Testing 9 Nikkor Lenses for Bokeh

[@leod1671]

Hello Jules, well you proved that the Plena was the Bokeh king (or queen) for sure. However, more importantly, I am amazed that the older lenses measure up as well as they do to the newer Z mount lenses. Anyway, congratulations on an excellent year of KZbin videos. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Yes, it wasn't surprising that the Plena was the best. Happy New Year to you and yours as well.

[@tomallen6073]

Amazed how well the older lenses perform. If you don’t require autofocus they are good option. May lack a little bit in sharpness and may be a bit more abbreviations but as we all know composition is king!

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@tomallen6073 I agree, but may I add lighting. Lighting and composition, in my opinion, are the 2 most important things. Thanks for watching and your comments.

[@lumenlarry6197]

Thanks Jules for this facilitating comparison and all the other excellent content you have presented this year! Have a good new year and looking forward to seeing more from you in 2025!

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@lumenlarry6197 Thank you. Happy New Year.

[@flyingo]

I’m tempted to take a look at the same aspect using various Micro-Nikkor lenses like the 55mm/f2.8, 55mm/f3.5, 60mm/f2.8, 85mm/f3.5 and 105mm/f2.8. Of course the subject and various distances will be very different. So much emphasis is placed on bokeh these days that I’m sure I’ll find surprises in how they differ from old Takumar, Helios, Rokkor and other brands. Thanks for this video and happy new year!

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I have some Takumar's, Rokkor's and Canon manual focus lenses as well others. I will get to comparing bokeh on them at some point. Thanks for watching and Happy New Year.

[@campbells0ups]

thanks for the video! recently took a couple nikkor's on vacation and did some christmas tree shots. the 28mm f/2.8 pre AI and the 5.8cm f/1.4. the 5.8 cm delivers some wild bokeh unlike most nikkors!

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@campbells0ups I had the 5.8cm 1.4, it was an interesting lens. Thanks for watching.

[@starscream25]

Can’t wait for the video. HAPPY HOLIDAYS !

[@philmtx3fr]

Hi Jules and thx a lot for this comparison. I am more than glad for you to do it as I suggested it in some of my past comments. In fact first of all true that it s difficult with KZbin to evaluate the sharpness of these lenses so thx also for’putttingbthe original jpeg , I will have a look. About bokeh you seem to consider bokeh is better if the shape of the lighted points are well round. It s perfectly respectable and your comments in this way are true but honnestly I don t think that some cats eye lighted points ruin a picture… and can even give some character to an image. Finally your video shows that old ( and cheap !!!) lenses are not bad at all and except the advantage of the autofocus in some conditions it s true that it’s sometimes difficult to justify the price of these new jewels… which cost. Thx again and eager to see more comparison next time !!!

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@philmtx3fr Thank you. I always appreciate your intelligent comments. The way out of focus highlights look is a matter of personal preference. I prefer perfect circles, but maybe part of the reason is need to justify spending so much on the Plena. Happy New Year.

[@philmtx3fr]

@ lol for plena ! This essential is that you are happy with what you buy !

[@gavinhell4597]

Love your Nikon lens videos 🙌 thanks 🎉

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Thank you. A lot more lens videos coming in 2025.

[@TeddyCavachon]

I purchased a 85mm f/1.8 in 1971 and still own it.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@TeddyCavachon That is an excellent lens, but the lens that was tested in this video is the 85mm 1.8 Z mount for Nikon mirrorless cameras. Thanks for watching.

[@KarloFio]

Hi, good work! I am only wondering why you haven't included the Nikkor 105mm f2 DC, a absolute masterpiece of lens design. It's for sure one of the best lenses ever, across the board. I am working since many years with it and am still always stunned with the results from it. And, used with my Z8 it puts Plena to the shame... Happy New Year to you 🎉

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@KarloFio Hi Karlo, simple reason, I don’t own or have access to the DC. I understand it’s an excellent lens. Thanks for watching. Happy New Year.

[@KarloFio]

@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 Thank you for a kind response 😊 I wish, you could get hold of a 105mm D2 DC, or maybe even 135mm DC in the next year. All I can say is, using one of them you can't imagine anything else attached to your Nikon. 105mm DC stays on my D850 and rarely comes down, stay well!

[@tonytfuntek3262]

Very interesting, only if you closely scrutinize the older AIS lens vs the Z series, I really didn't see much of a difference. No doubt the Z lens are superior...sharpness, CA, contrast etc. but unless you only photograph test charts the AIS lens really held up well. Thanks for these videos....Happy New Year

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

So much depends on distance from subject to background. I agree it wasn't a big difference between lenses, except for the Plena. Thanks for watching and Happy New Year

[@vivianvaldi7871]

The 50 AIS looks scary compared to the non AI. They worked a lot for sharpness & other technical qualities and managed to make a dead lens...

[@Democratiser]

Why do I always find myself being drawn to images produced by sonnar lenses?!?

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@Democratiser For years I shot with the newer 105, but more recently I seem to prefer the older version. I may change my mind next week. Thanks for watching and Happy New Year.

[@Democratiser]

@ Indeed! Happy New Year!