Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm F1.2 S Review Roundup

Earlier this week Nikon introduced two new prime lenses – the fast portrait Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm F1.2 S and the compact pancake Nikon Nikkor Z 26mm F2.8 lens. We gathered all the info as well as some early hands-on reviews of these lenses in the following article.

Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm F1.2 S

Nikon’s new 85mm lens has a fast f/1.2 aperture and is part of the S-line with magnesium alloy construction and weather-sealing.

The lens has 15 elements in 10 groups with 2 aspherical elements and one ED element. It also includes a Nano Crystal Coating.

Nikon promises that the lens has low breathing and a fast AF performance based on a stepping motor (STM) that moves two different groups of lenses.

The lens has a minimum close-up distance of 85cm (pretty typical for an 85mm lens) and a maximum magnification of 1:9 (this is really not a macro lens).

The lens is understandably heavy at 1160g and measures just over 14cm long and has an 82mm front filter thread.

Official Nikon video on the Nikkor Z 85mm F1.2 S

Here are some of the main specs for the new lens:

Lens: 85mm f/1.1 lens with FF coverage.
Optical design: 15 elements in 10 groups.
AF system – Stepper motor system.
Weather-resistant construction – yes.
Aperture blades: 11.
Minimum focus distance: 85cm.
Macro magnification: 1:9.
Filter thread: 82mm.
Mounts: Nikon Z.
Weight: 1160g.

Nikon Nikkor Z 26mm F2.8

The second lens announced by Nikon earlier this week – the 26mm F2.8 – is almost the exact opposite being small and very light at only 125g with a 2.4cm thickness making it an actual “pancake-style lens.

This lens has an optical design with only 8 elements in 6 groups including 3 aspherical elements. Its minimum close-up distance is 20 cm and it has a 52mm front filter thread (used on the small hood of the lens). Just like the new 85mm Nikon lens it also uses an STM motor for AF.

Official Nikon Nikkor Z 26mm F2.8 video

Here are some of the main specs for the new lens:

Lens: 26mm f/2.8 lens with FF coverage.
Optical design: 8 elements in 6 groups.
AF system – Stepper motor system.
Weather-resistant construction – yes.
Aperture blades: 7.
Minimum focus distance: 20cm.
Macro magnification: 1:5.2.
Filter thread: 52mm.
Mounts: Nikon Z.
Weight: 125g.

Pricing and availability

When it comes to pricing, the Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm F1.2 S will sell for $2800, and the Nikkor Z 26mm F2.8 pancake lens for around $500 both during March 2023.

Hands-on from around the web

There are already quite a few early hands-on with the new Nikon lenses and we have a few of them for your viewing pleasure below.

Chris Nicolls and Jordan Drake on the new 85mm

Adoram’s look at the new Nikon 85mm

Manny Ortiz on the new 85mm from Nikon

Ricci talks about the new 85mm Nikon

Taylor Jackson in a quick video on the Nikon 26mm lens

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Iddo Genuth

Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.