Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S) · 1977–1981
When Nikon introduced AI coupling in 1977, it dropped the old 85mm f/1.8 and launched this all-new 85mm f/2 in its place. Nikon's own lens history says the aim was a small, light 85, with the faster f/1.4 to follow as the high-end option. Not everyone was pleased. Zenji Wakimoto, one of Nikon's senior designers, reportedly couldn't believe the successor was slower. What you get is a 5-element lens that weighs about 310 g, focuses to 0.85 m and takes 52mm filters. It came without a built-in hood, so look for the HS-10 snap-on. The AI-S version of 1981 has the same optics and stayed in production until the mid-1990s. On a full-frame mirrorless body it's a light head-and-shoulders portrait lens, and on APS-C it frames like about 130mm. It works on Nikon's FTZ adapter with stop-down metering.
On a mirrorless camera
It’s a Nikon F (AI / AI-S) lens, and its mount sits 46.5 mm from the film. Every mirrorless mount below sits closer than that, so a plain adapter ring fills the gap and the lens still focuses to infinity. On a smaller sensor it frames tighter, like a longer lens.
Versions
The 1981 AI-S version has the same 5-element optics and weight and was made until 1995; it adds an orange f/22. One long-running Nikkor reference describes the AI-S front coating as pinkish and the AI's as greenish. Both came with the HS-10 snap-on hood instead of a built-in one. The older pre-AI Nikkor-H Auto 85mm f/1.8 is a different, faster lens, not an earlier version of this one.
Most problems are age-related: haze, fungus, oily aperture blades and dried focus grease. It has no built-in hood, so check the front element for scratches.
New to old glass? How to check a used vintage lens covers haze, fungus and the rest in detail.
Buying guide
We'd buy the Japan dealer's Excellent+++++ copy with its HS-10 hood and caps at $179 delivered, under the band, or the $174 Opt Mint copy with caps and a filter after reading its fault notes. There are at least 81 for sale and most ask $210–310 delivered, almost all from Japan dealers, and the one US copy here without a warning asks $208. The AI has a black or white f/22 on the aperture ring, while an orange one means the 1981 AI-S with the same optics, and there's no built-in hood, so look hard at the front glass for scratches. Ask for a flashlight photo through the back and one of the blades at f/8, and skip the $157 US listing whose photo shows an autofocus Nikon lens instead. It needs a Nikon F adapter, and Nikon's FTZ works with it on a Z body; the model page lists the adapters by camera.
![Read [Opt Mint w/Cap/Filter] Nikon Ai Nikkor 85mm f/2 Portrait MF Lens JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Dw8AAeSwM6Bqg0zY/s-l500.jpg)
$173.99est. delivered
The lowest delivered working lens here, graded Opt Mint with caps and a filter, at $174 delivered from Japan. The title says Read, so go through the dealer's fault notes before you buy.
Read [Opt Mint w/Cap/Filter] Nikon Ai Nikkor 85mm f/2 Portrait MF Lens JAPAN
$179.00est. delivered
Graded Excellent+++++ by the Japan dealer at $179 delivered, $31 under the band, with the HS-10 hood and caps in the photo. The hood matters on a lens that has none built in.
"Excellent+++++" Nikon Ai 85mm F/2 MF Portrait Prime Lens F Mount From JP # 2441
![[Mint] Nikon Ai Nikkor 85mm f/2 MF Manual Focus Portrait Lens JAPAN FAST! Tested](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/JgUAAeSw6z9quLyw/s-l500.jpg)
$218.00est. delivered
Titled tested and graded Mint, at $218 delivered, near the bottom of the band. Ask what the test covered and for a photo of the blades at f/8.
[Mint] Nikon Ai Nikkor 85mm f/2 MF Manual Focus Portrait Lens JAPAN FAST! Tested
$89.99delivered
Sold for parts or repair without caps, at $90 delivered from a US seller, about a third of the $247 median. Buy it as a donor, or if you're comfortable cleaning a lens yourself.
Nikon 85mm f/2 NIKKOR AI Manual Focus Lens, without Caps (Parts/Repair)
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$173.99est. delivered
$149.99 + $24.00 shipping
Buy It Now$149.99
Good buy
Titled Read, so the description lists faults. Opt Mint is the dealer's grade for the glass, with caps and a filter.
Seller: tsukada.camera.japan
100% positive
Used$179.00est. delivered
$149.00 + $30.00 shipping
Buy It Now$149.00
Good buy
Excellent+++++ is the dealer's grade. HS-10 hood and caps in the photo.
Seller: shounan2012
99.2% positive
Used$218.00est. delivered
$188.00 + $30.00 shipping
Buy It Now$188.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled tested. Mint is the dealer's grade.
Seller: sakurashutterjapan
98.1% positive
For parts$89.99delivered
$89.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$89.99
Project piece
For parts or repair, without caps.
Seller: thecameraoutlet
99.7% positive
Used$208.42est. delivered
$199.00 + $9.42 shipping
Buy It Now$199.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
US seller. No condition claim in the title.
Seller: gmcamera
100% positive
![[Almost Unused] Nikon Ai Nikkor 85mm F/2 Portrait MF Lens F Mount From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ZD4AAeSwAnRqlgrg/s-l500.jpg)
Used$289.99est. delivered
$249.99 + $40.00 shipping
Buy It Now$249.99
Our take
Almost Unused is the dealer's grade.
Seller: yuichi_15
100% positive
Used$156.71est. delivered
$150.00 + $6.71 shipping
Buy It Now$150.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Seller feedback is 87.5%, and the photo shows an autofocus Nikon lens, not this one.
Seller: okskhudok-0
87.5% positive
Used$506.99delivered
$506.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$506.99
Priced high
About twice the median for a lens titled good condition. Case, hood and caps in the photo.
Seller: nico_japan
99.3% positive
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Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S)
1977–1981
$270–$340 typical ask
Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S)
1981–2005
$150–$250 typical ask
Olympus · Olympus OM
$360–$550 typical ask
Canon · Canon FD
From 1974, New FD from 1979
$270–$410 typical ask