georgms wrote:
^Kevin, Jose did a (great as usual) test/comparison with the 105/2.8 and 105/4 Micro-Nikkor's at short and long distances. The 105/2.8 did better, but not by much, if memory serves. And the 105/4 is usually more friendly on the wallet. I paid 100 Euros for a very clean Ai-copy.
But the legendary 105/2.5 with extension-tubes is a great performer as well...
Kevin, a few comments on the 105/4 Micro. The optical construction is the same on all versions, bellows head, AI, and AI-s, viz. a triplet variant based on the Voigtländer Dynar of 1903. It flares easily with backlight, otherwise it’s a good performer.
If you can, get the AI-s version, not the AI. The AI-s has a set screw acting as a focus lock. The weight of the optical unit causes focus creep—only a problem when used pointing down on a tripod or copy stand.
Years ago I almost bought the bellows version of the lens, which Rafael has illustrated for us; but it was exorbitantly priced at the time. The later version with focusing helicoid is so much more versatile, and the optical coatings are much improved. The only plus for the bellows version is 1/3-stop detents on the aperture ring.
All these shots of VW vans make me reget that I sold my 1980. That was near the end of the air-cooled engines, and by that time they had hydraulic valve lifters and sodium-filled exhaust valves. Yeah! No more burnt exhaust valves. No more crawling underneath and scraping knuckles while adjusting the valves. I finally sold it in 2013 after 31 years together. The sad end of wonderful relationship.
Awesome shot Sar, but we've seen many stunning bird photos over the years. Nice to add this in the midst of a conversation about the 105 f/4. I can't imagine anyone finding fault with its performance here. Thanks for sharing...
I was running errands this afternoon and stopped at Bed Bath and Beyond. The parking lot was pretty full and I try to avoid tight parking spots with my rather mint condition Camry but I did notice a spot on the entrance drive. I noted this Chevrolet, but didn't pay close attention until I turned around and parked. These were shot with the 55 f/1.2 S.C. AI at f/5.6. You really only need to stop down to f/2 to get razor sharpness with this lens, so I'm never sharpening in post.
As I took this shot the owner arrived with his wife. I lamented to him that I wish he'd come later so I'd have more time to take photos. The car is a 1973 Chevrolet Caprice... the convertible model as you can see. I asked how long he's owned it and he said 30 years... which suggests he bought it used. But he assured me he was the one who wrote the checks when the car was "refreshed" some years ago. It is immaculate... worth about ONE TENTH the cost of that VW transporter...
Here are the two first photos I took. I'd have loved to spend more time with this car...
Just chilled out today .... relaxing and catching up on some reading !!
But tonight .... the sky is clear .... well almost
though it is dark where we are I drove four mies to the end of Loch Katrine
Put the 15mm f3.5 on the D810 .....
And a 14-24 on the D500 not showing here ...
The results are interesting .... the sensor on the D500 is really a whole heap better than the D810
But the 810 is still good !!
Ursa Major I think with a meteor flashing through and a shot of the Loch with Vega above the light pollution from Aberfoyle both from a dark place in the Trossachs, Scotland
Steve those are really nice night shots.
The 1st shows Ursa Major with Leo below while the second shows not Vega but Jupiter and to the left the triangular head of Serpens in a lovely landscape.
-Jay-
Ballard wrote:
Kevin, a few comments on the 105/4 Micro. The optical construction is the same on all versions, bellows head, AI, and AI-s, viz. a triplet variant based on the Voigtländer Dynar of 1903. It flares easily with backlight, otherwise it’s a good performer.
If you can, get the AI-s version, not the AI. The AI-s has a set screw acting as a focus lock. The weight of the optical unit causes focus creep—only a problem when used pointing down on a tripod or copy stand.
Years ago I almost bought the bellows version of the lens, which Rafael has illustrated for us; but it was exorbitantly priced at the time. The later version with focusing helicoid is so much more versatile, and the optical coatings are much improved. The only plus for the bellows version is 1/3-stop detents on the aperture ring. ...Show more →
Got lucky with my bellows 105mm 1:4, bought if for $200 in like new condition with box and plastic bubble.
HCE HCE wrote:
Steve those are really nice night shots.
The 1st shows Ursa Major with Leo below while the second shows not Vega but Jupiter and to the left the triangular head of Serpens in a lovely landscape.
-Jay-
CGrindahl wrote:
Awesome shot Sar, but we've seen many stunning bird photos over the years. Nice to add this in the midst of a conversation about the 105 f/4. I can't imagine anyone finding fault with its performance here. Thanks for sharing...
Thanks Curtis.
I have shot with a few Macro lenses, the last one was the Sigma 180mm OS. And finally, the AI-S Micro-Nikkor 105/4 is my favourite. I rarely use my PN-11 on this lens as the 1:2 report. ratio is more than enough for most of my work.
For me, the only drawback is its CA on some extreme conditions from wide open to f/5.6.
CGrindahl wrote:
You could be right Mihai, though I've yet to pay over $375 for one of these lenses... which makes it a STEAL compared with your NOCT...
Well, considering that owning a Nocton is like feeding the ego that your pictures are the best just because you're owning and using this lens, even if I know that's far away from truth it is not a big price. At least, I know some men my age or older overhere in my country, investing a fortune in BMW's to feed their ego with the idea that they are still young, handsome and attractive for young girls So, whatever happen, I may sell my whole bunch of lenses, but I'll keep the Nocton... and probably at least two others that I have a special relationship with... !05/2.5 and 45/2.8 AI-P.
I am curious what do you like about the 45mm P besides the size? Is it worth getting even if I own a lot of the 50mm faster lenses?
I just wonder when people grab it over the 50mm 1.8 pancake.
Mishu01 wrote:
Well, considering that owing a Nocton is like feeding the ego that your pictures are the best just because you're owing and using this lens, even if I know that's far away from truth it is not a big price. At least, I know some men my age or older overhere in my country, investing a fortune in BMW's to feed their ego with the idea that they are still young, handsome and attractive for young girls So, whatever happen, I may sell my whole bunch of lenses, but I'll keep the Nocton... and probably at least two others that I have a special relationship with... !05/2.5 and 45/2.8 AI-P. ...Show more →
It is just impossible to keep up with this thread...One has to literally check it every hour, or else you will end up having to scroll through multiple pages of wonderful new images! Every time I come to this thread, I feel a bit stupid to have spent all that money on our AF lens collection
Anyway, got a chance to play a bit with our 105/2.5 ai-s today. The first three show the fun my son was having with his new Lego activity book right after we got back home from his soccer game...
Mishu01 wrote:
Well, considering that owing a Nocton is like feeding the ego that your pictures are the best just because you're owing and using this lens, even if I know that's far away from truth it is not a big price. At least, I know some men my age or older overhere in my country, investing a fortune in BMW's to feed their ego with the idea that they are still young, handsome and attractive for young girls So, whatever happen, I may sell my whole bunch of lenses, but I'll keep the Nocton... and probably at least two others that I have a special relationship with... !05/2.5 and 45/2.8 AI-P. ...Show more →
Mihai - surely you know that if you have a BMW you don't need to be young, or handsome or attractive!
mysh wrote:
I am curious what do you like about the 45mm P besides the size? Is it worth getting even if I own a lot of the 50mm faster lenses?
I just wonder when people grab it over the 50mm 1.8 pancake.
I have as well several 50mm versions and I may get rid of them. The reason is that I have two 58mm - the Nikon Nocton and CV Nokton... they share the same focal length but they are very, very different in character and usage... for instance I prefer CV Nokton for portraits or for shooting people from up to 10 feet distance, while I like more the genuine Nocton for not human close subjects or for anything distant. It may be just a personal preference, not a scientific observation. I also have a beaten copy of 55/1.2 which get some use too sometimes.
From this reason a 50 mm is too close in FL to receive use or a place in my bag.
45/2.8 is quite different - there is a difference in FL enough important, more what the numbers says. As a particular thing, I found always 35 mm too wide and 50 too narrow for „a one lens experience...” My best FL is between 40 and 45. This particular lens has a very simple Tessar design, and while did great results on my former D800, it really shines on my D750, even wide open. It is small, factory chipped, could be used simply as a body cap, as John said once, is not heavy, but overall gives me a FL that I love. Maybe this is the most important argument for me. When I do not want to travel with heavy gear, which is an important „philosophy” and with every day seems much important, I take with me just 3 lenses: CV 20/3.5, 45/2.5 AI-P and 105/2.5 and I'm fine. None is top of the line, but they deliver what I need. Only when I know that I'll need something faster, I add the Nocton in the bag. I still have some AF glass but I use it only when I need just a single focal or a combo of two for a very specific project. My only problem is that I have almost no time to do PP... I have thousands pictures waiting for the day when I'll take care... I hope I'll see that day
Oosty wrote:
Mihai - surely you know that if you have a BMW you don't need to be young, or handsome or attractive!
I know, I know... Praise God I have no BMW, just a good workhorse Ford... I'll be failing completely financially with a BMW. In my beloved Country, the service cost is depending discretionary on the brand of the car you have. For a repair at my Ford which cost $100, they will charge me $500 if coming with a BMW. Not necessary because the parts are so much expensive, I know that they are costing more, but the „professional” workers are adjusting drastically their labor cost according the car you have... I must tell you that Romania was under Turkish sovereignty for several Centuries. We won our independence in 1878 but they plagued us with lot of oriental DNA and habits We need maybe other 500 years to clean up...
Thanks for the response. I have always been intrigued by the lens but I never really could think of times I would grab it. I have quite a few 50mm lenses that are faster and plenty sharp. It is a really nice design and maybe 45mm would give a slightly different perspective.
Mishu01 wrote:
I have as well several 50mm versions and I may get rid of them. The reason is that I have two 58mm - the Nikon Nocton and CV Nokton... they share the same focal length but they are very, very different in character and usage... for instance I prefer CV Nokton for portraits or for shooting people from up to 10 feet distance, while I like more the genuine Nocton for not human close subjects or for anything distant. It may be just a personal preference, not a scientific observation. I also have a beaten copy of 55/1.2 which get some use too sometimes.
From this reason a 50 mm is too close in FL to receive use or a place in my bag.
45/2.8 is quite different - there is a difference in FL enough important, more what the numbers says. As a particular thing, I found always 35 mm too wide and 50 too narrow for „a one lens experience...” My best FL is between 40 and 45. This particular lens has a very simple Tessar design, and while did great results on my former D800, it really shines on my D750, even wide open. It is small, factory chipped, could be used simply as a body cap, as John said once, is not heavy, but overall gives me a FL that I love. Maybe this is the most important argument for me. When I do not want to travel with heavy gear, which is an important „philosophy” and with every day seems much important, I take with me just 3 lenses: CV 20/3.5, 45/2.5 AI-P and 105/2.5 and I'm fine. None is top of the line, but they deliver what I need. Only when I know that I'll need something faster, I add the Nocton in the bag. I still have some AF glass but I use it only when I need just a single focal or a combo of two for a very specific project. My only problem is that I have almost no time to do PP... I have thousands pictures waiting for the day when I'll take care... I hope I'll see that day ...Show more →
