The El Nikkor 105mm APO Lens Redux

[Michael Erlewine]

While I was shooting a few test shots for another thread and I am, once again, amazed at what a great lens this APO El Nikkor is! There is one on Ebay for around $2000. I paid more than that. Just look at what this lens can do. With the Nikon D810 on the Nikon Bellows PB-4.

[Frank Fremerey]

This IS a major achievement lighting wise and because I know your
work by now a lot of stacking went into this too.

Another Wow.

[Michael Erlewine]

It was pretty straight-forward, but using a bunch of other lenses taking the same plant made it clear that this APO El Nikkor has some wonderful qualities.

Here is another from the same series.

[Frank Fremerey]

The first is more of a landscape. Makes my mind wander

Tge second is more like a portrait. Tells no story to me.

[Michael Erlewine]

Tge second is more like a portrait. Tells no story to me.

I have different eyes. To me, the second image does two things. First the inner part of the in-focus flower is very clear and detailed. Second, the bokeh of the blooms in the background promise many things, including that each of them must also be that exact, and they are very fluid and almost moving in the background. That is all the story I need. Just commenting as to how we all see differently.

[pluton]

I'm glad that you have made me aware of the 105EL/Apo;  I'm not so glad about what they cost.

[Frank Fremerey]

I understand your vision perfectly well.
I now see what you see.
I now add what I first left out:

Can you take out some warmth and add some colour separation to the second?

[Jørgen Ramskov]

The quality is impressive as usual. In the first image, I notice a flare or something in the upper left section. In the second image, the colors of the background are too strong and takes focus away from the flower in focus.

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

It's an amazing lens Michael and you know that. In very capable hands obviously.
Never understand why some pixelpeepers cannot really "see" what a lens is capable of...

[ColinM]

I love the rich colours, lighting and the clarity in the first one Michael.