest, I haven't even attempted it for this use.For 95% of people, this is the perfect starter portrait lens - I would even say, unless you specifically need the top tier, most wedding photographers would be more than happy use this in a professional context.This is a full frame lens, so for those using this on the APS-C cameras, you're getting closer to the 127mm F2.8 look. If you need something actually close to this focal range, you will want to pickup either the Sigma 56mm F1.4 or the Sony Zeiss 55mm F1.8.Its compact nature means it's always at least a second lens on my carry.”

Alexander
Verified purchase

“This is a must lens to have, if you like taking portraits. Not a pro lens, but still rated highly by many professional reviewers. Great f/1.8 minimum aperture for low light or creamy bokeh. Light in weight also, so very easy to add to a bag. Quiet and accurate autofocus (on an A7iii). Compliments a standard zoom lens nicely.”

Tony Baker
Check Price on Amazon More about the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Full-Frame Prime Lens

It takes the top slot on volume and consistency rather than price. The Sony 85mm f/1.8 carries 2,435 ratings at 4.7, with 86% of them five-star and 2% one-star. The next closest, the Nikon f/1.8G, has 2,315. For anyone weighing which is the best 85mm lens to buy without handling it first, that sample size is the single most useful number on this page. In practice, it is the safest of the nine.

The engineering is straightforward: one ED element to reduce chromatic aberration, a circular nine-blade diaphragm, a linear motor for near-silent autofocus, and a 67 mm filter thread. Minimum focus is 0.8 m, close enough for tight head-and-shoulders portraits. Worth noting, the specification sheet files the maximum aperture as '1.8 Millimetres', which records a ratio as a length. It also lists a '1:1' zoom ratio on a lens that does not zoom.

If you need stabilisation, this is not the lens. 'Image Stabilization Type: no' is what the sheet says, and nothing in the bullets contradicts it. Macro shooters should look at the Canon instead. Meanwhile the £490 asking price is £225 more than the 340 g Viltrox f/2 EVO, which is worth knowing before you commit to the brand name.

2

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G lens for Nikon F-mount DSLR cameras
£383.03 4.7 2,315 reviews

Second on 2,315 ratings at 4.7 and £106.97 cheaper than the Sony, though the listing labels it 'Macro' and never gives a magnification figure.

Pros

  • 2,315 ratings averaging 4.7, with 84% five-star
  • £383.03, £106.97 below the Sony at the top of this list
  • Silent Wave Motor with M/A and M focus modes
  • Works with entry-level DSLRs that lack a built-in AF motor
  • Nine diaphragm blades and a 67 mm filter thread

Cons

  • Filed as 'Lens Type: Macro' with no magnification figure given
  • Minimum aperture listed as '16 Millimetres'
  • No image stabilisation
  • Angle of view figures in the table and in the bullets do not match

What buyers actually say

Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon

Verified purchase

“Excellent lens for the money. Used from f4 it produces great images.”

KPB
Verified purchase

“Portrait photography brilliant lens beautiful bokeh.”

GERALD WILLIAMS
Check Price on Amazon More about the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G

Close behind on every public number: 2,315 ratings, a 4.7 average, 84% five-star and 2% one-star. At £383.03 it undercuts the Sony by £106.97. As a result, this is the 85mm f1.8 lens most F-mount owners will end up comparing everything else against.

The Silent Wave Motor gives quiet autofocus, and two modes, M/A and M, let you override focus without leaving AF. Nikon points out it works with entry-level DSLRs that have no built-in autofocus motor. The sheet lists nine diaphragm blades and a 67 mm filter thread. However, the published angle of view is 18.8 degrees, while the bullets quote 18°50' for DX and 28°30' for FX. Those do not reconcile.

The catch is the classification. 'Lens Type: Macro' sits in the specification table, yet no magnification figure appears anywhere in the listing, and no minimum focus distance either. In theory it is a macro; in the data it is not. Even so, it remains the value pick for a DSLR. Mirrorless owners need an adapter, which rules it out for some.

3

Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM

Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM lens attached to an EOS R camera
£518.50 4.4 357 reviews

The only genuine macro of the nine at 0.5x, with 5-stop stabilisation and a 500 g body, and arguably the best 85mm lens for portraits that also do close work.

Pros

  • 0.5x macro with a 0.35 m minimum focus distance, the only stated magnification in the list
  • 5-stop optical image stabilisation, unique among these full-frame lenses
  • 500 g and 78x90.5 mm, the most compact full-frame body here
  • Nine-blade aperture and a 67 mm filter thread
  • 357 ratings at 4.4

Cons

  • EOS R bodies only, per the listing
  • £518.50, £253.50 more than the Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO FE
  • Minimum aperture listed as 2.0, the same as its maximum
  • 4.4 average is the lowest of the top three

What buyers actually say

Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon

Verified purchase

“OK its not a true macro, a close up lens is what it is. For my purposes it gets close enough and I would rather have that f2 that 1:1. I do a lot of flower photography and use it on the RP although I have an R I always pick the RP with this lens, it is a very light combo and easy to hand hold. I can't express strongly enough how much this lens has helped my photography. I have other macro lenses but this is my 'go to' choice now. It is very sharp even when wide open and the focus is spot on. The focal length suits my work, much better than the nifty-fifty or the 100mm f2.8. Easy to carry in a small bag with the RP and the RF 24-240mm - if you shoot RAW make sure you allow LR to apply the lens corrections.”

Bosky Badger
Verified purchase

“It's a very flattering portrait lens that also offers macro capabilities, you really can't ask for more in this price range.It's sharp, bright, and has beautiful bokeh. I do find it occasionally hunts for focus, especially when switching the slider on the lens. Also, it's worth noting that Canon doesn't include a lens hood in the box.Overall, it's a fantastic lens.”

Ziggy
Check Price on Amazon More about the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM

It sits third rather than first because of the sample: 357 ratings at 4.4, against 2,435 at 4.7 for the Sony. Crucially, though, it is the only lens here that states a real magnification figure. The bullet says 0.5x; the specification text repeats 0.5x with a 0.35 m minimum distance. Nothing else in this list publishes one at all.

At 500 g and 78x90.5 mm it is portable, and the 5-stop optical stabilisation is the only stabilisation offered by any full-frame lens here. The optics are 12 elements in 11 groups with a nine-blade aperture and a 67 mm filter thread. At the same time, the sheet lists the minimum aperture as 2.0, identical to the f/2 maximum, so that field tells you nothing.

That said, check your body first. The listing states it fits EOS R models only, and names the R100, R50, R10, R6, R7 and R8. If you shoot EF-mount DSLR, this is not your lens. If you already own a Viltrox for £265, the £518.50 here buys macro reach and stabilisation rather than sharper portraits.

4

Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens on a Sony full-frame mirrorless camera
£1,337.00 4.7 48 reviews

At £1,337 the most expensive lens here, with only 48 ratings, but the fastest Sony-mount aperture in the top four and a 77 mm filter thread.

Pros

  • f/1.4 with two XD linear motors for stills and video
  • 4.7 average, with 86% five-star ratings
  • Nine-blade aperture and a 77 mm filter thread
  • G Master optics quoted for edge-to-edge quality
  • No adapter needed on Sony E-mount full-frame bodies

Cons

  • £1,337, £768 more than the Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 pair
  • Only 48 ratings, the second-smallest sample here
  • No image stabilisation
  • 77 mm filters cost more than the 67 mm threads used by three other lenses here

What buyers actually say

Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon

Verified purchase

“I purchased this lens, twice, from amazon. I purchased it the first time at full price for a new lens, and I received a used one. It was dirty, and the person who returned it to amazon took no care in cleaning it. It looked like it was used at a beach, as it had beach sane in it. I returned it to amazon,, and told their customer service that it should not be resold. I then ordered it again. I received another used lens, but this time it had finger prints, dust, and hair on the lens. I called amazon to complain that I wanted a new lens. They could not guarantee me a new lens, and offered me a partial credit for buying this as used. Lens works fine, and I accepted the credit.This is the best portrait lens made by sony. Stunning pictures, sharp and fast focus, amazing subject compression that shrinks people's noses into a cute bottom. It smooths out people's faces from being fat into thin, hides imperfections in the face. It is a miracle lens. Then there is the magic from the 1.4, as it dissolves the background, so the the person is the only subject in the picture. Do not fret that this is not a F1.2, as the F1.4 from this lens does the job for depth of field.The lens is light, and compact for its features. You can trust this lens for perfect portraits. When I know that I will only be taking potraits of people, and that I have space to frame the image by walking around, this is my one-and-only lens for that shoot. I like to pair this with my 24-70 F2.8 GM2, and maybe my 50-150 F2 GM. I rarely use my 50MM F1,2 GM, or my 35MM F1.4 GM any more.”

The Key Master

“I use this for art reproduction. The sharpness across the full frame is mind blowing. If you're a portrait photographer maybe the difference is negligible, especially if you're focusing mainly in the centre of the frame and edge sharpness matters less. But if impeccable sharpness across the full frame is a priority, or you just want the best of the best, look no further. There is practically 0 distortion and chromatic abberations are negligible too.This is the sharpest lens I own and I own some other very sharp lenses.”

Mike
Check Price on Amazon More about the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

This is the only 85mm f1.4 lens from Sony in the list, and it costs £1,337. Its 48 ratings at 4.7 are a much thinner sample than the 2,435 of the f/1.8, but 86% of them are five-star and 2% one-star. Meanwhile the Viltrox f/1.4 pair costs £569, which is £768 less for the same headline aperture.

Two XD linear motors drive autofocus, described as fast, accurate and quiet for stills and movies. The sheet lists nine diaphragm blades, a minimum aperture of f/16 and a 77 mm filter thread, the same size as the Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro Z. However, there is no stabilisation, and at f/1.4 that matters more than it does at f/2.

The catch is value rather than capability. If you shoot a Sony body and need the last fraction of sharpness wide open, the price is the price. If you do not, the f/1.8 at £490 and the Viltrox f/2 EVO at £265 both exist, and both beat it on review volume by a wide margin.

5

Viltrox 85mm F2 EVO FE (Sony E)

Viltrox 85mm F2 EVO FE lens on a Sony E-mount mirrorless camera
£265.00 4.7 103 reviews

At £265 and 340 g, this is the cheapest 85mm lens for mirrorless bodies in the list, with two ED and two high-refractive elements and 4.7 from 103 ratings.

Pros

  • £265, £225 below the Sony f/1.8 at the top of this list
  • 340 g magnesium-aluminium body with dust and splash protection claimed
  • 10 elements in 8 groups, with 2 ED and 2 HR elements
  • 4.7 average from 103 ratings, 81% five-star
  • Nine diaphragm blades

Cons

  • No minimum focus distance published on this sheet
  • No image stabilisation
  • 58 mm filter thread, less common than the 67 mm used elsewhere here
  • Filed as 'Lens Type: Standard' rather than a portrait lens

What buyers actually say

Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon

Verified purchase

“Compact, very good image quality, and excellent value for money. Perfect for discrete portrait work as it's not as imposing as the much larger faster 85mm lenses that are available. Also ideal for street photogrphy for the same reasons. The sort of lens you can take for travel use too as it's so small to pack and carry. Delighted with mine and is something I have wanted for years, a compact portable 85mm lens for my Sony cameras - pairs well with the A7Cii, for example.”

Phil Harding
Verified purchase

“On the A7CR this EVO 85mm f2 is just as sharp as the Sony 85mm f1.8 I owned, now sold on. Good solid metal build and a lot lighter and smoother focus than expected. I'm a proper crazy enthusiast so this lens does the job for me. £225 Amazon spring deal is a winner so why spend a small fortune on native lenses when Viltrox are producing these top quality lenses? Hope Viltrox bring out a range of telephoto lenses, I'll certainly give them a good test run for their money.”

Richard Maxwell
Check Price on Amazon More about the Viltrox 85mm F2 EVO FE (Sony E)

The price is the story: £265 for a full frame 85mm lens with autofocus, £225 less than the Sony f/1.8. The optics are 10 elements in 8 groups, including 2 ED and 2 HR elements, and the body is magnesium-aluminium at 340 g. It averages 4.7 from 103 ratings, with 81% five-star.

In practice, 340 g on a full-frame body is light enough to carry all day, and the f/2 maximum aperture keeps it smaller than an f/1.4. There are nine diaphragm blades and a 58 mm filter thread. If you want the best 85mm lens for portraits on a tight budget, this is the one the numbers point to.

The catch is what the sheet leaves out. No minimum focus distance is published here, even though the Nikon-mount version of the same lens states 0.74 m. There is also no stabilisation, and the 58 mm filter thread is less common than 67 mm, so existing filters may not fit. By contrast, the Nikon-mount twin costs the same and tells you more.

6

Viltrox AF 85mm F2.0 EVO Z (Nikon Z)

Viltrox AF 85mm F2.0 EVO Z lens on a Nikon Z mirrorless camera
£265.00 4.6 140 reviews

Same £265 and same 340 g as its Sony-mount twin, but this sheet states the 0.74 m minimum focus distance and holds 4.6 from 140 ratings.

Pros

  • £265, with 140 ratings averaging 4.6
  • 0.74 m minimum focus distance stated in the bullets
  • STM autofocus with eye and face detection
  • Fn button, click switch and AF/MF toggle on the barrel
  • 10 elements in 8 groups with 2 ED and 2 HR, at 340 g

Cons

  • 6% of ratings are one-star
  • No image stabilisation
  • Nikon Z mount only
  • 58 mm filter thread

What buyers actually say

Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon

Verified purchase

“I bought this to go on my Nikon Z50ii, so I could shoot some low light indoor sport and candid shots at a powerlifting meet. I have to say that it performed very well, and I was able to get a ton of great pictures for all of the competitors.While I can't speak to the durability, having only had it a few months, it's not made of premium materials. If it were, it certainly wouldn't be at the price point it's at. It does seems to be high quality though, and I don't have any concerns about it lasting a long time as long as I'm not abusing it.The smaller size makes finding room for it in my camera bag easy. It's very portable and easy to handle when on my camera.As for image quality, the autofocus is fast and everything comes out exceptionally sharp. I have zero complaints, and the times that I missed, were definitely my fault and not the lense.”

John
Verified purchase

“Works for Nikon Z30. Love the quality. The auto focus sometimes takes a second or too but not horrible. Pictures and videos are crisp and beautiful. I took a risk with this, and it was worthwhile.”

Kiki
Check Price on Amazon More about the Viltrox AF 85mm F2.0 EVO Z (Nikon Z)

It costs the same £265 as the FE version and weighs the same 340 g. It also has the larger ratings base of the two: 140 against 103, at 4.6 rather than 4.7, which means the Z version has the better-supported record of the pair. Six per cent of those ratings are one-star, so the record is not spotless.

The 10-element, 8-group design with 2 ED and 2 HR elements is identical on paper. A stepping motor handles autofocus with eye and face detection, and there is a Fn button, a click switch and an AF/MF toggle on the barrel. The minimum focus distance is stated as 0.74 m, which the FE sheet omits. Viltrox also claims dust and splash resistance and a water-repellent front element.

That said, this only fits Nikon Z bodies. If you shoot F-mount DSLR, look at the Meike or the Nikon f/1.8G instead; if you shoot Sony, the FE version is the match. There is no stabilisation here either, so handheld video shooters should plan around that.

7

Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro Z (Nikon Z)

Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro Z lens on a Nikon Z full-frame camera
£569.00 4.4 25 reviews

£569 buys f/1.4, a 15-element design and 11 listed diaphragm blades, but 25 ratings is the smallest sample in the list.

Pros

  • f/1.4 for £569, £768 less than the Sony GM II
  • 15 elements in 11 groups, with 3 ED, 1 ASPH and 9 HR
  • 11 diaphragm blades listed
  • HyperVCM autofocus quoted for subject tracking
  • Weather-resistant seals and a 77 mm filter thread

Cons

  • Only 25 ratings, with 10% at two stars or below
  • No weight or dimensions published on this sheet
  • No image stabilisation
  • Its Sony-mount twin lists 9 blades against this one's 11

What buyers actually say

Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon

Verified purchase

“Un'obiettivo davvero di qualità, che ancora non capisco perché non l'abbia fatto la stessa Nikon. Eccellente sotto tuti i punti di vista, anche a tutta apertura, ad un prezzo che mi è sembrato davvero competitivo, soprattutto con l'offerta di primavera a 568,00 euro con cui l'ho acquistato.Grande qualità costruttiva e grande qualità ottica, ne fanno - secondo me - una lente da ritratto o da campo stretto in generale, di alto livello.Ho aspettato diversi mesi ad acquistarlo; ho sempre utilizzato ottiche originali e non ero molto convinto, ma poi l'ho preso con lo sconto che mi garantiva un margine per l'eventuale rivendibilità e invece alla fine ho dovuto ricredermi. Niente da eccepire, me lo tengo stretto! Veramente molto soddisfatto dell'acquisto.”

Gaetano
Verified purchase

“This was the first Viltrox lens I purchased and ordered via Amazon. Was a huge risk in spending money and having it shipped internationally but boy was it worth it.Love the lens and the images you get from this lens. Wide open at F1.4 its not always perfect but from f1.8 onwards its almost flawless. When using in studio the results are amazing and probably on par with first party lenses. The lens is big and heavy as expected for an 85mm and has that floating element moving around when camera is switched off but you get used to it eventually.I would definitely recommend if you cannot afford a first party premium lens”

Ashvir Maharaj
Check Price on Amazon More about the Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro Z (Nikon Z)

The optical spec is the most ambitious here: 15 elements in 11 groups, with 3 ED, 1 ASPH and 9 HR elements. The diaphragm is listed as 11 blades, and that matters for round bokeh at f/1.4. However, the review base is 25 ratings at 4.4, and 10% of them sit at two stars or below.

The HyperVCM motor is quoted for quiet, fast focus and real-time subject tracking. The barrel is metal alloy with weather-resistant seals and a nano multi-layer coating, and the filter thread is 77 mm. At £569 it costs exactly what the Sony-mount Pro FE costs, and both claim the same 15-element, 11-group structure.

The catch is the sample and the missing data. Twenty-five ratings is thin evidence for a £569 lens, and no weight or dimensions are published on this sheet at all. Crucially, the sibling FE version lists nine diaphragm blades while its own bullet claims 11, so the blade count across the Pro range is not consistent in the listings. If you want proof of build, this page does not give it.

8

Viltrox 85mm F1.4 Pro FE (Sony E)

Viltrox 85mm F1.4 Pro FE lens mounted on a Sony E-mount camera
£569.00 4.3 21 reviews

The £569 Sony-mount f/1.4 whose bullets claim 11 aperture blades while its own specification sheet lists 9.

Pros

  • f/1.4 from £569 on Sony E-mount
  • 15 elements in 11 groups, with 3 ED, 9 HR and 1 UA
  • Two HyperVCM motors, claimed 150% faster than STM
  • 72 mm filter thread
  • 21 ratings at 4.3

Cons

  • Bullet claims 11 blades, specification sheet says 9
  • 21 ratings only, 14% at two stars or below
  • No image stabilisation
  • 72 mm filter thread differs from the 77 mm on the Nikon-mount twin

What buyers actually say

Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon

Verified purchase

“Sto usando il Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 da qualche settimana e, ogni volta che lo monto sulla Sony, la fotocamera sembra alzare il sopracciglio come per dire: "Ah, oggi si fa sul serio".CostruzioneMetallo ovunque, solido come un attrezzo da lavoro professionale. La ghiera di messa a fuoco scorre con quella morbidezza che fa pensare a un piccolo ingegnere invisibile che la lucida ogni notte. Si monta con decisione e dà una sensazione di affidabilità immediata.AutofocusSulla A7 IV è rapido e ubbidiente. L'Eye-AF aggancia gli occhi del soggetto con lo zelo di un buttafuori che ha studiato i volti all'ingresso. In luce difficile può prendere una micro pausa filosofica, ma niente che rovini lo scatto.Resa otticaA f/1.4, lo sfondo scompare in una morbidezza quasi teatrale. Il soggetto rimane nitido e ben scolpito, come se la lente gli sussurrasse: "Tu davanti, il resto in fila dietro". La compressione dell'85 mm dona un'eleganza naturale ai ritratti.Colori e contrastoColori equilibrati e un contrasto che dà vita alle immagini senza esagerare. Anche in JPEG si ottengono file pronti da consegnare, mentre in RAW c'è spazio per divertirsi con la post.Cose da sapereNon è un peso piuma. Dopo una lunga sessione il polso ti ricorda che stai usando una lente seria. Nei video c'è un pizzico di focus breathing, ma te ne accorgi solo se lo cerchi con la lente d'ingrandimento... metaforica.ConclusioneIl Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 è un obiettivo che entra nel tuo zaino in punta di piedi e poi non vuole più uscirne. Luminoso, affascinante e capace di rendere qualsiasi ritratto più cinematografico. Se ami i medio-tele che danno personalità ai tuoi scatti, questo ha molto da raccontare.”

Vinnie
Verified purchase

“Autofocus der Hammer nach dem Update des objektiv noch schneller und präziser hab er Teil und das für 200€”

Christian
Check Price on Amazon More about the Viltrox 85mm F1.4 Pro FE (Sony E)

Two numbers on this page do not agree. The bullet says the lens produces a cleaner, rounder bokeh 'with 11 aperture blades'. The specification table says 'Number of Diaphragm Blades: 9'. Same lens, same listing. It also carries 21 ratings at 4.3, with 14% at two stars or below.

Everything else scales up: 15 elements in 11 groups, including 3 ED, 9 HR and 1 UA glass. Two HyperVCM motors are claimed to focus 150% faster than a traditional STM motor. The filter thread is 72 mm, which is not the 77 mm of the Nikon-mount Pro Z. In theory the two Pro lenses are twins; in the data they are not.

Either way, buy this for the aperture and the price, not for the record. Twenty-one ratings is a small base, and the 4.3 average is the lowest of any f/1.4 lens here. Photographers who need stabilisation, or a blade count they can rely on, should read the rest of the list first.

9

Meike 85mm f/1.8 Full-Frame (Nikon F)

Meike 85mm f/1.8 lens for Nikon F-mount DSLR cameras
£159.99 4.2 283 reviews

The budget 85mm lens at £159.99, with 11 elements in 6 groups, 283 ratings and the lowest average in the list at 4.2.

Pros

  • £159.99, the lowest price in this list
  • 283 ratings, more than the Canon RF 85mm f/2
  • 11 elements in 6 groups with multi-layer nano coating
  • USB port for firmware updates on the barrel
  • 67 mm filter thread, matching the Sony, Nikon and Canon here

Cons

  • Minimum aperture listed as 1.8, identical to its maximum
  • 4.2 average is the lowest of the nine
  • 7% of ratings are one-star
  • Nikon F mount DSLR lens; mirrorless bodies need an adapter

What buyers actually say

Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon

Verified purchase

“17,0226 meike linse 15,30angekommenfunktioniert mit nikon.fx d610,und d5300manuell,schärfe mit hand drehenautofokus mit einstellbare zielpunkte, F1,8-22 über kamera.gegenlichtblende ,automatikmodus,frontgewinde67mm , mindestabstand 700mm,für blinde fotografenvielen dank”

Andreas Wurg
Verified purchase

“Ho acquistato questo obiettivo prima dei viaggi in Vietnam e Giappone. L'ottica, per il prezzo a cui si trova, è superlativa! Fa quello che deve, in maniera eccellente, non è rumorosa, mette e fuoco automaticamente bene! Ho un APS-C quindi questa ottica mi diventa un 127mm, un teleobiettivo praticamente, ma la lunghezza focale a 1,8 mi permette dei ritratti o un effetto bokeh straordinario. Compratela per street fotography anche su un APS-C, dovete solo abituarvi inizialmente che lo zoom è abbastanza :D”

Giovanni Gulli
Check Price on Amazon More about the Meike 85mm f/1.8 Full-Frame (Nikon F)

This is the cheapest lens here at £159.99, roughly a third of the Sony f/1.8 at £490. It holds 283 ratings at 4.2, with 60% five-star and 7% one-star. For anyone searching for the best 85mm lens under £200, this is the only answer in this list.

The design is 6 groups and 11 elements, which is more elements than the Sony f/1.8 or the Canon RF f/2 use. There are nine diaphragm blades, a 67 mm filter thread and a USB port on the barrel for firmware updates. Autofocus and automatic aperture work through the electronic contacts, and the listing names the D850, D750, D780, D7100, D7500, D810, D610 and other standard DSLRs.

The catch is in the table. 'Minimum Aperture: 1.8' is listed as identical to its maximum of f/1.8, which cannot be right, and no smaller aperture is published. At 4.2 this is also the lowest average rating here, and it is a DSLR lens, so mirrorless owners need an adapter. Even so, for the money there is nothing else on this page within £100 of it.

Final Verdict

For most people the Sony 85mm f/1.8 at £490 and the Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO at £265 are the two sensible answers, and that £225 gap is what you pay for 2,435 ratings rather than 103. If you need close focus, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 is the only lens here with a stated 0.5x magnification and the only one with 5-stop stabilisation, which makes it the best 85mm lens for portraits that double as detail work, provided you shoot an EOS R body. If £200 is your ceiling, the Meike at £159.99 is the budget 85mm lens in this list, though its minimum aperture field simply repeats its maximum. If you want f/1.4, the Viltrox Pro pair at £569 costs £768 less than the Sony GM II, but neither publishes a weight and one of them disagrees with itself about blade count. In short: pick your mount first, then your aperture, then your budget. The best 85mm lens is the one whose specification sheet actually adds up.

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