For many photographers, having an 85mm lens in their toolkit is crucial. You can capture stunning images in several genres with this focal length, including landscapes and portraits. And while a little trickier to carry around than a 35mm or 50mm, 85mm lenses are surprisingly versatile in terms of shot angles you can use them for.

Unfortunately, 85mm lenses are also quite expensive. The cost can put off many photographers shooting on a budget, resulting in them either refusing to purchase the lens or needing to save and wait a little longer before doing so.

But why does the 85mm lens come at such a high cost? Do less expensive options exist? Let’s find out.

How Much Do 85mm Photography Lenses Cost?

85mm lens costs vary depending on the camera manufacturer you use. But generally speaking, you can expect to pay at least $400—and often, you’ll need to cough up a lot more.

Let’s use Canon as an example. If you want to buy an EF f/1.8 at this focal length, you’ll pay $499.99 if you purchase from the official store. Meanwhile, Nikon’s NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 lens—which works on its mirrorless cameras—costs between roughly $695 and $800.

Some manufacturers have multiple 85mm lens types available with different specs. For example, some lenses have a wider maximum aperture—giving you more control in situations with lower light.

Why Are 85mm Lenses So Expensive?

Now that we’ve looked at how much 85mm lenses cost, you’re probably keen to understand why manufacturers make you pay such a high price. Several contributing factors cause 85mm lenses to cost more than some other focal lengths; below, you’ll find five of the main ones.

Production Costs

If you’re shaking your fists in anger at manufacturers charging so much for their lenses, you should remember that these businesses are—well—businesses. Companies need to make money, and products that cost more to make will come at heftier prices for the consumer.

When creating 85mm lenses, photography gear manufacturers need to undergo extensive production. Companies need to factor in the entire phase, along with sending the lens worldwide, when determining costs—both for you and them.

Image-Related Aspects

You’re probably thinking about buying an 85mm lens if you’ve clicked on this article, and let’s face it, your primary reason for wanting one is so you can take better images. Although the lenses’ overall quality plays a significant role in pricing, we can’t ignore the image-related aspects.

Yes, you can take excellent pictures with cheaper lenses. But gear with higher image quality tends to cost more, and you can capture fantastic shots with the 85mm in multiple genres.

When shopping for 85mm lenses, you’ll also notice that those with wider apertures come with an even more significant price tag. Manufacturing costs play a role in this, but the possibility of taking better images in trickier conditions is another factor.

Quality

Regardless of the product you buy, you’ll pay more if the quality is higher. You’ll notice this when purchasing clothes and accessories, and the same is true for electronics and photography equipment.

Many photographers laud the quality of 85mm lenses beyond their images alone. Lenses are usually built well and durable, even if they aren’t weather-sealed. And if you purchase an 85mm lens with weather sealing and a stronger build, you can expect to pay more than you would for the basic versions.

Requires a More Advanced Skill Set

As you progress through the photography ranks, you’ll notice that some equipment requires more technical ability than others if you want to maximize your experience. Entry-level cameras are pretty easy to learn the ins and outs of, but a more advanced mirrorless version will require extra learning.

While most lenses take excellent pictures, you’ll have a larger learning curve with some. The 85mm is one of these; when you’re out and about, you’ll quickly realize that you must be more selective with what you include in your pictures. Moreover, you’ll have to think about things like image depth and so much more.

Most photographers purchase an 85mm lens for a specific purpose, whereas 50mm and similar lenses have more general applications. So, it’s natural to expect that the 85mm will cost more.

Tax

Depending on where you live, you might need to pay more for 85mm lenses due to sales tax and other regulations. For example, items sold in Norway typically have 25% VAT on top of the retail price.

If you live in a country where the VAT is high, you might want to consider purchasing an 85mm lens from somewhere else. You can either travel there or look for a marketplace that ships to you; for the latter, you might need to pay higher shipping and import costs.

Can You Find More Affordable 85mm Photography Lenses?

Having read this far, you’ll better understand why 85mm lenses cost more than many other focal lengths. Can you find cheaper options? In short, yes—and the three subsections below will reveal some of your choices.

Third-Party Lenses

Manufacturer lenses typically have the best image quality and several other specs. However, you can find a selection of third-party 85mm lenses that do an excellent job for a fraction of the price.

Viltrox camera lenses are a good example. For a FujiFilm camera, you can purchase an 85mm f/1.8 lens for $399. The lens isn’t weather-sealed, but its build is excellent. Moreover, you get a good-quality lens hood included.

Samyang is another third-party lens manufacturer, and you can buy both weather-sealed and non-weather-sealed lenses from the company. Prices vary, but you can get some lenses for $250 or less.

Both Viltrox and Samyang create lenses for multiple camera brands.

Refurbished and Used Lenses

If you’re not bothered about having a brand-new lens, you can save a lot of money by purchasing a refurbished version. In most cases, refurbished lenses work just as well as those that are entirely new; you might have to deal with a few cosmetic issues, such as scratches, but that isn’t a huge deal.

For example, Canon sells some of its refurbished 85mm lenses for $399—which is $100 below the price for a new one.

85mm Lenses Are Expensive, but Worth It

85mm lenses cost more than many prime lenses at different focal lengths, but the price is worth it if you regularly plan to use your equipment. You can capture unique portraits and landscape photos and even use your lens for less conventional photography types—such as street shots.

Having read this article, you should have a better understanding of why 85mm lenses come with a premium price tag. You’ll also have a few ideas on how you can save money when buying one to ensure that the cost doesn’t stifle your creativity.