7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 (Nikon Z)
Launch MSRP
$299- Weight
- 452g
- Filter
- ⌀62mm
- Min focus
- 0.80m
- Max mag.
- 0.13×
- Formula
- 10E / 7G
- Released
- 2024
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x ED
- 2x High Refractive
- Aperture range
- f/1.8 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 452g
- ⌀ × length
- 72.0 × 98.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀62mm
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- Yes · de-click
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.0 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.80m
- Max magnification
- 0.13× (1:7.7)
Optical character
The AF 85mm F1.8 is 7Artisans' budget portrait prime, released for Nikon Z in September 2024 at about a third of the price of Nikon's Z 85mm f/1.8 S. It uses a 10-element, 7-group design with two ED and two high-refractive elements, internal focusing, an STM motor and an 11-blade aperture. It is sharp in the centre wide open, and its bokeh is soft, round and largely free of onion rings.
The Z version measures 72 x 98mm and weighs about 452g, a little more than the Sony model, and pairs naturally with the company's 50mm. Handling is better than the price suggests: a stepless aperture ring with an A position, an AF/MF switch, a customisable function button, and a USB-C port in the mount for firmware updates.
Reviewer consensus
Reviews agree that centre sharpness is excellent from f/1.8 through the range. Background blur is smooth with a natural fall-off, and longitudinal colour fringing stays low for a budget 85. Eye-detection autofocus works reliably for portraits, and the stepping motor is smooth and almost silent for video.
The common criticisms are that AF is slower than expected and noticeably behind first-party linear motors. Corner sharpness lags the centre wide open. There is no lock for the aperture ring's A position and no weather-seal gasket on the mount.
Owner sentiment
Owners treat it as a strong value portrait lens for Nikon Z and often compare its rendering favourably with pricier 85s. The function button and AF/MF switch are welcome, and the lens balances well on Z5, Z6 and Zf bodies.
Reported quirks include AF hunting in dim light, an aperture ring that can be nudged out of A, and firmware updates needed for full compatibility with newer bodies. A few users would prefer a clicked ring for stills, and the AF is clearly slower than Nikon's own 85mm f/1.8 S.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Excellent centre sharpness from f/1.8
- +Smooth bokeh, 11-blade aperture
- +Function button, AF/MF switch, aperture ring
- +Internal focusing, 62mm filters
- +Very low price ($299)
Weaknesses
- −AF slower than Nikon's Z 85mm f/1.8 S
- −No lock for the aperture ring's A position
- −No weather sealing
- −Corners trail the centre wide open
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.2
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.3
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.0
- Flare Resistance
- 7.2
- Build / Sealing
- 7.6
- Value / Size
- 8.8
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 85mm |
| Category | Short Telephoto |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 10 elements in 7 groups |
| Special elements | 2x ED · 2x High Refractive |
| Aperture blades | 11 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | STM |
| Minimum focus | 0.80m |
| Max magnification | 0.13× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 452g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 72.0 × 98.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀62mm |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | Yes |
| Release year | 2024 |
| Launch MSRP | $299 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- 7artisans.store/products/af-85mm-f1-8-full-frame-lens-for-z
- 7artisans.com/prod_view.aspx
- petapixel.com/2024/09/27/7artisans-299-85mm-f-1-8-af-lens-is-now-availabl
- zsystemuser.com/z-mount-lenses/third-party-lenses/third-party-autofocus-len
- en.pronews.com/news/2024102413259062.html
- digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/7artisans-af-85mm-f-1-8-review
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSAF 85mm F1.8 (Nikon Z) vs 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO (Nikon Z)
- VSAF 85mm F1.8 (Nikon Z) vs NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
- VSAF 85mm F1.8 (Nikon Z) vs NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
- Laowa
85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO (Nikon Z)
85mmF5.6- WT
- 314g
- FLT
- ⌀46mm
- MFD
- 0.16m
- MSRP
- $449
MFRING - NikonS-Line
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
85mmF1.2- WT
- 1,160g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.85m
- MSRP
- $2,800
AFWR - NikonS-Line
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
85mmF1.8- WT
- 470g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.80m
- MSRP
- $800
AFWR
