Nikkor 105mm f2.5 vs Samyang 85mm f1.4 - a question

[stingOM]

Hi Folks,

I am just curious, does anyone in the community happen to have both lenses? I am interested to know which lens is better for bokeh? I presume Samyang version might just have the edge over sharpness at wide open aperture as it is a modern optics design?

I know I am not comparing like against like as the focal length differs.

Thanks.

[stingOM]

Found some answers here, but not the Samyang version unfortunately:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/893751

[Attila]

I had 105 AIS + I have several 80mm lenses Biotar 75, pancolar 80 etc . 105mm Nikon is outstanding from every aspects, I doubt any lens will better for portrait, bokeh etc. I sold only because easy to buy again if need.

[BenediktW]

I had a Nikkor 105mm F2,5 AiS which was pretty worn on the outside, but perfect optics.

I liked it a lot, but I used my Nikkor AF 85mm F1,8 way more often, and it is one of the few AF lenses (besides my Nikkor AF-S 35mm F1,8 and my Nikkor AF 28-105mm F3,5-4,5) I really love.

So I sold it off. But I think one day when I get a D700, it will come again to me. It's really wonderful.


Regards,

Benedikt

[uhoh7]

105 kiron-made f/2.5 no slouch either, but HEAVY.

[stingOM]

[uhoh7]

[stingOM]

[uhoh7]

[cooltouch]

If you do a search here on the Samyang 85/1.4, you'll find a bunch of threads with pics. It really is a sweet lens. I want to get one in Nikon mount.

I own a Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 -- and a Vivitar (Kiron) 105mm f/2.5 as well. I consider each lens (including the Samyang) to be different and it has never really occurred to me that I might want to compare one of my 105s with a fast 85mm. To me, the primary reason for a fast 85 is to be able to take advantage of a very thin depth of field and to blow out the background. In contrast, my 105 Nikkor is a portrait lens first and my Vivitar macro is a macro lens first.

[scsambrook]

I've never even handled the Samyang, so can't make any comment on it. But I have owned two different versions of the 105/2.5 Nikkor - the original version and a later AI one which was physically a much larger lens. On film the degree of "out of focus-ness" was pretty much the same at f2.5 as the my 90mm Summicron RF lens at f2, so I guess the same would apply to the Samyang. But of course I can't say how the "out-of-focus-ness" might differ between them. The Summicron's out-of-focus image was "smoother" than either of the Nikons, but that's just a comparative observation. Seen in isolation, they all looked/look pretty good to me.

Depth of field tables will tell you just how much or how little zone of sharpness to expect from either of the lenses. It won't be much different at full aperture.

[AhamB]

I would say: make your decision based on the focal length you prefer. 85 is a bit wider, which can be nice.

The bokeh of the Samyang/Rokinon is best in class and the wide open sharpness is excellent. At f/1.4 the Samyang will have better subject isolation (a better word for "out-of-focusness").

From what I have heard, the Nikkor is also very good at infinity, where the Samyang may be not so special. Furthermore, the build quality of the Nikkor will be substantially better (esp. durability).

[uhoh7]

this guy got a good deal:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Opteka-85mm-f1-4-Lens-Manual-Focus-Samyang-Rokinon-/280602787880?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item41553ac028

[cooltouch]

Wow! Wish I would have seen that one. I notice also that prices have come down in general on this lens -- roughly by $100. Nice. I can almost afford one now.