mfogiel
Veteran
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.
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.
ruby.monkey
Veteran
A couple that spring to mind are the Vivitar Series 1 200mm f/3, and 105mm f/2.5 Macro. Both make great portrait lenses and offer short closest-focus distances.
200mm:
Concentration by ruby.monkey, on Flickr
105mm:
Goggles by ruby.monkey, on Flickr
All the F-mount 105mm f/2.5 Nikkors are also great choices. The 50mm f/1.2 is also a good one as long as you're a bit careful with the background.
200mm:
Concentration by ruby.monkey, on Flickr
105mm:
Goggles by ruby.monkey, on Flickr
All the F-mount 105mm f/2.5 Nikkors are also great choices. The 50mm f/1.2 is also a good one as long as you're a bit careful with the background.
Waus
Well-known
I really love the Nikkor 85mm 1:2-but I guess that a lot of people will say the 105/2,5...
migtex
Don't eXchange Freedom!
yeap.
the 105/2.5 Ai/s. The105/1.8 it's too sharp for portrait!The 85/1.8 Ai it's great too!
mrtoml
Mancunian
I like the 85/2.
You could also try some of the Nikon E series lenses. They are extremely cheap and not so sharp.
You could also try some of the Nikon E series lenses. They are extremely cheap and not so sharp.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
The old manual focus 85/1.8 Nikkor has a good reputation and I like mine. They were never made as an ai lens but plenty were factory converted to ai as mine was. As a bonus they work well on a D700 also.
Bob
Bob
Stuart John
Well-known
The older sonnar version of the 105mm f2.5. That would best as close to the rangefinder 105 as you could probably get.
Old 105 2.5
Old 105 2.5
Stuart John
Well-known
One more from the 105 2.5.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
What about the classic solution of an UV filter smeared with vaseline around the edge?
CK Dexter Haven
Well-known
The 50mm 1.8 Series E.
Old school contrast and bokeh. I love it at f2.8.
This $40 lens is really the only reason i use Nikons.
Old school contrast and bokeh. I love it at f2.8.
This $40 lens is really the only reason i use Nikons.
yossarian123
Sam I Am
The 105/2 DC is probably Nikon's greatest portrait lens. It may have more contrast than what you're looking for, but for portraits it's just spectacular.
And don't forget about the older 85/1.4 AIS.
And don't forget about the older 85/1.4 AIS.
BobYIL
Well-known
Definitely the 105/2.5 with Zeiss Softar 52mm. At f2.5, no Softar, fine sharpness/softness for portraits, smoothest bokeh. Following f4 extreme sharp but a 52mm Softar changes this lens to sparkle at all f-stops for portraiture like the old Heliars for LF.
Gumby
Veteran
Me too. Also a 135/4 has been working well for me.
Gumby
Veteran
p.s. I prefer a duto to softar whe softness is wanted.
jonasv
has no mustache
I'll second any good comments about the 85/2. In fact it has always been my favorite portrait lens on my F4s.
I had a 85/1.8 AF and sold it again because I liked the 85/2 AI-S better. I also acquired and then sold a 105/2.5 two times because I always ended up liking the 85/2 better.
For an f/2 telephoto it is very small. Much smaller than the 105/2.5 and great bokeh. I appreciate the build quality in particular, focusing with it is a very enjoyable experience. Wide open it is sharp enough but not too sharp for portraiture.
Some good info can be found here: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/85mmnikkor/85mm2.htm
As I am selling all my Nikon gear, my 85/2 (very good condition) will be up for sale soon. Not to hijack the thread, but I wasn't planning to put it in the RFF classifieds, so if you are interested, send me a PM.
Some photo's (F4s with the 85, probably Tri-X at 1600):
Wide-open if I remember correctly.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AaJo5PkC2eU/RyHyGkTbA3I/AAAAAAAAACI/burkMqftSGU/s1600-h/lanoye.jpg
This one was at f/2.8 or f/4 I'd say, bit sharper.
I had a 85/1.8 AF and sold it again because I liked the 85/2 AI-S better. I also acquired and then sold a 105/2.5 two times because I always ended up liking the 85/2 better.
For an f/2 telephoto it is very small. Much smaller than the 105/2.5 and great bokeh. I appreciate the build quality in particular, focusing with it is a very enjoyable experience. Wide open it is sharp enough but not too sharp for portraiture.
Some good info can be found here: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/85mmnikkor/85mm2.htm
As I am selling all my Nikon gear, my 85/2 (very good condition) will be up for sale soon. Not to hijack the thread, but I wasn't planning to put it in the RFF classifieds, so if you are interested, send me a PM.
Some photo's (F4s with the 85, probably Tri-X at 1600):
Wide-open if I remember correctly.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AaJo5PkC2eU/RyHyGkTbA3I/AAAAAAAAACI/burkMqftSGU/s1600-h/lanoye.jpg
This one was at f/2.8 or f/4 I'd say, bit sharper.
jonasv
has no mustache
Maybe one more to show it can also be sharp if stopped down a bit. This is a 50% crop.
(Admittedly I did not nail the focus, suggesting some unsharpness, which isn't actually there if you look closely.)
(Admittedly I did not nail the focus, suggesting some unsharpness, which isn't actually there if you look closely.)
Vics
Veteran
The Nikkor-P 105/2.5 is a Nikon legend and perfect for portraits and for landscapes. I use an old NAI version, and it's absolutely magic!
Contarama
Well-known
Here is one made with the 105/2.5 NAI K type lens
mrtoml
Mancunian
Here also is a shot with the 85/2.
And here is one with the 50mm E series.
And here is one with the 50mm E series.
Corto
Well-known
I'll second any good comments about the 85/2. In fact it has always been my favorite portrait lens on my F4s.
I had a 85/1.8 AF and sold it again because I liked the 85/2 AI-S better. I also acquired and then sold a 105/2.5 two times because I always ended up liking the 85/2 better.
For an f/2 telephoto it is very small. Much smaller than the 105/2.5 and great bokeh. I appreciate the build quality in particular, focusing with it is a very enjoyable experience. Wide open it is sharp enough but not too sharp for portraiture.
Some good info can be found here: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/85mmnikkor/85mm2.htm
As I am selling all my Nikon gear, my 85/2 (very good condition) will be up for sale soon. Not to hijack the thread, but I wasn't planning to put it in the RFF classifieds, so if you are interested, send me a PM.
Some photo's (F4s with the 85, probably Tri-X at 1600):
Wide-open if I remember correctly.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AaJo5PkC2eU/RyHyGkTbA3I/AAAAAAAAACI/burkMqftSGU/s1600-h/lanoye.jpg
This one was at f/2.8 or f/4 I'd say, bit sharper.
This Image Kills me, Striking capture and a very beautiful model.
Congratulations!