What does this mean? - re AF DC-Nikkor lens

[tasadam]

http://www.maxwell.com.au/products/niko ... af_dc.html

One of Nikon's unique contributions to portrait photography is DC (Defocus-image Control) technology. This unique Nikon innovation enables users of AF DC-Nikkor lenses to precisely control the degree of spherical aberration in the background and foreground blur precisely by rotating the lens' DC ring, This creates a rounded, pleasing out-of-focus blur that is ideal for striking portraits

Does this mean I can achieve a narrower "depth of field look" without having the narrow depth of field? What does it do to the subject - stay clear but makes the foreground / background content more blurred?
Can't get my head around this....
Hang on, these lenses are already F2. Do I need to blur backgrounds any more than that? Particularly with fixed focal length, maybe I should just "settle" on the 70-200VR.
And "spherical aberration" - what the.....
Anyone got any sample images showing what this does, with and without the DC so I can compare with a wide F stop? Any other advice?
Adam.

[huynhie]

Adam,

since I'm such a lazy person, here is a review and explaination of what a defocus control lense can do

105 F2 DC

[Glen]

Adam, Birddy has the only versions of these on the board to my knowledge. Have you checked the price? Unless you are a portrait photographer, you would probably buy the 70-200 first then this lens

[birddog114]

We have few threads about this lens by Onyx and other on this board

[huynhie]

and here is the 135mm F2 DC review and explaination.

[tasadam]

Great review but I really need broadband to view it, BIG! And loads of detail. Thanks for the link.

Birdys price on this is $1050 and the RRP is 2479. Hhhhmmmm.


Thanks for the responses.

I am just trying to decide which lens to get next.
Suppose I need to detail this question in another thread but for those that are interested,

I have the 2 kit lenses 18-70 and 70-300.
If I buy the 70-200VR there will be overlap but for I will be getting F2.8, and VR. I don't really need VR now so I may need it even less with F2.8, but that once I have it I will find ways of using it - less tripod, slower shutter, etc...

I need to find out whether F2.8 will give me the separation I am looking for, or whether I need a wider F stop.

If there is a bunch of rocks sticking out from a mountain say 150 to 200 metres in front of me, and there are mountains and rocks, same colour, a few hundred metres further on, will F2.8 separate these well enough for me to be able to make a real subject out of the foreground rocks? Or will I need to move closer / go with bigger aperture?

This 70-200VR is around $2300 from Birddog and RRP is $4129 .

Or shall I save some bucks and consider the 80-200 F2.8 without VR ($1250 Birddog)?

[Glen]

2.8 will give you the limited depth of field you require, even for portraits at much closer range. Either lens is excellent, just choose between VR or not

[Onyx]

The 105mm that Birdy's got was generously loaned to be a while ago. I found the focal length a little long for head/shoulder portrait, but I had fun experimenting and learning about the defocus control thingies (it stumped me too at first).

It basically alters the look of bokeh in an image. You can also use it wrongly to induce image abberation (a bad thing for pic quality) by using the wrong combination of aperture and defocus-ness setting.

heh, it's also the lens that I discovered after 6 months of owning the D70 that I was afflicted with back-focus.

[tasadam]

Wife says OKAY to 70-200VR



Any time after late June...
And after I've sold all my old gear. 3 film cameras, heaps of lenses, etc. Time to look at how to sell on eBay I think...
Maybe here first...
F80 already listed in ForSale here.

[Glen]

Congrats Adam, you will love it

[birddog114]

Wife says OKAY to 70-200VR



Any time after late June...
And after I've sold all my old gear. 3 film cameras, heaps of lenses, etc. Time to look at how to sell on eBay I think...
Maybe here first...
F80 already listed in ForSale here.

Perhaps no more 70-200VR I can't get stock! or 70-300DX VR

[Matt. K]

Onyx
I look at your avatar and see no "back" focus!

[tasadam]

or 70-300DX VR

What the.........
Gotta do research on that baby!
F2.8?
Price?
How to sell wife on idea...?

[MCWB]

What the.........
Gotta do research on that baby!

Rumour/wish.

[birddog114]

It's hardly to find any new Nikkor 70-200VR in any market with the price which many member got.
No stock is available thru few o/s suppliers.
Perhaps, the new 70-300VR or something else will be in the market soon.