Nikon AIS 105mm 1:2.8 micro

[Bjørn Rørslett]

One shouldn't forget the AF/AFD 105/2.8 Micro-Nikkor. The AF is of course glacially slow, but manual focusing is not bad at all thanks to a wide focusing collar. The lens goes to 1:1 on its own and to 1.6:1 with the PN-11.

The lens might appear on the plastic-fantastic side for anyone used to Nikkors build with quality, but works well enough. The front section extends and is vulnerable to sideways impact, but this susceptibility  is neatly cured by inserting a step-ring (62 mm thread)( or one of the adaptor rings for the ring flashes (SB-21/29) into the secondary filter thread situated lower on the main casing.

[Roland Vink]

Agreed, I have the AF 105 micro also. I use this lens mainly when I want high-magnification, or I need AF. The focus ring good for an AF lens with the right amount of resistence and smooth, but with a dry plastic on plastic feel, lacking the silkiness of the AIS version. Also, the focus throw near infinity is very short - infinity to 1:1 with 180° focus throw requires a very fine touch. The AIS 105/2.8 micro goes from infinity to 1:2 with 300° focus throw - which is at least 3x longer to focus the same distance. Even that is short compared to the AI 105/2.5.

What I like about the AIS 105.2.8 micro is:
- most compact of the 105 micros
- good old build quality
- smoother bokeh than AF version
- f2.8 aperture fast enough for general shooting
- 1:2 magnification is more than enough for casual shooting and closeups

[Erik Lund]

Ais 105mm f/2.8 may look nice on the outside but the front group is held in place by two tiny guides that have a had time when you work on the front, like filters etc.

[richardHaw]

i enjoyed tearing apart both lenses. I learned a lot which I can use here at my work in the studio (engineering our workflow and programming)

the ai-s lens is somewhat complicated. it is a pain to work with the first time around but you get the hang of it really quick.

I have many fond memories of the AF-D, somehow the VR was not as sharp as my AF-D.

[bobfriedman]

personally i preferred the 105/4 micro over the 105/2.8 AIS.. i have also used the 105/4 bellows-nikkor which is the same.

have used the AFD 105/2.8  which goes to 1:1. it is plastic but is probably better than the AI non- AF version.. since i don't use the AF on macro subjects, i never really cared if it was AF or not.

best lens for me was the AFD 200/4 micro which i liked very much and will not part with and to this day have never used the AF on this lens.

[longzoom]

20121029-085 by 20121029-085-3 by longzoom, on Flickrgzoom/]longzoom[/url], on FlickrCopy (2) of 1110a 158 by Copy of 1110a 158 by longzoom, on Flickrlongzoom, on Flickr.  My copy of this lens: macro with crop, and landscape with crop. My own opinion: the lens is not bad in both cases, but aged, what is clearly visible. Digital era requires new optical formula. It may serve a couple years more, but there are much better lenses on the market today, I believe. But, as I am always staying, I am not the truth in the last instance. Everybody's way varying. LZ