§ 03 Head to head

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR vs Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II

Nikon 85mm f/3.5 has a wider field of view. Voigtlander 90mm f/3.5 has a longer reach.

The Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR is an 85mm f/3.5 prime, and the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II is a 90mm f/3.5 prime. On paper the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR better than the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II?

  • Wider field of view (85mm vs 90mm)
  • Focuses 21 cm closer (0.29 m vs 0.5 m)
  • Has optical image stabilization

Why is the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II better than the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR?

  • Longer reach (90mm vs 85mm)
  • 35 g lighter (320 g vs 355 g)
  • 50 mm shorter (48.2 mm vs 98.5 mm long)
  • Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II has the edge: it is 35 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

15 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationNikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VRVoigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II
Focal length85mm 90mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5 f/3.5
Minimum aperturef/32 f/22
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatAPS-C Full frame
Weight355 g (12.52 oz) 320 g (11.29 oz) ◆
Dimensions73 x 98.5 mm 63 x 48.2 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.286 m (11.26 inches) ◆0.5 m (19.69 inches)
Image stabilizationYes ◆No
Aperture ringNo —
Aperture blades9 9
Optical construction14 elements / 10 groups 6 elements / 5 groups
Filter size52 mm 52 mm
Lens mountNikon F Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K
Released2009 —
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Nikon
  • B · Voigtlander
  • 98.5 × 73 mm
  • 48.2 × 63 mm

The Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR is 50 mm longer and 35 g heavier than the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR

3687-1LRHB (Explore 10/12/26)
3687-1LRHB (Explore 10/12/26) by Hubert Burnett
3664LRHB
3664LRHB by Hubert Burnett
3619-1LRHB
3619-1LRHB by Hubert Burnett
797. Dahlia
797. Dahlia by <Hana>

Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II

96. Solitude
96. Solitude by pbkelley1
seaside window
seaside window by pbkelley1
September 11
September 11 by pbkelley1
Cone flowers
Cone flowers by pbkelley1
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR review 1
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR review 2
Video thumbnail for Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II review 1
Video thumbnail for Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR or the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II?
The Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II weighs 320 g, 35 g less than the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR (355 g).
Which focuses closer, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR or the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II?
The Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR focuses down to 0.29 m, against 0.5 m for the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II.
Do the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR and the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II have image stabilization?
Only the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR has optical image stabilization.
Is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85 mm f/3.5G ED VR or the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90 mm f/3.5 SL II has the edge: it is 35 g lighter to carry.