Portrait lens for Nikon FM ?

[gregmacc]

Hi all ... I'm looking for a general purpose fixed focal length portrait lens to use with my Nikon FM. I want to work at a reasonable distance from my subject (at least 8ft). Selective focus ability and nice bokeh are important because I anticipate having to work in varied locations with the possibility of distracting backgrounds. My preferred composition for portraits seems to be head and shoulders. Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[benjiboy]

I would recommend the 85mm f1.8 AIs Nikkor, it's a killer portrait lens.

 

[mono]

Or the 85/1.4 AIS?

 

[Rick A]

I dont own any Nikon schtuff, but any fixed 95mm-105mm will work. My preferred focal length for portraits is a 100mm, it gets you just far enough away from the subject to avoid distortion, but stay close enough to still be intimate.

Rick

 

[Jesper]

The 85/1.4 is an excellent lens, but it might be a bit short for your needs.
Have you tried the 105/2.5 or 105/1.8? I would say that any of these would be a perfect choice.
The 105/2.5 is one of the really classic SLR lenses and easy to find.

 

[eddym]

I love my 105mm f1.8...

 

[budrichard]

The 135mm f2.8 Nikkor has been my favorite for 40 years. I'm on my second one. I chose it over the 105 because it has an integral sliding lens shade. Never pops off and is impossible to lose. It is sharp with nice bokeh.-Dick

 

[eddym]

My 105 has a sliding lens shade too...

 

[takef586]

The 105/2 DC would be very handy for what you describe.

 

[canuhead]

while the 85 1.4 is a great lens and extremely sharp, I agree with others suggesting the 105. I have a 2.5 but I'd think any iteration is gonna be good.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I would recommend the 85mm f1.8 AIs Nikkor, it's a killer portrait lens.

Another vote for the 85mm f/2 or f/1.8 from me.

 

[PhotoJim]

I have an AF 85/1.8 and an AI 105/2.5, and while I love them both, I find the 105 to be the more indispensible.

 

[mikebarger]

I like the little extra room you get with the 105mm

Mike

 

[kozesluk]

Ai-S Nikkor 85/1.8 doesn't exist.

first one for SLR was Nikkor-H Auto 85mm f/1.8 (symmetrical 6/6 element, subsequently updated to C coated version) - great lens
next was non-Ai Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 (symmetrical 6/4 element, rubber focussing ring, can be found as Ai converted) - great lens too
short run of Ai Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 was made too, with the same optical formula.
then it was updated to Ai-Nikkor 85 mm f/2.0 (5/5 element optics) - rather mediocre performer compared to the older 85's
last update was Ai-S 85mm f/2.0, still 5/5 element optics

current AF-Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 D is a lot better lens than ais 85/2.0, probably on par with original 85/1.8's


however my favorite lens for portraiture is 35mm f/1.4 nikkor

 

[RalphLambrecht]

...current AF-Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 D is a lot better lens than ais 85/2.0...

Those are the two I have. The AIS is very forgiving with model work. I like it and the models do too.

...however my favorite lens for portraiture is 35mm f/1.4 nikkor...

I don't think my models would appreciate the large noses.

 

[Chris Lange]

I use both the 85/1.4 ai-s and the 105/2.5 ai-s, both are awesome, but the 85 is my favorite.

 

[wclark5179]

I use an 85mm f1.4 Zeiss lens.

I get far enough away from my clients for various reasons one which is to allow enough room on the negative/file to be able to crop when printing on different sizes of paper.

 

[unclemack]

A cheap 135/2.8 from any of the manufacturers in AI fit will give good results at eight feet - 135mm. just happens to be easier to correct for aberrations than most focal lengths.

The reason I offer such an outlandish suggestion is this: with practice one more quickly develops an easy rapport with a new subject and eight feet becomes too far.

Spend too much on this lens and the cost of the 85 that you will eventually want is harder to justify, innit?

My 2 cents, FWIW.

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

I own both Nikkor AIs 85/1.4 and Nikkor Ais 105/2.5. Both are excellent performers.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[edward calvey]

The 105 1.8 is excellent, as is the 2.5 version, and the prices are great too, especially on the 2.5. The images look basically interchangeable at 2.8. I also love the superb 85 1.4, and the DC lenses, but have been very unsatisfied with the 85mm 1.8. Perhaps this is a problem with the AF version, but the blurry backgrounds are pretty rough wide open. Lines never get blurry at all. The edges just get farther apart. If you want that dreamy background blur, the 85 1.8AF is about as bad as it gets without becoming a "special effect." Perhaps the Ai versions are different as so many people are recommending them.

 

[fotch]

I would use the 105. If I had a 85, I would still make the 105 my first choice, the 85, second choice. Nothing else.

 

[benjiboy]

Another vote for the 85mm f/2 or f/1.8 from me.

I agree with Ralph, The 1.8 or f2 versions are excellent portrait optics without costing silly money.

 

[kozesluk]

...however my favorite lens for portraiture is 35mm f/1.4 nikkor...

I don't think my models would appreciate the large noses.

that depends on distance from your object....

http://www.fstop.cz/fstop/imgrepo/2/287/lipo.jpg (2.8/28 af nikkor)
http://www.fotoaparat.cz/g/09/04/05/623895_472d1.jpg (2/28 ais nikkor)
http://www.fotoaparat.cz/g/08/12/05/592647_62fc6.jpg (2/35 ais nikkor)
http://www.volny.cz/lukas_kozesnik/scn_astia100f/kampa_md.jpg (2/35 ais nikkor)

 

[RalphLambrecht]

that depends on distance from your object....

http://www.fstop.cz/fstop/imgrepo/2/287/lipo.jpg (2.8/28 af nikkor)
http://www.fotoaparat.cz/g/09/04/05/623895_472d1.jpg (2/28 ais nikkor)
http://www.fotoaparat.cz/g/08/12/05/592647_62fc6.jpg (2/35 ais nikkor)
http://www.volny.cz/lukas_kozesnik/scn_astia100f/kampa_md.jpg (2/35 ais nikkor)

Lukas

This only works with pretty Czech girls. I would have to do what you did in the last picture all the time.

 

[eddym]

If you want an "environmental" portrait, a 35mm is fine; but not for a head and shoulders closeup.