85mm 1.4D is my go to lens for portraits when I used the D300s. Now that I have the D800 this is still my favorite for now.

I'm thinking of maybe getting a Nikkor 105mm or the 135mm for portraits. I kinda miss the extra reach/compression when using the 85mm on cropped body. Any thoughts about these two lenses.


Here is a recent shot with the 85mm 1.4D @f/2. I really like her expression but she hates it.

click to view larger


Cheers
Klam

When I was shooting film the 105 was my go to lens for portraits. Everything else just seemed like to much or not enough.

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I was shooting a 50 on my D7000. Had to get the 85 when I made the move to the 800. Im usually a little wider than just head shot though.

Making the move to 105 te recover what you lost might be the way to go. Its only money right?

The picture looks good. But her eyes had my eyes spinning. You should look into that. Maybe use a second light to do a butterfly or clamshell. Or come from a little higher with the light and have her hold a reflector on her lap. Both should give you the same glamor look.

>The picture looks good. But her eyes had my eyes spinning.
>You should look into that. Maybe use a second light to do a
>butterfly or clamshell. Or come from a little higher with the
>light and have her hold a reflector on her lap. Both should
>give you the same glamor look.

Thanks. The catch-lights are a little trippy. This light setup is very similar to clam shell in that it helps reduce the wrinkles and other stuff that girls don't want to see on their face.

I understand because I had the D7000 and enjoyed the extra reach with the 85mm/1.4.

But IMO give the 85mm a chance, it is one extraordinary lens that just may surprise you with the results. To me, the 105mm is too close to the 85mm. I am waiting for the 135mm to come out in G with Vibration Reduction. At that point, I will have a some options to consider. Good luck.

Forty-five years ago my second lens was the 105mm f/2.5. Great for candids in high school — a bit more working distance, making me less obtrusive. T=Later I learned that it was a wonderful portrait lens, too. Still one of my favorite focal lengths!

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Thanks for lens suggestions and comments all. I do like the 85mmD, I was thinking of upgrading to the G version because it's sharper or even the new 1.8 version. But in the end, do I really want the blemishes, wrinkles, pores to be super sharp? Nope

Anyone know/rumored if Nikon will update the 105 or the 135?

105mm will give me more working room which I like. The 135 will make the girls look thinner which most of them like.


Sure, if you like to give a constructive critique go for it. If this image is horrible I do have 6 other images from this session that she actually likes.

>Thanks for lens suggestions and comments all. I do like the
>85mmD, I was thinking of upgrading to the G version because
>it's sharper or even the new 1.8 version. But in the end, do I
>really want the blemishes, wrinkles, pores to be super sharp?
>Nope
...
>105mm will give me more working room which I like. The 135
>will make the girls look thinner which most of them like.

I assume it's obvious but with the D800 cropped to DX you get all the resolution you probably need for a portrait (to your comment above about sharpness).

Which means you can work the 85 as longer or shorter. Doesn't change the angle of view of course, to your thin comment, but that's what Photoshop is for.


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Why would you want an update to the 105VR? I absolutely love mine. It makes a great portrait lens although on my DX body D7000, I sure need more room than what I have indoors.

I moved from a Sigma 105 macro lens to the Nikon years ago, and immediately noticed richer colors. Not knocking the Sigma, because I took some beautiful images with it. It was slow focusing, though, where the Nikon snaps to it.

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>Why would you want an update to the 105VR?

pretty sure they talking about the older 105 DC and 135 DC (defocus control) f/2 lenses, not the 105/2.8vr (macro) lens

the DC lenses are older screwdriver lenses (not af-s like the 105vr)

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