[yusuf]

What do you think of Nikon 135/2 DC compared to 85mm/1.4 on FF - how does these two lenses compare for portrait work? I am comfortable using FA77 & 85mm on APS-C for my day to day shoot, does it mean 135 is more suited if I add Nikon FF?

Thanks

[RioRico]

What do you think of Nikon 135/2 DC compared to 85mm/1.4 on FF - how does these two lenses compare for portrait work? I am comfortable using FA77 & 85mm on APS-C for my day to day shoot, does it mean 135 is more suited if I add Nikon FF?

I don't know those specific lenses, but I know that 85/1.5 on my K20D is AOV+DOF equivalent to 131/2.3 on 135/FF (*). Another view: 135/2 on 135/FF would be AOV+DOF equivalent to 88/1.3 on my K20D. So the Nikon 135 will have VERY slightly thinner DOF and smaller AOV than a fast 85 on APS-C -- pretty damn close. To exactly match the AOV of a 77 on 135/FF would take a 115mm lens. Closest might be a 120/2.8, which would translate as 78/1.8 -- another pretty close match!
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(*) The Pentax/APSC-to-135/FF factor is 1.54. To translate for equivalent lens views, apply the factor to both focal length and aperture.

[Verglace]

From what I understand the DC designation for Nikon means defocus which lets you do some effects. So the lens can do more in that sense.

[isaacc7]

From what I understand the DC designation for Nikon means defocus which lets you do some effects. So the lens can do more in that sense.

Yeah, the defocus control was a really interesting experiment. Set at zero, the 135mm f2 is a blazingly sharp lens. The DC adjustment allows you to add more aberations to the image, mostly spherical aberations if I remember correctly. Goes to show that the sharpest lenses aren't always the best choice.