AF-Nikkor 80mm f/2.8!!!

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2020/08/01/af-nikkor-80mm-f-2-8-ai-s/

always curious about this lens

[John Geerts]

Thanks for you article, Rick.

I do not agree with your description of the bokeh-quality looking 'cheap'. What is the definition of cheap?

 I regard the bokeh very fine especially for a f/2.8 lens.


Because of it's sharpness and flat view (and lack of chroma up close), it's ideal for macro-shots  (with extension of with or close-up lens). Some experts used this lens as a cheap alternative for the Rodenstock  APO Rodagon D 75/4 especially for reproduction work)

[richardHaw]

Thanks for you article, Rick.

I do not agree with your description of the bokeh-quality looking 'cheap'. What is the definition of cheap?

 I regard the bokeh very fine especially for a f/2.8 lens.


Because of it's sharpness and flat view (and lack of chroma up close), it's ideal for macro-shots  (with extension of with or close-up lens). Some experts used this lens as a cheap alternative for the Rodenstock  APO Rodagon D 75/4 especially for reproduction work)

i am interested in your last statement about the rodenstock

for me, cheap means that it doesn't have the delicate rendering of the 85/2
it feels like it's losing a bit of tonality

[John Geerts]

for me, cheap means that it doesn't have the delicate rendering of the 85/2
it feels like it's losing a bit of tonality

Ah, I see. Bokeh is a personal taste and subjective.

 I sold the 85/2 because of the softness (wide open) and not so special bokeh 

[MEPER]

I did a small 80-85 mm test many years ago just to compare sharpness / bokeh of the 80-85mm lenses I had:

https://pbase.com/mxp/85mmtest

All shot at aperture 4 to compare at same settings. Maybe I should have used 2.8.
I was surprised how similar bokeh looks at aperture 4.
I have never understood why so many seems to dislike the 80.2. I think it is a fine lens. At least my versions.... :-)
When I sold my Hasselblad cameras I also sold the 80/2,8 CFE as this lens did not give any benefit compared to Nikkors.

Try to shot the same scene with different Nikkor 80-85 mm lenses…...I don't think the difference in bokeh is as huge as you think :-)
Of course wide open there will be a huge difference between 1.4 and 2.8.   

[MEPER]

...by the way…...I cut the wires to the chip on AF 80/2.8 as contacts are not compatible with modern cameras.
I think it will drain the battery on newer cameras......as far as I remember......if not cut. So to be sure it will not damage anything I cut it.
Think this was an advice from Bjørn at that time......now Birna.

[Birna Rørslett]

I removed the entire chip and contact block on my AF 80/2.8 as both were incompatbile with the newer camera models, and replaced with my own CPU and a modern robust factory contact block.

The 80 is a very decent performer for IR, which is my main field of application for it.

(Eidsborg Stave Church, one of the smaller examples of the wooden, tarred church class of the early Middle Age. The church is still in daily use)

[MEPER]

It looks like show but I guess it is green grass.
I wonder what causes that some lenses are better then other for IR. Coating or glass types or a combination?

If I should select a "bokeh master" from the above 80-85mm test I did it is the Nikkor 85/1.8 H-C.
It creates the most "butter like" background.