The 85mm f/2.8D PC Micro Nikkor
by
Roger Eritja
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A POWERFUL LENS
The 85 mm f/2.8D PC Micro Nikkor
lens arrived in an excellent rigid and padded case. The objective
is huge but its size can be judged as modest, considering
its features. Its weight of 770 grams / 27.2 ounces is almost
double that of the popular 105mm f/2.8AFD Micro Nikkor. This
could represent a problem for our back but not for its use;
we will need a tripod anyway.
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The
lens mounted
on a D100 body
Focused at infinity (left) and minimum working distance
(at right)
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The accessories front thread is
77mm and the frontal element is well inside the lens housing
to reduce risk of flare, even when not using the not included
specific HB-22 hood. Build quality can't be said to be but
exceptionally excellent. Incorporates the CRC image correction
feature for close focus, not standard in Nikon wide angles.
The focusing ring is smooth but firm; as in all modern Micro
Nikkor lenses, the engraved distance scale is less progressive
for long distances.
With a totally extended helicoid for minimum distance focusing,
the reproduction ratio is 1:2 or half life-size. Such working
distance is 39 centimeters/15.4 inches, identical to that
of the 105 mm at the same repro ratio. Real luminosity of
the lens under these conditions is f/4.5, since the nominal
value of f/2.8 corresponds to infinity. We must remember that
even when not shown in the viewfinder of older cameras, effective
aperture is diminished as the focusing helicoid is extended.
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The
most spectacular characteristic of this objective is
its thick central body, which includes two precise ramps
with gears, with a screw and stop for control. One is
for tilting and the other for shifting, possible at
a maximum of 12.4mm and 8.3 degrees respectively.
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Shift
and tilt motion is feasible in all directions, because
at the mount of the lens there is a mechanism to gyrate
it around its own axis.
On
the image at right you may see an animation with all
possible movements. Be patient, it is a 240Kb image;
it may take some time to load. |
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The
lens shutter has nine blades making the diaphragm iris
almost perfectly round, so the out of focus areas are
softer than on the 105mm Micro Nikkor. Minimum aperture
is f/45, corresponding to a real f/72 with the helicoid
at full extension.
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| Due
to the obtrusiveness of both the mobile ramps for shift
and tilt, and the mount, there seems to be no room for
aperture communication with the body, so it is completely
manual. Once pre selected in the aperture ring, a button
needs to be depressed to close the diaphragm iris down.
Although this does not seem agreeable in this day and
age, it is completely understandable given the characteristics
of the lens itself and its mount. |
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On
the other hand, the lens belongs to the D series and has the
chip to collect and send distance data to the body, allowing
for 3D matrix flash.
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