Best Nikkor SLR lens for B&W portraits

[kshapero]

Originally Posted by mfogiel

I'd like to tackle portraiture a bit more frequently, and I am looking for some good advice about the choice of lenses for my Nikon F2/FM3A cameras.
I normally use Zeiss ZF lenses with these bodies, but apart from the Planar 85/1.4 wide open, they are simply too sharp for anything but the most ruthless representation of men's faces.


G. by mfogiel, on Flickr

I was wondering, if there are some hidden gems, similar to the RF nikkors 50/2, 85/2 or 105/2.5 among the older SLR lenses.
I would ideally want low contrast, great bokeh and as little focus shift as possible. Top sharpness is not a primary requirement, rather the overall rendition at wider apertures in portraiture.

That's not portraiture, IMHO, that's a medical face exam.

[dbarnes]

Couldn't agree more that the Nikkor 105/2.5 and 85/1.8 and 85/2 lenses are the all-time classic portrait glass for MF Nikons. Don't discount what the 180/2.8 can do, either. No way to lose, choosing among those.

[john_s]

Originally Posted by kshapero

That's not portraiture, IMHO, that's a medical face exam.

Also the best example I've ever seen of really, really shallow depth of field!

I would go with a Softar 1. I had never heard of a duto filter, which seems to help with the bokeh or at least not messing with it. I found this site interesting, but no Softar example.

http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam...diffusion.html

[venchka]

Originally Posted by Stuart John

The older sonnar version of the 105mm f2.5. That would best as close to the rangefinder 105 as you could probably get.

Old 105 2.5

The original F mount 105 and RF lens are the same. The best!

Wayne

[mfogiel]

Thanks to everybody for suggestions.
I already have the 135/2 DC, but I cannot focus it properly - somehow it generates back focus. This is something weird, by the way, because I have tested all my F mount lenses on FM3A (2 bodies) and F2, and a few of them are spot on, while most back focus quite evidently. In theory, this should not happen, as it comes to observing an image formed on the focusing screen, and not a rangefinder alignment. If the mirror would be off relative to the focal plane distance, it should be so in all cases, and not just in some. The most precise result comes from the Planar 85/1.4, so perhaps it has something to do fith the f stop - if you have any ideas, please let me know.
After reading your tips, I have bought an old 105/2.5 and 55/1.2 - they should arrive this week... The 85/2 offered had some technical issue, so I am still in the market for it if anybody has one to get rid off - I would prefer an EU transaction in case.
Thanks again.
Marek

[rxmd]

Originally Posted by mfogiel

I already have the 135/2 DC, but I cannot focus it properly - somehow it generates back focus.

Does that happen only at f/2, or only at lower apertures, or no matter what?

[mfogiel]

I have only measure tested it wide open, but photos taken in the field at f 2.8 or f4.0 had back focus as well. I have read, that apparently this phenomenon is well known among the DSLR users, who "dial in" autofocus correction, and apparently often change a few lenses, before finding one that works well.

[Finglas]

I concur with the Nikon 50mm f1.8 series E lens - anywhere from f2.8, f4 even f5.6 in good natural light.

[leicapixie]

i use the original 105 f2,5 Nikkor. It is similar to the Sonnar by Zeiss but with modifications. A superb lens for portraiture. Add a "softar" filter and you're cooking with gas! A really wonderful look. Do not stop down as it becomes severely sharp. Max aperture to about 5.6. The newer 105mm is generally sharper and hasn't the "Sonnar" look.
If one gets the special 135 with built-in diffusion, i think it would surpass the ordinary 105. My lens has been thru many decades of work..

[raid]

The 105/2.5 Sonnar is a great lens. I recently bought a 85/2 before it goes up in price. Both are excellent lenses. Take your pick.

[funkydog]

Another vote for the AIS 85/2. It's overlooked or derided because it's "not sharp enough" by the new-is-always-better crowd who favor the 1.8 or 1.4 versions. Sold mine in a fit of insanity during my 1.5x crop digital period. It has made some of my best portraits shot on film.

[nikon_sam]

Originally Posted by dbarnes

Couldn't agree more that the Nikkor 105/2.5 and 85/1.8 and 85/2 lenses are the all-time classic portrait glass for MF Nikons. Don't discount what the 180/2.8 can do, either. No way to lose, choosing among those.

My choice for shooting tight portraits...it's a great lens...

[steveniphoto]

for the price, my 50 1.4 non ai worked great even wide open. it was dirt cheap too. i normally stick with 50s for portrait work and havent used any longer nikkor glass so i cant really comment on anything else.

[RObert Budding]

I'm partial to the Nikkor 105/2.5 AIS.

[jaredangle]

WARNING, LARGE POST

mfogiel, I've got a collection here from the 85mm f/1.8 and the 135mm f/2 DC.

Some are color, but they could equally be applied to b/w.

Nikon F100, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/2.8, Fuji Astia (b/w in photoshop)



Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/4 or f/5.6



Nikon D700, 135mm f/2 @ f/4



Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/4



Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/2.8



Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/4 or f/5.6



Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/4 or f/5.6



Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 @ f/2 or f/2.8

[dedmonds]

I've been very happy with the Nikkor 50/2 AI.

[tbarker13]

I've been shooting with the Sigma 85/1.4 AF lately. I enjoy it.

[jerrybro]

I use a 105 2.5 and a 180 2.8 in BW and Color, film only. I find both are wonderful for portraits. A real surprise was the RF 135 on an S2 using color.

[rickp]

Originally Posted by yossarian123

The 105/2 DC is probably Nikon's greatest portrait lens. It may have more contrast than what you're looking for, but for portraits it's just spectacular.

And don't forget about the older 85/1.4 AIS.

+1 vote for the 105/2 DC. it is a fantastic people lens. i just had the nikon 105 f2.5 non-AI converted in the u.s. to AI and will try it this week. i had my first one in the late 60s and can't wait to work with it again.

good luck with your quest

rick

[rbsinto]

I'd recommend any of these based on personal experience:
85 f2 (both rangefinder and SLR manual focus versions)
105 2.5 (both rangefinder and SLR manual focus versions)
105 f4 AI micro-nikkor manual focus
180 2.8 ED AIS manual focus

[bigeye]

Originally Posted by mfogiel

...
After reading your tips, I have bought an old 105/2.5 and 55/1.2 - they should arrive this week... The 85/2 offered had some technical issue, so I am still in the market for it if anybody has one to get rid off - I would prefer an EU transaction in case.
Thanks again.
Marek

Marek,

How did the 105/2.5 work out? (It's on of my favorites.)

-Charlie

[Shutterspark]

The two DC lenses (105/135) are definitely legendary portrait lenses regardless of the system, but focusing issues are extremely common.

When I bought the 105 I had to go through 5 at the shop before I found one which was close enough to spot on with the DC ring set at neutral (the store clerk thought I was crazy, it took almost an hour before I could decide on one).

Your choice regarding the 105/2.5 was a good one. I hope you enjoy it!

[Highway 61]

I have owned the 105/2.5 first version and the 85/1.8 first version.

I kept the 105/2.5 Ai-S and the 85/2 Ai-S eventually, because I could not see any significant differences with the above mentioned, and the Ai-S lenses are more compact and lighter.

I like them both as much but tend to carry the 85 most (really compact).

I may not have had a good copy of the 85/1.8, or I may have an exceptionally good one of the 85/2, because most people on the Internet rave about the first one and say the latter is inferior. But my own experiment didn't confirm this.

The 105/2.5 Ai-S has an exceptional ability to display details in deep shadows while the 85/2 Ai-S doesn't (it may have a more "flat" rendition). This is where the subtle differences between the two lenses might be. Apart from that, they are both superlative lenses.

As for the differences between the 105/2.5 Ai-S and the 105/2.5 first version (Sonnar type) I'd say that they are on par as for sharpness on the focus plane, but the Ai-S lens has a more pleasant bokeh (less spherical aberration, so the OOF areas behind the subject are less "swirly" and more "creamy").

I know that there are people out there now adoring back those pesky spherical aberrations lenses designers have been fighting against for decades, so I won't comment any further...

[Krosya]

I'd look at this one too :
http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Samyang-85mm...=Camera_Lenses

I have one for Canon and it's a very nice lens

[raid]

Originally Posted by Krosya

I'd look at this one too :
http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Samyang-85mm...=Camera_Lenses

I have one for Canon and it's a very nice lens

How is the bokeh when used wide open with the modern Samyang lens?
I use an old Zeiss 85/1.4 which a wonderful OOF rendering when used wide open.