I am thinking of picking up this lens at my local camera store. I also received the Megadap ETZ21 Pro and will be using Sony E Lenses on the Nikon Z. Cheers!
@@davidsaylors So I got the 105 2.5 and it is wonderful. Bought it for $60. Thatr is after the clerk showed me the wrong 105mm 2.8 G VR Macro and I bought that one for $200. My Crepe Myrtle trees are blooming right now and I am taking pictures and video to show off the performance compared to my Z f/2.8 105mm Macro S lens. Video coming out shortly. Loving the Glass. Cheers!
the lens is nothing short of amazing. Tack sharp from 2.5 all the way up. Also that is the same lens that took the NatGeo "Afghanistan Girl" back in the 80s. I love it to death, sometimes all I walk out the door is with 3 AI-S lenses
Indeed. The lens already had a reputation as a great portrait lens (my old redneck-AI-ed copy is from ca. 1963). But this photo catapulted it to "iconic" portrait status. Kind of a "sleeper" in the used market; you often see them mounted on old 35mm bodies on Goodwill and similar auctions, and the listers clearly have no idea what they have.
The way your channel has evolved over time, you might think about "re-reviewing" lenses like this one - and maybe a few of your other favorite vintage AI/AI-s lenses from when you first started your channel. Maybe something like a new street walk video review of your 28mm 2.8 AI-s along with the 105mm 2.5 AI-s. Your overall opinion of the lenses probably won't change too much from the older videos, but you're a better photographer now, and your channel is better too! Plus, there are precious few good, informative AND entertaining videos of these two lenses in particular. I've been interested in the 105mm 2.5 AI-s for years, and just this past weekend, I bought one on Ebay, so I'll have it in my hands in a few days - so it'd be cool to maybe see another good video sometime about this lens in RUclips world!
I also enjoy my version of this lens. Really nice for portraits. Ad a 1, 2 or 4x magnifier to it and it's amazing for macro work. I think I paid about $130 for mine in 2009.
My favorite portrait lens. I have two, one in perfect condition, the other a bit worn but still fully functional. The lens made according to the classic school, i.e. metal and glass, everything works smoothly and precisely. Gives sharp photos practically from f 2.5. Just stopping down to f4 and you already have very sharp photos. Very good balance and color reproduction, very natural. And you didn't mention another advantage of this lens. Very nice, velvet, creamy bokeh;) If you have the opportunity to buy in a good fit, it's worth it.
Yes, the rendering from this lens is sublime! I have used it once with my Z6 and a bunch of times with my D810 and it has always performed superbly. Thank you!!!
It would make an excellent portrait lens? Did you really say that? I guess no one told you - this is one of the most highly acclaimed portrait lenses Nikon ever made. Some people even say it's responsible for Nikon becoming the company it is today. I only shoot Canon bodies now, but this lens is so good, I still have one. Yeah, it would make an excellent portrait lens. LOL. :)
@@davidsaylors I'm glad you didn't take that the wrong way, your comment in the video just made me laugh. :) Incidentally, if you want to try a *really* sharp portrait lens sometime, hook up the Canon 60mm macro. It's an EF-S lens (crop body), but if you have enough FF resolution, say 30 Mp or so, you can just crop into the image circle. It provides astounding images even at 10-12 Mp. This lens doesn't have quite the same "look" as the 105mm, but it beats the Nikkor hands down for sharpness. Just something to think about when you're experimenting with lenses. Have fun!
The 105mm f/2.5 Nikkor is a truly legendary lens and has been practically since its introduction back in 1958, back when I was only 2 years old! I have found, on head to head comparisons, that my 105mm f/1.8 AIS is just a tad bit sharper in the center and about the same at the corners. My 105mm f/2.8 AIS Micro Nikkor is sharper than both in both the center and at the corners. All of my Nikkors, from 8mm Fisheye to 1000mm f/11 Reflex are all manual focus. It is what I started with back in 1972 and to be honest I never saw a need to go to autofocus. All of my Nikon DSLR's have had the supplied focusing screen replaced with a microprism/split image screen from focusingscreen.com . They work like a champ. They make focusing very easy and quick, and for lenses like my 500mm f/8 and 1000mm f/11 Reflex Nikkors, the ground glass part of the screens make focusing with both of these lenses a snap, since the microprism does black out at f/8 and beyond.
I have grown to enjoy manual focus myself. I started with a manual focus SLR and then jumped on the autofocus train about 10 years ago, but as of late, I have really started to enjoy the XT3 and vintage lenses and back to basics... I really want to get one of those 1000mm lenses too. those are incredible lenses! Thank you for your note about the 105mm f1.8 too, I have yet to lay hands on one of those. I see my 105 collection has a hole in it now... lol.
I love mine. My barber had locked his equipment in a gun safe 30+ years ago. We came to a deal on price, 3 Nikon film bodies in good condition, 2 50 mm f1.4’s, one 50mm f2, one Sigma 18mm f2.8, one Vivitar 20mm f3.8, one larger zoom, AND the famous 105mm f2.5. Not a mark on any lens. He is not computer savvy, and quit film years ago. He sold me all for $500.00. I have been using these old manual lens and discovered what a pleasure they are. Stay safe in these times, we will overcome this virus.
Thank you Terry, what a find! I am so glad to hear when people find deals like this because then I know someone is using them to get decent photos and that is what matters to me. That is a wonderful story 👍📸
Agree, actually all these old lenses from 100mm (prime) and up are unbelievable. i also found myself loving MF lenses with focus peeking on my Fuji. try the 100mm 2.8 E series, it will suprise you too.
Yes. It would be a great lens for landscape photography if you had the room to deploy it properly, but then again, what is “proper”? 😏 personally I think it would be great for it.
I have used the cheapest of tripods and you can do good things with them. so dont let people tell you that you have to have manfrotto to be able to get great images, you just have to work a little harder with the budget gear. I still, to this day, use my 40$ tripods a lot! Have fun with it!!!
enjoyed the review, I was looking for a macro lens and have the 50mm when these started popping up in the searches. Think I'll give one a go as look to be well made and I have the nikon d7100 and d500 to try it on.
This is one of the main lenses that I tend to keep in my bag for portraits and such. It is a gorgeous lens that produces beautiful results. I love mine. 👊👍
I have not really gotten into those REALLY early lenses yet. I have so many now, it is getting out of hand... 🙄 Who am I kidding, it is a matter of time... 😁📸
There is a 45mm 2.8 nikkor that is a copy of the Zeiss tesser 4 element in three groups lens that stops down to f32 the original nikkor model is labeled GN and was made for pre ttl flash photography and the later model is labeled with a P and has a chip to communicate with camera body. The GN model was nikkor's earlier version of the 50mm 1.8's pancake lens. Some people say the 45mm is more of a collecters item but its flickr group has some pretty good photos. I have noticed that people with new lens spend a lot of time and money in Photoshop and light room putting a lot of the characteristics of the old lenses back into their photos and some of the old lens preform pretty close or better than the newer lenses if you learn how to manually focus. There is also a nikkor 55mm 1.2 that is pretty artsy with great bokeh at 1.2 but gets real sharp stopped down a couple stops, which I think is pretty cool to be able to do two styles of photographs with one lens.
This is really true. People do spend a bunch of time trying to emulate the look of vintage glass. Some better than others, but I see it too. I literally went to eBay after reading this post and bought one of the 45mm lenses 😆🤷🏻♂️ Couldnt help myself. Video to come!
I briefly had the Ai version, but it seemed to be a dud so I returned it. I was surprised and disappointed as it was the legendarly Steve McCurry 'Afgan Girl' lens. I guess my particular specimen was cheap for a reason (probably damaged in some way.) I since my eyesight is not 20:20 I now stick to autofocus. I've got the 85mm f1.8G (which is superb) but I find myself using the Nikon 24-85 f3.5-f4.5VR for convenience. It's got a nice portrait sweetspot at around f6.3 but its good a stop under max at any most focal lengths. If you're on a budget, the 24-85VR is the more versatile of the two and pretty sharp for a zoom.
Thank you. I have found that there is no shortage of vintage Nikkor zooms to choose from. I like the sound of that focal range too. I will give it a look. Thankyou!!!!
@@davidsaylors The 24-85VR is NOT vintage. It's a current AF-S lens. It's good and particularly so as the used price has fallen substantially from what it was 18 months ago when I thought of having one. I'm in the U.K and got one for £250 6 months ago when I was looking at £350 a year before that. purpleport.com/portfolio/timmee
@@davidsaylors Yeah, The Angry Photographer was right about the 24-85VR when he says it's a sharp lens. I've seen several bloggers bigging-up the 24-120 f4.0 and writing off the 24-85VR. The thing is (IMO) the 24-120 may be better, but it is a MUCH more expensive lens whereas the 24-85VR is surprisingly good 'bang for buck'. I shoot portraits at f5.6-f8.0 with Elinchrom strobes and at 200% on my 24inch Dell I can see the 24-85 falls a little short of the 85mm f1.8G or my old Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro screw-drive - but it's NOT far short. I use the 24-85VR a lot for sheer convenience to avoid lens swapping. It's only when you shoot wide apertures that the zoom falls down.
Cotictimmy yeah, I have been shooting all day today with the Fuji 18-55mm kit lens and have almost no complaints. It doesnt do everything, but it ALMOST does! 👍📸
I use an adapter from Amazon that runs about 40$ that has an aperture ring on it for G series lenses, It works equally as well on the older lenses too, you just have to make sure the adapter’s aperture ring is closed off so the one on the lens works like it should and you are good to go. There are cheaper adapters that lack this feature, but I wanted to be able to put my G series glass on my Sony too. Thanks for the memory!
Another 100mm beauty is the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 100mm f2.5...she is just as sharp as your Nikon. Love shooting candids when I’m doing street photography. It provides that extra distance to your subject without encroaching in their space, and allows for a more natural photo. The Minolta version I mentioned was made from about 1977-1981.
If you get a split prism focus screen and put it in a dslr you can manual focus much easier and faster than normally, I don't regret putting one in my D810.
My portrait lens are a Zeiss 85m F1.4, Tokina 100m F2.8, Nikkor 105m F2.5 AIS, Nikkor 135m F3.5 :) I love primes!! and my others are Nikkor 28m F3.5, Nikkor 35m F1.8G, Nikkor 50m F1.8G. I also use a Sigma 18-35 F1.8 Art :) the only two zooms I use is the Nikkor 80-200 F4.5 N, LOVE that one, beautiful results for a zoom :) and the Nikkor 35-70 F2.8D. only 2 of these lenses were bought brand new, that was the Sigma and Tokina :) I bought the Zeiss off a photographer for a very nice 550 pounds in mint condition!!! I couldn't say no to such a nice offer as that one is just over 1000!! new
Wow! What a collection of amazing primes! (And zooms too) I would love to have that Zeiss 85mm... but I digress. I have come to love primes and prefer to take-them now over zooms. The other day I went to the field with the 105mm f2.5 and the 28mm AiS and nothing else... it was great. Thank you for sharing your collection with us, I am working towards something like that someday.
@@davidsaylors So I have been using the 180-600mm and was wondering about the 24-400mm range. All in One would be perfect but use the primes for Macro and Potrait Shots. Cheers!
Sweet, did Nikon say if they are going to do the variable ND for the Zed cameras like Canon? I cant remember. That would be awesome if they did, for video. I really wanted one of those for the Fuji I got, but I have not seen it yet
I got the Nikkor-P 105mm F2.5 Non AI Lens one but got no compatible camera to run them I have tow options in mind to solve this problem is options 1 get Nikon DF camera or options 2 get D7000 cut the tab off the reason for the tow options is i don't want to be modifying any of these nice antiques lenses.
@@davidsaylors I sold them when I moved to digital Nikon D300; I just got a D700 to use until I can afford a D850when the D300 broke down after 13 year. But I got Fuji GW690III, Mamiya 7II and HB 503CW. briefly I had a Horseman 4"*5" but I sold it because It was too large to carry. I use analogue MF for infrastructure and landscape. I need a 40mm/50mm for the HB if I can find a used digital back. I use Zeiss manual lenses on the D700 but I need to upgrade some lenses for the D850 to get Zooms with VR and a macro with VR.. The F3HP was the best camera and then the F4.
Wow! All that MF goodness!!! The D850 is a monster of a camera and is getting cheaper by the day now that the Z7ii is finally doing what it should. You should be able to get one for reasonable money soon!
@@davidsaylors I waiting for the release of the Z9 and then there will be a lot of D850 on the market. If the Z8 is 55Mpix I considered getting it as a backup in a few year time but I will not get any S lenses..
www.throughthefmount.com/articles-back-ai-ais-008.jpg In this image you will see a small “divot” milled into the mount flange shown with arrows pointing at it. That is the main indicator of an Ai-S manual focus lens👍📸
Great lens but wide open it is prone to ghosting effects on high contrasting edges and also suffers from a fair amount of longitudinal chromatic aberration when shot wide open. Stopping down helps, immediately at f/2.8 there is a noticeable improvement. I have the AI-version and tested in on the D610.
I have noticed the chromatic abbreviation too. I just call it part of the character of the lens. I agree though that it could be better wide open. I also noticed that it is bad enough that it doesn’t all come out in post either. I like it stopped down to f4 or more a lot. F2.8 is great too and I don’t shoot much at f2.5 due to the issues around it. Does yours flare much in the sun? Mine does.
@@davidsaylors Nikon changed the coating on this lens to "Super Integrated Coating" (SIC) from serial 1043xxx. It has a green reflection rather than purple/magenta. Not sure whether it mitigates flare any better though... Great lens. I'm after one myself. Having just bought a Nikkor 200 f/4 AI, where will it all end I wonder (as does my bank manager).
I have the earlier version of this lens -- with a scalloped focusing ring and no hood. It is terrific. Thanks for posting non-technical real-world reviews!
That lens is on my list to get! I love the older Pre-Ai glass. I still don’t understand how people can be convinced that a lens has to have autofocus to be good... Thanks!!!!
Looks like Horse Pens 40 where you were bouldering. Maybe I'm just assuming it was Alabama due to your accent (I'm from Mississippi). Anyway thanks for the video
It is at Stone Fort just north of Chattanooga in this video. I have shot some videos at Horse Pens though. I was actually there last weekend for the triple crown... 😉📸
The most famous cover in National Geographic magazine was the Afghan girl McCurry used the lens on a FM2 I use it on my Sony A7R3 and surprised how well it holds up in the digital world put a roll of slide film in the camera and you never regret it
I play with it on my D850, even with 45MP it's still a good lens. Obviously sharper at f/4 than f/2.5-2.8, and at f/5.6-f/8 it's just like...no need to accentuate! Almost the same stunning images with my 180mm f/2.8. The D850 is helpful with the great viewfinder (and the DK-17M) or the focus peaking in liveview mode.
Totally agree! I am pretty sure this lens will resolve 60MP personally, I have seen it render beautiful images on literally every camera I have ever put it on... Thank you!
I spend 300 british pounds on one in mint/almost new condition, it was from an original owner :) there was another one I found that was about 160 pounds, but it was beat up!!
I dont know why I have not had one of these sooner!! Those are great prices, even at 300 pounds sterling, it is still a good deal to me. Nice to hear from you and thanks for watching!
Serial numbers and production dates to almost all Nikon lenses: photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html. I love this web site. My favorite manual focus lenses: Nikkor 135mm f2 Ais, Micro Nikkor 55mm f2.8 Ais, Auto Sears (Rikenon) 55mm f1.4 m42, Soligor C/D Auto 20mm f2.8 Ais, , Vivitar 70-210mm f3.5 Ais (first version). Number 1 favorite these days: SMC Super Takumar 35mm f2 (early version 67mm filter thread) See samples: www.flickr.com/photos/60236600@N02/ Bodies: Nikon D700, Nikon D500, Pentax K3.
Hi all, These are all 105mm 2.5 Nikon lenses with serial nr's; (with pictures!) and then some... www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#105 www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html#105 www.destoutz.ch/lens_10.5cm_f2.5_120153.html The lens optics (5/4) remained the same for over 60 years!! * Interesting to know is that Nikon switched the 105mm 2.5 from Sonnar to a Gauss design in 1971 (little better in close focus) and with a bigger rear element. * What I never hear is that the AI version has rounded aperture blades which makes for a smoother bokeh (vs AI-S)! Have fun!
I'll confuse you even a bit more; there is a cheaper, smaller, lighter version of this 105mm 2.5 that has about the same quality output and that very few people know about. The fact that it fits Nikon, Canon, Pentax and many other brands will give you a clue... :-) www.adaptall-2.com/ or translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=www.tamron.co.jp/data/old-lens/ct105.htm
Favorite Nikon F mount manual focus lenses: Nikon 50mm f1.4 AI Nikkor-S.C. Auto Nikon 85mm f1.8 AI Nikkor-H Auto Nikon 105mm f2.5 AI (Of "The Afghan Girl" fame) Nikon 135mm f2.8 AIS Nikon 135mm f3.5 auto Nikon 200mm f4 auto Nikon 400mm f5.6 ED-IF, AIS Rokinon 24mm T1.5 Cine ED AS IF UMC II (DS) for Nikon F Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS for Nikon F Mount M42 adapted: Pentax f2/55 M42 Asahi Opt. Co. Super-Takumar (radioactive) Helios 44-2 58mm f2 M42 (swirly bokeh monster) Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 lens (radioactive)
Yeah, I dont get that much anymore, but when the show way in it’s hay day, I heard it a lot. 😂 I see the resemblance too. He is a pretty ugly guy!!! 😆😆😆
i really can't trust this guys reviews at all because he says everything is good and everything he uses is nikon. im a nikon fanboy but im aware they make some bad lenses and some lenses are better than others
I love it! You should have at least picked a video of a bad lens to say this on. Yeah, I do praise a lot of glass, but you also have to temper that with the way I fo my reviews too. So you cant trust me, that is cool, no one is obligated to trust my video reviews, I have this lens and will not sell it, it is that good...🤷🏻♂️😂👍📸 You are looking at getting one or you wouldnt be watching this video, as long as you are cool with a manual lens, GET ONE! Just make sure it is a clean copy. 👍
I didn’t know Mike from Breaking Bad was a photographer... 😝
Meth isn’t profitable anymore since the show so I thought I would try youtube. 🤣🤷🏻♂️😂
I have got it, and I love it. I also have 85 mm f 2 ais. Whould you like to review it? Thanks . Alessio from Rome
I would love to get my hands on an 85mm f2!!! What a wonderful lens! I will have to look around and see what I can find. Thank you so much!👍📸
Enjoyed this video. I think this would be a good lens for the hobbyist to play around with. I have to stop buying lenses for a while.
Great video. Thanks
Thank you!!
I am thinking of picking up this lens at my local camera store. I also received the Megadap ETZ21 Pro and will be using Sony E Lenses on the Nikon Z. Cheers!
You will love this lens if you shoot portraits at all, it is sublime in that role. I love mine.
@@davidsaylors So I got the 105 2.5 and it is wonderful. Bought it for $60. Thatr is after the clerk showed me the wrong 105mm 2.8 G VR Macro and I bought that one for $200. My Crepe Myrtle trees are blooming right now and I am taking pictures and video to show off the performance compared to my Z f/2.8 105mm Macro S lens. Video coming out shortly. Loving the Glass. Cheers!
the lens is nothing short of amazing. Tack sharp from 2.5 all the way up. Also that is the same lens that took the NatGeo "Afghanistan Girl" back in the 80s. I love it to death, sometimes all I walk out the door is with 3 AI-S lenses
Indeed. The lens already had a reputation as a great portrait lens (my old redneck-AI-ed copy is from ca. 1963). But this photo catapulted it to "iconic" portrait status. Kind of a "sleeper" in the used market; you often see them mounted on old 35mm bodies on Goodwill and similar auctions, and the listers clearly have no idea what they have.
The way your channel has evolved over time, you might think about "re-reviewing" lenses like this one - and maybe a few of your other favorite vintage AI/AI-s lenses from when you first started your channel. Maybe something like a new street walk video review of your 28mm 2.8 AI-s along with the 105mm 2.5 AI-s. Your overall opinion of the lenses probably won't change too much from the older videos, but you're a better photographer now, and your channel is better too! Plus, there are precious few good, informative AND entertaining videos of these two lenses in particular. I've been interested in the 105mm 2.5 AI-s for years, and just this past weekend, I bought one on Ebay, so I'll have it in my hands in a few days - so it'd be cool to maybe see another good video sometime about this lens in RUclips world!
I have thought about that too a little. I think you have given me some video ideas for January now. Thank you Greg.
Hello David.
Your review was fantastic and practical . I love primes .
This is on of my all time favorite lenses too. So it is easy to like this one. Thabk you!!!👍📸
I also enjoy my version of this lens. Really nice for portraits. Ad a 1, 2 or 4x magnifier to it and it's amazing for macro work. I think I paid about $130 for mine in 2009.
That is great information! Thank you for sharing it with us! It never occurred to me to add the magnifier for macro work. That is ingenious. 👍📸
Thanks, I need a 105 and don't mind to manual focus at all
My favorite portrait lens. I have two, one in perfect condition, the other a bit worn but still fully functional.
The lens made according to the classic school, i.e. metal and glass, everything works smoothly and precisely. Gives sharp photos practically from f 2.5. Just stopping down to f4 and you already have very sharp photos. Very good balance and color reproduction, very natural.
And you didn't mention another advantage of this lens. Very nice, velvet, creamy bokeh;)
If you have the opportunity to buy in a good fit, it's worth it.
Yes, the rendering from this lens is sublime! I have used it once with my Z6 and a bunch of times with my D810 and it has always performed superbly. Thank you!!!
It would make an excellent portrait lens? Did you really say that? I guess no one told you - this is one of the most highly acclaimed portrait lenses Nikon ever made. Some people even say it's responsible for Nikon becoming the company it is today. I only shoot Canon bodies now, but this lens is so good, I still have one. Yeah, it would make an excellent portrait lens. LOL. :)
Some days I amaze even myself... 🙄 yeah, it is actually an awesome portrait lens... 😂 Thank you👍📸
@@davidsaylors I'm glad you didn't take that the wrong way, your comment in the video just made me laugh. :) Incidentally, if you want to try a *really* sharp portrait lens sometime, hook up the Canon 60mm macro. It's an EF-S lens (crop body), but if you have enough FF resolution, say 30 Mp or so, you can just crop into the image circle. It provides astounding images even at 10-12 Mp. This lens doesn't have quite the same "look" as the 105mm, but it beats the Nikkor hands down for sharpness. Just something to think about when you're experimenting with lenses. Have fun!
My favorite manual focus lens is the 50mm F1.2. Next is the 105mm F2.5 followed by the 135mm F2.8.
Ooohhhhh!!! F1.2!!! I so want one of those and the 58mm nocturne as well! Thanks for the reminder!
The 105mm f/2.5 Nikkor is a truly legendary lens and has been practically since its introduction back in 1958, back when I was only 2 years old! I have found, on head to head comparisons, that my 105mm f/1.8 AIS is just a tad bit sharper in the center and about the same at the corners. My 105mm f/2.8 AIS Micro Nikkor is sharper than both in both the center and at the corners.
All of my Nikkors, from 8mm Fisheye to 1000mm f/11 Reflex are all manual focus. It is what I started with back in 1972 and to be honest I never saw a need to go to autofocus. All of my Nikon DSLR's have had the supplied focusing screen replaced with a microprism/split image screen from focusingscreen.com . They work like a champ. They make focusing very easy and quick, and for lenses like my 500mm f/8 and 1000mm f/11 Reflex Nikkors, the ground glass part of the screens make focusing with both of these lenses a snap, since the microprism does black out at f/8 and beyond.
I have grown to enjoy manual focus myself. I started with a manual focus SLR and then jumped on the autofocus train about 10 years ago, but as of late, I have really started to enjoy the XT3 and vintage lenses and back to basics... I really want to get one of those 1000mm lenses too. those are incredible lenses! Thank you for your note about the 105mm f1.8 too, I have yet to lay hands on one of those. I see my 105 collection has a hole in it now... lol.
I love mine. My barber had locked his equipment in a gun safe 30+ years ago. We came to a deal on price, 3 Nikon film bodies in good condition, 2 50 mm f1.4’s, one 50mm f2, one Sigma 18mm f2.8, one Vivitar 20mm f3.8, one larger zoom, AND the famous 105mm f2.5. Not a mark on any lens. He is not computer savvy, and quit film years ago. He sold me all for $500.00. I have been using these old manual lens and discovered what a pleasure they are. Stay safe in these times, we will overcome this virus.
Thank you Terry, what a find! I am so glad to hear when people find deals like this because then I know someone is using them to get decent photos and that is what matters to me. That is a wonderful story 👍📸
Agree, actually all these old lenses from 100mm (prime) and up are unbelievable. i also found myself loving MF lenses with focus peeking on my Fuji.
try the 100mm 2.8 E series, it will suprise you too.
I bought mine along with a 50mm 1.4 ais for $100 total. Score!
That would be a great day👊🥳📸 I wished I could find deals like that!!! Congrats!!!
I paid $65 for mine and it’s beautifully pristine. Great lens.
That is a bargain! Wow! I would get another one at that price. Well done. 👍📸
Great review, thanks for sharing. Do you think you could also use it for landscape?
Yes. It would be a great lens for landscape photography if you had the room to deploy it properly, but then again, what is “proper”? 😏 personally I think it would be great for it.
David Saylors thanks! I have seen one on eBay and am thinking of picking it up. I've got a tripod so that's a start 😀
I have used the cheapest of tripods and you can do good things with them. so dont let people tell you that you have to have manfrotto to be able to get great images, you just have to work a little harder with the budget gear. I still, to this day, use my 40$ tripods a lot! Have fun with it!!!
David Saylors I have Gitzo ☺
Haha. Then you are set! No worries!!!
Those Nikon ais lens are awesome.
I completely agree!
enjoyed the review, I was looking for a macro lens and have the 50mm when these started popping up in the searches. Think I'll give one a go as look to be well made and I have the nikon d7100 and d500 to try it on.
This is one of the main lenses that I tend to keep in my bag for portraits and such. It is a gorgeous lens that produces beautiful results. I love mine. 👊👍
There is a pre AI 105mm F2.5 nikkor that is a sonar type lens that is pretty good. I found one with factory ai conversion on EBay.
I have not really gotten into those REALLY early lenses yet. I have so many now, it is getting out of hand... 🙄 Who am I kidding, it is a matter of time... 😁📸
There is a 45mm 2.8 nikkor that is a copy of the Zeiss tesser 4 element in three groups lens that stops down to f32 the original nikkor model is labeled GN and was made for pre ttl flash photography and the later model is labeled with a P and has a chip to communicate with camera body. The GN model was nikkor's earlier version of the 50mm 1.8's pancake lens. Some people say the 45mm is more of a collecters item but its flickr group has some pretty good photos. I have noticed that people with new lens spend a lot of time and money in Photoshop and light room putting a lot of the characteristics of the old lenses back into their photos and some of the old lens preform pretty close or better than the newer lenses if you learn how to manually focus. There is also a nikkor 55mm 1.2 that is pretty artsy with great bokeh at 1.2 but gets real sharp stopped down a couple stops, which I think is pretty cool to be able to do two styles of photographs with one lens.
This is really true. People do spend a bunch of time trying to emulate the look of vintage glass. Some better than others, but I see it too. I literally went to eBay after reading this post and bought one of the 45mm lenses 😆🤷🏻♂️ Couldnt help myself. Video to come!
I briefly had the Ai version, but it seemed to be a dud so I returned it. I was surprised and disappointed as it was the legendarly Steve McCurry 'Afgan Girl' lens. I guess my particular specimen was cheap for a reason (probably damaged in some way.) I since my eyesight is not 20:20 I now stick to autofocus. I've got the 85mm f1.8G (which is superb) but I find myself using the Nikon 24-85 f3.5-f4.5VR for convenience. It's got a nice portrait sweetspot at around f6.3 but its good a stop under max at any most focal lengths. If you're on a budget, the 24-85VR is the more versatile of the two and pretty sharp for a zoom.
Thank you. I have found that there is no shortage of vintage Nikkor zooms to choose from. I like the sound of that focal range too. I will give it a look. Thankyou!!!!
@@davidsaylors The 24-85VR is NOT vintage. It's a current AF-S lens. It's good and particularly so as the used price has fallen substantially from what it was 18 months ago when I thought of having one. I'm in the U.K and got one for £250 6 months ago when I was looking at £350 a year before that. purpleport.com/portfolio/timmee
Oh wow!!! I thought it was an AF-D lens. I’m sorry. I will give it a look now!
@@davidsaylors Yeah, The Angry Photographer was right about the 24-85VR when he says it's a sharp lens. I've seen several bloggers bigging-up the 24-120 f4.0 and writing off the 24-85VR. The thing is (IMO) the 24-120 may be better, but it is a MUCH more expensive lens whereas the 24-85VR is surprisingly good 'bang for buck'. I shoot portraits at f5.6-f8.0 with Elinchrom strobes and at 200% on my 24inch Dell I can see the 24-85 falls a little short of the 85mm f1.8G or my old Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro screw-drive - but it's NOT far short. I use the 24-85VR a lot for sheer convenience to avoid lens swapping. It's only when you shoot wide apertures that the zoom falls down.
Cotictimmy yeah, I have been shooting all day today with the Fuji 18-55mm kit lens and have almost no complaints. It doesnt do everything, but it ALMOST does! 👍📸
My favoured, most treasured lens. Lightweight, small-ish.
I really like it too, It is starting to move to the top of my lenses as well. Thanks for watching!!!
I believe this is the "Afghan Girl" lens?
Yes, I love this lens, it produces excellent results, I am always on the look out for a second unit for a spare when the first one dies on me...
Thank for the review. Very Helpful!
Your welcome Gary! Thank you!!!
I got the non ai s-c version.
It's excellent for portraits on my Nikkormat ft2.
I got mine for £55 from Japan with no import duty in 2 weeks.
That is awesome!!! Thank you for sharing this, I really appreciate it!!! 👍📸
This was the first lens I bought for my Nikkormat in 1969 and now that I've got the A7II I'm going to get one on Ebay.
I use an adapter from Amazon that runs about 40$ that has an aperture ring on it for G series lenses, It works equally as well on the older lenses too, you just have to make sure the adapter’s aperture ring is closed off so the one on the lens works like it should and you are good to go. There are cheaper adapters that lack this feature, but I wanted to be able to put my G series glass on my Sony too. Thanks for the memory!
Another 100mm beauty is the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 100mm f2.5...she is just as sharp as your Nikon. Love shooting candids when I’m doing street photography. It provides that extra distance to your subject without encroaching in their space, and allows for a more natural photo. The Minolta version I mentioned was made from about 1977-1981.
Sweet! I will look around for one. I need to grab a Minolta to Fuji adapter so I can expand my capabilities. 😬 Thankyou for the tip on the 100mm!!!
If you get a split prism focus screen and put it in a dslr you can manual focus much easier and faster than normally, I don't regret putting one in my D810.
That sounds pretty interesting. I will take a look at this and see what it entails. Thank you! 👍😉📸
My portrait lens are a Zeiss 85m F1.4, Tokina 100m F2.8, Nikkor 105m F2.5 AIS, Nikkor 135m F3.5 :) I love primes!! and my others are Nikkor 28m F3.5, Nikkor 35m F1.8G, Nikkor 50m F1.8G. I also use a Sigma 18-35 F1.8 Art :) the only two zooms I use is the Nikkor 80-200 F4.5 N, LOVE that one, beautiful results for a zoom :) and the Nikkor 35-70 F2.8D. only 2 of these lenses were bought brand new, that was the Sigma and Tokina :) I bought the Zeiss off a photographer for a very nice 550 pounds in mint condition!!! I couldn't say no to such a nice offer as that one is just over 1000!! new
Wow! What a collection of amazing primes! (And zooms too) I would love to have that Zeiss 85mm... but I digress. I have come to love primes and prefer to take-them now over zooms. The other day I went to the field with the 105mm f2.5 and the 28mm AiS and nothing else... it was great. Thank you for sharing your collection with us, I am working towards something like that someday.
I know this video was from six years ago. Cheers!
Wow… how time flies…
@@davidsaylors So I have been using the 180-600mm and was wondering about the 24-400mm range. All in One would be perfect but use the primes for Macro and Potrait Shots. Cheers!
Great lens! Even better now, with the EVF of the Z 7 focusing is supereasy!🤙
Sweet, did Nikon say if they are going to do the variable ND for the Zed cameras like Canon? I cant remember. That would be awesome if they did, for video. I really wanted one of those for the Fuji I got, but I have not seen it yet
I use a 105mm f/2.5 Nikkor and a 105mm f/2.8 Nikkor macro. Both are great lenses.
You can’t go wrong with either of those!
I got the Nikkor-P 105mm F2.5 Non AI Lens one but got no compatible camera to run them I have tow options in mind to solve this problem is options 1 get Nikon DF camera or options 2 get D7000 cut the tab off the reason for the tow options is i don't want to be modifying any of these nice antiques lenses.
Option 3 is to switch bodies to some form of mirrorless camera, the adapters will allow use without modifications to them. 👍📸
I can use mine on my Nikkormat ft2, my Nikon FE and my Nikon D300s
I used to hve one on my FE, FM m F3,F4 and F6.
Wonderful little lens and WOW! What a bag of cameras!!! Congrat!!!👍📸
@@davidsaylors I sold them when I moved to digital Nikon D300; I just got a D700 to use until I can afford a D850when the D300 broke down after 13 year. But I got Fuji GW690III, Mamiya 7II and HB 503CW. briefly I had a Horseman 4"*5" but I sold it because It was too large to carry. I use analogue MF for infrastructure and landscape. I need a 40mm/50mm for the HB if I can find a used digital back. I use Zeiss manual lenses on the D700 but I need to upgrade some lenses for the D850 to get Zooms with VR and a macro with VR.. The F3HP was the best camera and then the F4.
Wow! All that MF goodness!!! The D850 is a monster of a camera and is getting cheaper by the day now that the Z7ii is finally doing what it should. You should be able to get one for reasonable money soon!
@@davidsaylors I waiting for the release of the Z9 and then there will be a lot of D850 on the market. If the Z8 is 55Mpix I considered getting it as a backup in a few year time but I will not get any S lenses..
Pretty nice review. Mine is on its way for U$ 100. I want to test it on my Canon 5D Classic
Thanks Mike Ehrmantraut
Lol, when I am not filming Breaking Bad, I make youtube videos about camera gear. 😂😂📸
@@davidsaylors And nice review !
Great video!
Thank you for watching and subscribing! I appreciate it!
I can’t tell if my version of the q05 2.5 my father handed me is the ai.- ais..is there a major differ3nce between them?
www.throughthefmount.com/articles-back-ai-ais-008.jpg
In this image you will see a small “divot” milled into the mount flange shown with arrows pointing at it. That is the main indicator of an Ai-S manual focus lens👍📸
l like the all metal version😊
Me too, the machine work is just sublime with those old lenses.👍📸
Amazing Video ! Glad you
Thank you!!! I really appreciate it. 👍😉📸
Great lens but wide open it is prone to ghosting effects on high contrasting edges and also suffers from a fair amount of longitudinal chromatic aberration when shot wide open. Stopping down helps, immediately at f/2.8 there is a noticeable improvement. I have the AI-version and tested in on the D610.
I have noticed the chromatic abbreviation too. I just call it part of the character of the lens. I agree though that it could be better wide open. I also noticed that it is bad enough that it doesn’t all come out in post either. I like it stopped down to f4 or more a lot. F2.8 is great too and I don’t shoot much at f2.5 due to the issues around it. Does yours flare much in the sun? Mine does.
@@davidsaylors Nikon changed the coating on this lens to "Super Integrated Coating" (SIC) from serial 1043xxx. It has a green reflection rather than purple/magenta. Not sure whether it mitigates flare any better though... Great lens. I'm after one myself. Having just bought a Nikkor 200 f/4 AI, where will it all end I wonder (as does my bank manager).
AntPDC it doesn’t end... 😂 We just have to pace ourselves. 😆📸
Fav MF Nikkor - 135 f2.8.
That is s great lens too. I like it as well as these DC lenses. Thanks for your time! 👍📸
this lens was used to take the famous afgan girl photo ;-)
Yep, it sure was. I understand why he chose it too, small, light and amazing rendering! 👍📸
WOW really??? didnt know that!
I have the earlier version of this lens -- with a scalloped focusing ring and no hood. It is terrific. Thanks for posting non-technical real-world reviews!
That lens is on my list to get! I love the older Pre-Ai glass. I still don’t understand how people can be convinced that a lens has to have autofocus to be good... Thanks!!!!
You can easily look up Nikon lens manufacture date ranges by serial number at Photosynthesis.co.nv.
Thank you. That is a great reference tool! 👍
@@davidsaylors I use it constantly, have the URL memorized, which is quite a task for me, lol.
I wished I could memorize a full web address!!! Wow!!!
I have this lens and it is the best lens I have ever used. No more to say, if you see it , buy it!
I agree. It is that good.
Looks like Horse Pens 40 where you were bouldering. Maybe I'm just assuming it was Alabama due to your accent (I'm from Mississippi). Anyway thanks for the video
It is at Stone Fort just north of Chattanooga in this video. I have shot some videos at Horse Pens though. I was actually there last weekend for the triple crown... 😉📸
The most famous cover in National Geographic magazine was the Afghan girl McCurry used the lens on a FM2 I use it on my Sony A7R3 and surprised how well it holds up in the digital world put a roll of slide film in the camera and you never regret it
Thank you!
Should of added some flash than you could of shot at F8
At the time, it never occurred to me to do that... 👍📸 Thanks!!!!
I play with it on my D850, even with 45MP it's still a good lens. Obviously sharper at f/4 than f/2.5-2.8, and at f/5.6-f/8 it's just like...no need to accentuate! Almost the same stunning images with my 180mm f/2.8. The D850 is helpful with the great viewfinder (and the DK-17M) or the focus peaking in liveview mode.
Totally agree! I am pretty sure this lens will resolve 60MP personally, I have seen it render beautiful images on literally every camera I have ever put it on... Thank you!
@@davidsaylors Agree too, those lenses were made for really large prints, as demanding than high MP sensors.
Yep, people forget that we printed big even back in the day. :p
I spend 300 british pounds on one in mint/almost new condition, it was from an original owner :) there was another one I found that was about 160 pounds, but it was beat up!!
I dont know why I have not had one of these sooner!! Those are great prices, even at 300 pounds sterling, it is still a good deal to me. Nice to hear from you and thanks for watching!
Serial numbers and production dates to almost all Nikon lenses: photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html.
I love this web site.
My favorite manual focus lenses: Nikkor 135mm f2 Ais, Micro Nikkor 55mm f2.8 Ais, Auto Sears (Rikenon) 55mm f1.4 m42, Soligor C/D Auto 20mm f2.8 Ais, , Vivitar 70-210mm f3.5 Ais (first version).
Number 1 favorite these days: SMC Super Takumar 35mm f2 (early version 67mm filter thread)
See samples: www.flickr.com/photos/60236600@N02/
Bodies: Nikon D700, Nikon D500, Pentax K3.
Wow! Awesome!!! I smell a video in this comment alone! Thank you for sharing it with us!!!
@@davidsaylors No problem. Best regards😉👊
Hi all,
These are all 105mm 2.5 Nikon lenses with serial nr's; (with pictures!) and then some...
www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#105
www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html#105
www.destoutz.ch/lens_10.5cm_f2.5_120153.html
The lens optics (5/4) remained the same for over 60 years!!
* Interesting to know is that Nikon switched the 105mm 2.5 from Sonnar to a Gauss design in 1971 (little better in close focus) and with a bigger rear element.
* What I never hear is that the AI version has rounded aperture blades which makes for a smoother bokeh (vs AI-S)!
Have fun!
Now you have me looking at the older versions!!! 😂
I'll confuse you even a bit more; there is a cheaper, smaller, lighter version of this 105mm 2.5 that has about the same quality output and that very few people know about. The fact that it fits Nikon, Canon, Pentax and many other brands will give you a clue... :-)
www.adaptall-2.com/ or
translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=www.tamron.co.jp/data/old-lens/ct105.htm
Favorite Nikon F mount manual focus lenses:
Nikon 50mm f1.4 AI Nikkor-S.C. Auto
Nikon 85mm f1.8 AI Nikkor-H Auto
Nikon 105mm f2.5 AI (Of "The Afghan Girl" fame)
Nikon 135mm f2.8 AIS
Nikon 135mm f3.5 auto
Nikon 200mm f4 auto
Nikon 400mm f5.6 ED-IF, AIS
Rokinon 24mm T1.5 Cine ED AS IF UMC II (DS) for Nikon F
Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS for Nikon F Mount
M42 adapted:
Pentax f2/55 M42 Asahi Opt. Co. Super-Takumar (radioactive)
Helios 44-2 58mm f2 M42 (swirly bokeh monster)
Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 lens (radioactive)
I bet I lot people said you looklike Mike from
Yeah, I dont get that much anymore, but when the show way in it’s hay day, I heard it a lot. 😂 I see the resemblance too. He is a pretty ugly guy!!! 😆😆😆
i really can't trust this guys reviews at all because he says everything is good and everything he uses is nikon. im a nikon fanboy but im aware they make some bad lenses and some lenses are better than others
I love it! You should have at least picked a video of a bad lens to say this on. Yeah, I do praise a lot of glass, but you also have to temper that with the way I fo my reviews too. So you cant trust me, that is cool, no one is obligated to trust my video reviews, I have this lens and will not sell it, it is that good...🤷🏻♂️😂👍📸 You are looking at getting one or you wouldnt be watching this video, as long as you are cool with a manual lens, GET ONE! Just make sure it is a clean copy. 👍
@@davidsaylors i hear no end of praise for this lens. im mainly getting it for portraits so i figure id save and get manual focus
It is really a great lens. 👍📸 It will make a wonderful portrait lens.