Is a non ai Nikkor H 85 1.8 going to be too sharp for portraits?

[gone]

This will be the final lens test for this camera. The Zhongyi Creator 85 2 lens I'd never heard about, and the R 90 2.8 Elmarit is a Leica, so no worries on that. It would be nice of the Creator lens held it's own for portraits and other wide open shots because it was a lot cheaper. Both shoot in stop down metering mode. The Creator lens was a surprise, as it's seems to be all metal and has a nicely damped focus.

 

[Sirius Glass]

It a lens is too sharp for portraits, add a Softar filter.

 

[runswithsizzers]

"Too sharp" for a lens? Is that even possible? Yes, there are trillions of images that have been oversharpened, digitally. But optically?

 

[Sirius Glass]

"Too sharp" for a lens? Is that even possible? Yes, there are trillions of images that have been oversharpened, digitally. But optically?

Yes, the Hasselblad 100mm lens is considered by many to be too sharp for photographing women because it shows every tiny detail in each's glory.

 

[gone]

I haven't gone to an AF Nikkor lens because I don't like AF, and the AF Nikon 85 1.8 I had, while good, was not spectacular. This Elmarit will be a big improvement.

Every slow lens is too sharp, You need a fast lens w/ great bokeh for portraits, but not all fast lenses make good portraits. Sharp portraits are not a good thing, especially at middle age and beyond. I might try a filter some time Sirius. Others have recommended it. One of these lenses will work though, I'm sure.

I may end up shooting the Elmarit on the Leicaflex Standard that's hiding behind those two lenses in the photo though. The viewfinder on the 'flex is unbelievably bright and big! It's like looking through a big picture window, and it's almost as bright as the actual scene. I don't like carrying big, heavy gear, which is why I sold my old Leicaflex, but the sound of that Leicaflex shutter and it's viewfinder are difficult to ignore.

 

[Pieter12]

Sharp portraits are not a good thing, especially at middle age and beyond.

That is a matter of individual preference. I like to see every nook and cranny, every pore, blemish, whisker and loose hair.

 

[runswithsizzers]

Yes, the Hasselblad 100mm lens is considered by many to be too sharp for photographing women because it shows every tiny detail in each's glory.

If a person's skin falls short of Platonic perfection, and is proud of their image (and it's not just the ladies) - then is that any cause for concern for the optical design engineer working for a lens manufacturer?

Now if a lens manufacturer want to make a soft lens and market it as a "portrait lens" - I have no problem with that. But to criticize any other lens not marketed as a special purpose lens for being 'too sharp' just doesn't seem fair.