Nikon 105mm F/2D DC Lens

[Ramamohan Paturi]

Hi;

I read that Nikon 105mm F/2D with Defocus control
is a very good lens for portrait photography.
The brochure says that this lens provides
creative opportunities with its defocus control
by which you can blur the background/foreground.
It costs around US $ 850.

I am thinking of buying this lens along with
N-90 and SB-25.

I would like to know what you think of this lens.

Thanks

-mohan paturi

[Nathan Wong]

Ramamohan Paturi (pat...@cs.ucsd.edu) wrote:
: I read that Nikon 105mm F/2D with Defocus control

: is a very good lens for portrait photography.

From my response from a similar question people suggested getting the 105
f/2.8 Macro lens instead because the defocus control doesn't really do
much in practice and the money saved could buy you another lens
(especially with the rebate).

[Paul Gleichauf]

Although I have posted multiple times about experience with
the Nikon 105 f2 AF-D DC lens, I now try to limit my comments
to correcting misinformation. Critical judgements based on
experience with lenses should probably go into the Nikon FAQ.

That said, the choice between to Nikon 105 AF f2.8 (D) micro
lens and the f2 DC type lens is complicated by usage patterns.
All the Nikon AF micro lenses have short focusing throws. This
means that it is about a half revolution between infinity and
closest focus. It works fine in AF mode. It is less useful
in manual mode. I find it inadequate for portraits where critical
focus at 105 is already important to me (independent of the
selective foreground or background Defocus Control). When the
DC function is selected the lens is basically used in some
combination of aperature preferred (or manual exposure) and
manual focus modes.

The 105 DC lens is a fine short telephoto, heavily constructed,
with a large front element indicative of its light gathering power.
This makes it well suited for low light and photojournalist work.
It is pretty clear from the first use that it has professional
grade construction. The 105 macro is less well suited to the
portrait and photojournalist purposes. Still, the macro may
work well enough for the less demanding.

The DC function is not as useful as I would like; I could do without
it and would have if the choice had been offered. But I chose not
to buy the 105 macro lens as an alternative, I waited for the protrait
lens. I remain happy with the decision.

Paul