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

[not_in_good_order]

I don't have any examples with humans, but here is a dog portrait using the 105 2.5 AIS on a D700 (click the image for a higher resolution view):

 

[semilog]

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

 

[not_in_good_order]

I also would like to mention that the 105 2.5 AIS has a built in hood which is handy.

 

[former member]

Zoom-Nikkor 43~86/3.5, AI version.

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.

 

[former member]

Zoom-Nikkor-C, pre-AI, 9 element version, multicoated.

On the Nikon Ftn Photomic.

Vivitar 135/2.3 Series 1, on the Nikon Ftn

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

This pair of lenses ran $110.

 

[peterm1]

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.

Likewise shot with the sam 85

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)

 

[faris]

D700 + ZF 100/2 Makro-Planar

Regards.

 

[ruby.monkey]

Apart form the various 85mm and 105mm Nikkors, there's the 50mm f/1.2:

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:

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)

 

[PatrickT]

That first one is gorgeous! And yeah, the 50/1.2 is a very nice lens...

 

[Keith]

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! 😀

 

[Keith]

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:

 

[ferider]

Anybody uses an 80 Summilux on their Nikon ? Always wondered how that worked.

 

[Stuart John]

Nikkor 105 2.5 early sonnar version



Nikkor 105 2.5 early sonnar version

 

[P. Lynn Miller]

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...

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...

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

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

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

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.

 

[Krosya]

Here is a good lens, it seems - and one on the budget too:
Vivitar/Kiron 70-150/3.8. Comes in many mounts. And while I have never ued one - It looks SUPERB based on these:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/365610@N21/discuss/72157623352126084/

http://forum.mflenses.com/vivitar-kiron-70-150-3-8-close-focusing-auto-zoom-m42-t15577.html

 

[Chris101]

You've got some beautiful work there Lynn!

 

[ampguy]

105/2.5 P*C on a D40x:

 

[Chris101]

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):

 

[P. Lynn Miller]

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.

 

[Chris101]

Chris,

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

One of the really cool things about getting old is the constant re-discovery! 😉