AF DC-NIKKOR 135mm f/2D ?

[tirediron]

Soooooooooo... this is a lens that has been on my radar for a long time and one has come up on Craig's List for $1190 OBO; I'm thinking between $1000 and 1100 is a decent price, BUT.... do I need/slash want it. I love my 85mm f1.4D, but the slightly longer focal length and defocusing feature has me really tempted. Is it worth it given that 80%+ of my work is portraiture and 50% of that is headshots/single person work.

Thoughts?

 

[Designer]

It would be nice, but what do you think it is worth? Clean, well cared for? seller accepts returns?

 

[tirediron]

It's running $1200 - 1500 USD on flea-Bay, so the price is good. Based on the images, it's in excellent conditions (and TBH, given the nature of this lens, I'd be surprised if it was anything else). Returns? Unlikely....

 

[snowbear116 47]

Maybe a bit long for portraits but your event gigs - might be good.

 

[480sparky41 40]

Maybe a bit long for portraits but your event gigs - might be good.

Not necessarily. If you've got the real estate to back up, 135 is a great focal length for portraiture. Heck, I've seen some portrait specialists use up to 300mm.

I'd love to have a modern 135 prime, having cut my teeth in photography with a 135/2.8. But since Nikon doesn't offer one and the best AF out there is the 135D, I just can't justify dropping the dime on one since I have both a 135/2.8 Ai and a 135/2.8 Tair.

 

[SquarePeg37 8]

For me, the question I usually ask myself when I want to buy a used lens is if I change my mind, will I be able to sell it for close to what I paid? If the answer is yes then I start my 24 clock. If I still want it 24 hours later, I buy it.

 

[Braineack]

It's running $1200 - 1500 USD on flea-Bay, so the price is good. Based on the images, it's in excellent conditions (and TBH, given the nature of this lens, I'd be surprised if it was anything else). Returns? Unlikely....

for that price i'd rather find the 105mm 1.4e -- ive seen them sell for ~$1600 on ebay.

 

[zulu421]

As you're a pro I wonder if your clients might value that unique defocus look, or could it help set you apart from competitors?

 

[Dave442]

I think it is a great addition to the 85 in a bag for portrait sessions.

 

[tirediron]

For me, the question I usually ask myself when I want to buy a used lens is if I change my mind, will I be able to sell it for close to what I paid? If the answer is yes then I start my 24 clock. If I still want it 24 hours later, I buy it.

Price isn't an issue; it's very good, selling however? Victoria isn't a huge city and this is pretty much a specialist lens, so it probably wouldn't go quick....

for that price i'd rather find the 105mm 1.4e -- ive seen them sell for ~$1600 on ebay.

I rarely open up past f4, so for the number of times I'd use f4... that I can't justify!

As you're a pro I wonder if your clients might value that unique defocus look, or could it help set you apart from competitors?

Good thought!

 

[SquarePeg37 8]

Price isn't an issue; it's very good, selling however? Victoria isn't a huge city and this is pretty much a specialist lens, so it probably wouldn't go quick....

Location shouldn’t matter much. It’s an online world when it comes to used gear.

 

[jcdeboever]

That is such a specialized lens, probably right up a pro portrait photogs alley. I think the lens is pretty unique but have a feeling it would take a great deal of practice dialing it in to garner the look you want. The guy I used (he passed away) to hang with when I was starting out had one. He kept a laminated index card in the lens pouch with it, had all kinds of notes on it in different color writing. He did a lot of Veteran stuff too and it was his preferred lens, along with the af 180 2.8, and the AF 300 f4. I remember him saying the only time he used anything shorter than 135 was for group shots. I know he raved about those 3 lenses for his portrait work.

Maybe @Derrel will chime in, he has a great deal of Nikkor knowledge.

 

[Derrel]

Had one for a decade...great in low light. The defocus control feature is not that great. I would LOVE the 105mm f/1.4 E....I dunno...it's got more CA than the Canon 135/2 which is a great lens.It's a nice portraiture lens, yeah. Not as "sharp" as newer 135 like the Sigma 1.8, but plenty good still. I really am not "that" sold on the lens, but it is super in low-light...the T-stop is very close to 2...not a lot of light lost. It's your call. If you want it, buy it. 135mm is a nice length, for sure, esp. for sports and events...long, but not "too long" esp. with today's croppability from 36 to 40+ MP. I see this as a tough call.

 

[Braineack]

for that price i'd rather find the 105mm 1.4e -- ive seen them sell for ~$1600 on ebay.

I rarely open up past f4, so for the number of times I'd use f4... that I can't justify!

that's f/1.4.

Has beautiful rendering and bokeh. Thing is pretty damn sharp at 1.4 if you can nail the focus. And I'm not getting any CA with my limited amount of test shots.


I'm using one this afternoon as part of my trinity:

 

[480sparky41 40]

Just a couple thoughts:

1. Rent one for a week. Maybe you'll find out fairly quickly whether or not it's a good match for you.
2. Buy one anyway. If you're not pressed to get one in short order, bide your time and wait for a good deal to come along. Then, if it isn't a good fit, you could probably resell it for what you have in it.