In article <5a7do5$h39$1@goanna.cs.rmit.edu.au>, wlac@yallara.cs.rmit.EDU.AU says...

>>>I am contemplating buying a portrait lens to supplement my 50 and 135mm
>>>lenses. Which one should I get? 85mm f:1.8? 85mm f:2.0? 105mm f:2.5? What
>>>are the respective reputation of these Nikkor lenses? any other
>>>suggestions? (e.g. is the 105 too close to 135 which I find too long for
>>>portraits?). I am talking about manual focusing lenses, for an F body.

>85mm f2 is not a good performer. 105mm f2.5 is excellent. AF 85mm f1.8
>is good but not the best 85mm around. If you do head shots a lot, I
>recommand 105mm, otherwise, I prefer 85mm for easier handling.

Hmmm, I cannot agree with your comments on the 85mm Nikkor performance - I
have used many of the 85mm f2's, and a couple of the AF 1.8's (among others),
and find the 85mm Nikkors excellent (it is an easy FL to design and make).
Hope This Helps