Nikon 105 VR or 105 DC on D3 Body?

[zapufast]

I want a lens for portraits and like the 105 focal length.

I am looking for nice bokeh and sharp stopped down.

If any one has advise before I buy one of these lens, please let me know.

Samples would also be great! :biggrin:

Thanks in advance.

 

[Zee71]

Although they're not portrait shots, check out some of the cat shots I took with the 105mm f/2.8 VR lens. It's one of my favorite ones.

http://www.pbase.com/zee71/cats_meow

 

[cotdt]

go for the DC. it is sharp wide open at f/2 and the bokeh is gorgeous. it focuses quite close as it is.

 

[godfather]

I love my 105 DC on my D3. Just an outstanding combination for portrait work.

 

[racefan]

I haven't tried the VR macro, but I love the 105DC on the D3.

I had the 105DC and an 85/1.4 when I got the D3 and used them both quite a bit for informal portraits before concluding that the 85 would see very little use and subsequently selling it.

Most I've talked with have found that the 105DC needs quite a bit of AF fine tune to get it right (mine's at +15), but I haven't heard from anyone who couldn't dial it in. I haven't used the DC much, as I usually shoot f2-f2.8, but when you want some more DOF and yet still get a nice background, try it at f4 with the DC set to 4R.

This was from a quick play session - f2.8, no DC effect, iso200, from NEF with minimum default Edge Sharpen in Aperture:

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[Jonathan]

I had both...

but sold the 105VR. As sharp as it(105VR) was, the 105 f2 is really my favorite lens on the D3. It's the perfect FL and razor sharp(in a flattering way) right from f2.

Some people prefer the VR, but it's my most used lens.

 

[trenchmonkey]

+1 I'll take the extra stop any day of the week.

 

[onemorelens]

Wow your arguments for the 105DC is pretty compelling. I was planning on waiting to see what Nikon announces but I'm tempted to order one now.

 

[zapufast]

I knew I would rely on the experts! :biggrin:

Thanks everyone for the great insight! Nice Samples!

105DC here I come.

 

[Donzo98]

Hey Tim...

Not to muddle up your thoughts.... but have you thought of the 100 F2 Zeiss?? :biggrin:

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[zapufast]

Hey Tim...

Not to muddle up your thoughts.... but have you thought of the 100 F2 Zeiss?? :biggrin:

Yes I have, but I am wanting something with AF.

I love the bokeh on the Zeiss.

 

[BarryD3]

I want a lens for portraits and like the 105 focal length.

I am looking for nice bokeh and sharp stopped down.

If any one has advise before I buy one of these lens, please let me know.

Samples would also be great! :biggrin:

Thanks in advance.

I have both lenses and like them for different reasons. The micro-Nikkor I use mostly for macro shooting, although it does fine for portraits. The VRII is very helpful when not mounted on a tripod (VR no use on a tripod or for macro.). IMHO, the bokeh of the 105mm DC is superior to the 105mm VR. It also is a F2.0 lens while the VR lens is F2.8. In general, I like using the 105 mm DC lens better for portrait work. You mentioned "... sharp stopped down." I would guess both are good to about F11, although the DC lens likes the F2 to F5.6 range best when using the DC feature. I note that, IMO at least, nice bokeh is achieved better when these lenses are used more towards their maximum aperture (although DOF should be considered too). Bottom line is that I would go for the DC version.

Regards,

 

[zapufast]

I have both lenses and like them for different reasons. The micro-Nikkor I use mostly for macro shooting, although it does fine for portraits. The VRII is very helpful when not mounted on a tripod (VR no use on a tripod or for macro.). IMHO, the bokeh of the 105mm DC is superior to the 105mm VR. It also is a F2.0 lens while the VR lens is F2.8. In general, I like using the 105 mm DC lens better for portrait work. You mentioned "... sharp stopped down." I would guess both are good to about F11, although the DC lens likes the F2 to F5.6 range best when using the DC feature. I note that, IMO at least, nice bokeh is achieved better when these lenses are used more towards their maximum aperture (although DOF should be considered too). Bottom line is that I would go for the DC version.

Regards,

Thanks Barry. I don't do much macro work, so I think that the DC will suite me best.

 

[mchung]

An extra vote for the DC here. I have the DC, VR, and 85/1.4 and have run comparisons on the D3 and prefer the DC best. It is a truly exceptional portrait lens in all regards and is an excellent, sharp telephoto to boot.

Martin