newyork wrote:
Any certain 105 2.5 that should be sought? AI-S is like $199 i see
Horses for courses.. I have the Ai-S as it has the built-in hood which I like: Some hate it for the same reason (it's a bit short and floppy). The AI version is generally cheaper, and has a longer focus-throw which some prefer. The newer AI lenses have a rubber focussing grip while the older ones have bare metal knurling. There are very old versions with f/32 min aperture (can you say "diffraction"?). And then the early "P" versions (with no multi-coating) have a Sonnar optical design (as opposed to the Gauss/Xenotar of all newer 105's) which renders quite differently. The very oldest "P" lenses had 9 aperture blades, and these (along with the rare "tick-mark") versions are highly sought after, but had no AI-conversion kits so are not usable on most modern bodies. I have the AiS (both NIC and SIC versions) and a factory AI'ed "P" Sonnar, along with a copy of the related Micro-Nikkor 105.2.8 and 100/2.8 Series-E. As you can see, I have a "105" addiction..
newyork wrote:
Any certain 105 2.5 that should be sought? AI-S is like $199 i see
Horses for courses.. I have the Ai-S as it has the built-in hood which I like: Some hate it for the same reason (it's a bit short and floppy). The AI version is generally cheaper, and has a longer focus-throw which some prefer. The newer AI lenses have a rubber focussing grip while the older ones have bare metal knurling. There are very old versions with f/32 min aperture (can you say "diffraction"?). And then the early "P" versions (with no multi-coating) have a Sonnar optical design (as opposed to the Gaus/Xenotar of all newer 105's) which renders quite differently. The very oldest "P" lenses had 9 aperture blades, and these (along with the rare "tick-mark") versions are highly sought after, but had no AI-conversion kits so are not usable on most modern bodies. I have the AiS (both NIC and SIC versions) and a factory AI'ed "P" Sonnar, along with a copy of the related Micro-Nikkor 105.2.8 and 100/2.8 Series-E. As you can see, I have a "105" addiction..
Jan 05, 2026 at 04:50 PM
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