Plena?

[Akira]

The neo noct is my favourite portrait lens on the D500,,, a very great lens on FX too

58mm is the perfect focal length for the portraits on APS-C format, too.

[Wally]

Here is the direct comparison with the 105mm/1.4E
100% crop, top right corner. 1/100 sec, f1.8

[Erik Lund]

Thank you! That is an unexpected big difference in bokeh ball size! I guess that the 105mm would have to be wide open to get close?
ISO is 2200 and 3200 so not equal

[Wally]

Thanks Erik. I actually believe the ISO difference is of no importance here. Higher grain should actually smoothen the appearance.
Here is the f/1.4 vs f/1.8 of the 105mm/1.4E, minimal improvement IMHO. Maybe slightly rounder, better defined cat eyes...

[Michael Erlewine]

I would still like some discussion of the Plena lens if there could be some.

[Wally]

Certainly Michael. Bokeh is only one aspect, certainly a big step forward. Even the comparison to high end, fairly recent F glass is astonishing. Let's keep in mind that this lens is very new, not many units have been shipped. Not many users have acquired it yet due to its speciality and elevated pricing. I got one since I received a very special deal on a used once copy, and because I am a Nikon nerd....

[Michael Erlewine]

Certainly Michael. Bokeh is only one aspect, certainly a big step forward. Even the comparison to high end, fairly recent F glass is astonishing. Let's keep in mind that this lens is very new, not many units have been shipped. Not many users have acquired it yet due to its speciality and elevated pricing. I got one since I received a very special deal on a used once copy, and because I am a Nikon nerd....

Well, what do you think of it?