raid
Dad Photographer
I love using my Nikon 105/2.5 Sonnar. Another great tele is the Tamron 90/2.5.
The 70-210 AF-D is quite good. There is one for sale today on fb for $60. The D version is quick focus too!
peterm1
Veteran
A couple of further samples and options........
Nikkor 70-210 f4-5.6 AF D
By the way I forgot to add in my earlier post that the D version of this lens is superior to the earlier AF version only in one sense - its AF gearing is higher, thus ensuring faster focusing which was a bit slow with the earlier version. Hence people pay a small premium for the D version - though it is still cheap. For a portrait lens I do not know if I would worry about distinguishing between these lens versions - either are good.
Belle Hauteur by Life in Shadows, on Flickr
Nikkor 85mm f1.4
This is a superb lens for people shots if your budget can stretch to it otherwise the f1.8 version is still excellent either in MF or AF form)
Watching the show by Life in Shadows, on Flickr
and
Lost in his reflections by Life in Shadows, on Flickr
Nikkor 50mm f1.8 AF
Either the AF D version or the later G version perform superbly as portrait lenses if you want something a tiny bit wider. (For your film camera of course select the AF D version) As modeled here by my cat substituting for a human.............
Her Royal Highness - the Cat by Life in Shadows, on Flickr
Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 AF
And one further option is the AF 80-200mm F2.8. While this may be a bit more expensive than some options, the early push pull version of this lens which is a contemporary of your F8008s is relatively inexpensive compared with later versions and is equally good optically. The main disadvantage of this version is its slower focusing - which need not be a deficit for portraits. They can be had for as little as $250. For a lens that was widely used by fashion catwalk photographers because of its reach and quality, that is a bargain. The shot below was made with the AF D (3rd version) but optically they are either identical or so similar you are unlikely to see differences in practice.
Evening time out by Life in Shadows, on Flickr
Nikkor 70-210 f4-5.6 AF D
By the way I forgot to add in my earlier post that the D version of this lens is superior to the earlier AF version only in one sense - its AF gearing is higher, thus ensuring faster focusing which was a bit slow with the earlier version. Hence people pay a small premium for the D version - though it is still cheap. For a portrait lens I do not know if I would worry about distinguishing between these lens versions - either are good.
Belle Hauteur by Life in Shadows, on FlickrNikkor 85mm f1.4
This is a superb lens for people shots if your budget can stretch to it otherwise the f1.8 version is still excellent either in MF or AF form)
Watching the show by Life in Shadows, on Flickrand
Lost in his reflections by Life in Shadows, on FlickrNikkor 50mm f1.8 AF
Either the AF D version or the later G version perform superbly as portrait lenses if you want something a tiny bit wider. (For your film camera of course select the AF D version) As modeled here by my cat substituting for a human.............
Her Royal Highness - the Cat by Life in Shadows, on FlickrNikkor 80-200mm f2.8 AF
And one further option is the AF 80-200mm F2.8. While this may be a bit more expensive than some options, the early push pull version of this lens which is a contemporary of your F8008s is relatively inexpensive compared with later versions and is equally good optically. The main disadvantage of this version is its slower focusing - which need not be a deficit for portraits. They can be had for as little as $250. For a lens that was widely used by fashion catwalk photographers because of its reach and quality, that is a bargain. The shot below was made with the AF D (3rd version) but optically they are either identical or so similar you are unlikely to see differences in practice.
Evening time out by Life in Shadows, on Flickr
lxmike
M2 fan.
l would recommend these to gems as well
Contarama
Well-known
105/2.5 is a legend for good reason The 85/1.8 and 85/1.4 as well
I think in terms of system rather than one lens. Good portrait kit for me is something along the lines of 28, 35, 50, 85, 105, 135, 180 Any of them are decent
I think in terms of system rather than one lens. Good portrait kit for me is something along the lines of 28, 35, 50, 85, 105, 135, 180 Any of them are decent