Nikkor 85mm 1.8g really soft wide open?

Hi

Just recently purchased a brandnew 85mm 1.8g lens for my d3400.

Just starting using the lens and I can notice how soft or sometimes miss focused it is wide open.

Tried using it at f2.8-f4 and somehow getting more sharper photos. I also make sure that may shutter speeds are fast enough to counter camera shake. 

May I know if this is a common issue with this lens? or any tips on how I can resolve this?

Had the shop where I bought it from check it and they indicate that the lens is fine.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. 

You probably need to fine-tune the AF as your lens and camera both are within tolerance, but at opposite ends of the tolerance span. Unfortunately, the D3400 doesn't have AF fine-tune. If I am right, the misfocus is always either in front of or back of the correct focus plane. When you close the aperture down, the DOF increases, masking the misfocus. Call Nikon and ask if they can calibrate both camera and lens for you and what it will cost.

You probably need to fine-tune the AF …

+1.

I have the 85 ƒ1.4G too and it is sharp as hell!
My bodies all have onboard fine-tuning.

I have the AF-S 85mm f/1.8 and it's a very sharp lens. On a DX camera such as the D3400 it's angle of view is about 127mm or so which makes it a good short to medium telephoto lens and excellent for head and shoulder portraits.

I agree with the sentiment that your copy is probably in need of AF focus adjustment which is apparently not user serviceable on the D3400. To confirm this I would try comparing two images ... one taken with AF and the other taken with manual focus. If you're able to obtain satisfactory results with manual focus then the problem is most likely an AF fine tune adjustment problem. 

--Ron