Nikkor 10.5cm PC f2.5 lens - reputation?

[Waterman100]

Does anyone know the performance and reputation of this lens? I am looking at this SP kit for sale which includes a 105 lens, but it'd cost me $400 more than the typical SP + 50/1.4 outfit. So I wonder if I should get it...

Initially, I had planned on getting the 50 only, since I enjoy shooting with a normal lens. But now I thought maybe the 105 could be useful from time to time when I need something longer...

But also, being a 105, this lens is not useful with other bodies even w/ an adapter because other bodies like the M's do not have a 105 frameline. Is this right?

Any advise will be great. Many thanks.

 

[ferider]

A great lens, one of the most famous Nikkors. A bit on the large side.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Okay- the 10.5cm F2.5 is probably the sharpest of the Nikon S-Mount telephoto lenses. The lens usually can be found for $400 or so, rather than $400 more than a 5cm F1.4. The latter typically goes in the $200 range, so I would pay a $200 premium for the kit.

The Framelines of the M8 for 90mm lines are perfect for the 105. The inner border of the 90mm framelines on the M3 work for the 105 as well. An adapter to use the S-Mount lens on an M-Mount camera will run $250~$300, and the same lens in Leica Mount is much easier to use with the M-Mount camera. I have a 10.5cm/2.5 in S-Mount and LTM.

SO: is the SP with the 10.5 in better condition than the other choice? If all things are equal, go with the 5cm f1.4.

My LTM lens on the M8, close-up and wide-open. Used with a 1.25x eyepiece and 90mm framelines.

My S-Mount lens on the SP, wide-open and close-up.

Focus and recomposed, SP.

 

[JMQ]

The 10.5cm f2.5 is one of the "legends" that made Nikon. There are many variations to this lens, but all great. This lens is a little big, but as Brian says, one of the sharpest. See the write up by Dante Stella at :

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/nikoleic.html

 

[goliathus]

I tested it with my NEX-5 recently. (I hope Nikon launchs a mirrorless camera ASAP!) It is an amazing lens.
The sharpness is better than any kind of tele-Nikkor in my opinion. Actually it is a little bit heavy, but You will be satified by it's performance 🙂

I usually link sample images from flickr, but I failed this time. I don't know why. So instead of pictures, I linked the high resolution images from my blog.





http://sangin1122.tistory.com/entry/NEX-5-Nikkor-PC-105cm-F25

 

[arturo]

Goliathus: how to do you mount the Nikon lenses in the NEX? What adapter do you use?

I want to buy a NEX-5 for precisely that use but I'm holding a few weeks to see if something is announced at the Photokina.

Arturo

 

[Waterman100]

An adapter to use the S-Mount lens on an M-Mount camera will run $250~$300, and the same lens in Leica Mount is much easier to use with the M-Mount camera. I have a 10.5cm/2.5 in S-Mount and LTM.

Thanks for the advices and insights, y'all.

Brian -- could you elaborate why and how a Nikon S-mount lens is more difficult to use, than a Nikon LTM-mount, on a M-mount camera?

I do plan to use these Nikon S-mount lenses on any M-bodies I might buy in the future. So I would have second thought about getting the Nikon SP set if adapting S-mount lenses on M-bodies presents operational difficulties.

Or maybe I should just stick with one mount system... I suppose I need to do some soul-searching as to why I should buy a 50-year old system.....

 

[BillBingham2]

It might be an LTM mount 105.

Yes Virginia there is nothing like the 105/2.5. I've owned it in LTM and S and it ROCKS. I am hopeful we will see a full frame EVIL body soon, but I doubt it.

B2 (;->

 

[raid]

I have a 105 for the Leica and one for the Nikon SLR.
Both lenses are awesome.
It may be a masterpiece by Nikon.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Since the lens is coming with a Nikon SP, it is probably S-Mount. That means you will need an S-Mount to M-Mount adapter, Amedeo being the best of the currently available. The Adapter has a helical in it, and its own RF cam to translate the rotational motion of the S-Mount lens to the RF pickup of the Leica. These adapters are in thr $300 range.

 

[Krosya]

I used to have this lens in ltm (twice). It's awsome. Yet I sold it as 10.5cm was a bit too long for my taste and a bit too heavy with a loooong focus throw. However - images that you get with it - often make you forget all the negative points:

mask by krosyagms, on Flickr

 

[hans voralberg]

It's one of the best lens money can buy and is very much sought after 🙂 Get it if you can. I love mine, have the M3 just for it

 

[rbsinto]

I've got both the SLR AI version (had it for at least 30 years) and recently got an s version for my Nikon rangefinders. They are both outstanding lenses.

 

[ampguy]

not just for portraits, a great overall short tele, long normal lens walk around or landscape lens, this is the SLR 105/2.5 P*C version, first double gauss design, on a d40x dslr:

 

[goliathus]

Goliathus: how to do you mount the Nikon lenses in the NEX? What adapter do you use?

I want to buy a NEX-5 for precisely that use but I'm holding a few weeks to see if something is announced at the Photokina.

Arturo

Hi Arturo, There are 2 ways to use your Nikon RF lenses on an NEX.

If you want to use External and Internal mount lenses both, you need two adapters, 'Contax - M' and 'M - NEX'. Please see the below picture.

But If you need External mount lenses only, You can easily get the SC E-adaptor from Cameraquest. : )

 

[ampguy]

curious, is anyone using an F (SLR) mount version 105/2.5 on a NEX?

 

[Vincent.G]

I have the chance to try out this lens. When I mounted it on my S3, the lens feels a bit loose at the mount. The looseness is not always there, it only feels so at certain positions I cradle the camera. This lens is rather heavy but is this slight looseness normal?

 

[aoresteen]

I have one in Contax RF mount that I use with my Contax IIa. Simply the best tele you can put on a Contax IIa IMHO. I use Nikon BL finder with it.

It has the 'C' engraved on the side of the lens barrel.

 

[dfoo]

I have an AI mount one and used to have an LTM mount version. On the bright side both lenses take excellent pictures. However, the LTM version is large and heavy, and the focus is awkward since it is very very long. I prefer the AI version.

 

[outfitter]

Note that Nikon changed the sonnar formula of the F-mount 105mm 2.5 to a gauss formula in 1971. Most of the F-Mount 105mm 2.5 lenses are therefore not the same as the S-mount lens