The Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD lens for Nikon F mount ($749) got reviewed at DxoMark (click for larger view):
“The Tamron 85mm f/1.8 is the highest-scoring of all the 85mm prime lenses under $1000 that we’ve tested on Nikon full-frame DSLRs. Securing excellent all round lens metric results, it delivers outstanding overall sharpness, with high levels of acutance and uniform edge-to-edge sharpness at all aperture settings.
Excellent image quality is allied with a good set of features too, including Tamron’s VC image stabilizer and USD autofocus motor, which improve low-light performance.
Its maximum f/1.8 aperture has lower light transition compared to the Carl Zeiss Milvus 85mm f/1.4 and Nikon’s own $1597 Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G, which could be an important factor in your buying decision, but these faster aperture lenses also cost significantly more. The new Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art will make for an interesting rival to the Tamron in a similar price bracket (and we’ll bring you those scores as soon as possible), but for now the Tamron short telephoto 85mm prime lens offers the best value for Nikon full-frame shooters.”
