Which lense should Santa give me?

[bob keegan]

Hello all,

 

I have been given a choice by old saint nick to be gifted either a

nikkor 85mm f1.4 or a nikkor 105mm f2. with defocus control. Yippeeee

!! Thank you Santa!

 

BUT, I am finding it hard to choose never having used these lenses.

 

I shoot portraits and some weddings using D70's now (maybe d200's

later). I own as a lense collection: 80-200mm 2.8 nonVR, 50mm 1.4, 17-

55mm 2.8, 12-24mm 4, I use dynalights in a portable studio setup. (no

formal bricks and mortar shop)

 

So, If you were me, Which one would you choose? Thanks.

 

Happy Holidays

 

Bob

[huntrbll]

If you were using film, I would say hands down the 105....but since you are using a D70/D200, I would go with the 85 because of the 1.5 crop factor (or whatever you want to call it these days).....

 

I have used both focal lengths for portraits with a film camera....and I regard my 105mm AIS the best Nikon I have ever used....

 

By the way, Merry Christmas and how do I get on the same gift list...........

[dan_brown14]

Congratulations on an outstanding gift.

 

I'd go for the 85, especially with digital.

[ian_white2]

Am I just a crabbed old f--- or am I alone in thinking that someone who cannot even spell the word lens does not deserve either of the two best lenses in creation?

[kaiyen]

webster.com lists both spellings. let it go.

[armando_roldan]

I take the 85mm since its touch faster and better BROKEN.

 

and I still spell WEBSITE as WEBSIGHT and get flamed by anal retentive types.

[mr.wind-upbird]

Anal-retentive types are a lot less messy than anal-expulsive types.

[mal_yas]

some people has never been outside of the states, this type of people will get mad if you spell colour (Britain) as "colour "USA" or tire as "tyre"..

Back to the the lense.. hehe..lens question, if Santa gives you any of those..you are lucky enough..

[mal_yas]

as "color"--US spelling

[mal_yas]

Actually, I will take the more expensive one...

[ShunCheung]

Boy, we are talking about lenses that cost around US$1000. You'd better check them out yourself and see which ones works better for you, rather than depending on suggestions from people who hardly know you.

 

For portraits on a Nikon DSLR, 105mm indeeds seems to be too long, though.

[dan_brown14]

Perhaps you should consider the 135/2 also? That's basically a 200/2 (film) performance

in a digital camera. A decade or so ago, I would have LOVED to have a Nikkor 200/2. In

fact, I still wood.

[dan_brown14]

Ehr, "would".

[david_h._hartman]

Robert, since you mention portraits and some weddings I dont

think this is clear cut. The 105/2.0 is not so much a portrait

lens as a fashion lens on DX but it could be very useful for

weddings. The 85/1.4 is on the long end for portraits on the DX

formats and could also be very useful for weddings.<br>

<br>

Why dont you buy both lenses promising to send one back

then keep them both? You could have Santa pay for the most

expensive one then grab a 0% CC teaser and pay later for the

other.<br>

<br>

My bad? Myself, Im planning for nothing better than a lump

of coal.<br>

<br>

Best,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.<br>

<br>

---<br>

<br>

<em>Am I just a crabbed old f--- or am I alone in thinking

that someone who cannot even spell the word lens does not deserve

either of the two best lenses in creation? --Ian White<br>

</em><br>

Im afraid its the former, no it's the latter. Oh hell!

It's both. Does your question add any value to this thread? My

guess: youre getting a lump of coal also ;)

[bob keegan]

Wow...I didn't expect to start an international spelling bee. :)

 

From the responses it sounds like the 85mm is better for me. Can someone explain the difference between the 85mm and the 105 "fashion" lense/ lens. Why is the 105mm considered a fashion lense and what exactly is a fashion lense. Sorry for my lack of knowledge and poor spelling. Thanks

 

Happy Holidays,

 

Bob

[leicaglow]

Faced with the same dilemma, I chose the 85mm for my Nikon D50 setup because my 105mm f/2.5 lense<g> is like a dear child to me--the same way my 24mm f/2 is. I chose the 85mm for its equivalent length, given the digital factor. I am thrilled with the performance of the f/1.8. I considered the f/1.4, but I've had super fast lenses in the past that I just didn't return much for the money, given what I shoot.

 

However, I really would have enjoyed the defocus control of the 105mm, but I still ocassionally use the old 105mm AIS on my D50, and I also wanted a slightly different lens for my film cameras. I have always enjoyed working with the 85mm focal length for film, and also thought that it would leave room for the 135mm DC lens at a later date.

 

Attached is one of the first shots I've made with the 85mm f/1.8 AF. I slightly missed the focus point I wanted. I'm new to using autofocus! But the lens smokes, I can tell you that after just a few shots.<div></div>

[david_h._hartman]

Fashion models in there role are objects to look at, sexual

objects. If anyone objects to this statement just watch a runway

fashion show. If you miss this aspect you must be suffering from

testosterone depletion. <br>

<br>

The subject to viewer distance, which is the subject to lens

distance, tends to set a somewhat aloof feeling with a longer

lens. Its a kin to starring. On 35mm film the typical

lenses used for fashion are the 180/2.8 ED and 300/2.8 ED-IF.

These lenses are used to isolate the model, to control background

content and blur it so it does not distract. <br>

<br>

The classic lens for tight head shots on 35mm is the 135/2.8. The

classic for head and shoulders is the 105/2.5 and for a 3/4 view

its the 85/2.0, 1.8 or 1.4. These will all be used from

about the same friendly conversational distance of 2m (6.6).

The perspective looks right at this distance because we look most

carefully at another person while in conversation.<br>

<br>

The 85/1.4 gives an angle of view like that of a 130mm on the 24x36

format so it will give a very nice tight head shoot. Thats

why I said its on the long side for portraiture on the DX

formats. A 50/1.4 or 1.8 can fill in for the 85/1.4 on DX as its

similar to a 78mm lens on film. To fill the void between 50mm and

85mm the best right now seems to be the 28~70/2.8D ED-IF AF-S or

35~70/2.8D AF. These would be used at 70mm and f2.8.<br>

<br>

---<br>

<br>

lense<br>

<br>

n : a transparent optical device used to converge or diverge

transmitted light and to form images [syn: lens, lens system]<br>

<br>

Source: WordNet � 2.0, � 2003 Princeton University<br>

<br>

Robert, I think youre still in the spelling bee. Im

guess you already knew that ;)<br>

<br>

Regards,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.

[david_h._hartman]

OK, PHOTO.NET messed up as usual. I was not confused at all,

trust me ;)<br>

<br>

lense<br>

<br>

n : a transparent optical device used to converge or diverge

transmitted light and to form images [syn: lens, lens system]<br>

<br>

Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University

[wmetzner]

Hi David,

Thanks for your explanation on the differnt lenses

use for portraits, fashion, and the like.

Seems I got a lot to learn.

[tito sobrinho]

Lens, Lens system = objective.

[ned1]

For weddings with a D70, get the 85. If you need soft focus get a softar to go with it.

[abbilder]

Hello Robert!

 

Waht about to have a test which lens you like more? Isn't there a lens dealer near you?

 

I personally would vote for the 85 1.4: It is a superb lens and has the same filter size than most of your other lenses.

 

Using both of the lenses at the D70 means AF is very slow, but it is no problem of the lenses but of the D70.

 

Good luck

Axel

[bob keegan]

Thank you all for your helpful replies esp.David for his insightful description of the various lense choices.

 

I have decided to keep the 85mm. It was a hard choice since I have had both lens on my desk for a few days now. The 105mm is no slouch! They are both wonderful lenses. I would keep both but need the $$ for a D200. The 85mm is the best lens for me. Thanks again.

 

Happy Holidays,

May your studio bookings be overflowing this year..

 

Bob

 

P.S Note that I have given equal time to the spelling of lens/lense that should head off any issues. ;)