What's Your Favorite Vintage Nikkor "BOKEH" Lens?

[Birna Rørslett]

Some lenses stand above the others in terms of their bokeh qualities. Most of them have been mentioned already in the earlier posts.

My top favourite was and still is the AFS 200mm f/2 Nikkor. By the way, I have the 2004 version, so it is not very "modern" now. The manual 200/2 ED-IF shared much of the same behaviour, but had lower contrast and more colour fringing. (I no longer use the ED-IF as there is a malfunction with its aperture the local techs haven't been able to fix).

(D3X, 200/2AFS)

[Birna Rørslett]

Another example of the AFS 200/2 + D3X. The rendition is almost 'painterly', for lack of a better term. A light spring rain adds to the mood.

[Birna Rørslett]

A final example of what the 200/2 AFS so easily and effortlessly delivers.

Fresh snow over autumn fields

[Jakov Minić]

Birna, thank you so much for reviving this thread that i have missed in the past somehow.
It is no secret that I adore all bokeh lenses.
Toby's 85/1.0 Repro Nikkor is my absolute favorite. Toby, Toby, Toby!
The 55-O is second on my list of lenses to buy/try-out.
There are many lenses that haven't been mentioned, like the 180/2.8 or 85/1.4, but I would like to share an old one that I shot with Zenit 85/1.5.

[Michael Erlewine]

The Nikkor "O" CRT Lens has wonderful bokeh, IMO.

[Birna Rørslett]

The Repro-Nikkor 85mm f/1 has a more limited range of applications than the 55/1.2 CRT, but still is a nice lens and bokeh is beyond reproach.

A few illustrations to this fact,

[Erik Lund]

Another example of the AFS 200/2 + D3X. The rendition is almost 'painterly', for lack of a better term. A light spring rain adds to the mood.

Great illustration of the Bokeh! Yes Painterly it draws.

[Michael Erlewine]

Cosina-Voigtlander 125mm APO Lanthar

[John Geerts]

Another example of the AFS 200/2 + D3X. The rendition is almost 'painterly', for lack of a better term. A light spring rain adds to the mood.

Beautiful  !!

[Snoogly]

Cosina-Voigtlander 125mm APO Lanthar

Lovely, and a timely rebuff to someone’s comment that your images always strive for sharpness :-)

[Michael Erlewine]

Lovely, and a timely rebuff to someone’s comment that your images always strive for sharpness :-)

There is always something sharp in my photos. In this case it is the bottom curl of the Calla Lily flower.

[Erik Lund]

Cosina-Voigtlander 125mm APO Lanthar

 
I can only concur if we add Nikkor-Mount to the Subject 

[Michael Erlewine]

 
I can only concur if we add Nikkor-Mount to the Subject 

The 125 APO Lanthar is vintage enough for me.

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

The 125 APO Lanthar is vintage enough for me.

Cannot more than agree!!

[Robert Camfield]

Another example of the AFS 200/2 + D3X. The rendition is almost 'painterly', for lack of a better term. A light spring rain adds to the mood.

Birna,

This is an engaging photograph, with the background receding in out-of-focus boken - beautiful. Just curious: what aperture, noting the tree branches in the center-front appear to be the focus point.

Thanks, Robert