Best Nikkor SLR lens for B&W portraits

I've been shooting with the Sigma 85/1.4 AF lately. I enjoy it.

6598229953_b8856bd278_z.jpg


6598229803_47c0285349_z.jpg


6625618189_584b2ee6b5_z.jpg
 
I use a 105 2.5 and a 180 2.8 in BW and Color, film only. I find both are wonderful for portraits. A real surprise was the RF 135 on an S2 using color.
 
yossarian123 said:
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.
Click to expand...

+1 vote for the 105/2 DC. it is a fantastic people lens. i just had the nikon 105 f2.5 non-AI converted in the u.s. to AI and will try it this week. i had my first one in the late 60s and can't wait to work with it again.

good luck with your quest

rick
 
I'd recommend any of these based on personal experience:
85 f2 (both rangefinder and SLR manual focus versions)
105 2.5 (both rangefinder and SLR manual focus versions)
105 f4 AI micro-nikkor manual focus
180 2.8 ED AIS manual focus
 
mfogiel said:
...
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
Click to expand...

Marek,

How did the 105/2.5 work out? (It's on of my favorites.)

-Charlie
 
The two DC lenses (105/135) are definitely legendary portrait lenses regardless of the system, but focusing issues are extremely common.

When I bought the 105 I had to go through 5 at the shop before I found one which was close enough to spot on with the DC ring set at neutral (the store clerk thought I was crazy, it took almost an hour before I could decide on one).

Your choice regarding the 105/2.5 was a good one. I hope you enjoy it!
 
I have owned the 105/2.5 first version and the 85/1.8 first version.

I kept the 105/2.5 Ai-S and the 85/2 Ai-S eventually, because I could not see any significant differences with the above mentioned, and the Ai-S lenses are more compact and lighter.

I like them both as much but tend to carry the 85 most (really compact).

I may not have had a good copy of the 85/1.8, or I may have an exceptionally good one of the 85/2, because most people on the Internet rave about the first one and say the latter is inferior. But my own experiment didn't confirm this.

The 105/2.5 Ai-S has an exceptional ability to display details in deep shadows while the 85/2 Ai-S doesn't (it may have a more "flat" rendition). This is where the subtle differences between the two lenses might be. Apart from that, they are both superlative lenses.

As for the differences between the 105/2.5 Ai-S and the 105/2.5 first version (Sonnar type) I'd say that they are on par as for sharpness on the focus plane, but the Ai-S lens has a more pleasant bokeh (less spherical aberration, so the OOF areas behind the subject are less "swirly" and more "creamy").

I know that there are people out there now adoring back those pesky spherical aberrations lenses designers have been fighting against for decades, so I won't comment any further... ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom