Nikkor 105mm f/2.5

[Knut S]

Just got this old classic Nikkor, and what a beauty it is! I've had a "one-lens-day" today for getting to know this lens. Pure joy. Really like the dof-control on this lens. It's up there with the 35mm 1.4 & 50mm 1.2.  I'll be happy if you will join this thread and show what this lens can deliver.
All pics D3x @2.5

[Bjørn Rørslett]

I think we have already had 105/2.5 thread(s), but why not hammer the message through once again?

Personally I think the 105/2.5 AI and the Nikon Df simply were made for each other. The combination simply is so extraordinarily good and synergetic. This lens covers everything from (relatively) close-ups to portraits and landscapes with the same ease.

There is a faster sibling, the 105/1.8 AIS, that shares much of the same features and some claim it is even better for landscape work. In direct A/B comparison, however, I didn't find much of a difference, and the faster lens by its bigger bulk makes for less smooth handling than the f/2.5 model.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

A few examples of 105/2.5 images captured with the Nikon Df in recent years.

(the scenery of last one should be familiar to KS)

[Tristin]

I don't mind more threads on the 105/2.5!  The 105/1.8 certainly excels in field curvature, or lack of, CA and flare, but all else is identical.  I think for general use, the 105/2.5 has the upper hand for it's filter size alone, though the lighter weight is certainly nice.  The 105s are real gems that set an extremely high bar for the money spent.

[Knut S]

Thanks, Bjørn. Inspirational pictures, as usual from your hand. I really like the 3D rendering of this lens. And yes, I know exactly where #4 is taken. Haha..

[richardHaw]

I like the elvis on the cadillac pic just because it is elvis

here's mine

[Matthew Currie]

It's a little long for a lot of things on DX, but it has that je ne sais quoi.

[Bjørn J]

For some reason which I can't explain, I have never owned the 105/2,5. To rectify the situation, I have now aquired two of them, both arrived a few days ago. One is an Ai-converted K, the other is Ai-S. Both in mint condition. I enjoy and love using these classic Nikkors more and more, and have a decent collection - 16/3,5 (x2), 20/2,8, 24/2, 28/2, 35/1,4, 50/1,2, 105/2,5 (x2) and 180/2,8 ED.

[chris dees]

One of my favorite MF Nikkors.
I have "only" the very old ones. Nippon Kogaku 10.5cm (1963) and 105mm (1971), both Sonar's and the Nikkor 105mm PC (1973) which is a Gauss.
These two (105 PC) are from my last trip to Thailand.

[Knut S]

Matthew and Chris; beautiful! Thanks for shearing. Chris, #2 is awesome. 

[the solitaire]

If it's about the 105mm f2,5, I'll join.

I currently only own a ~1967 Nippon Kogaku 105mm f2,5 Nikkor-P with single amber coating.



Here are a few sample pictures









And then these made with the 105mm f2,5 Nikkor-P.C









EXIF incorrect on this one. I also used the 105mm f2,5 Nikkor-P.C in this case not wide open but at f2,8

[elsid]

This morning I became the proud owner of a used Df in "super mint" condition. Price was Euro 1,500. In the afternoon I was out in a park with the camera and the 105mm 2.5 AI. Here is a sample of the crop.

[Jakov Minić]

Bjørn's delicate sound of snow is hyper mega extra turbo special!

[Knut S]

#1 I met this funny guy yesterday..
#2 I'm so weak for reflections..
And thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures. So inspiring!

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Knut, are the reflections from Å? Something about the 'rorbuer' reminds me of that small village in Lofoten.

To continue with the venerable 105/2.5, although it can deliver the most delicate rendition with pastel hues, it certainly can make a scene into a graphical image if so required.

This is from the DONG energy works in Copenhagen ('dong' in Norwegian has a pretty vulgar connotation).