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step_ahead

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hey whats the best cost/bokeh performance that you guys recommend?

i've already had 50mm 1.4d and just got 35mm 1.8dx. but the bokeh isnt the best possible..
any ai/s or af suggestion?
 
step_ahead said:
hey whats the best cost/bokeh performance that you guys recommend?

i've already had 50mm 1.4d and just got 35mm 1.8dx. but the bokeh isnt the best possible..
any ai/s or af suggestion?
Click to expand...
Taking price into consideration, my vote is for a used 105mm f/2.5 AI(AI-s). Hard to beat in the bokeh/$ department.

------- Eirik ----------
n
[]O]

Visit my gallery at http://eirikbs.smugmug.com/
 
there may be no lens that touches the nikon 105/2.5 AI for bokeh on a budget. this old photojournalism standard is still amazing for any in the know to look for one.

but my (tokina made) vivitar series I 90mm f/2.5 macro lens is ABSOLUTELY at the top of my list, too.

link to a posted thread of mine:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1030&message=30527245&q=prodesma+tokina+macro&qf=m

link to the best thread about this lens here. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=15320425

cheers.

--
~ david
my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/prodesma/
my website: http://kaptures.net/
 
I have an older Nikkor 105mm 2.5 (it's nice) others lenses I use for this are...
Tamron 90mm 2.8 1:1 SP
Vivitar (Samyang made) 85mm 1.4
Nikkor 200mm f4 (per-AI)

There are so many factors to consider when going for bokeh. The lens is only one part of the technique. Good luck !!!
--
http://www.jhstudio.zenfolio.com
 
best nikon lenses for bokeh are probably the 55 1.2, the 58 1.4, the 105 dc and the 135 dc.

sigma 50 1.4 seems to have nice bokeh as well.
 
For cheap, even though it's manual focus, you would be hard pressed to beat the 105/2.5 AIS...

(sensing a trend here as you read these responses?)

-m
 
Toermalijn said:
best nikon lenses for bokeh are probably the 55 1.2, the 58 1.4, the 105 dc and the 135 dc.

sigma 50 1.4 seems to have nice bokeh as well.
Click to expand...
i often rent the 85/1.4 for shoots as needed (i won't plan to buy until they update this lens). absolutely one of the most prized and one of the best lens formulas ever produced IMHO. stellar performer. i usually shoot at f/2.2 which is my personal 'fave' sweet spot for this lens.

i own the 135/2 DC and it is pretty incredible. but don't get me started on this versus the sony/zeiss 135/1.8- which just blows away the nikon 135 dc. (seriously nikon fan boys & girls, the sony/zeiss AF is much, much better than the nikon DC). still, for a longer reach and fast aperture- wow. the longer reach SHOULD and DOES help make the bokeh stellar. the DC i don't use much; but, at times it can be perfect for a specific shot/application. not nearly as sharp wide open as the 85/1.4 or the 105/2.5 AI/AI-S... but very, very worth the asking price (new, street).

if you wanna talk PURE bokeh, tell me what beats the zeiss 100/2 makro? not anything IMHO. but it will claim about 1600 clams from your wallet ($ USD).

but Toermalijn...

i've gotta ask...

did you read the OP's question?

bokeh for VALUE.

no way are the DC's or the 85/1.4 AF a GREAT value. outstanding performers, yes. but at $1100-ish USD... no way.

that's why i dint mention them in my first response. huh.
--
~ david
my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/prodesma/
my website: http://kaptures.net/
 
prodesma said:
Toermalijn said:
best nikon lenses for bokeh are probably the 55 1.2, the 58 1.4, the 105 dc and the 135 dc.

sigma 50 1.4 seems to have nice bokeh as well.
Click to expand...
i often rent the 85/1.4 for shoots as needed (i won't plan to buy until they update this lens). absolutely one of the most prized and one of the best lens formulas ever produced IMHO. stellar performer. i usually shoot at f/2.2 which is my personal 'fave' sweet spot for this lens.

i own the 135/2 DC and it is pretty incredible. but don't get me started on this versus the sony/zeiss 135/1.8- which just blows away the nikon 135 dc. (seriously nikon fan boys & girls, the sony/zeiss AF is much, much better than the nikon DC). still, for a longer reach and fast aperture- wow. the longer reach SHOULD and DOES help make the bokeh stellar. the DC i don't use much; but, at times it can be perfect for a specific shot/application. not nearly as sharp wide open as the 85/1.4 or the 105/2.5 AI/AI-S... but very, very worth the asking price (new, street).

if you wanna talk PURE bokeh, tell me what beats the zeiss 100/2 makro? not anything IMHO. but it will claim about 1600 clams from your wallet ($ USD).

but Toermalijn...

i've gotta ask...

did you read the OP's question?

bokeh for VALUE.

no way are the DC's or the 85/1.4 AF a GREAT value. outstanding performers, yes. but at $1100-ish USD... no way.

that's why i dint mention them in my first response. huh.
--
~ david
my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/prodesma/
my website: http://kaptures.net/
Click to expand...
I did, hence the sigma 50 mm 1.4, also good bokeh.

Sometimes it's nice to know what the best lenses are! It might shift the intrest towards those, since investing in glass is always better.
 
prodesma said:
Toermalijn said:
best nikon lenses for bokeh are probably the 55 1.2, the 58 1.4, the 105 dc and the 135 dc.

sigma 50 1.4 seems to have nice bokeh as well.
Click to expand...
i often rent the 85/1.4 for shoots as needed (i won't plan to buy until they update this lens). absolutely one of the most prized and one of the best lens formulas ever produced IMHO. stellar performer. i usually shoot at f/2.2 which is my personal 'fave' sweet spot for this lens.

i own the 135/2 DC and it is pretty incredible. but don't get me started on this versus the sony/zeiss 135/1.8- which just blows away the nikon 135 dc. (seriously nikon fan boys & girls, the sony/zeiss AF is much, much better than the nikon DC). still, for a longer reach and fast aperture- wow. the longer reach SHOULD and DOES help make the bokeh stellar. the DC i don't use much; but, at times it can be perfect for a specific shot/application. not nearly as sharp wide open as the 85/1.4 or the 105/2.5 AI/AI-S... but very, very worth the asking price (new, street).

if you wanna talk PURE bokeh, tell me what beats the zeiss 100/2 makro? not anything IMHO. but it will claim about 1600 clams from your wallet ($ USD).

but Toermalijn...

i've gotta ask...

did you read the OP's question?

bokeh for VALUE.

no way are the DC's or the 85/1.4 AF a GREAT value. outstanding performers, yes. but at $1100-ish USD... no way.

that's why i dint mention them in my first response. huh.
--
~ david
my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/prodesma/
my website: http://kaptures.net/
Click to expand...
If you wanna know wich lens is best in bokeh, i think minolta has the best lens ever. It was specifically made for that purpose, super bokeh...there is a link to it in a thread somewhere! This lens beats anything on the planet!
 
Toermalijn said:
prodesma said:
Toermalijn said:
best nikon lenses for bokeh are probably the 55 1.2, the 58 1.4, the 105 dc and the 135 dc.

sigma 50 1.4 seems to have nice bokeh as well.
Click to expand...
i often rent the 85/1.4 for shoots as needed (i won't plan to buy until they update this lens). absolutely one of the most prized and one of the best lens formulas ever produced IMHO. stellar performer. i usually shoot at f/2.2 which is my personal 'fave' sweet spot for this lens.

i own the 135/2 DC and it is pretty incredible. but don't get me started on this versus the sony/zeiss 135/1.8- which just blows away the nikon 135 dc. (seriously nikon fan boys & girls, the sony/zeiss AF is much, much better than the nikon DC). still, for a longer reach and fast aperture- wow. the longer reach SHOULD and DOES help make the bokeh stellar. the DC i don't use much; but, at times it can be perfect for a specific shot/application. not nearly as sharp wide open as the 85/1.4 or the 105/2.5 AI/AI-S... but very, very worth the asking price (new, street).

if you wanna talk PURE bokeh, tell me what beats the zeiss 100/2 makro? not anything IMHO. but it will claim about 1600 clams from your wallet ($ USD).

but Toermalijn...

i've gotta ask...

did you read the OP's question?

bokeh for VALUE.

no way are the DC's or the 85/1.4 AF a GREAT value. outstanding performers, yes. but at $1100-ish USD... no way.

that's why i dint mention them in my first response. huh.
--
~ david
my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/prodesma/
my website: http://kaptures.net/
Click to expand...
If you wanna know wich lens is best in bokeh, i think minolta has the best lens ever. It was specifically made for that purpose, super bokeh...there is a link to it in a thread somewhere! This lens beats anything on the planet!
Click to expand...
Link:
http://www.the135stf.net/
sampler page:
http://www.the135stf.net/samples.html#galleries/new/MJF_20080113_9343.jpg

personally, i think the nikon 85 1.4 is on par with this one, or at least not far behind.
 
The 105mm f/2.5 AIS is legendary. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe it's the lens that Steve McCurry shot the famous "Afghan Girl" photo with. I don't know of a better lens for the price.... as long as you have the patience for manual focus. A well-loved one can be purchased for about $100-200 from a reputable dealer (adorama, KEH, etc.), $300-400 if you want the f/1.8 version or a collectible condition f/2.5.

Other excellent lenses I have used include:

Nikon AF-D 85mm f/1.8 $400 (f/1.4 version $1100)

Nikon AIS 85mm f/1.4 $600 well-loved (equal or better to the AF version for $500 less)
Nikon 180mm f/2.8 AF, AF-D or AIS $300-700 well-loved

Check out pixelpeeper.com for sample photos. It's a 50/50 mix of rank amateurs and semipros making the submissions, but you can get a good idea of what the lenses are capable of.

Hope this helps.
 
to update this thing.. i passed on a 105 ais, because of mf, .. not sure i did a good or bad thing; and pulled the trigger on a 85 af-d 1.8 new. but.. now i find it a bit short for outdoors.. have to test it some. i made few good shots on it in a walk no a fair, but soon borrowed an old push-pull 80-200 and done better work, even using manual focus on some of that shots. later i may post here..
 
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