p.1 #1 · Nikkor 105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro for portaiture?
Hello,
I'm thinking about buying the brand new Nikkor 105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro MF lens, yet I'm not quite sure how it performs when used for portraiture, since it will probably be used in this role primarily with only occasional macro shooting. Lens would be used on Nikon DX exclusively (currently D7000), since I don't plan to switch to FX. I'm particularly interested in its bokeh quality with respect to other similar Nikkor options available.
Hence, I would appreciate if you are wiling to share any of your first-hand portraiture experiences and/or photos taken with this lens.
Thanks in advance for your time and effort spent on replies.
p.1 #2 · Nikkor 105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro for portaiture?
I use a 85 1.8G to shoot portraits on a DX and would look for one of those if you are not going to shoot much macro.
And you have me a bit confused - the "new" 105 is the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED. The lens that you reference is the much older MF 105.
p.1 #3 · Nikkor 105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro for portaiture?
Thanks for the reply.
Yes, although there are few subsequent versions of the 105mm f2.8 micro, I'm interested only in the older manual focus design, i.e. AI-S version, which is still being produced and could be purchased brand new (not used).
Based on the available on-line reviews and user reports, its IQ shouldn't be any worse with respect to the current AF VR version. Yet, in my opinion, its much better build quality (all glass/metal construction) and lack of AF motor and VR should contribute to a much better and long-term reliability.
Besides, most of my intended subjects are static (both in portraiture and macro), so I don't mind the MF.
p.1 #4 · Nikkor 105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro for portaiture?
Ask it in the manual focus forum and you will get info about this lens that you probably won't be able get from anywhere else. They will post sample shots too.
p.1 #5 · Nikkor 105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro for portaiture?
StanTheMan wrote:
Hello,
I'm thinking about buying the brand new Nikkor 105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro MF lens, yet I'm not quite sure how it performs when used for portraiture, since it will probably be used in this role primarily with only occasional macro shooting. Lens would be used on Nikon DX exclusively (currently D7000), since I don't plan to switch to FX. I'm particularly interested in its bokeh quality with respect to other similar Nikkor options available.
Hence, I would appreciate if you are wiling to share any of your first-hand portraiture experiences and/or photos taken with this lens.
Thanks in advance for your time and effort spent on replies.
Bokeh will be a non-issue with portraits where the out of focus background will be a flat "block" of tone with no detail that bad bokeh could distract.
The bigger issue is the field of view...a 105mm lens on the DX body is equal to 150mm...that may require you to be farther from your subject than you'd prefer...if you have a zoom that's around 100mm check it out for a FL that you're comfortable shooting.
The biggest issue I believe is the manual focusing barrel of the lens....some lens's barrel have a shorter rotation range than others...some like the shorter range where the point of focus pops in and out more rapidly, some prefer the longer "throw" where that PoF is more gradually engaged....again you have to decide which you prefer.
p.1 #6 · Nikkor 105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro for portaiture?
I can't comment on bokeh or overall performance because I don't own this lens nor am I skilled enough to speak on it. However, I do have both the 85/1.8 and 105/2.8 (IF-ED/VR version) and use them on a D7100. I wanted to simply comment that since you're using DX, you're likely to find that the 105mm focal length will require you to be entirely too far away from your subject...you'll need lots of room.
I picked up the 105mm recently on the B/S/T forum here with intentions of possibly using it as a portraiture lens but I found out quickly it's too long for this. I'm keeping it just in case I do ever decide to go full-frame in the future.
p.1 #7 · Nikkor 105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro for portaiture?
I have an older Nikkor 50mm MF lens that I used for a while and liked the focal length for indoor portraits. It was my first piece of "fast" glass and was a gateway to wanting more and more. Unless you plan to shoot only outdoor portraits or in very large rooms I think the 105mm is way to long on a DX body as others have said. A 50mm works great for me although I do have a 85mm on my wish list.
p.1 #9 · Nikkor 105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro for portaiture?
I doubt that you would enjoy the MF experience for portrait work if you owned my 105 AiS Micro f2.8. The lens I own is very sharp and quite useable with my D800E for macro photography. However, if you wish to focus fast the lens will be a challenge to use. The focusing ring is heavily damped and the focus through is fairly long. If I were looking for a manual focus portrait lens, I'd look at a used Nikkor 85mm f1.4 / 2 or a Zeiss ZF 85 f1.4. These lenses are optimized for portrait photography.
p.1 #11 · Nikkor 105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro for portaiture?
I have just sold my 105/2.8 micro ais and would agree with Owlseyes, it is very heavily damped although extremely sharp.
If you appreciate all metal, fast, superb quality the 85/1.4 ais is superb but pricey - there are a few people on the MF thread who have one and use them regularly but the 105/2.5 bang for your buck is pretty good too or the 50/1.2 ais or the 55/1.2 as you are using a crop body. Generally the AI versions of lenses have more degrees of focus rotation than the AIS versions - the 135/2 AI for example is 270 degrees compared to I think 140 degrees of the ais.
