tell a friend about this article
 

	Introduction
	Shift & tilt basics
	A powerful lens
	Handling & tests
	More tests ...
	Resolving power
	Field tests
»	In the field & Conclusions

IN THE FIELD

Studio-type tests allowed us to get used to the peculiar handing of the lens and to learn what to expect from it.

So we moved out into the field and its maneuverability was rather good, obviously due to the previous training. Handling it is not as easy as with other lenses, however, with some practice one achieves a level of reasonable deployment agility.

85mm f/2.8D PC Micro Nikkor, normal at left, tilted at right, same aperture

ON DIGITAL

There was an obvious interest to try out this great lens on a digital body, both for having a smaller format than that on film and for the potential advantage of wider movements before reaching the edges of the image. Unfortunately it is designed for 24x36mm format and its own features prevent its use on digital bodies.

The crop factor, due to the size of the sensor, implies a vision angle equivalent to a 127mm lens. This does not affect the movements, but forces one to be farther removed from the subject, loosing practicality. If it were some 25mm shorter in its focal length it would feel like ideal. Besides, the small viewfinder of the D100 is an inconvenience for a lens requiring full frame bright coverage.

In other words: The sensor being smaller than a 35mm film frame, the tilt/shift movements could have been much wider if designed specifically for non-full-frame digital. On a D100 it was obvious than the mechanical tilt limit was reached much before the image circle was compromised over the sensor. In short, complete optical performances possible on a 1.5x sensor were impossible due to the mechanical limit set up with a 24x36 format in mind.

Therefore this is not an objective to perform 100% on digital macro photography with tilting, due to its focal length and extension limits. For that, one can opt for shorter focal lengths or other systems.

For example, using Nikon PB-4 bellows de Nikon with incorporated turn, or with magnifying lenses mounted in a Zörkendorfer helicoidal tiltable extension. This combination allows to achieve over 17 degrees of tilt as shown at right on a D100 body, with a reproduction ratio of almost 2X using a 40mm Zeiss Luminar lens.

CONCLUSIONS

The 85mm f/2.8 D PC Micro Nikkor has an excellent built and combines great versatility with an exceptional optical performance. It is greatly useful for still-life and close-ups, maintaining excellent performance at macro photography between 1:2 and even 1:1 magnification ratios when adding an extension ring or tube. It is an ideal tool for close-up photographers, producing results unattainable with normal lenses. Although it doesn't resolve images by itself and one needs to learn to use and understand its limitations.

On the negative side, the architecture of the mount and the lens itself forces the lens to be manual; nothing that cannot be overcome, but remains a minor nuisance. We miss more functionality with digital bodies and would love to see more tilt capability.

What we appreciate, however, is the return to the view camera craftsman spirit. This lens forces the photographer to design its image and pre visualize the wanted result, a learning experience to further our own evolution. What else can we want than a lens from which you learn to see?

PROS

• Impeccable mechanical construction
• Superb optical quality
• Versatility of movements
• Big potential for macro photography; not only at 1:2 but up to 1:1 with extension rings/tubes

CONS

• Manual diaphragm
• Designed for 24x36mm film format, somewhat reduced functionality on non-full-frame digital bodies
• Weight
  

In summary: A most tempting proposition and extraordinary performer.