Nikon 105mm f2.5 ai/ais

I always kept buying these because I love that lens, how it feels, focuses, renders light and bokeh...

And then I always kept selling it because anything beyond 75mm really isn't for me.

Do you like the focal length? If you do, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better lens at that or any price. If you don't, take it out of the closet and sell it. Then buy another one. And sell it. Repeat...
 
Being AI/AIS, yours is the later Gauss type, as opposed to the earlier pre-AI Sonnar version.

I've got both and they are excellent lenses, sharp enough to make your eyeballs bleed.

You've got one - blow the dust off it, put it on your camera and see for yourself !
 
Thanks everyone. Some great shots already!

Obviously I known I should dust it off , and go and shoot with it. I think I am so used to using my 50mm, I lack the confidence to focus it quickly when taking portraits. Still if I don't try it, I will never get improve.
 
A lens rarely mentioned is the 105/2.8 Macro. I've had both versions of the 2.5 and picked up the 2.8 years ago and have never looked back. Now days I usually just use it for macro work (have too many good zooms that cover the range).
 
If you need inspiration to use this lens then you need look no further than this iconic image.

Sharbat Gula aka "The Afghan Girl" - image by Steve McCurry.


Sharbat_Gula.jpg
 
A lens rarely mentioned is the 105/2.8 Macro. I've had both versions of the 2.5 and picked up the 2.8 years ago and have never looked back. Now days I usually just use it for macro work (have too many good zooms that cover the range).

The macro lenses are sharper at close range compared to the 105/2.5. I have a Kiron 105/2.8, which is about as sharp as it gets, but for portraiture, I prefer (and my subjects appreciate) the 105/2.5 AIS, which is "sharp enough."
 
The 105mm f2.5 is superb especially the earlier sonnar one. I prefer its rendering to the later one (not that there is anything wrong with that one at all). If anyone is looking for a sharp sharp sharp 105mm though I can recommend the micro ones. Well actually in MF lenses I have only tried the 105mm f4 micro. I had this for several years before selling it in an effort to buy something or other that seemed important at the time only to find I miss it a lot. That lens is pin sharp. I am sorry I cannot post images from my sonar 105mm - most were shot with film and those shot with digital are not well organised and I am too lazy to go looking. But I still occasionally pop it on my D700 and give it a run.
 
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