In the spring, I did my most recent version of “what camera gear we use” on the blog, but it’s time for an update. Because we got the Nikkor 85 mm f/ 1.4 back in June, and it has dramatically changed the way I shoot. As in, I use this lens every chance I get. Here’s why.

First, the compression you get on “longer” lenses is incredible. It takes the subject of your image and the image background and compresses them — as in, makes them look closer together, which creates a pleasing, rounded overall look to the image.Second, 85 mm is the sweet spot when it comes to focal lengths for traditional portraits. It doesn’t stretch or compress the subject’s features. The 85 is just gorgeous when it comes to classic portraits.Third, the dreamy, creamy backgrounds the 85 produces are incredible. Fourth, the bokeh can’t be beat! See how perfectly it turns the lights from the Williamsburg Bridge and the Empire State Building into perfect little glowing orbs?Fifth, gorgeous things happen at receptions when you shoot wide open on a longer lens that compresses the room and use off camera flash to illuminate your subject(s).I love the rich, soft look and sophisticated feel of the 85 mm lens — or, more accurately, the images I can produce with it. If you’re a photographer looking for an amazing portrait lens, this is the one I would recommend, and the one that I now use about 90% of the time during portrait sessions.

~ Laura