A curious sub-item in the Nikon D4 introduction was the 85mm AF-S f/1.8G announcement. An update of the budget f/1.8D portrait prime, this new US$500 lens will be released in late March (so why announce it with the D4?). Details are nine element design, seven blade rounded diaphragm, AF-S focus motor, 31.5" (80cm) close focus distance, 67mm filter size, and a weight of 12.5 ounces (360g). Comes with the HB-62 hood and CL-1015 carrying case.
Should be a welcome addition to Nikon's prime lineup, especially given the dramatic price differential between the f/1.4 and f/1.8 models. But really, Nikon, how many 85mm lenses do we need? We now have four, but no DX wide angle primes. Did the lens designers all major in telephoto?
That said, I'll go out on a limb here: the 85mm f/1.8G will be a huge seller. Not to D4 users. Not to D800 users. Not to D400 users. Not to existing Nikon DSLR users. Nope, it will turn out to be the lens of choice for Nikon 1 users. At 230mm equivalent, f/1.8, and relatively compact on a Nikon V1 body, it becomes the poor man's 200mm f/2. What soccer mom/sports dad wouldn't like one of those?