Sharpness, contrast and speed.

None

I uses my 85 to in my portrait work. However, the 105 2.0 just only for special portrait.

Customer Service

nope

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Nikon 85 1.4 AF and 28-70AF-S 2.8 are another superb performer

Sharpness, contrast and speed. Unbeatable combo.
(what more could you want.)

Weight, (but what else would you expect from a lens this fast). Costly, but worth it.

I've been with Nikon from day one. For portraiture I've always depended on my 85 to give me the quality images I need in my work. However, the 105 2.0 has changed all that. It's extremely sharp and contrasty, the speed is perfect in low light situations. If portraiture and weddings are your domain, add this lens to your bag.
p.s. Keep a tripod handy, hand holding this baby can be tiresome.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

85 1.8, 20 2.8

Superb contruction, excellent focusing in both manual and AF use, images are extremely sharp and contrasty, perfectly suited for both colour and B&W photography. It's sometimes difficult to find the right option to defocus, but once you've found it, results are stunning.

I'm still searching ...

The perfect lens for portrait. Seems to last a lifetime. Well suited for still life too, accept converters and works well even with close-up lenses. A cracker!

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Nikon 85 1.4 AF is another massive, superb performer. A must have if you really need fast 1.4 aperture.

High sharpness combined with excellent bokeh, and reasonably fast AF is unbeatable.

Weight. You get used to it.

This is one of a lens. Out of focus control works great and delivers great quality.

Customer Service

Never required.

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Nope.

Very sharp and excellent colour rendition. Ability to "soften" the image with defocus control.Perfect focal length for portraiture
Excellent built and manual focusing

Defocus control hardly works from F4 onwards

This lens is extremely sharp without the activation of defocus control!!! Excellent colour rendition. Why I chose the 105mm over the 135mm version is because at the most beautiful available light (soft), it is usually not very bright, at 1/125s at F2 or F2.8 (ASA 100), and having the 135mm, I would have to up the shutter speed by half a stop to avoid camera shake in hand-held situation. This would mean that I will require a tripod for the shot, or the sacrifice in print quality by choosing a faster film, or simply be more prone to camera shake. Anyway, I have been so accustomed to the 105 focal length. Ok, for the defocus control to soften the image, wish it had more effect from F4 to F5.6. The effect for F4 is very slight and at F5.6, it is hardly noticeable. However, the defocus control works great at F2 and F2.8. When shooting portraiture, I love to shoot at F2 or F2.8 with the defocus ring set to a stop smaller at the R end. The images are wonderfully soft....more flattering for the subject and not too overly done (on the soft-focus effect). This lens has the ability to defocus the background and foreground as well. Wonderful effect. Highly recommended for portraiture, but advisable to do alot of test rolls to determine the effects. Excellent built as well!

Customer Service

None needed so far

Similar Products Used:

nikon AFD 180mm IF-ED
nikon AFD 80-200ED
nikon AF 35-70 F2.8
Tokina AT-X 28-80 F2.8
Tokina AT-X 28-70 pro
Tamron 28-105 F2.8

Well made,built in hood,
rear dust protective element.

weakness is far to stong a word to use for this glass

You will never do with a zoom what you can with this lens. Weddings, portraits and candid shots of pets and people make it indispensible.

Customer Service

I used it once for my
F-5 and the speed and service were very good.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 105 2.8D micro
Nikon 80-200 2.8D AF
Canon 85 1.2L
Nikon 180 2.8

Sharp contrasty photos.
Bright and excellent for a portrait photographer. Nice built in hood, and easily held. DC controls allow for excellent background blur, an "soft focus".
However, my favorite is still the Nikon AF 85mm f 1.4 "D"

DC controls need to be practiced with. Color rend. isn't as good as the Nikon 85mm F/1.4 D

For a portrait photographer, it's a geat lens. I don't recommend it for beginners, because you really must practice with the DC controls to get use to the variations

Customer Service

You just can't beat Nikon, as long as it isn't "Grey"

Similar Products Used:

Nikon AF 85mm f/1.4 D
Canon 135mm f/2 L

Best portrait lens, Super quick AF, Super Sharp.

None on my end

Best Lens for the fashion industry, Use it in that and weddings, clients tell me it looks like they can reach the model through the slide or paper. Crystal Clear.

Customer Service

No need

Similar Products Used:

old 105's, 85 1.4, 135's

Very good optical and mechanical quality. "Special" effects.

Weight, price (buy it second hand if you can).

Special lens, you get superb pictures with or without the DC effect. The DC effect can be dramatic. Not all people like that. Because of its weight and size the 85 mm is for normal circumstances a better choice (if the focal lenght is not so important). But only with this lens (and it's 135 mm counterpart) you have the choice to get the DC effect...

Customer Service

not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Nikons 85-1.8, micro 60-2.8, Minolta 100-2.8 macro, Tamron SP 90-2.8.

Great for hand held portrait taking because it's not that big so you can move around with it and be creative. Very sharp,quick focusing, and the extra stop is really functional as well.

Price is a little on the expensive side. I'm not sure I like the defocus control, but I'm still playing with it. Subjects are rendered a little warmer when rear defocus is used. Also subject as well as the background are rendered softer when you use defocus, although subject less so.

Extremely flattering portrait lens. Great sharpness and contrast, although not quite as sharp as my old 105 2.5.

Customer Service

Have not needed them yet.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 105 micro.