Nikon 105/25, one hell of a lens

[kshapero]

Shot with a Nikon FM3a

 

[P. Lynn Miller]

I own a very battered 105 of the same variation which I have used for over 20 years. As a portrait lens it is almost without peer. Legendary... I think is the term.

 

[kdemas]

I have the 105 for my F series, my S series and my Leica M's. Absolutely terrific lenses.

 

[dfoo]

Agreed! I have both the Leica M mount version, and the Nikon version. Both have very similar signatures, and both are awesome. My only complaint with the M mount version is that it is quite heavy.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

we are all in agreement about this lens, it's awesome... and the bokey's not to bad either 😉

Todd

 

[dfoo]

One of the most famous photos of all time, Afghan girl, was taken with this lens.

 

[Kiyoshi]

i just ordered one of these babies (F-mount AI version) online from a camera store here in Japan for $100. at this price i thought why not? can't wait till it gets here. will be used with my FE2 and D700.
glad to hear others testify about its performance...i also had no idea the NatGeo afghan girl photo was taken with this glass?!

 

[rover]

I am not a Nikon user but this lens is the biggest temptation to me regarding buying an FM3a. I just picked up a m mount copy, so hopefully that will keep the temptation under control.

 

[Phantomas]

Hmmmmm. Thanks for the tip! I'm now looking to buy this lens. Are all of them (F, M, S) the same optical design? How come it's so cheap?

 

[rover]

The M, S and early F lenses are all Sonnar designs. The later F (change some time in the 1970s I believe) were changed and no longer Sonnar designs.

 

[Sparrow]

The M, S and early F lenses are all Sonnar designs. The later F (change some time in the 1970s I believe) were changed and no longer Sonnar designs.

I have one of those later ones .. it's OK ...

 

[Phantomas]

Obviously it's just "OK" 😀

OK, I'm getting this lens.

 

[dfoo]

...
glad to hear others testify about its performance...i also had no idea the NatGeo afghan girl photo was taken with this glass?!

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_Girl

At the Nasir Bagh refugee camp in 1984, Gula's photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry on Kodachrome color slide film, with Nikon FM2 camera and Nikkor 105mm F2.5 lens.

----

I happen to have an FM2 and a 105 nikkor. Not that I'm trying to copy McCurry or anything! 😱

 

[Keith]

Those images at the beginning of this post look a little over sharpened to me actually! Todd and Stewart's examples seem more in line with what I expect from the 105mm f2.5.

 

[Sparrow]

Obviously it's just "OK" 😀

OK, I'm getting this lens.

I only have the F mount so I can use that lens, the other one really rate is the slightly older bog-standard 50mm f1:2ai

 

[italy74]

A sample from me... Nikon FM3A - 105 F/2.5 AI - Kodak Ektar 100 - wide open ( 1/60s - F/2.5 )

 

[Calzone]

we are all in agreement about this lens, it's awesome... and the bokey's not to bad either 😉

Todd

I sold my 105/2.5 when I got a 105/1.8 AIS. The 1.8 has an eleven blade aperature, very smooth OOF, and great bokeh.

Only things bad about the 105 on steroids is the size and weight. Oh well. A great-great lens. Mine is permenantly mounted on my F3P with a MD-4 motor drive.

Cal

 

[rover]

Dino is now my favorite RFF member.

 

[rodinal]

Another example, with the AIS version (evil FE body, HP5+, HC-110, Super CoolScan 5000ED, no sharpening), love it !

 

[italy74]

hahaha thanks Rover,
she's my (young) friend Nicla, 20 y.o., a friend's daughter also on facebook. We were at her mother birthday on March 13th.