Absolute BEST PORTRAIT LENSES for Nikon DSLR! Best of the Best! ~Also very expensive
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- Absolute BEST PORTRAIT LENSES for Nikon DSLR! Best of the Best! ~Also very expensive
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Best Portrait Lenses in no particular order
1. 85 mm f1.8g Nikkor
2. 85 mm f1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar - Manual Focus
3. 105 f2 DC Nikkor
4. 135 f2 DC Nikkor
5. 58 f1.4 Voightlander - Manual Focus
6. 300 f2.8 AI-S Nikkor - Manual Focus
K. D. I use the 135 Apo Sonnar. It’s a fantastic lens
Interesting, one would think the APO Sonnar 2/135 would definitely make the cut. Maybe has too many elements?
The 85mm 1.8G has 7 blades 9 of the 1.8D, bokeh balls would look better in the D?
Also the Canon 135mm 2.0L and 85mm 1.2L are well regarded.
And some regard the 58mm 1.4G, the 105mm 1.4G and the 200mm 2.0G VR II very highly.
You don’t mentioned the Nikon AF 180mm f/2.8D. Which is also a beautiful portraits lens and it’s cheap.
my 180mm 2.8 blew the pants off of my 105 dc in color saturation, contrast and sharpness. The dc did beat the 180mm in bokeh.
Ryan Daugherty which version of 180?ED?I've tried that one and it's rich in colours and sharp at first on D800 by words from my friend.But bokeh on 135 DC is fabulous.
Nikkor 180mm F2.8. The other cream machine. I own: Tamron 45mm F1.8, Nikkor 105mm F2 DC, Nikkor 180mm F2.8. Your conclusion on these three lenses are the same as mine!
I’ve got the 85 1.8 G and the limitation to it is my skill as a photographer. I’ll have to look at the 105DC and the 300 2.8 to see how much better the bokeh is. Thanks, Ken!
You can go to fb cesur ozkurt send message to me I can show photos of 85 180 and 300mm . Bast outdoor portrait lens is af-s 300mm f2.8 dII faster af than af-s 300 mm f2.8 vr. 300 2.8 is the best if u are taking outdoor . With 85mm 1.8g u can shoot head and shoulder or half body background will bokeh good enough . when you use 300 mm f2.8 even shoot 2 people full body background will be better bokeh than 85mm 1.8 . with 300mm u can focus chest all body will be in focus. Also 180 mm 2.8 other great lens . ultra sharp as 300 mm . another best lens i had Af-s 300mm f4d 500 usd lighter then 300 2.8 beautiful sharp result. I sold my 85mm 1.8 because no need if i have 180mm 2.8 or 300 2.8 . If I new start to photography i buy 1) 50mm 1.8d 2) af 180mm 2.8d 3) 300mm f4d 4 ) 300mm f.28 dII and one wide lens 18-35 g cheap and great set waht i have too.
cesur ozkurt Thanks, Cesar! I got a 180 2.8 about two months after posting my comment, but I think the 300 is an excellent idea. I’ll get on FB and send you a message. Thanks again, Tim
For half-length, head & shoulder, and face shots, here are my favorite lenses for portrait use on Nikon F-mount APS-C cameras:
55mm Nikon macro for half lengths and couples
100mm f/2.8 Nikon Series E (low-cost portrait lens)
75-150mm f/3.5 Nikon Series E manual focus for head & shoulders, head shots, and tight face (low-cost portrait lens)
80-200mm f/2.8 Nikon auto focus for head & shoulders, head shots, and tight face shots
28 to 200mm Tokina auto focus zoom for full length to tight face shots for use on beaches or situations where changing lenses is not recommended (low-cost portrait lens)
For half-length, head & shoulder, and face shots, here are my favorite prime lenses on Nikon F-mount full-frame cameras:
85mm f/1.4 Nikkor (my only auto focus portrait lens)
85mm f/1.8 Nikkor (the second Nikkor lens I purchased)
105mm f/2.8 Nikon macro (my personal favorite portrait lens)
105mm f/2.5 Nikkor (like the lens used by Steve McCurry to shoot famous Afghan Girl photo)
135mm f/2 Nikkor (great for portraits but not sharp enough for landscapes or other distance photography)
Thanks, what I was looking for! I bought a 105mm dc Nikkor and I love it! :)
I really love you man, because you are very straightforward and honest, and I know you have knowledge about the obliques that you present
. Just as in Romania these objectives are not available at the moment
Man the 85mm f1.8G must have gone down in price since when I bought it in Canada it was only 500$ new from Henry's! Great video as always!
l am very happy with my portrait lenses :
- Zeiss 85/1.4
- Voigtlander 58/1.4
- Nikon 105/1.8 ais
- Nikon 135/2 ais
- Nikon 180/2.8 D
I'd like to add the 200mm F2. expensive but best looking portraits I have ever seen.
200/2 is the Fastest Auto-Focusing Nikkor ever ! ... but still it is a Dud .... ! ... despite it being "Seemingly Sharp"
dud or not, Images from it still look awesome.
ken hates that lens
I am confused. I just watch one of your videos calling Ken Rockwell all kinds of foul names because he liked the Nikkor 135 f2 and you basically said it was crap and said to get a cheap $120 lens instead. In this video you seem to have the same level of love for the Nikkor 135 f2 that Ken Rockwell does. What is going on? Too much coffee?
Different Opinion:
1.) Nikon 200mm f2. Unbelievable bokeh for full body portraits or faces.
2.) Nikon D 85mm f1.4. Old, reliable, superb bokeh. Softens a feminine faceshot with spectacular bokeh.
3.) Secret gem Nikon 80-200 D 2.8. Oldie but to die for bokeh on portraits with variable 80mm or 200mm.
4.) Hard to focus Zeiss 85mm 1.4. Just so hard to focus on the run, but a sharp oldie.
5.) The impressive Nikon 60mm D 1.8 which screams microcontrast!
6.) Another very hard to use Zeiss 30mm. Brings tears to my eyes.
7.) The so perfect, but hard to focus Cosina made-in-the-same-building-in-Japan as Zeiss lens, the impeccable Voightlander 58mm f1.4. Be prepared to bring tears to your eyes as it is perfection, but hard to focus.
ONLY 3 AGREEMENTS WITH THE MASTER!
I love the Zeiss 100mm f2 for portraits
I have the 85mm Zeiss which I love but I also like using my Nikon 80-200 f/2.8d ed lens.
Sure the 80-200 is a heavy beast and requires a tripod, but it does a good job and gives you some zoom capability
.
Why would it require a tripod? I shot sports for years with the 80-200 f/2.8 ED lens hand held and I have the upper body of a marathon runner.
Love my Nikon 85mm for portrait
I own the 85 1.8G for portraits on my D7100 but now have great interest in the Voigtlander. Do you think it would be silly to own both? There might be too much overlap between the two so I was thinking about selling the 85 but was curious if you think the Voigtlander is a big enough improvement to be worth the trouble.
I've followed your lens recommendations and it's funny, but the portrait lens I've settled on didn't make any of your previous lists either. That would be the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 AI-s.
I really love the rendering from what i've seen. When comparing it to the f/1.8D, it really stood out to me as a step up. 7 elements, 9-blade diaphragm. Awesome creamy bokeh, and just a tiny step below the Zeiss 85 in colours & depth rendition at about 2/3 to 3/4 of the price. It seems to be a very popular choice among the Japanese sellers online because the prices just do not seem to budge. Been waiting to find a steal.
its a fine lens, it just doesnt make the cut, ive owned 3 of em. i wasnt comparing to a pre-D or D 85
rather a Zeiss 85 and a 85 1.8G
Ken, you forgot the Nikon 180mm f2.8 AF
i cant put EVERY lens up there, but yes its right up there
I was gonna ask you which is better-the 105 or the 135 DC Nikkor-and you answered. Thank you.
Samyang 135mm f2.0
What do you think of the new laowa 105 STF lens?
Ken, as a addition to my Voigtlander 58mm for portraits I want to buy another great portrait lens with great micro contrast for black and white. I am really doubting between buying the Zeiss Planar 85/1.4 and the 105mm DC Nikkor.
I have no issues with manual focusing.
What’s the best buy for portraits and artnude photography?
Nikon 180mm AF-D 2.8 is the "secret lens" recommendation over and over. Why isn't it here? Yes I know it didn't make the grade but what about it makes it a secret lens but not a top portrait choice? Seems the voight got tossed in for an inexpensive choice (probably more so for the DX idea behind it).
ive got the 180mm and its great even though its 30 years old also have the 85mm f1.8 it is sharp but you have to stand way back to fit the whole person in the photo
Hi Ken, what's your opinion on the Samyang 135mm F/2.0 ED UMC lens? 11
elements.... How does it stack up against the legendary Nikon's 135mm
F/2.8 AI-S?
Chuck Norris I own the Samyang 135mm F2. Absolute beast of a lens, bokeh is unparalleled and it is razor sharp. Even the minimum focusing distance is less (0.8m) allowing you to get some macros as well.
Best of these for a crop sensor would be the 56mm Voigtlander I presume? If owning both a FF Nikon and a Fuji and only choosing one of these lenses to work with BOTH systems, which would it be?
hehahhaa, the Voigt 58mm 1.4 works on both (with a metabones adapter).
but its a MF lens of course
So and So lens is an absolute beast. Should've included it!
Guilty of loving the chunky 85mm 1.4 that gives a slightly creamy back ground. Not had the 105 DC, will check it out!
How about the Nikon 105mm f1.4?
I have 300mm F 2.8 D ii
Very fast focus. But sometimes back focus on my D810.
I was seriously thinking of replacing it with Nikon 200mm F2 VR I.
Along with 1.4 TC.
After watching your video I am thinking again
Hi Ken! Thanks for all the hard work you do on these videos. You've been a life saver! I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I am saving up money to invest in new lenses for my Nikon D5300 so that, once I have a sizable lens collection, I can upgrade to an FX camera body. My first purchase was the Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 (without VR, via your recommendation). Now I am trying to decide on what portrait lens to buy. I do portrait photography very often (I'm big into bokeh) and would love to up my game. What lens would you recommend?
which one,....85mm 1.8G nikkor :) try to snag a used one cheap on Fleabay
if on budget can Nikon 60mm macro be used on a DX camera for portrait ? coz I want a lens for macro along with portrait
what do you think, is it better to change tamron 45mm 1.8 to nikkor 35mm 1.4g?
been watching your vids for a while. I felt I had to comment on your posts. you have knowledge on the subject of photography for a young guy. I personally still shoot with my lieca digilux 4.3,a huge 2.4 megapixel camera made 16 years ago,also shoot micro 4/3 professionally. When I compare pictures of my new equipment over my old lieca digilux the differences are minimal at best.anything 8x10 in print size the old outdated lieca still shines. I also use canon fd primes for my micro 4/3. I never thought digital photography would go the way of 35mm body's. I like my tiny camera's and would like to see more of them.A good photography software suite can more than make up anyshort comming from a cheap camera. I rarely have to touch up any of my lieca pics and my olympus micro4/3.Technology has grown in digital photography but for my old eyes my little lieca (fuji) still takes outstanding pics and transfer speed from the old multimedia cards is on par with the fastest writing speeds of a sdhc card.I like the atitude you have as well, and you give folks a realistic view of photography. Thanks for the dose of reality into today's world of digital wizardry.
Which output/IQ is better? Voigtlander 58 1.4 or Fuji 56? I have both mounts and I was wondering if it makes more sense to just get the Voigt nikon mount and use it on both my cameras, since I have the Metabones adaptor for the Fuji.
Whats your opionion on the Nikkor 70-200 VR 1 and the Sigma 105mm for portrait photography?
Thanks
Hi Ken, I got a D750 and a d7000 + a nikon 60mm f2.8d and the tokina 100mm f2.8, your excellent recommendation, by the way. I am wondering to buy a Nikon 85mm f1.8g, since most of my photography is portraiture. Does this acquisition worthwhile? Thanks
also, the 200mm f/4 micro is one of my favs
ken, sorry i don t understand very well. who is the best 135 or 105?
Theoria Apophasis have you ever tried the Pentax Takumar 135mm 2.5 and 3.5? and 200mm 3.5? If so what do you honestly think of those lens.
A new "non stereo" mic. Wise choice
How about the 105 f1.8 ais how does it compare to the f2?
would the 'new' 105 f1.4 make it in the list now?
i made tons of vids on that CRAP lens........wouldnt wipe my ass with it
70-200 vr didn’t make it either ? The work horse lens ? I’m a bokeh slut
Hi pal , just bought a Nikilon f4 200mm manual lens for my Dslr , do i need an adapted ring for this Thanks Geoff
Hy Ken, I'm little bit lost: i don't know if the 135 f/2 is much more better than the 135 f/2.8. indeed, the 135 f/2 in AIS not in DC. In my country (France) I found a 135 f2 for 350$ and the 135 f2.8 for 60$, can you help me ?
ps: do you think that I've have also to buy first the 105 DC f2 ?
also thanks for all yours videos that help me for choosing lenses, truly fan of your Sincerity when you're talking about something !
best regards
135mm 2.8 is a perfectly fine lens!! and yes the 135mm F2 DC isnt $1300+ more of a better lens, but its better, but costs a LOT more
Do you have website or online portfolio like Flickr where we could check your work?
just test shots ,……i dont "do" social media (other than youtube)
Maybe you should talk a bit about the issues with auto focus with the DC lenses. Alot of people have been having problems with using the defocus control as it fucks up the auto focus on their cameras, and its also common to have to fine tune the AF to make theese lenses sharp, and some cant even finetune enough as +20 or -20 is not enough. .. As the best lens is not so great if its not working well. .. And hey! maybe you have some even better tips then what is available on the forums about these issues. Personally i had to finetune mine to about +8 or something but im happy i did some reading around the internet before buying.
DC lenses are screw drive for portraiture, theres no concern with AF on static portrait shots.
most dont know how to use the DC on those lenses :)
Hmm im not sure i understand. yes my nikkor 105 DC has screw drive focus system that works on my D600 camera. But if i set the DC control to 0, it still focuses about -8 off in the finetune. But if i set the DC control to +2 and the apature to 2, the auto focus fucks up. It suddenly misses focus by a lot. And if i set the DC to -2 it misses in the opposite direction. And yes i did refocus before taking the shot. The little green dot also misses the center. So if i want to use the DC control i have to manually focus and ignore the green dot. I have read that many people had to set their DC control permenently to -2 in order to get their camera to auto focus propperly. Luckily mine is not that far off. And yes i dont mind to manually focus, but i normally like to rely on the little green dot to make sure. .. And thanks for replying and many great videos :)
D600 ehh, that explains a lot.
how is it on a normal nikon DSLR? :)
Well its the only Nikon i own at the moment. But reports of the problem has been from users of the d700 and d800 aswell .. but i dont know if you qualify them as normal either.
Hmmm, I will need to look into this more before purchasing.
Hey ken, do you ever use zeiss lenses made in W. Germany? Im looking at the 70-210 f3.5 and 100 makro, you have any experience?
i just uploaded 2 vids where i take apart old zeiss lens and fix it and put it back together :)
100 macro i own yes, great stuff, but the throw on the lens is a bit too damn long
What lens (around $1000 or preferably less) would you recommend if you could only use 1 for everything.
for portraits? used 105 F2 DC nikkor
+Theoria Apophasis Thanks!! How about more of a wider or landscape lens?
Do any of the older AF 300mm 2.8s come close to the MF 300mm 2.8?
sure they do :) a lot more $$$$$ however
You said the 85mm 1.8 is really sharp but u also said the tokina 100mm is perfect for portraits. i don’t shoot macro and i just want the best for portraits. Between those two, which one do you recommend?
85mm 1.8D is the best choice, also cost.
Theoria Apophasis you said 85 1.8G is the sharpest in 85mm, and here you recommended 85 1.8D ? Can you please explain a bit, I want to buy one 85 too, is it a typo ? Thanks Ken.
Have you had any problems with the focus on the Nikon D800?
D810 you mean, i avoided the D800 model
200 f2 !!!!
Ken how does the 105 AIS F2.5' compare to the one mentioned in the video?
totally diff lenses , see the flickr page for both.
the 105 2.5 is utterly nothing like the 105 F2 DC nikkor designed for portraiture
I like the AiS skintones better but the DC bokeh is so much better, and the AiS is manual focus only while the DC has auto focus.
Do you think the Voigt58mm on a DX can compete with the Nikkor85mm1.8G on FX in a studio environnement? (shot at f4-f8 + strobes)
more than, it will spank it in bokeh and beauty......but is a MF lens
if you what u tell me it's true, it' amazing. MF is no problem at F4-5,6. spending 500 euros on a plasticy lens is a big problem for me and Im not a big fan of the 85mm G on Flickr...in the end, I probably don't need a FX camera.
um.. what about the otus?
to hell with those lenses, theyre only very sharp, they suck, they dont make fine art renderings
very sharp "dead" lenses , not my thing…..maybe its yours
ah i see.. thank you sir:D
And what about this iMac??
How does the Fuji 56 1.2 compare to these on the xt-2? Thanks.
compare to what?
? 60mm Micro Nikkor vs 58mm Voightlander, f1. 4. Opinion?
both are great, 58mm is the DREAM portrait lens for DX and also for FX to a great degree
Did he say the 58 was DX crop sensor?
what is the best portrait lens for a Nikon DX or crop sensor?
Voigt 58mm 1.4 noct
Best one will be NIKKOR 200mm f2 G
the 85 f 1.8 is not 750$ it is 450-500$
yeah, i was thinking of my 85mm 1.4, stuff happens
+Theoria Apophasis no worry's thanks for all you do
I bought mine for 300$ Canadian. Just get it used but in perfect condition, you'll always get things for half price or less.
So the 105 f2 is better than the Carl Zeiss 85 1.4?
indeedy
+Jan-Peter Mohwinkel HA! Then u don't really know him
Could you do. A video on speed booster physics for old Nikon or. Minolta mc md or ai manual lens ? If poss
speed boosters are evil
+Theoria Apophasis yes even more glass lol
the 85 1.8g is a little cheaper than mentioned. under $500.www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/838798-REG/Nikon_2201_AF_S_NIKKOR_85mm_f_1_8G.html
Tokina 100mm or 85mm 1.8 for portraits??
either one, 85mm best for ultimate results
good job man
I have that exact 300mm f/2.8 ED IF AIS Nikkor and mounting it and just holding the camera will rip the lens mount out of the camera? What kind of ridiculous horseshit is that, uncle fester?
What about the Tokina 100mm 2.8 and nikon 200mm f4 AI?
I'm doing a couple of photoshoots/headshots within a week-I shoot at dusk as a rule. Will try the Tokina 100 2.8 vrs my 70-200 2.8. Will use ocf in a cheap umbrella/box (purchased for $28 by Interfit) containing an sb700 on a d750. If you want to see the results, maybe we can make contact.
Sure
Zeiss Otus 85mm 1.4? The reviews show INSANE image quality at 1.4, if you can spend the 4500$ for a piece of glass.
hate the hell out of it, its only sharp, it has bad qualities otherwise.
lenses (by pros) are not judged only by resolution
Check out my last video on a kickass compact tripod. Comment on the video that you came from here
Hey Sir! will Nikkor 85mm f1.8G perform well on Nikon D7100?
course it does, but the crop is a bit much, headshot lens FOV crop
Theoria Apophasis Thank you for the reply. I guess stepping back is key for this lens and btw Nice videos sir. :)
Привет из России! Отличные видео!
howdy from russia, great video :P Ur funny :)
increase your volume on sound!
Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4??
hahahahaah
You did say "Absolute Pinnacle, Unmatched, Unrivaled" so don't think my question is out of line. Every review has it the best optically and it's available in Nikon mount. Yes, I know it's expensive but again you were the one talking about "slap your mama" type of performance.
Can someone spell what he is pronouncing the smallest lens on his table, the 58mm 1.4? I can't seem to look it up. Whitelander? casena white lander? Ksaena dwightlander? I never heard of this lens please help. It the one recommended for DX,.
Voigtländer
Thanks you
Cosina Voigtlander 58mm F1.4 -- Buy it with you're eyes closed :-)
What's your take on the 105 Dc vs the new micro 105 2.8g
for WHAT USE? the 105 DC is the best portrait lens out there.
For portraits mostly, but macro would be a welcomed bonus.
Also I would be tempted by a 135 as I already have the 85 1.8G, which you like as I remember
What 135 would you recommend?
Wow, Rockwell slammed the Fuji X-Pro 2. Squaaaawk!!
hes a dumbass extreme
Too much poop in his water bowl...SQUAAAAWK!
The 200f2 did not make the cut?
What!! :)
200/2 = Dud ....... compared to 180/2.8D, not just price-wise, but Image-Quality too.
200 F2 is a great lens, for nearly $5000 is a pooper and not really any better than 180mm 2.8
Theoria Apophasis
Yeah the money thing is real! The 200 is not in the same category as the 180 IMHO. I own the 180 and it was a goto long portrait lens until I got the 200f2. The 200 is so much sharper (wide open) and has a beautiful bokey unmatched by almost any other lens I own. Admittedly that is personal opinion, but what is not personal opinion is the way it renders a portrait. So much so that I have not since touched the 180 for a portrait. Yes the 180 f2.8 is great for the money....it is not in the same league as a the 200. Never mind the auto focus speed difference!
I looked up portraits at 300mm.
My gawd. I want THAT look for some family photos (and landscapes).
With the D71' this is effectively 450mm....gotta look up vids of that bad boy in action.
A 400mm isn't even that much more expensive. 600mm on a crop sensor. Jesus, you could see Mars.
for portraiture, 300mm 2.8 is where its at for awesome unique look
Sigma 135
phurst
What about the Nikon 105mm 2.5?