Nikkor lens recomendations

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AlexBG

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I have a Nikkor-N 28mm F2, a Nikkor OC 35mm F2 and a 50mm 1.4, planning on keeping just the 28mm or 35mm and then adding either the Nikkor H 85mm F1.8 or the Nikkor P 105mm F2.5.

I am not a fan of lenses with a FOV over 50mm so wanting to try snd get better with a different focal length. I know both lenses are well liked, especially the 105, just wondering which one people would suggest.
 
Both the 85 1.8 and 105 2.5 are great lenses. I shot an 85 1.8 H-C as part of the Great Nikon Lens adventure back in 2012 when 25+ members of the Fred Miranda Manual Focus Nikon Glass thread sent one of the lenses around the world. It flared a little bit in contre jour situations (totally usable), but the images were nice nonetheless. I've had 105 2.5 AI and AI-S lenses. Both are very great and there are folks there with older versions of that lens that rave about them too. I don't shoot the 105 a lot since I don't have a lot of open space around my home that merits pulling it out, but some of my best shots have come from it. I think the biggest thing is do you want a bit more aperture or a bit tighter FOV.
 
The difference in focal lengths is purely a matter of preference. The 85 should be a bit more universal and easier to use, while the 105 gives you a bit more reach and compression.
I'm not a Nikonian and will probably be flogged for saying this: I've had an AI'd 85 1.8 and found the built quality lacking. Aluminium helicals, at a time when other manufacturers used brass. My Pentax and older Minolta lenses feel much nicer. Are the 105s any different?
 
Don't ignore the zooms. The 50 to 300mm f4.5 ED version is a remarkable lens and my all time favorite Nikkor. I used it for years for track and field events. Others - 25 to 50 f4.0 and 80 to 200 f4.5 (last version).
 
> Nikkor P 105mm F2.5.

There are two very different versions of the Nikkor-P 105mm F2.5: Sonnar version and a Planar version. Both are 5 elements. The Sonnar version is almost the same as the RF version from 1952. As you stated "Nikkor-P", I suspect you want the Sonnar version.

The 105/2.5 Nikkor-P, both versions, have smoother out-of-focus regions compared to the Nikkor-H 85/1.8.
 
Do you want to stick with the smaller size of the f/2.5 or f/1.8? One thing to think about is the 85mm f/1.4 which is amazing. I've never used the 105 f/1.8 but have seen results that are great.
If you want a unique look, you may think about searching for a very early 105mm f/2.5 P. It's a different design that is very close to the rangefinder Sonnar. Once Nikon changed the design, the later PC, Ai and AiS were planar formulations. Good in their own right but not the Sonnar of the rangefinder era. Those older 105mm lenses are less common but not unobtainable.

Phil Forrest
 
EXAMPLES!

SONNAR:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Nikk...P-Nippon-Kogaku-Lens-105-2-5-327/203246350039

PLanar:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Nikkor-Non-AI-105mm-f2-5-P-Lens-105-2-5-NonAI-451/203247125722

Note the difference in the focus ring and the rear element.

I've bought from Roberts camera before- but these two auctions just to show the physical difference for easy recognition.
Hard to go wrong with either lens. I have both versions, the 85/1.8, and the 85/2. I prefer the 85/2 over the 85/1.8.
 
If you're like me and you love the Sonnar look but find 105 not wide enough, you can always buy a Zuiko 85mm f2 and Leitax-mod it to F mount. Because a Nikon F2 is a way, way better camera than an OM-1. :D


Other interesting F mount short teles are the Voigtlander 75mm Heliar (a true heliar!) and the 90mm Lanthar.
 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vivitar-Series-1-35-85mm-f2-8-non-AI-Lens-for-Nikon/293735080626

Vivitar Series 1 35~85/2.8 Vari-Focal lens. Crazy Design.
And that's what I get searching on 85mm.

This is a cult lens, A true F2.8 across the full focal-Length range, but not a Zoom. You refocus after changing focal length.

And- I've bought a lot of lenses from this seller...

He has some 105/2.5's in stock-

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Nikkor-P-10-5cm-105mm-f2-5-Photomic-non-AI-Lens-Clean/293804640310

A real "Don't get no respect lens"- the Nikkor-Q 135/3.5 introduced in 1950, in production through to the AIS series in the 1980s.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Nikkor-Q-135mm-f3-5-Photomic-non-AI-Lens-Very-Clean/293916171132

Cheap, Sonnar formula, beautiful Bokeh.
 
Phil_F_NM said:
Do you want to stick with the smaller size of the f/2.5 or f/1.8? One thing to think about is the 85mm f/1.4 which is amazing. I've never used the 105 f/1.8 but have seen results that are great.
If you want a unique look, you may think about searching for a very early 105mm f/2.5 P. It's a different design that is very close to the rangefinder Sonnar. Once Nikon changed the design, the later PC, Ai and AiS were double gauss formulations. Good in their own right but not the Sonnar of the rangefinder era. Those older 105mm lenses are less common but not unobtainable.

Phil Forrest
Click to expand...

The 85mm 1.4 and 105mm 1.8 are way too expensive for me for a lens that i will just play around with.
 
View Range said:
Don't ignore the zooms. The 50 to 300mm f4.5 ED version is a remarkable lens and my all time favorite Nikkor. I used it for years for track and field events. Others - 25 to 50 f4.0 and 80 to 200 f4.5 (last version).
Click to expand...

I'm looking for a fixed focal length to try and improve, plus the aperture of both of these is a bit low.
 
Sonnar Brian said:
Pictures with my Nikkor 85/2 Ai, using the Df-
https://ibb.co/album/pnFxMQ

Planar formula 105/2.5 here:
https://ibb.co/album/DV2HjH

"with patience" both of these can be found under $150 with perfect glass. Same with the 85/1.8 and 105/2.5 Sonnar. Prices have crept up in recent years, mine were all $100 in mint condition.
Click to expand...

i have read that the 85mm F2 is lovely, is there much difference between the 1.8 and f2?
 
I got the 85 1.8 H in a bundle and never really used it for a year. I mounted it to my eos R and it’s probably my favorite portrait lens ever. Kind of amazing how these old lens designers really nailed the optical formulas and I’m assuming geared them toward a specific purpose back then. Much different from the designers today who seem to mostly want to cut your eyes with sharpness. I also have the Japan version 50 1.8 which there is a thread on. Great small, neutral lens. The other I really like is the 28mm 2.8 ais. Great close focus capability
 
I have and like both the (Ai-ed) Nikkor-P 10.5cm f/2.5 and the Ai-S Micro 105mm f/2.8 w/PN-11... preference for the latter. My favorite and most used Nikon lens is the Ai-S 50mm f/1.2

Full list of Nikon gear...

Nikon F3HP, AI'ed Nikkor-H 2.8cm f/3.5 & Nikkor-P 10.5cm f/2.5
Nikon F3P, AI-S 20 f/2.8, 35 f/1.4, 50 f/1.2, 85 f/1.4 & 105mm f/2.8 Micro w/PN-11

.
 
I have the following Nikon lenses:
28mm f/2.8
35mm f/2 and 35mm f/1.4
50mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.8
85mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.8
100mm f/2.8 Series E
105mm f/2.5 and 105mm f/2.8 micro
135mm f/2 and 135mm f/3.5
75-150mm Series E Zoom f/3.5

When I shoot with my 28 and 50mm lenses and want to add a longer third lens, I usually choose the 100, 105, 135, or 75-150.

The 85mm is a great lens but the 85mm focal length is too close to the 50mm focal length for my taste.

If I had a Nikkor 28mm f/2 lens like you do, I would carry it with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 and the Nikkor 135mm f/2 for a fast available light kit.
 
If you decide to keep just the 35mm, I would get the 85mm f/2, f/1.8, or f/1.4. The 35/85 combination has been my favorite two-lens combo for decades.
 
I have the 85/2 AI and the 85/1.8 AF-D.

Selected the 85/2 over the 105/2.5 (I know, some would consider that to be heresy.) Sold the 105 a couple of weeks ago.

I like the small size and weight of the f/2, it's barely larger than a 50, and love the rendering and the angle of view.

Can't go wrong optically with any of the 85 to 105 Nikkors.
 
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