Nikkor 105 f/2 DC vs 135 f/2 DC

[kzphoto]

I did a portrait shoot yesterday with the 105 DC and it like the way it renders. Really beautiful almost vintage glamour look when shot wide open. I'd share some samples but I was photographing kids and I don't want angry parents jumping down my throat.

Anybody shooting the 135 DC? I am curious how it compares. The 105 is nice and compact, but sometimes extra reach can be really handy.

I'd love to see samples of either if you have them!

 

[Benjamin Marks]

The 105 DC is my favorite lens on the Nikon D3. The color rendering right out of the camera is just amazing. I too have been tempted by the 135; but then again, the 135 is probably my least used focal length. I have the 135/2.8 Nikkor and a Leica 135/2.8 R and 3 Leica M 135s. The way I shoot most often it is just a little too much reach and not quite enough speed. Every once and a while, though, I really get a keeper.

Will be interested to see responses to this thread, particularly with images if available.

 

[grainhound]

I've been ever so slightly obsessed with that 105 since putting one on my F5 for a couple of minutes at last year's photo show in Toronto. Bjørn Rørslett thinks the 105 is likely a better performer than the 135, but the 105 focal length is one of my favourites in 35mm SLR. The only 135mm I've used is the long end of the 50-135 MF zoom I got for cheap on ebay. I also have an AI 105 f2.5, which has kept me from jumping for the f2.0 DC. The old lens is only slightly less sharp according to reviewers who mention that.

I may get one anyway. It handles very well on an F5, and I would guess on any other Nikon. Manual focus is better than the usual on an AF lens, much better than most.

 

[peterm1]

I love medium teles - my best one in this range being the 85mm f1.4 D. But I am tempted to buy the 105mm or 135mm f2. Both are said to be wonderful lenses and I have no doubt that I would find myself using either of them regularly.

I also have the 180mm f2.8 and would say it is too long for everyday use but it never the less renders much like the 85mm 1.4 with wonderful color and bokeh, and I surmise it also renders like the 105/135. Afraid I cannot help with images from these lenses but would definitely love one or other (or both).

I can say that I have the 105mm f2.8 micro and a little surprisingly it has extremely nice rendering and bokeh too. Its a nice lens to use, but is as attractive as a fat lady in a side show. Which is tosay not very. Not that this should be a consideration but it is not a "looker".

 

[Ade-oh]

I had both but eventually sold the 105 as it was not sufficiently different to my 85/1.8. I still have the 135 and use it very regularly. My subjective view is that defocused backgrounds are better with the 135. Having said that, both are really excellent lenses.

 

[splitimageview]

Never used the 135 but as far as I know they are very close in rendering, perhaps even such that they may be indistinguishable, if you need a bit more reach. The 105 is my favorite and most-often used Nikkor lens.