Best Nikkor SLR lens for B&W portraits

I'd vote for the Nikon 85/1.4 AFD (or AIS) -- a little less than ultra-sharp and generally known as the king of bokeh. Perfect for portraiture.

Josie-XL.jpg
 
Interestingly, the same lenses you mentioned for the RF are also great for the SLRs: 50/2, 85/2 and 105/2.5. I'll also add the 105/1.8, which i prefer over the 2.5 for the way it throws the background out of focus.
 
The Nikon 135/2 DC is widely recognized as the best Nikon portrait lens.

I have it and the old 105, and the 135/2 DC is superior in every way, including AF, if desired.

Texsport
 
The older version of the Nikkor 105/2.5 is optically identical to the RF version. On SLR, I much prefer the ergonomics of an older 85/2. It is almost the same size as a 50mm lens.
 
mfogiel said:
I'd like to tackle portraiture a bit more frequently, and I am looking for some good advice about the choice of lenses for my Nikon F2/FM3A cameras.
I normally use Zeiss ZF lenses with these bodies, but apart from the Planar 85/1.4 wide open, they are simply too sharp for anything but the most ruthless representation of men's faces.


G. by mfogiel, on Flickr

I was wondering, if there are some hidden gems, similar to the RF nikkors 50/2, 85/2 or 105/2.5 among the older SLR lenses.
I would ideally want low contrast, great bokeh and as little focus shift as possible. Top sharpness is not a primary requirement, rather the overall rendition at wider apertures in portraiture.
Click to expand...
That's not portraiture, IMHO, that's a medical face exam.:D
 
Couldn't agree more that the Nikkor 105/2.5 and 85/1.8 and 85/2 lenses are the all-time classic portrait glass for MF Nikons. Don't discount what the 180/2.8 can do, either. No way to lose, choosing among those.
 
Thanks to everybody for suggestions.
I already have the 135/2 DC, but I cannot focus it properly - somehow it generates back focus. This is something weird, by the way, because I have tested all my F mount lenses on FM3A (2 bodies) and F2, and a few of them are spot on, while most back focus quite evidently. In theory, this should not happen, as it comes to observing an image formed on the focusing screen, and not a rangefinder alignment. If the mirror would be off relative to the focal plane distance, it should be so in all cases, and not just in some. The most precise result comes from the Planar 85/1.4, so perhaps it has something to do fith the f stop - if you have any ideas, please let me know.
After reading your tips, I have bought an old 105/2.5 and 55/1.2 - they should arrive this week... The 85/2 offered had some technical issue, so I am still in the market for it if anybody has one to get rid off - I would prefer an EU transaction in case.
Thanks again.
Marek
 
I have only measure tested it wide open, but photos taken in the field at f 2.8 or f4.0 had back focus as well. I have read, that apparently this phenomenon is well known among the DSLR users, who "dial in" autofocus correction, and apparently often change a few lenses, before finding one that works well.
 
50mm f1.8 series E

50mm f1.8 series E

I concur with the Nikon 50mm f1.8 series E lens - anywhere from f2.8, f4 even f5.6 in good natural light.
 
i use the original 105 f2,5 Nikkor. It is similar to the Sonnar by Zeiss but with modifications. A superb lens for portraiture. Add a "softar" filter and you're cooking with gas! A really wonderful look. Do not stop down as it becomes severely sharp. Max aperture to about 5.6. The newer 105mm is generally sharper and hasn't the "Sonnar" look.
If one gets the special 135 with built-in diffusion, i think it would surpass the ordinary 105. My lens has been thru many decades of work..
 
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The 105/2.5 Sonnar is a great lens. I recently bought a 85/2 before it goes up in price. Both are excellent lenses. Take your pick.
 
dbarnes said:
Couldn't agree more that the Nikkor 105/2.5 and 85/1.8 and 85/2 lenses are the all-time classic portrait glass for MF Nikons. Don't discount what the 180/2.8 can do, either. No way to lose, choosing among those.
Click to expand...

My choice for shooting tight portraits...it's a great lens...
 
for the price, my 50 1.4 non ai worked great even wide open. it was dirt cheap too. i normally stick with 50s for portrait work and havent used any longer nikkor glass so i cant really comment on anything else.
 
WARNING, LARGE POST

mfogiel, I've got a collection here from the 85mm f/1.8 and the 135mm f/2 DC.

Some are color, but they could equally be applied to b/w.

Nikon F100, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/2.8, Fuji Astia (b/w in photoshop)

chloemagnolia2bw.png


Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/4 or f/5.6

marinebw.jpg


Nikon D700, 135mm f/2 @ f/4

monroestreetfairman1.jpg


Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/4

tiwoman1wccjaredangle.jpg


Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/2.8

mikenatural1b.jpg


Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/4 or f/5.6

rob6vert.jpg


Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/4 or f/5.6

rob5horz.jpg


Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/2 or f/2.8

kandace6.jpg
 
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