How to Control De-Focus (with a Nikon 105mm f/2 DC)
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- A lens that causes a lot of intrigue is the Nikon 105mm f/2 DC(bit.ly/AF105mmDC). What does De-focus Control actually mean? Kai takes a look at Nikon's very unique lens by shooting some of the street fashion in Mongkok, Hong Kong.
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I love watching the digital rev videos. I think on this occasion though, you didn't explain how to use DC properly... The beauty of this lens is that you can set the aperture for optimum sharpness AND have an incredibly blurred background e.g. if you are a street portrait shooter (in good light), you would set the aperture to F/5.6 and set the DC to 5.6 (R). The result is that you will have incredibly sharp images (for the in focus parts) and still maintain that creamy bokeh (for the out of focus parts). in order to get good bokeh in other lenses, you need to have the camera wide open, which generally means the lens is a little soft... With DC, you get the best of both worlds!
Hope that helps...
It does help a lot. Thx
thank you :)
Yes. I have one of these, and I generally set it on R f4 or 5.6 and leave it alone., regardless of what real f-stop I'm using.
This is precisely what I've been finding. Everyone uses the 105 DC at 2 aperture and 2 DC.
What about seeing results and comparisons at 4? at 5.6?
Other lenses should get a larger fov, and a compatatively lesser blur.
But then, the DC would get.....
What?
Nobody shows those results.
I guess it is because so many people got fooled into believing that portraits mean the widest aperture, and never got out of that mindset.
Anyway, thank you for your comment from so long ago.
The Problem here is, Kay has NO IDEA how to use this lense. You choose an aperture and this exactly what you have to set on the defocus control ring(when you will use this feature) not more or less. Then you get the best result. This and the 135mm version is one of the sharpest lense which nikon ever build. And the images quality is second to non.
Exactly, I can't think of a worse example of the use of this amazing lens.
I normally find your reviews very helpful, but in this one, the lens offers benefits that are not demonstrated..
Suggestion for demonstrating use of Nikon DC portrait lenses:
a. Shoot portraits half body or less, with background some distance away.
b. Be wary of the rules for using the DC ring (that is, use the DC ring only up to the actual aperture that you are shooting at)..
c. Also experiment with fstops that don't traditionally produce blurred background to see what effect the DC has. For example, can you use it at f/8 to create more of a blurred background than one would normally see at f/8.
As things stand the video is misleading because the lens was not used in a manner that demonstrates it benefits.
There are other commentators making a similar point on this video, offering a bit less detail.
+Art Altman I think they are probably doing pretty well, even without your advice.
+JoshSP2022 I see you everywhere lol
BBSHOCKZ I do get around lol
I guess you've never heard of environmental portraits. Sounds like all you shoot is headshots. Go be a keyboard warrior somewhere else.
+JoshSP2022 I will clarify: The lens offers benefits that are not visible in this video because they did not shoot the lens in a manner that demonstrates its benefits.
i've had the lens for about 6 months - the DC is cool at times, but what i really like is the sharpness. BTW, i'm really envious of the color, lights and street fashion that you found in Mongkok!
i bought it couple of days ago 135 F2 DC, and if i can use the DC ring not more then the aperture i am using, it works just perfectly well. Im totally in love with this lens
I have this lens for a month and find it great for head shuts. The BOKAH is fantastic and its balance very well with the D7000. Great ved guys!!
Kai you're the best man, keep giving us those tutorials and tips for photography ;) really Thanks!!!
I feel so happy when i find new digitalrewcom video in subscriptions every time :)
I need a DigitalRev video per day!!! Please do it! Nice as always, congrats!
OMG! when i was in hongkong, i wanted to bump into you guys shooting a vid or something. WE WENT TO THAT EXACT SAME PLACE WHERE YOU ARE NOW!
OMG! when i was in hongkong, i wanted to bump into you guys shooting a vid or something. WE WENT TO THAT EXACT SAME PLACE WHERE YOU ARE NOW! I COULD'VE TOTALLY MET YOU GUYS! D:
It's fun when you encounter those little "weirdos" (err, subjects) on street photography! You had me cracking there.
The real reason to get this lens is that it has 9 aperture blades vs. Nikon's typical 7 blade design. More blades = rounder aperture circle = smoother bokeh.
Digital Rev TV makes my day better :'D
When kai said "Subscribe" at 4:43, i looked up and it said "Subscribed". Ahh, what a good feeling that was(:
LOLOL Lok's face during the test shots are just so epic xD
watching digitalrev videos really suits my day... =)
LOL at Kai knowing what cosplay is.
The thing people don't get about this lens is that DC is sort of a secondary feature. It's mostly a normal 105 or 135 f/2 lens, which happens to have the DC feature available. There is no fast non-DC 105 or 135 in the Nikon lineup, unlike with, for example, Sony, where there's both a normal Zeiss 135 1.8 and the Sony 135 STF f/2.8 / t/4.5.
Watching this in 2025. Kai was so much more entertaining back in the day. Hong Kong was such a great backdrop as opposed to the UK. There was so much happening in HK. Kai’s remarks were funny. Now he’s more PC.
So if the "f" half of the rotation looks less favorable than the "r" half, is it safe to assume that the "f" control is better for making things in front of your subject look better when out of focus?
I like these videos, but he kind of missed the point. The F side is only for when there is virtually no background (Like someone holding a flower in front of their face and you focusing on the face) so you should be using R 90% of the time. Also, he didn't show what it does at different apertures; it changes behavior as you go to smaller apertures. He also missed the fact that it's a sharp f/2. BAM. Faster than the professional "super fast" 70-200mm zoom.
I don't blame him, though, it's just a really complex lens that is very subtle and subjective. It's the most sensitive lens I have in terms of focus accuracy, and if you miss (as is easy because the AF is slow as he mentioned) then you're going to have a bad day.
for anyone wanting to use this, Set aperture f/4 and DC F4. That's the sweetspot for outdoor portraits.
hi, im using sigma 35 F1.4 on D610 and looking to get one portrait focal length prime, i wonder would having this lens be a good idea? or i should stick to 85mm 1.8 for now? would be nice to have your opinion since you are using it, thanks
Thank you for the suggestion.
Yes, I've seen a few reviews of this DC, and everyone just shoots it wide open and call it a day.
I was starting to doubt if I should get it, but the comments about how it works when stopped down make it sound better.
Good mix of information and humor. Thanks!
Regardless if I own a Nikon, Canon, Sony, or even Pentax. I can watch all your videos even if I don't own the brand of equipment.
how does it work in the f/4-f/8 range?
Most users of this lens don't use DC features anyway they are the most beatiful lenses I ever own
According to that little rain, I assume this was taken on this Monday....damn I was there then.. wish can come acorss you sometime in the future
Lok at 5:27 is pure gold. I think he writes Kai's jokes.
@kvoers thanks! the bokeh might be better, but in the few shots in the video the quality of the person/object is a bit "nervous" too. maybe only because of this little "gimmick". might be fun but not more in my eyes. the technical terms behind that, or in that lens, nevertheless are interesting.
please do a video which 50mm / 60mm MAKRO Lens you should go for Canon...
Canon, Tamron, Sigma??
Nice one Kai should I add this to list!!!!!!!!
lovely, you finally review this! But i've already got my 135 DC
Mmmm, defocus control. You can see the effects better on large prints. I bet on the 135mm DC the effect is magnified. I think a battle of the bokeh 135mm is in order!
can you tell me what microphone do you use for this video ?
I wonder if DC has more of an effect at smaller apertures (darned iphone)
it would so cool to meet kai and lok on the street in hk
@TheAngryMo how many times did you have to watch this to spot that?
omg new video ... my weekend is now perfect ... :)
Watching this again in 2022 and realizing that was iPad 2 era hahaha.
@shepr2k0 i think its a D300 ?
coz it says it on the top left ?
What is the q scale on a dslr camera and how do I find it?
Kai! please do a comparison between the 18-200mm OS sigma and the canon EF 28-135mm IS USM f3.5-5,6 Lens please! Im debating with myself on which one to get and i need your help!
@takoyakisupreme
35mm 1.8, or wait a bit for 50 1.8 which is a fx lens. 18-70 the same as 18-55. its just one or two steps that you to make with your feet if 55 is too short. dont be lazy. 35 1.8 will allow you 4 times lower iso at the same shutter speed, and that is important.
I love the street scenes. After one year of covid lockdown and walking in empty streets I'm getting sick an retired of the hole shebang.
I miss this series and the original crew
From 5:11 to 5:16, you can see the yellow psp and iphone sign that's also present in the canon 600d review video! I think i watch too much digitalrev :)
@IMediaTutorialI
Yeah, try photoshopping the highlight bokeh and see if you can get a similar result.
what Nikon Body is that? im guessing a full framed?
can you do Cokin P series filter review please?
@svtcontour all great lenses :D my favourite two lenses are the 50mm f/1.4 USM and the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM. The zoom is so flexible, not quite as good as a prime in terms of quality, but really allows me to frame portraits so easily :) and the 50mm is great for street photography. I was looking at the 20mm, it looks like a good little lens
Can you guys please review the Canon 200mm f/2.8?
what is the difference "between defocusing" and depth of field?
Good review ... Looks like you guys need a second runner, scouring Mong Kok to find suitable canididates.
It's a learning lens and a beauty with bokeh for very sharp portraits. It's is the Prince of Bokeh. The King is the Nikon AF DC 135mm f/2D.
5:23 I see you guys are using the 5D MarkII for these videos now. The white pixel near the middle of your video seems to be gone!
best lens ever.
awesome kai...
haha! the guy strikes a pose and kai - "oh my God! what's going on then" great!
What Dslr, are you using in taking Ur Videos?
I own this lens; and it's amazing. How old is this video if Alamby just came onboard?? It's an awesome awesome lens, it is sharp but makes everything else look like butter. And yes, I come here just to hear Kai say "Bokeh!"
what lapel mic are you using for this shoot.
@Kuromi610 tat guy is bsx staff....staff are always friendly and this is good chance to free add.
i wonder if this is similar to the Canon 135 soft focus lens...
What's happening at 5:47? And what did it says?
i wonder if this is the same as Canon's Soft Focus?
@TheAngryMo 5:30 Lok also has a silver ring...
To bad that youtube's compression of videos is so bad... You can't see whats so good with the quality of the images....
What's the point of setting it to the F settings?
Review the Minolta 135mm f/2.8 [T4.5] STF Perhaps?
I wonder if the dc control has more of an effect at s
Ok.. I've just noticed at 0:36 there is a shop called Wanko ?
Your supposed to only move the ring to the aperture your shooting at, so its no supruse that it looks awful set at front 5.6 when the lens is at f2. Its made so you can still can get that creamy bokeh look when shooting at small apertures. Ive got the 135mm f2 dc and its the creamiest lens ever at f8
Thank you for your comment
My native language is Serbian, but i learned English. I can just say that Kai`s English is very understandable, better the many ``native English`` i have listened, But I just cant see why is there all these fuss about the way Kai speaks. He is doing it quite well, and that is enough.
fujifilm hs20exr? just curious about it
nikon did something out of the box!
anybody, for a step up from kit lens 18-55mm (i have a d3100, so it's gotta be AF-S), which one is better for everyday use/ amateur food photography ; Nikon 18-70mm f3.5-4.5G, or Nikon Nikkor 35mm f1.8G? If you can suggest a better lens under 400 bucks, please suggest so.
why dont make a video about the rokinon 85mm 1.4, full manual lens!!?!?!?
@jledarby Ya the 85 1.8 is such a bargain. I'm loving it. If I had the money right now, I'd love to buy the 200mm F2.8L (prime of course). I am finding as of recent that I'm enjoying my primes a lot more. I've also got the 20mm F2.8, 28mm F2.8, 50mm F1.8 and the 100mm Macro. My camera is an old 20D but I still really enjoy using it. So whats your favorite lens? Mine is the 100mm Macro followed by my 85mm. The 20mm is quite soft but color and contrast I like.
@ParanoidGallows Sony has a similiar lens, the Sony 135mm F2.8 STF
@Madzark uses billingham bags. although i wasn't paying attention in this video so might have had something different
@JSchan123 Yeah... Except both engagement and wedding rings are worn on the ring finger, on the left hand.
I'm glad the first video I saw was a Bokeh battle, or I would have totally been lost for some of this video! :D
same to Canon 135 F/2.8 Softfocus?
What kind of place is this?? there's no vehicle on this road.... but so many people walking. . .
Can you do a review on film SLR? PUHLEASE!
@hutdockz theres something called "Actions" in PS. pretty helpfull
please make another compition!
This is a very special lens for people who know how to used it.
That is what I hear everyone say.
But nobody seems to be able to show "how to use it".
Do you have any suggestions?
Why does Loc have a Nikon neckstrap on his Canon 5D? :)
Nikon 135mm f/2 DC or Nikon 105mm f/2 DC ? :)
Marko Stanišić 105mm
OMG where are they? i just saw a huge SASA store and im flipping out. where are they?!?!
Kai has a roundabout way of beating around the bush.
please do a Review of the Canon EF 135mm F2 L!
seriously?! Kai, you missed a huge opportunity to get a load of really interesting straight up photos of those people, would have been so much better full length
You are amazing telling how you feel & see it good on you mate perfect...👍🏻🤬👍🏻
@benoitjauffrion It's a Billingham. He made a review on some Billingham bags featuring Lok's and another some time ago. :)
@jledarby Ah I see. Well one thing I know for sure and thats the price of the Canon 135 soft focus is very good. I hear that if you disable the soft focus, its actually a very nice and sharp prime. I was thinking of getting it at one point but then went for the 85mm F1.8 which I dont regret at all.
As for the post processing, for sure you're right...but I'm guessing some purists might be against that :) I personally think whatever gets the job done is the way to go.
@PianoScience it's always been the 5D mk2
what about the 135mm?
@TheZajecarac He speaks English very well, its just Americans that find the accent bad, its the proper British accent since Hong Kong was part of the British Empire till 1997.
this lens reminds me of using a locker in high school turn to the left 3 times then to the right 2 times them put it on r for blurr