NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: Airy on July 05, 2020, 22:42:40
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As shown in an older thread, the usability of that lens wide open is questionable. Aberrations are less conspicuous in B&W shots. From f/2.8, it is however at least as good as the legendary 105/2.5 AI (but for the bokeh): same sharpness, flatter field.
Here are some shots taken wide open, or at f/2.0 (the small flowers). There is little difference between f/1.8 and f/2.0.
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From f/2.8, performance changes drastically, and gets similar to the 105/2.5. This shot was taken at f/2.8, also from a short distance (close to MFD):
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As you can see, the bokeh can be outright weird & ugly, especially against bright light.Note that this lens is however very good for stage shots (at f/2.8-f/4.0, preferrably), as it does not flare easily.
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Somestage shots at f/2.8, the last (square) one at f/4.0.
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Some more, at f/5.6:
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Cityscaping at f/8.0:
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ah and just in case you would doubt it - chess is fun (admittedly less than go, but still...). At f/5.6.
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Here are some shots taken wide open, or at f/2.0 (the small flowers). There is little difference between f/1.8 and f/2.0.
Regardless of the lens used, I always admire pictures such as these. It is a real art to place the focus plane selectively over 3D subjects such as these and let the in-focus parts contrast so well with the out of focus foreground and background
I have often tried similar shots, but even when I use a smaller aperture to increase the DoF, my pictures often just look out of focus :-[
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The first image seems to tell it all.
I used the lens only during the film days. I didn't feel that the bokeh was that disturbing. The potential sharpening of the digital cameras may exaggerate the bokeh character?
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You show great results about the versatility of this lens, Airy. I like the bokeh.
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I think im agreeing with you Airy on some points.
At f1.8, some of the results are interesting.
However i prefer the pink flowers at f5.6
And whilst the bokeh at f1.8 are dramatic, i feel they distract from the subject (e.g. 2nd & 3rd images - portrait, peach coloured flowers)
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Nikon's approach with this lens, perhaps similar to the 135/2 Ai/AiS, is that they expect you to shoot at f/2.8 or f/4 for standard results, but make the wide aperture available for emergency use in extreme low light.
Does your copy have the relatively stiff focus rotation that this lens (105/1.8 ) is famous for?
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I do not know the 135/2 but your comparison sounds plausible. Same with the Canon FD 135/2 by the way, marred by strong purple fringing wide open (but bokeh was good).
My copy's focus ring used to be very stiff, but I had the lens re-lubed. Now it is only moderately stiff.
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Nikon's approach with this lens, perhaps similar to the 135/2 Ai/AiS, is that they expect you to shoot at f/2.8 or f/4 for standard results,
Is that the normal approach? Nikkor 1001 lenses history comes with this remark: "What was the concept behind its design? There were no clear answers to any of these questions. However, looking back, it seems that there was a plan to renew the line of fast lenses to coincide with release of the F3. The 85mm f/1.4 and 105mm f/1.8 appear to be proof of this plan." https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0059/index.htm (https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0059/index.htm)
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Wonderful sample images! Very nice ;)
Temperamental wide open as expected, so yes gentle pp needed if you like smoothness.
Get it re-lubed with thin grease ;)
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From a very large portion of posts about fast lenses one can get the idea that their only value lies in obtaining a narrow DOF. This thread goes to demonstrate that such lenses offer far more than that. Nicely done. Airy.
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Is that the normal approach? Nikkor 1001 lenses history comes with this remark: "What was the concept behind its design? There were no clear answers to any of these questions. However, looking back, it seems that there was a plan to renew the line of fast lenses to coincide with release of the F3. The 85mm f/1.4 and 105mm f/1.8 appear to be proof of this plan." https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0059/index.htm (https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0059/index.htm)
I think that was Nikon's (and Canon, Asahi, Olympus, etc) approach at the time. It was certainly possible for Nikon make a high-performance, super apo 105 in 1980, but it's cost would have been too high for most working or hobby photographers at that time. So, Nikon gave you the best they could do at a price the customers would be able to pay.
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As a sample of fully open performace of this lens you can check my recent post in thread "Show your 105mm images". :-)
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(https://richardhaw.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/haw8575.jpg)
from https://richardhaw.com/2019/08/30/repair-nikkor-105mm-f-1-8-ai-s/
:o :o :o
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Very fine pastel colors and Bokeh
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plus unconventional, but effective, composition. I like it a lot.