Micro-NIKKOR 105mm F4 AI-S

[MEPER]

I just got this lens at the local market at a reasonable price about 135 Euro's. It is probably market price as it is a quite common lens.
I don't need another 105mm macro but it looked very nice.....and now I have it. I have the bellows version which I think is same optics. The coating is different I can see. Bellows looks single-coated compared to the AI-S.
Based on very few quick test images just to check if everything is ok the optical quality looks very good. So lot of quality for the money.
Images of lens and test images shot with lens. Some electronics like part of my Nixie-clock and part of DIY audio line stage....
I like the quite low CA in the high lights.

[Birna Rørslett]

I always was fond of the 105/4 Micro. I did most of my earlier close-ups with this (or the Bellows 105) in AI shape. Yours is the more streamlined and less clunky-looking AIS version (which I also have). The pleasant 'rounded' rendition of all of them is its strongest point. The latest version handles shooting into light or back-lit subjects better.

The legendary 105/4.5 UV-Nikkor derived its barrel and looks from the 105/4 AIS.

[MEPER]

How does an UV-Nikkor perform as "normal" daylight macro?

I shot an image at F4 of an artificial flower :-)   .....just to evaluate how out-of-focus background looks.....and first impression is positive.
I used flash as it is all hand held. Maybe in the spring I could make some nicer images in the nature.......

I have the 105/2.8 VR.....but from my memory.....it has more CA in OOF area......but a nice lens also. I may do a direct compare some day......

[Birna Rørslett]

For the UV-Nikkor to really "shine", it needs to be used for its intended purpose of recording UV images. You certainly can put on a bandpass filter like the Baader UV/IR Cut to restrict response to the visible range. However, the result is not that exciting any more, likely due to the fact that the lens is not coated in the ordinary manner.

I do on occasion use one of my UV-Nikkors for visible light work, though, but image files require additional massage during post-processing.

[rosko]

This lens is part of my ''macro dream team lenses''. AI version.

Qualitative optics and construction. I am still using it in severe conditions, it does the job.

It was chipped by Erik/Birna during our first get together in Scotland 2016.

We can now get it even cheaper than yours due to the decreasing value of most of this now vintage lenses (nikkors AI/AIS, Canon FD, ect.).

Francis.

[Nasos Kosmas]

thank you for the info
I am considering to have an 105 macro  and I see now this nice option

[Bent Hjarbo]

It is I have the Ai version and it is the only one I use for n
macro work.

[MEPER]

I tried to do a similar image of the nixie tubes using the 105/2.8 VR lens but I can see I did not hit the exact same angle so flash reflections shows up a bit "hard". But I think the 105/2.8 shows more "CA" in the metallic blown-out highlights and I also think the 105/2.8 shows more OOF CA. But it requires a lot more tests to make any conclusions. But incredible if the 105/4 lens can be found at around 100 Euros. If will guess if this lens was produced by Nikon today the price would be about 10 times higher. I wonder if the 105/2.8 VR was the last F-mount 105mm micro to be produced?   

[Birna Rørslett]

Probably the AFS 105/2.8VR will be the last in F-mount -- the Micro Nikkors tend to stay in production for a very long time. With the build-up of the Z system and the promised Micro-Nikkors in Z mount, I see no reason they should spend more time and money on another F Micro model.

[David H. Hartman]

I'm quite fond of the 105mm f/2.8 AIS Micro-Nikkor but because it has floating elements its free working distance is less than the 105mm f/4.0 AI/AIS Micro-Nikkor. Also the 105/2.8 Micro when used with the PN-11 extension tube is complicated by having the floating elements set towards infinity rather than close up when little of the built in helical extension is used. I bought a 105mm f/4.0 Micro-Nikkor specifically for use at image ratios greater than 1:2. If macro lighting arms are used with the PN-11 the AIS version is preferred.

Dave

[beryllium10]

Francis, that is a dramatic image!  The 105 f/4 micro has become my go-to lens for scientific close-ups.  I appreciate the working distance, and the contrast and backgrounds are just fine.
Cheers,  John

[rosko]

Thanks, John, for your comment.

I used the PN11 extention ring which was also chipped.

francis.

[MEPER]

The image has a kind of graphical look like it was intended in the post processing?
It must have looked different out of the camera?

[rosko]

I am going to find the raw file if I still have it.

I remember I caught this mosquito larva (intentionally) in a droplet to get it still and alive as these creature are very moving in their environment.

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2021/03/04/repair-micro-nikkor-105mm-f-4-ai-s/