Old School Portrait Primes

[Steven Paulsen]

  Why do I still cling on. Is it that some of these old buggers still work well or am I still on that "Reminiscent Bridge" between my Film & D cameras?

1. Old Ai'd, 50/1.4

2. Factory Ai'd 85/1.8

3. The lovely Ai 105/2.5

4. (Please fill in the blank for your favorite, 135mm.)

My old large barrel 135/2.8f broke a spring or the aperture blades froze wide open, long ago.
It's difficult to find a most likeable replacement.

[Frank Fremerey]

show some pictures to illustrate why you like them so much.

[Seapy]

If you part with them you will remember why you kept them. Then regret parting, like old friends.

[Mongo]

Steven and Seapy....you both must live in Mongo's head. "+ 1" to both your comments.

Mongo's cannot part with is 85mm f1.4 AI-s for this work. Yes, not the sharpest but has its own unique and lovely character.
Also discovered Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART is fabulous for portraits (believe it or not) AND older Tamron 90mm f2.5 AF macro which has been delivering amazing portraits

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2017/05/21/repair-nikkor-p-c-180mm-f2-8-auto/

https://richardhaw.com/2018/07/01/repair-nikkor-180mm-f-2-8-ed-ai-s/

https://richardhaw.com/2016/04/21/repair-nikkor-q-135mm-f2-8/

https://richardhaw.com/2016/07/10/repair-nikkor-135mm-f2-8kaiai-s/

 

[Steven Paulsen]

I forgot to mention, I'm on lens #3 in the 135 category. An ais with sticky blades, a vivitar with a fungus jungle, both returned or refunded. I think the one on deck may work out ok. (A Series 1, F2.3.) A lot of blue CA, but hopefully not on the eyelashes. The overall IQ reminds me of the stuff coming out of my Kodak slr/N.




The old 135 has been a donor so many times, there's not enough left to put it.back together.

[Jakov Minić]

I will never part company with my 85/1.4 AF-D so I fully understand the sentiment!
What's a 135mm lens wthout DC

[Mongo]

Forgot how much Mongo loved his 105 mm f2.5 and AF 180 mm f2.8 ED (new) in the film days. Still own both but they have lost some of their prominence in these digital days given the 70-200mm f2.8VR

[Steven Paulsen]

Forgot how much Mongo loved his 105 mm f2.5 and AF 180 mm f2.8 ED (new) in the film days. Still own both but they have lost some of their prominence in these digital days given the 70-200mm f2.8VR

<chuckle>
I am almost 100% with you, Mr. Mongo. My 70-200VR honestly can take the place of my old assortment. Maybe, since I refer to this lens as (The Baseball Bat,) "I am going to threaten you, oh portrait person," sort of thing. The so called soft corners of the V1 come in handy, however I somewhat disagree & love my Version 1.


Yes, ^^^^ Above^^^^, the 135DC has had my curiosity for quite some time.

[ArthurDent]

I really like my 24-105 f/3.5-4.5 AFD. It cost me next to nothing, but is a great portrait lens  on the D500.

[jgould2]

Hi all.

I have to agree with Jakov about the 85 f/1.4 AFD. I have no plans to replace it although I have not yet tried it on my (fairly new) D810.

JIM

[Nasos Kosmas]

I really like my 24-105 f/3.5-4.5 AFD. It cost me next to nothing, but is a great portrait lens  on the D500.

You mean 28-105/ 3.5-4.5 AFD my favorite lens in the age of film

[Erik Lund]

Fixing a broken return spring for the aperture is quite an easy fix,,,, either follow one of Richards guides or hand it over to a repairman.

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2016/04/21/repair-nikkor-q-135mm-f2-8/
more here! 

[richardHaw]

Fixing a broken return spring for the aperture is quite an easy fix,,,, either follow one of Richards guides or hand it over to a repairman.

Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeno62

Kenneth Olsen inspired me to start the blog. he has very useful videos