Portrait Battle with the Nikkor Z 85mm F1.2 S

In the midst of swirling blizzard, Chris and Jordan took the new Nikkor Z 85mm F1.2 out to see who could take the better portrait of their co-host. Learn more about this impressive lens, and let us know in the comments who took the better photos!

Special thanks to Levi Holwell for shooting this episode!

Rental equipment provided by The Camera Store

0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Available light portraits
1:59 - Design and handling
2:25 - Autofocus
2:50 - Bokeh
3:26 - Breathing
4:04 - Lit portraits
5:06 - Who is it for?
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[riveraluciano]

In fears of sounding horribly cheesy, your friendship won. You guys are amazing together as always.

[jockturner]

That strobe shot Chris got is great! Freezing snow midair looked so nice

[AllgoodthingsTv]

I not only liked this video, but actually subscribed (been meaning to for a while anyway) because of the extraordinary effort you guys went through to shoot in that weather. Just watching it made me shudder 🥶Also, props for not making an 8+ minute vid *just* to increase ad revs.

[prismaticfire]

An unexpected surprise, in so many ways! The lens looks to be superb. Thanks for braving the snow for us, guys.

[Kylehallphotography]

Being from a tropical climate, I feel like I caught pneumonia watching this great review.

[robertfeliciano]

Don't ever stop using the Noct scale!
Beautiful skin tones.
You guys are hysterical, dancing photo gets my vote.

[BMEP]

Love you guys - and appreciate just how much you put into your work!

[SovietLensReviews]

Gotta say, I liked Chris' backgrounds in his portraits more! Great to see Nikon bringing out some new fast Z glass.

[Ildskalli]

This is one of your best episodes! I couldn’t care less for that lens: it’s for a system I don’t own, for a genre of photography that I barely practice, and completely out of my price range… and yet, I was completely engrossed in the video. Excellent work.

[Xetenor]

LOL the dancing photos are the best!! Brave of you two to be in a snow storm and do a review without going crazy AND using a strobe!

[dezzux]

As a Finn I approve of these snow test videos, thanks!

[MalindaHartong]

You GUYS! Running joyfully thru the snow and lighting Jordan MADE MY DAY. I have the 1.8 - just used it AND 50 1.2 yesterday for headshots. I don’t think that 85 would fit in my bag but BEAUTY!

[CallMeChato]

Seeing the lens in action in less than pristine conditions is for the win.

[chuckmower]

This was an awesome video. Love that you braved the elements. You guys are awesome.

[MichaelLaing]

Good video as usual and big props for shooting in that weather. An interesting comparison would be to compare the Nikkor Z85mm f/1.2S against the Nikkor 105mm f/1.4e (maybe even the 85mm f/1.4G and D) and probably Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8S.

The reason I would suggest are the Nikkor 105mm f/1.4e has been the default pro Nikkor portrait prime lens for a number of years (I never have been a fan of the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G) and see how it compares Z 85mm f/1.2 and see if it is even worth upgrading.

The reason for the 85mm f/1.4D is to ask, how much lenses have improved over the last 20+ years and without pixel peeping, really are the improvements really going to be noticeable to a general audience (I suspect people won't care).

[chunthat]

I can feel the cold. Thanks for the effort, great review as always!

[extremelydave]

Canada. Snow. Go figure you Canadians found snow. Wow. But the images from the 85....wow. Good stuff. I like Chris's second shot. Good lighting and composition (before you hit Jordan with that snowball).

[williamwaung]

Great dedication to be shooting in that weather!! Both of your portrait picks were terrific!! Well done!

[marendradika]

That lens and camera just awesome! your both skill just make the photos superb!

[jlwilliams]

I thought Chris's photos were better, but I think it was because Jordan was a better model. Next time they should have to do self-portraits.