Nikkor 105mm 1.4 AFS E Compared to Nikkor 85mm 1.4 AFS

[Erik Lund]

Here is a comparison between Nikkor 105mm 1.4 AFS E and Nikkor 85mm 1.4 AFS on Nikon D810.

I borrowed the very nice new 105 from Bjørn today, Thanks and I had a lot of fun in the forest close to Oslo where we currently are hanging out.

I tried to keep the images as close to each other as possible, but without using a tripod, for some images the same vantage point was used for others it was changed slightly,,,

For all images; First the 85 then the 105,,, all samples at f/1.4.

First shot is straight up - So no chance to make them similar...

_EGL6594 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL6596 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL6602 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL6603 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL6609 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

And here the 105mm with the extension tube

_EGL6615 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL6634 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL6635 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL6639 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL6645 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL6650 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL6648 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL6680 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL6676 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

Conclusion; They are very similar, the Blur circles are a fair bit larger for the 105 and slightly less CA overall, what amazed me the most was that the behavior of out of focus highlights aberrations where almost identical,,, Obviously their design parameters must be very close,,,

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Very interesting, thanks for the heads-up. Apparently Nikon engineering have spent some serious time and efforts in the design process of these lenses.

In the days ahead, whilst Erik and I are travelling inland Norway, there will be a lot of opportunities to compare these, and other lenses.

[BW]

I reckon the results of the tour will be presented on this website? Looking forward to see the creativity the two of you can wrestle out your gear

[Bjørn Rørslett]

We're leaving tomorrow morning heading northwards into the central mountain range. Will open a thread in the travel diary section later.

[JohnBrew]

Thanks, Erik. I must say they are mostly similar - the 105 is merely closer, naturally. I'm sure you will show us more as you continue to test. Not so sure at this juncture that there is any point in testing it for my purposes.

[John Geerts]

Thanks for this useful comparison, Erik. They look indeed quit similar.

[chris dees]

Have a nice trip.

[Frank Fremerey]

After checking these nice examples for the second time, I feel the 105E has a tad more contrast, slightly better detail rendering and this special 3D look some of the classy lenses feature plus a slightly cooler cooler rendition (blueish)

All I have seen so far from this lens is super mouthwatering.

[beryllium10]

I have heard that Jakov is not going to buy this lens.

But seriously ... the wooden planks photo is a very clever test image and shows a lot of characteristics of the two lenses.  The two do look very similar, but the 105 mm seems to have slightly higher central contrast, smoother rendition of the out-of-focus areas and a slightly more graceful transition from sharply focused to out-of-focus areas.  I have an 85 mm f/1.8 AF-D which I like a lot, but it would not handle that transition from focused to out-of-focus nearly so nicely.  I will wait patiently 5-6 years for the next-generation lens to come along, when some of these 105s will begin to appear on the used market ...

Cheers,    John

[PeterN]

Thank you for sharing this Erik. This works better for me than charts.
The thing that strikes me most is the smoother rendering of the OOF areas, which contributes to the 3D effect of the lens (the busy scene in photos 6639 and 6645 are particularly showing this). The 85 is a fabulous lens but if I would have to pick one, I would opt for the 105, leaving price, size and weight differences aside.
I am looking forward to your observations and assessment.
Thanks again.

[Tristin]

John, with the amount of time that has passed between the various 105mm lenses you will likely be waiting a good chunk longer than 5 years.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

20-25 years is more like it.

[longzoom]

After checking these nice examples for the second time, I feel the 105E has a tad more contrast, slightly better detail rendering and this special 3D look some of the classy lenses feature plus a slightly cooler cooler rendition (blueish)

All I have seen so far from this lens is super mouthwatering.

.  Second to this.  Thanks God Nikon did not follow their 58 optical formula for the 105 new lens. I'll wait a little bit more, to see what Sigma has already done to their new 85mm. THX!  LZ

[beryllium10]

Tristin, Ilkka - likely so, but it looks like it will be worth the wait ...  Meanwhile, prices on the 105DC (both second-hand and remaining inventory) are dropping steeply.  Fortunately I'm not tempted.  Honestly.

John

[Erik Lund]

Some nice rendering of the forest floor.

_EGL6998 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr