Many lenses with a focal length of 80-100 mm. were/are used as portrait lenses as they produce images with a natural perspective and the photographer doesn´t need to creep into a model. Unfortunately these lenses lost their function when the digital reflex cameras with a crop factor of 1.5 were introduced. Mounted on a Nikon D3 however they regain their very nice function. The lenses reviewed below are very well usable on all Nikon SLR cameras for portrait or close-up photography. Especially their relatively fast aperture are very welcome for available light photography. The two fast lenses had manual focus ancestors, both with an indestructible reputation. The auto focus lenses are build after the same qualitative norms and produce very sharp images, even at full open aperture down to 85 cm. To choose the one or the other is simply a matter of budget.
AF-Nikkor 2.8/80 mm.
(for Nikon F3-AF)
The AF-Nikkor 2.8/80 mm. was introduced in April 1983 together with the Nikon F3-AF camera and another AF-Nikkor (3.5/200 mm.). It was a totally new design, thus not a converted existing Nikkor lens. The optical formula consists of 6 elements in 4 groups; it can be focused down to 1 meter and the aperture range is 3.5 - 32. The lens can be used on any Nikon SLR, but auto focus will not work on modern cameras, except the universal Nikon F4 !! For those days it was a revolutionary lens: small, very well usable, relatively fast (0.5 seconds to run through the distance scale), light (390 gram) and razor sharp. It is advised not to use this lens on macro rings or bellows. Nowadays a rare and thus very collectible lens. Serial numbers start at 182011. Hood HS-7 is recommended.
AF-Nikkor 1.8/85 mm.
The manual ancestor of this lens was introduced in 1964. It became a very popular lens among fashion photographers. Through the years it underwent several optical changes. In 1988 the first auto focus version was presented. It has 6 individual elements and uses 62 mm-filters. The second auto focus version was introduced in 1994. Optical design remains unchanged but the lens features the distance data transfer and rear focusing technology. The HN-31 hood has to be sold separately.
AF-Nikkor 1.4/85 mm.
This huge, but relatively light (550 gram) lens has a manual focus ancestor as well, which was introduced in 1981. The manual focus version has an optical design of 7 elements in 5 groups, uses 72 mm filters and weights in at 620 gram. The auto focus version is in many ways a redesign as it consists of 9 elements in 8 groups, uses 77 mm filters and is a bit lighter with its 550 gram. The close range correction of the manual focus version is changed into a rear focus system in the auto focus version. Also this lens may need the HN-31 hood.