Nikkor 105mm f2.5 confusion

[Corran]

My biggest problem with the 85/1.8 AI is the six-blade aperture. Horrendous OOF rendering to point light sources. Well unless you like stop-signs? 🙂

The 85/1.4D, I don't know how anyone could dislike. I've shot an entire wedding with just that lens. It's as close to perfect as it comes, IMO. Fast, sharp, great OOF areas. Just a little too big and heavy if anything!

 

[ampguy]

same experience here

same experience here

Several years ago, I used this lens to photograph my mom (105/2.5 P*C for F SLR - f32, 7 blade).

Subsequent trips, J3, 50s Elmar 2.8, etc.

Both the early and late designs are sharp as a tack. The later was optimized for portraits to my understanding. I've owned both designs and found them too sharp for portraits. Nice walk around lenses, and cheap too, but I have a Leica R 90 Elnarit, a Nikon 85 2.0, and a Canon FD 135 2.5 that I much prefer to the 105 2.5 Nikons for portraits. Whenever I say this a lot of folks trot out all their shots to show what great lenses they are. Doesn't matter, I don't like the 105 except if you want sharp. The reputation of the Nikon 85 2.0 is all over the map too. I think you either get a great one or you get a dog. Mine is indistinguishable from my Leica R 90 Elmarit at f2.8 (at f2 it's too soft) for portraits, sharper than the Leica by f4, but it doesn't have that Leica 3-D thing going for it at any aperture.

 

[venchka]

...
I always have been curious about the old 85 f2 rangefinder lens. I may finally get a chance to try one if a friend can figure out where he put his screw mount version.

I like mine. While I really wanted the 105mm, I couldn't pass up a nice lens at a nice price from a trusted RFF member. I have not been disappointed.

Wayne