ISO1600 wrote:
ahh yes, the built in hood. That is the reason to avoid AIS and go for an earlier version. Built in hoods are the worst.
i actually love built in hoods. no wasting time removing, reversing, or losing them, just pull them out as needed - simple, quick and easy. having said that, the built in hood on my 105mm f/2.5 AIS sucks. it is loose and cheap feeling. not sure if this common for nikon hoods or specific to my beat up 105mm. if i hadn't experienced the built in hoods of other lenses first i would probably hate them too based solely on the experience with that lens. as it is i choose to believe nikon decided that since the rest of the lens was so awesome they had to give it some flaw.
Cableaddict wrote:
I tend to agree with Brainiac's idea that plasticity is, at least partly, caused by good micro-contrast.
Whoa! Don't put words in my mouth. I don't even know what 'plasticity' means in this context. I'm not even sure what 'micro-contrast' is really supposed to mean, unless it's sharpness. And I certainly don't think sharpness is a guarantee of a 3D look. It may be an ingredient. Correct rendition of edges might be a more important factor.
I personally don't like the term 'plasticity' when it is used in context of describing 3D look.
It reminds me of the words like 'plastic' and 'artificial' ...
Paul, the sparrow-shot is absolutely stunning and the protrait is great too.
As for hoods: I always prefer hoods that are together with the lense, provided they have the built of a Leica-lense. The one on the 105 AIS is wobbly crap. They should have done better.
As for the different versions of the lense, just check Roslett:
The 105 F2.5 was always a crowd pleaser and moderately priced even in 1968 when I bought mine. I replaced it with the AIS F2.8 macro which although a bit slower is just as sharp (or sharper). I have a lot of Nikkors and Canon Ls but this is my only macro.
Paul Yi wrote:
I think this lens is too sharp for female portraits, especially stopped down...
Yes, whenever I use my Nikon 105 f/2.5 or Kiron 105 f/2.8 macro for portrait work, I slap a black Softnet filter on it for a very pleasing flesh tones and complexion. The ladies love it.
"Soft Net Filters use an old Hollywood technique of overlaying a net pattern on the surface of the resin, creating a classic diffusion effect, minimizing unwanted details while maintaining image clarity.
White Nets soften fine details with no change in contrast. Black Nets soften fine details and reduce harsh contrasts."
Paul Yi wrote:
That is cool.....
Can you give me a link for the filter...?
I've never heard of Softnet filter.....
Paul
I have and use the Tiffen #2 & #3 Black Softnets in a variety of sizes (screw-on). However, Tiffen no longer makes the really cool Softnets. But, they have replaced them with what they call " Black Diffusion FX filters. They seem to work pretty well too. I prefer the #3 in the Black Diffusion series. The attached snaps were made on Neopan 400CN. Straight scans from the negs. No post processing.
