Nikkor AI-S 105mm f:2.5

[Sar NOP]

Hi,
Another MF second hand lens I have purchased recently.
I had used an AI version one in the 80's with my F3 and FM2, but this is the first time I mount this AI-S lens on my DSLR.

My very first impression when I open the RAW files : absolutely superb bokeh, much nicer than my 70-200 VRI !

In the field use, MF is quite difficult because of the very shallow DOF wide open but when the focus is spot on it produces stunning results !
When I don't need AF I prefer shooting with this little lens than my 70-200 VRI, in particuly for portrait work.

For wildlife and nature photography, I've managed fantastic results with this lens. Here are some of my recent shots (all taken wide open, @f/2.5 !) :

#1
1800x1200px (http://images3.photomania.com/248417/1/rad5B2BF.jpg)
105mm, 1/2000", f/2.5, 200 ISO
http://images3.photomania.com/248444/1/rad5B422.jpg



#2
1800x1200px (http://images3.photomania.com/248446/1/radC2906.jpg)
105mm, 1/2000", f/2.5, 200 ISO
http://images3.photomania.com/248451/1/radA0F06.jpg




#3
1800x1200px (http://images3.photomania.com/248462/1/rad8264E.jpg)
105mm, 1/250", f/2.5, 200 ISO
http://images3.photomania.com/248464/1/rad5BBAA.jpg



#4
1800x1200px (http://images3.photomania.com/248423/1/rad2D3E4.jpg)
1/3200", f/2.5, 200 ISO
http://images3.photomania.com/248467/1/rad824D4.jpg



#5
http://images3.photomania.com/269519/1/rad1B398.jpg



#6
http://images3.photomania.com/269525/1/radA04DF.jpg

[Sar NOP]

More...

#7
1800x1200px (http://images3.photomania.com/248348/1/rad93B91.jpg)
1/125", f/4, 200 ISO
http://images3.photomania.com/248471/1/radF70C1.jpg



#8
http://images3.photomania.com/271881/1/rad2CAA3.jpg




#9
http://images3.photomania.com/269513/1/radAE36E.jpg



#10 : its little size compared to the bulky 14-24/2.8
http://images3.photomania.com/271883/1/rad0AAEB.jpg

[mongo]

Nice shots Sar - really excellent IQ from this lens. Of course, Mongo has one of these too but forgot how good it really is.

Show us some more of your goodies.

[Allann]

Sar, you can make a kit lens look good! Great shots, and like you, I love the bokeh.

Love #4, it's such a great pose and shot.

[swifty]

Wow.. superb.
I was looking at a couple of old 105's. There's also the AI/AIS 105 f2.8 micro-nikkor and a f1.8 version but the 2.5 looks quite excellent. Thanks for sharing.

[N*A*M]

you're putting it to excellent use
i love what you can do with it

[arthurking83]

Have you got rid of your NAM?

I've seen one for sale at Camera Exchange, and have been tempted on a few occasions now.. but the deal breaker for me is the slow aperture :p(compared to the lenses I can't afford ATM :D).

[MajorPanic]

Great work with the MF lens.

I've got an old AI-S f/3.5 35-70mm zoom that I've used on the D300 & D700 & it's razor sharp too.

Keep up the good work!

[mcdesign]

I have that lens, I must get it out and have a go, these are great shots.

[Sar NOP]

I've seen one for sale at Camera Exchange, and have been tempted on a few occasions now.. but the deal breaker for me is the slow aperture :p(compared to the lenses I can't afford ATM :D).
At f/2.5, it's very challenging for me to manually focus this 105mm as the DOF is very shallow and the bokeh is very smooth and progressive.
I can't imagine myself to achieve perfect focusing with a f/1.8 105mm, especially on slow moving subjects !
But the bokeh of the 105/1.8 must be superb too !!

[Sar NOP]

Have you got rid of your NAM?


I bought it from him. :D:cool:

[mongo]

Mongo posted this in the last few days in “Pets/Domestic/Zoo” but remembered this post by Sar and felt it had some relevance here. So Mongo hopes Sar does not mind him adding this here in full agreement with him about the strengths of this small but excellent lens.

“This goose is busy at work manufacturing the golden egg that Mongo ordered. You can see the concentration for life on its face.

This was taken with an old Nikkor (pre-AI) 105mm f2.5 which Mongo converted to AI fairly easily. Mongo had forgotten just how sharp this lens is for something that is over 30 years old. It is in a very small group of one of the sharpest lenses Mongo owns”.

[ving]

damn fine some of those old lenses! :)

[Xebadir]

Nice stuff with that lens Sar...definitely makes for some lovely Bokkeh and lovely wide open. Though if you want to get rid of that "Bulky" 14-24 F2.8 I am happy to get rid of the thing for you :P.

[wolffman]

I've got that lens sitting in the wardrobe as it won't meter on the D90. Everytime I take it out to think about selling it I hold it, focus it, and put it back in the box for the next camera. They are things of beauty.
Nice photos

[I @ M]

I've got that lens sitting in the wardrobe as it won't meter on the D90. Everytime I take it out to think about selling it I hold it, focus it, and put it back in the box for the next camera. They are things of beauty.
Nice photos

Keep it nice and healthy in the cupboard because its value just appreciated with the release of the D7000 and it will meter with that body.

Decision time --- do I max out the credit card and buy a D7000 or do I sell the ( recently appreciated ) 105mm to acquire a new body? :confused013

[Lance B]

Wonderful shot, Mongo!:)

[wolffman]

Keep it nice and healthy in the cupboard because its value just appreciated with the release of the D7000 and it will meter with that body.

Decision time --- do I max out the credit card and buy a D7000 or do I sell the ( recently appreciated ) 105mm to acquire a new body? :confused013

This post inspired me to dig the lens out and take it out for a play. Beautiful thing
http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=67834

[Sar NOP]

Some more images from today at Manly Jazz Festival : all @f/2.5 !

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9600/az45160resize2.jpg


http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/3442/az45171resize2.jpg


http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/4206/az45174resize2.jpg


http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/7830/az45195resize2.jpg


http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/4503/az45186resize2.jpg

[N*A*M]

i have sellers remorse

[Sar NOP]

i have sellers remorse

I will help you to find one...:D

[N*A*M]

i didn't have a D700 back then and the FL was too long on my D300
but now i wish i still had it hehe

you've made great use of it and i like the rest of your AI arsenal too