Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD vs Nikon PC-E Micro-Nikkor 85mm f2.8D

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Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC

Telephoto Prime | Nikon F (FX)

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Nikon PC-E Micro-85mm f2.8D

Perspective Control Prime | Nikon F (FX)

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Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC vs Nikon PC-E Micro-85mm f2.8D Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC is a Telephoto Prime lens with a 85mm focal range and a max aperture of F1.8 whereas Nikon PC-E Micro-85mm f2.8D is a Perspective Control Prime lens with a 85mm focal range and max aperture of F2.8.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC Key Specs

85mm Focal Range

F1.8 Max Aperture

Image Stabilization

Weather Sealed

Filter Thread: 67mm

Max Format: 35mm FF

Nikon F (FX) Mount

Weight: 700g.

Diameter: 85mm

Length: 91mm

Min Focus Distance:0.8m

Max Magnification:0.14x

Nikon PC-E Micro-85mm f2.8D Key Specs

85mm Focal Range

F2.8 Max Aperture

Weather Sealed

Filter Thread: 77mm

Max Format: 35mm FF

Nikon F (FX) Mount

Weight: 650g.

Diameter: 83mm

Length: 107mm

Min Focus Distance:0.39m

What type of photography are the Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC and Nikon PC-E Micro-85mm f2.8D lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC and the Nikon PC-E Micro-85mm f2.8D for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type	Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC	Nikon PC-E Micro-85mm f2.8D
Bird/Wildlife	Average	Fair
Sports	Good	Fair
Portrait	Excellent	Fair
Travel	Fair	Fair
Street	Average	Poor
Wedding	Very Good	Fair
Walk Around	Fair	Poor
Vlogging	Average	Poor
Landscape	Fair	Fair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Nikon PC-E Micro-85mm f2.8D is the longer of the two lenses at 107mm. The Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC with a length of 91mm is 16mm shorter. On the other hand, the Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC has a larger diameter of 85mm compared to Nikon PC-E Micro-85mm f2.8D's 83mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Nikon PC-E Micro-85mm f2.8D weighs 650g, 7% (50g) lighter than the Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC's weight of 700g.

Lens Mounts

Both Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC and Nikon PC-E Micro-85mm f2.8D has the same Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon F (FX) lenses are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500.

Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC is also available in Sony Alpha and Canon EF mounts.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD over Nikon PC-E Micro-Nikkor 85mm f2.8D

Image Stabilization	Yes vs No	Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Max Aperture - Wide	1.8 vs 2.8	Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele	1.8 vs 2.8	Wider aperture at tele end
Autofocus	Yes vs No	Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Length	91mm vs 107mm	16mm shorter
Filter Thread	67mm vs 77mm	Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Max Magnification	0.14x vs x	higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Nikon PC-E Micro-Nikkor 85mm f2.8D over Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD

Aperture Ring	Yes vs No	able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Weight	650g vs 700g	50g lighter
Diameter	83mm vs 85mm	2mm smaller in diameter
Minimum Focus Distance	0.39m vs 0.8m	can focus closer to the subject

Common Strengths of Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD and Nikon PC-E Micro-Nikkor 85mm f2.8D

Autofocus	Yes vs Yes	Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weather Sealing	Yes vs Yes	safer to use under rain and dust

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Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC vs Nikon PC-E Micro-85mm f2.8D Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General
Brand	Tamron	Nikon
Lens Type	Prime	Prime
Price	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE
Lens Type	Telephoto Prime	Perspective Control Prime
Lens Mount	Nikon F (FX)	Nikon F (FX)
Max Format	35mm FF	35mm FF
Focal Range	85mm	85mm
Image Stabilization	Yes	No
Colour	Black	Black
Zoom Method	No Zoom	No Zoom
Power Zoom	No	No
Zoom Lock	No	No
Zoom Ratio	1.0X	1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture	F1.8	F2.8
Min Aperture		F32.0
Aperture Ring	No	Yes
Diaphragm Blades	9	9
Optics
Optical Elements	13	6
Optical Groups	9	5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance	0.8m	0.39m
Max Magnification	0.14X	unknown
Autofocus	Yes	No
AF Motor Type	Ring-type ultrasonic	None
Full Time Manual	Yes	N/A
Focus Method	Internal	Unknown
Distance Scale	No	Unknown
DoF Scale	No	Unknown
Distance Scale	No	Unknown
Focus Distance Limiter	Unknown	Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight	700g	650g
Diameter	85mm	83mm
Length	91mm	107mm
Materials	Unknown	Unknown
Weather Sealing	Yes	Yes
Filter Thread	67mm	77mm
Filter Notes	-	-
Hood Supplied	Yes	Yes
Hood Code	Unknown	HB-22
Tripod Collar	No	No
Optional Accessories	-	-
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