This SWM portrait prime supports camera-controlled exposure, with a close-distance AF-assist caveat.
- Connection
- Direct mount
- What was checked
- Direct attachment without accessories; viewfinder stills, with live-view manual-focus aids only where explicitly stated. Video and burst performance excluded.
- Sources checked
The next source check for this pair is overdue. Next source check due .
Autofocus
SupportedD3500 supports this G AF-S lens and its SWM autofocus.
- Camera AF mode; lens M/A.
Manual focus
SupportedThe lens offers M/A override and M manual focus.
- Use M for dedicated manual operation.
Aperture control
SupportedCamera controls select f/1.8–f/16.
- A: command dial; M: E (N) plus command dial.
Exposure metering
SupportedMatrix, center-weighted and spot metering are available.
- P/S/A/M; spot follows the selected point except auto-area AF uses center.
Focus aids
LimitedBelow 1m this exact lens may obstruct AF-assist illumination.
- Poor light; remove the hood when using AF-assist.
Sensor coverage & crop
SupportedThe FX lens covers DX with an 18°50′ angle, approximately a 127.5mm FX-equivalent view.
- D3500 DX sensor; actual focal length stays 85mm.
Not covered by the sources
- AF-assist performance was not tested near the lens minimum focus distance of 0.8m.
- No firmware-specific behavior, correction profiles or stabilization were investigated.
Sources and review notes
Firmware in scope: camera not stated, lens not stated, adapter not stated. “Not stated” means the documents do not give a version range. It does not mean every version works.
Researched 2026-09-07 by an AI research agent reading the documents below, then source-checked 2026-09-08. Nobody has tested this pair by hand. How the research works
- D3500 Reference Manual: Specifications — Nikon D3500 Digital Camera: Lens mount, Image sensor, Lens, Exposure, Focus. Body format and supported AF lens classes; no firmware version stated. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G: Nikon product specifications — Key Features; Specifications. Exact G model, SWM, M/A and M modes, aperture endpoints, FX/DX angles. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- D3500 Reference Manual: Focus — Manual Focus; Electronic Rangefinder (Viewfinder Photography); Live View. Focus controls and confirmation limits; confirmation is not proof of sharpness. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- D3500 Reference Manual: Shutter Speed and Aperture — Mode A; Mode M; The Exposure Indicator. Camera aperture controls and exposure-indicator conditions for G/E lenses. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- D3500 Reference Manual: Compatible Lenses — Compatible CPU Lenses; Type D Lenses; AF-Assist Illumination; table footnotes 1–3. Body-specific compatibility takes precedence over generic lens guidance. Table concerns viewfinder photography. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- D3500 Reference Manual: Exposure — Metering; Spot Metering note. Metering choices and the center-point exception with auto-area AF. Accessed 2026-09-07.
Related rules: D3500 autofocus depends on the exact lens class →