Portrait lenses in Nikon F mount for film and digital bodies.

85/2 AIS. Super compact, sharp, outstanding bokeh. Model not as pretty as some of the above, but the lens is simply wonderful.

646776855_NLiw7-XL.jpg
 
Zoom-Nikkor 43~86/3.5, AI version.

picture.php


On the Nikon F Photomic. Panatomic-X in Microdol.

The AI version went to an 11 element design, much improved over the earlier one. I picked up one near-mint for $50. Worth Having.
 
Zoom-Nikkor-C, pre-AI, 9 element version, multicoated.

3846634601_2ca30dc405_o.jpg


On the Nikon Ftn Photomic.

Vivitar 135/2.3 Series 1, on the Nikon Ftn

3849800187_ed21150c1c_o.jpg

Floating element design for close-up work, gets to 3ft.

3849800167_81c6d96501_o.jpg


This pair of lenses ran $110.
 
Last edited:
Not a portrait but certainly a portrait lens. Shot with the Nikkor AF 85mm f1.8. You can see the extremely soft bokeh it produces.

4429765313_67067d23b5_o.jpg


Likewise shot with the sam 85

3887785139_df1d445f83_o.jpg


Shot with the 105mm f2.8 Macro------probably a tad too sharp for portrait work but it does produce nice bokeh (not in evidence here though)

3883137571_e18a300810_o.jpg
 
Apart form the various 85mm and 105mm Nikkors, there's the 50mm f/1.2:
3936821923_3ec6b9f460_b.jpg


Also the 105mm f/2.5 Vivitar Series 1 Macro (here, if I recall correctly, on a Pentax K100D) can double up as a fine protrait tele:
3660328759_0c4124fbca_b.jpg


And, while I'm at it, the Vivitar 200mm f/3 Series 1 (with a rather impressive close focus distance of 1.2m/4ft):


(flickr)
 
Last edited:
The 105mm focal length definitely does flatten the subjects face a little ... that was really noticable in the three pics posted by JSU ... that girls face looks very different at 50mm to what it does at 105mm! I'm begining to think a 105mm f2.5 is a must have though.

That Samyang is amazing for the price ... I remember someone started a thread about the lens recently and I was prepared to be very sceptical until I saw more images from it.

Keep'm coming ... I haven't come to any real conclusions yet but we're all getting to see some very beautiful women! :D
 
I really like the Zeiss 50mm Planar I bought recently and would love to own some longer Zeiss glass but the toll is a little high for me at the moment ... so something cheaper has to be my priority.

This is the Planar on the D700:


U5265I1268301784.SEQ.0.jpg
 
Keith,

I prefer the older F-mount or N-AI lenses... especially for B&W. With the low cost of the vintage Nikkor glass, I would start with a Nikkor-S 50mm f1.4.... this is the early single-coat version. Here is a sample...

2436405890_6a6bdafc5c_o.jpg


And you cannot not own the legendary Nikkor 105mm f2.5... I prefer the 'all-black' version... Nikkor-PC 105mm f2.5... Mr. Sweeny can tell you all the details of this version... here are some samples...

2424296231_c8bd084486_o.jpg


2424317753_bf1a3e891c_o.jpg


2007_02_013_025_700.jpg


The modern Nikkor 50mm f1.2 AI-s is not a bad lens...

2007_09_005_034_800.jpg


And in certain instances the Nikkor 180mm f2.8 ED AI-s is magical...

2007_01_12_002_600.jpg


nrm_800.jpg


And I have used the Nikkor 135mm f2.0 AI-s on occasions...

2007_09_001_016_700.jpg


While the Nikkor 85's are also highly regarded as portrait lenses... I have yet to add an 85mm to my SLR lens collection, although it is one of my preferred focal lengths when using an RF. If the new Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 90mm f3.5 SLII is anything like the RF version, it would be a ripper of a portrait lens. I own 2 of the RF 90/3.5 and the results are simply staggering.
 
Last edited:
My favorite portrait lens for Nikon is probably the 85mm f/1.8. I can actually afford the 1.8 and besides it is an excellent lens. Here are some examples from a lighting class I took (please do not be too critical of the lighting, this was only the second assignment, but the only one I used this lens on):

mark2.jpg

heather2.jpg
hugo1b.jpg

heather1b.jpg

ratcliff1a.jpg
amy1.jpg

amy2b.jpg
 
Chris,

Thanks... most of those portraits are old work that have been posted over at the Cafe over the years.

I am currently looking for a bargain Nikkor-H 85mm f1.8 and a Nikkor-S 5.8cm f1.4 to add to my portrait lens collection. I never used 85-90mm till I bought the Bessa kit, but really like the results from that focal length.
 
Back
Top Bottom