Best Nikkor SLR lens for B&W portraits

[mfogiel]

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.

 

[ruby.monkey]

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.

 

[Waus]

I really love the Nikkor 85mm 1:2-but I guess that a lot of people will say the 105/2,5...

 

[migtex]

I really love the Nikkor 85mm 1:2-but I guess that a lot of people will say the 105/2,5...

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]

I like the 85/2.

You could also try some of the Nikon E series lenses. They are extremely cheap and not so sharp.

 

[Nikon Bob]

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

 

[Stuart John]

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

 

[Stuart John]

One more from the 105 2.5.

 

[rxmd]

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.

[...] 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.

What about the classic solution of an UV filter smeared with vaseline around the edge?

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

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.

 

[yossarian123]

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.

 

[BobYIL]

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]

I like the 85/2.

Me too. Also a 135/4 has been working well for me.

 

[Gumby]

p.s. I prefer a duto to softar whe softness is wanted.

 

[jonasv]

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.

 

[jonasv]

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.)

 

[Vics]

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.



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.

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]

Here is one made with the 105/2.5 NAI K type lens

 

[mrtoml]

Here also is a shot with the 85/2.

And here is one with the 50mm E series.

 

[Corto]

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!