where there’s smoke there’s forum fire
I have a DC 105 that I bought a few years ago for my F5. At the time I got great pictures of my children but never got the hang of the DC feature. Work and raising 3 kids sidelined my photography hobby for some time. Now I'm looking to get back into it and I'd love to finally get the hang of using the DC feature. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Oh, and I'll be using this with my recently purchased D7000.
Thanks
AF DC-Nikkor 105mm f/2.0D de-focus control portrait lens:
This is the lens I've been wanting since its invention nearly two decades ago. To me, it's the perfect DX portrait lens. Last November, I finally bought a mint-condition, used DC 105mm, and have been experimenting with a few of its idiosyncrasies. This lens is capable of producing razor-sharp images, and actually happens to be one of the sharpest lenses I now own, but there are a few unexpected things I found about this particular copy of this lens. I'm not sure if the following represents normal operation of this lens, or if mine is perhaps out of adjustment, but I'll share my findings so others here can compare notes.
The metal-barreled, crinkle-finish AF DC-Nikkor 105mm f/2.0D comes with an attached, slide-out lens shade.
Here's how the de-focus image control ring is supposed to work:
1. 'F': Set your lens' aperture to any f-stop, and correlate the f-stop on the 'F' (foreground) side of the de-focus ring to exaggerate the de-focus effect for any objects nearer to you than your plane of focus.
2. Detente: Set your lens' aperture to any f-stop, and set the de-focus ring to its detente (center) position for a neutral de-focus effect.
3. 'R': Set your lens' aperture to any f-stop, and correlate the f-stop on the 'R' (rear) side of the de-focus ring to exaggerate the de-focus effect for any objects further than your plane of focus (i.e., your background).
The "sweet spot" of my de-focus ring is f/2.0 'F.'
Here's what happens in actual use with my copy:
I did a few test shots last Xmas and found that any setting to the right of 'R' f/2.0 of the defocus ring resulted in less-than-sharp images. In fact, setting the de-focus ring to either the detente (middle) position, or anywhere to the 'R' side of the f-stop settings resulted in "soft-effect" images. According to the Nikon literature, "soft-effect" images should only occur when the de-focus ring f-stop numerically exceeds the actual f-stop setting of the aperture ring.
De-focus ring set at detente.
However, in further test images of actual people (not shown here for copyright reasons), I later noticed that the soft-focus effect began at the detente position, which is supposed to be neutral, i.e. "sharp." As a result of these more recent findings, I now only shoot this lens with the de-focus ring set to 'F' at f/2.0-f/2.8 (shown, above), depending on whether I'm irising the lens' actual aperture ring at f/2.0 or f/2.8 (I generally never shoot this lens stopped-down any further than f/2.8). My preference would be to have the background's de-focus exaggerated (rather than the foreground's), but it's sharper in the 'F' position, so that's what I now shoot it at.
Aperture set at f/2.8; de-focus ring set at f/2.8 'R'.
Aperture set at f/2.8; de-focus ring set at detente.
Although it may not be visible in the above re-sized images, the type on the candy wrapper is slightly sharper in the second image. Certainly, these weren't the most careful of tests, but I was able to detect a repeatable trend.
Sample Images:
Here's a couple of shots I'd taken recently with my DC 105mm on my D7000:
Aperture ring at f/2.0, with de-focus ring set to f/2.0 'F.'
Aperture ring at f/2.0, with de-focus ring set to f/2.0 'F.'
Idiosyncrasies aside, it's now my most-favored lens for shooting people. It's sharp and gorgeous. Intentionally introducing spherical aberration via the de-focus control can add an interesting patina to some skin tones--when done right, it's beautiful, and it's an effect unique only to this, and the DC 135mm. I still need to take this lens to Nikon to see if this is operating correctly. Perhaps other owners of either the 105mm of 135mm DC-Nikkors could chime in here.
Corrections:
Upon closer inspection of some charts I shot before Xmas, I'm noticing that the shot isn't soft--the plane of focus is changed. This is a known variable with the DC-Nikkors, and the documentaion instructs you to re-acquire focus, after any adjustment is made to the de-focus control ring. But, I thought I did just that in my test shots. I'll have to re-test under more controlled settings to confirm all of this.
One more DC 105mm image taken on a D7000: here's a 100%-magnification crop (1:1 pixel), showing this lens' sharpness.
Aperture ring at f/2.0, with de-focus ring set to f/2.0 'F.'
100% crop
How close can you focus with that lens?
I need to hurry up and use my 105 macro for more creative purposes other than macro!
I've always been curious about the DC lenses. I hope they stick around in Nikon's lineup, they're oddballs but they have their uses.
Thanks, it looks like a really nice portrait lens.
studio460,
Thanks for the info. I'll give it a whirl again. It is a great lens. Some of the best portraits I've ever taken. Getting the DC figured out will enhance my arsenal.
Thanks again!
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