A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

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Archive 2010 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

CGrindahl
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p.1 #1 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

I've commented on the fact that since the fine old Nikon glass is native to Nikon cameras, we can't honorably share photos taken with these lenses, while our compatriots shooting Canon et al are free to mount AI-s glass and share their images on the Alternate Gear forum. I think it is time we gave a little love ourselves to this venerable manual focus lens that so many members own and hold in high regard. When I dipped my toe into the Nikon water, the 105 f/2.8 AI-s was the third lens I bought, largely based on comments made by members of this board. I shot with it quite a bit but then as I began building my kit it stayed home more often than not. Today I took it out and did some shooting this afternoon. When I looked at the images, I knew I had to initiate a thread to give others the opportunity to sing the praises of this fine piece of glass. I know I'm not alone among users of the D700 in taking advantage of Nikon's collection of excellent manual focus lenses. It is time for us to celebrate!

This was the shot that got me thinking along these lines... Come on down folks and share your photos taken with this great lens!

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Oct 07, 2010 at 03:14 AM · View previous versions

Aug 16, 2010 at 01:25 AM

Todd Adamson
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p.1 #2 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

Wonderful shot! I am unable to participate at this time, but hopefully soon! Looking at an AI version at this moment, trying to determine if there's any significant optical difference...

Aug 16, 2010 at 01:58 AM

yossarian123
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p.1 #3 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

blam:

Aug 16, 2010 at 02:28 AM

jhinkey
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p.1 #4 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

Very nice. I brought mine along on a trip to Montana in June and I was glad I did, as I got some shots like this one of my Father-in-law's dogs, which ended up making him quite happy as he doesn't have any really nice images of his beloved pets.

Definitely a fine lens. First copy of this lens I had I was not impressed. Sold it, then got re-interested and found another excellent condition one. This one seems to be significantly sharper and it's a keeper.

Oh yes, this one is at f/4 on my D300, ISO 400. Shot it RAW with 20,4,4 USM in NX2.

John

2013 © jhinkey

Aug 16, 2010 at 02:31 AM

luminosity
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p.1 #5 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

D700+105/2.5 (at f/4)

D700+105/2.5 (at f/2.8)

Aug 16, 2010 at 02:39 AM

dj dunzie
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p.1 #6 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

I've only just started playing around with mine so I need to work on building up my collection of shots with this gem. But here's a couple contributions just to say I'm a believer...

This image is copyrighted by the owner

The sharpness SOOC with this lens has been a bit of a revelation for me.

Aug 16, 2010 at 02:58 AM

Avi B
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p.1 #7 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

I say post AI/AIS versions, although I'm not the thread starter, so just my $0.02...

Taken in Goa, India, these ladies comb the beach selling trinkets and offering massages to ladies. JPEG SOOC.

NIKON D2Xs 105 mm f/4.0 1/1000 sec 100 ISO +0.3 EV

Aug 16, 2010 at 03:35 AM

Gary Clennan
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p.1 #8 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

With D700... Will have to dig up some more. I really like this lens.

NIKON D200 105 mm f/2.5 1/40 sec 400 ISO 0.0 EV

NIKON D200 105 mm f/2.5 1/125 sec 200 ISO 0.0 EV

NIKON D200 105 mm f/5.6 1/10 sec 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Aug 16, 2010 at 03:41 AM

Ken Rutt
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p.1 #9 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

I've only used mine a few times when I first got it but my 80-200 tends to live on my D300. Not to steal your thread but I think the 35-70 f/2.8 is another forgotten gem.

Here's one with my 105. Shot at f4

2013 © Ken Rutt

Aug 16, 2010 at 03:51 AM

spentomuch
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p.1 #10 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

I'm another late to the table now singing the praises of the 105/2.5 ais
Just got mine and have not had enough time to ring it out yet.
when I get the focus right I'm rewarded great picture's
Here's one
HH D700 stopped down 1 click, I think 4.0, it says F-1 in photoshop ( it was before I entered the non-CPU lens data), about %50 crop
Gotta love this lens

2013 © spentomuch

Edited on Aug 16, 2010 at 04:19 AM · View previous versions

Aug 16, 2010 at 04:02 AM

lovinglife
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p.1 #11 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

Very nice shots and great lens. Anyone have any samples with the 105/1.8?

Aug 16, 2010 at 04:13 AM

CGrindahl
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p.1 #12 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

Avi B wrote:
I say post AI/AIS versions, although I'm not the thread starter, so just my $0.02...

I'm definitely not a snob on the subject. I understand the AI and AI-s versions have essentially the same construction, so why not include them? Go for it!

Here's a shot I grabbed this evening on my way to dinner with a friend. Wide open, 100% crop from RAW image simply converted in PS to JPEG.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Aug 26, 2010 at 05:10 AM · View previous versions

Aug 16, 2010 at 04:57 AM

CGrindahl
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p.1 #13 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

Todd Adamson wrote:
Wonderful shot! I am unable to participate at this time, but hopefully soon! Looking at an AI version at this moment, trying to determine if there's any significant optical difference...

Perhaps you know this site Todd... if not it is very useful both in learning about lens construction and also using specification numbers to tell when a lens was manufactured. It is a wonderful resource.

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html#105

The AI has seven curved aperture blades, which differs somehow with the AI-s lens. The later lens also has a shorter focus throw. I don't know whether that makes a difference to shooters, though I'm very happy with the way the AI-s version focuses. The later version also has a built in hood that slides out from the body.

No doubt you're having fun exploring, as I'm sure many of us have. I was pretty lost with the Nikon nomenclature when I first came over, but it is gradually beginning to make sense to me. No doubt, all the wonderful resources available online have and continue to help, including the New Zealand site above. Hopefully you'll join us soon.

Aug 16, 2010 at 05:05 AM

jhinkey
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p.1 #14 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

epuja wrote:
Very nice shots and great lens. Anyone have any samples with the 105/1.8?
When I was hunting for the /2.5 version I came across the /1.8 and at $450 it was a little too rich for my blood at the time. It's also a lot larger lens, but some have reported liking it better than the /2.5 version. I haven't seen one up for sale here in Seattle in quite a while, but I keep a lookout for one in case a good deal comes along.

John

Aug 16, 2010 at 05:10 AM

CGrindahl
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p.1 #15 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

raxafarian wrote:
...Not to steal your thread but I think the 35-70 f/2.8 is another forgotten gem.

To be honest, I was thinking about creating a thread devoted specifically to manual focus lenses manufactured by Nikon, which would include ALL the oldies but goodies. If that is something that resonates for you, have at it. If no one else gets there I'll likely start a thread myself eventually. There is no reason why folks in the Alternative Gear forum should have all the fun. Zeiss and Leica lenses may really be the very best manual focus lenses, but we certainly can enjoy what is available to us from Nikon's storied past.

Aug 16, 2010 at 05:10 AM

CGrindahl
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p.1 #16 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

yossarian123 wrote:
blam:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Stunning portrait... soulful face. Thanks for sharing it.

Aug 16, 2010 at 05:12 AM

CGrindahl
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p.1 #17 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

The portraits are really fine. This lens sings!

Aug 16, 2010 at 05:14 AM

luminosity
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p.1 #18 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

jhinkey wrote:
epuja wrote:
Very nice shots and great lens. Anyone have any samples with the 105/1.8?
When I was hunting for the /2.5 version I came across the /1.8 and at $450 it was a little too rich for my blood at the time. It's also a lot larger lens, but some have reported liking it better than the /2.5 version. I haven't seen one up for sale here in Seattle in quite a while, but I keep a lookout for one in case a good deal comes along.

John

What "some" is that? I've never read a bad word about the 2.5. The 1.8, however, has a mixed reputation.

Aug 16, 2010 at 05:18 AM

CGrindahl
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p.1 #19 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

luminosity wrote:
jhinkey wrote:
epuja wrote:
Very nice shots and great lens. Anyone have any samples with the 105/1.8?
When I was hunting for the /2.5 version I came across the /1.8 and at $450 it was a little too rich for my blood at the time. It's also a lot larger lens, but some have reported liking it better than the /2.5 version. I haven't seen one up for sale here in Seattle in quite a while, but I keep a lookout for one in case a good deal comes along.

John

What "some" is that? I've never read a bad word about the 2.5. The 1.8, however, has a mixed reputation.

I've heard the same thing. When I was first building my Nikon kit I was looking for "good value for money" and everyone said this lens is worth having. The reviews I read were less complimentary about the faster lens, so it seemed a no-brainer for me. Nothing about the lens has disappointed me. On the contrary, when I first shot with this lens I was blown away that such quality could be had for so little money. I loved those thousand dollar Canon L lenses I owned, but this lens gives away nothing to any of them, except perhaps the 85L. It was when I shot with this lens that I truly got excited about my Nikon adventure. The rest is history...

Aug 16, 2010 at 05:35 AM

lovinglife
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p.1 #20 · A Little Love for the 105 f/2.5

Aug 16, 2010 at 05:41 AM

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