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Archive 2009 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits

  
 
havannah
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p.1 #1 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


Hi guys, what´s your thoughts on this?. Is anyone using this lens as a portrait lens?
how about comparing it to the 105mm f2 DC in the portrait world, is the 105 DC better @ 2.8 than the 105 VR @ 2.8?



Aug 16, 2009 at 08:43 PM
Kerry Pierce
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p.1 #2 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


I have both the 135 DC and 105 DC, but not a 105 VR. From the reports I've seen on the 105vr, I don't see why you couldn't use it as a portrait lens and several people have reported doing so.

The DC lenses are designed as portrait lenses and do that job very well, rendering images with excellent bokeh and sharpness, plus the subtle to not so subtle DC feature application that can be applied. From what I've seen of the 105vr images, it doesn't have excellent bokeh like the DC lenses. Whether or not that is important to you, is your call.




Aug 16, 2009 at 09:14 PM
havannah
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p.1 #3 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


thanks Kerry. Why people say that the 105VR isn´t a portrait lens? I´ve read is too sharp for portraits, but I can´t imagine how that could be a problem.


Aug 16, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Saad Syed
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p.1 #4 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


When you see every pore, black head, whisker, etc. pronounced, it's not always a great thing.


Aug 16, 2009 at 09:24 PM
Kerry Pierce
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p.1 #5 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


I'm not sure that the lens is too sharp for portraits, although it could be for some subjects. I think what most people mean when they talk about that is the contrast and tone of image produced. What I've read is that they think the lens is very high contrast (which is good for macro) and doesn't produce a flattering image for portraits, plus I think that they like the bokeh produced by the DC lenses much better.

For example, you don't want to accentuate flaws in the skin and you generally don't want too much contrast on people's skin/faces. Other than that, I really don't know. I've had the 105 DC for several years and really like how it renders an image, so haven't paid much attention to the 105vr.




Aug 16, 2009 at 09:44 PM
codeninja
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p.1 #6 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


I didn't know Nikon made a lens line specific for portrait. I was wondering about the difference between DC and D or G. So, DC stands for Defocus image Control? What does it do, or how is it used?

Edited on Aug 16, 2009 at 09:56 PM · View previous versions



Aug 16, 2009 at 09:45 PM
jamach
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p.1 #7 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


that is a problem, but another is that most if not all professional lenses are SHARP. So, when used they will show those facial irregularities some find objectionable. This is when portrait software comes in useful, as does using Phostoshop. In essence, post processing is required. Some examples are Imagenomics Portraiture 2, and NIK's Complete 3.0

If one uses the Nikkor 35-135 for portraits then there will be copmments as to how unprofessional that is, and perhaps one must pay the price to get good optical performance. YAKITY YAKITY YAK

To not use up any good graces, not using processing with portraits is just making a snapshot. Most professional uses - clients paying money - demand some sort of processing, imho, ymmv. No matter what lens you use.


Joe



Aug 16, 2009 at 09:48 PM
luminosity
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p.1 #8 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


codeninja wrote:
I didn't know Nikon made a lens line specific for portrait. I was wondering about the difference between DC and D or G. So, DC stands for Defocus image Control? What does it do, or how is it used?


Look around online, or even just the review section here on FM.



Aug 16, 2009 at 09:58 PM
Kerry Pierce
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p.1 #9 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


codeninja wrote:
I didn't know Nikon made a lens line specific for portrait. I was wondering about the difference between DC and D or G. So, DC stands for Defocus image Control? What does it do, or how is it used?


You can read the propaganda and manual here.
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/1935/AF-DC-NIKKOR-135mm-f%252F2D.html

I normally don't use the DC much, so it's in neutral or at most it is set to the same as the aperture. When I do use it, it's primarily for soft focus type images, but you can use the entire range of the DC control and get very subtle to very strong effect. That depends on what you want, background, foreground, etc.




Aug 16, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Carl Feather
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p.1 #10 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


I tried the 105 DC prior to getting the Micro VR. The 105 seemed soft, the images flat. The 105 Micro is a much better all-around lens. It does close-ups very well, has nano coating for flare control, great bokeh and is very sharp, plus has VR. It's less money now than the DC lens, as well.

For portraits, I still prefer the 85 f/1.4.



Aug 17, 2009 at 09:21 AM
mholdef
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p.1 #11 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


A great portrait lens, only downside is AF can be a bit slow as this is a macro lens and it has to turn quite a ways to find the spot.

Below are a few portraits taken with it. I've since purchased the 85/1.4 which is my favorite lens in the bag.

Mark

http://www.pbase.com/mholdef/image/104292065.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/mholdef/image/104292068.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/mholdef/image/104292074.jpg



Aug 17, 2009 at 04:30 PM
gugs
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p.1 #12 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


as already been said, I love the 105VR as a portrait lens, but there is a major drawback: even with the range limiter, the lens can be hunting quite a lot before locking on the target (even with a D3), and this gets worse in low light. Other than that, I like the focal length, IQ is remarkable and the lens is perfectly balanced on a pro body. My real fav is still the 70-200VR

Guy



Aug 17, 2009 at 04:37 PM
havannah
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p.1 #13 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


guys what about the aperture changing while focusing? I´ve read that It could be change from f2.8 to f3.5, is this true?


Aug 17, 2009 at 06:06 PM
StefanosL.
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p.1 #14 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


when in close range its true, yes

I also agree 100% with gugs.



Aug 17, 2009 at 06:14 PM
hyperion
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p.1 #15 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


the 105 DC actually tests sharper than the 105 VR Macro

http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/index.php

If you don't need defocus control, Nikon's 105mm macro lens also works well as a portrait lens. Vibration control (VR) is a feature of this lens, however the 105mm ƒ/2 DC is sharper at every aperture and has the benefit of a faster ƒ/2 maximum aperture setting. CA, corner shading and distortion results are similar between the two lenses.




Aug 17, 2009 at 07:26 PM
williamcarter
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p.1 #16 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


Similar thread from a few weeks ago:

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/793567/0#7315134



Aug 17, 2009 at 08:22 PM
luminosity
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p.1 #17 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


hyperion wrote:
the 105 DC actually tests sharper than the 105 VR Macro

http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/index.php

If you don't need defocus control, Nikon's 105mm macro lens also works well as a portrait lens. Vibration control (VR) is a feature of this lens, however the 105mm ƒ/2 DC is sharper at every aperture and has the benefit of a faster ƒ/2 maximum aperture setting. CA, corner shading and distortion results are similar between the two lenses.



photozone has the 105 VR as being sharper, and I tend to go with their findings more than anyone else's. The 105 VR shattered the limits of the D200's sensor and almost needs something like the D3x to fully utilize its resolution ability.



Aug 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Ray Dauphinais
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p.1 #18 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED wide open in daylight.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3693201005_820e505be8.jpg


Camera: Nikon D700
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 105 mm
ISO Speed: 200



Aug 18, 2009 at 10:53 AM
MagicNikon
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p.1 #19 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


Here are a couple of D700 portraits with the 105mm VR.

http://www.iflphoto.com/photos/609138310_HJCyn-X2.jpg
Camera NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D700
Exposure Time 0.0031s (1/320)
Aperture f/6.3
ISO 200
Focal Length 105mm (105mm in 35mm)


http://www.iflphoto.com/photos/609139531_3eyqt-X2.jpg
Camera NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D700
Exposure Time 0.0031s (1/320)
Aperture f/6.3
ISO 200
Focal Length 105mm (105mm in 35mm)




Aug 18, 2009 at 04:09 PM
Len Shepherd
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p.1 #20 · 105mm f2.8 VR and portraits


I own the 105 VR, and the 105 and 135 DC.
The VR has decent bokeh - for a macro lens.
Either DC is better, especially when DC is applied.
My favorite for portraits is the 105 DC.
I use the VR a lot for macro.



Aug 18, 2009 at 04:40 PM
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