105E ... bulky ... slow AF ... superb IQ

[Jørgen Ramskov]

A friend wanted to borrow my 24-70mm to capture some gymnastics action and it just happens that he bought a 105mm which I then got to try out for a bit. This is a fat beast Being used to the 24-70 and 70-200, f/2.8, handling a f/1.4 lens is quite different (I'm using a D750). Compared to those, the AF is slower (as expected), but I wouldn't call it slow. The image quality is great and the bokeh is just wonderful.


Nikon 105mm shot at f/1.4, ISO 200 at night with flash by Joergen Ramskov, on Flickr
This man is working on a completely broken down water line according to my son.

[Erik Lund]

Nice a shot from Billund 

[Jørgen Ramskov]

Tulips.

f/1.4

by Joergen Ramskov, on Flickr

f/2.5

by Joergen Ramskov, on Flickr

f/3.5

by Joergen Ramskov, on Flickr

f/5.6

by Joergen Ramskov, on Flickr

[Anthony]

Joergen, these are lovely!

[Erik Lund]

They are! but the window Bokeh is not.

[Jørgen Ramskov]

Anthony: Thanks, I like tulips and that lens is just amazing.

Erik: Sorry you don't like it, I kind of do, especially at f/1.4. I guess I could try it again tomorrow against a white wall instead or what would you prefer?

[Erik Lund]

,,,,,but the window Bokeh is not.

Window Bokeh=Rain drops or stains on the surface of the window-glass


Looks distracting, like blemishehes,,,


I was not referring to the lens or the flowers!


No need to shoot anything for me, I have shot a lot with it.

[Jørgen Ramskov]

Erik: I don't think i misunderstood you, I know you didn't talk about the lens or the flowers
I fully expected you had the chance to play with this lens and wouldn't be surprised if you own one.
I should probably have been more clear in my post. I was only asking what kind of background you'd have chosen? As I said, at f/1.4, the window background don't bother me.

[Erik Lund]

Ok, then we are on the same page

Yes I was shooting Bjørns lens a lot when I visited him in Norway last year.

My conclusion was that it is very similar to Nikkor 85mm 1.4 AFS G except it has more of a swirly Bokeh that really comes out with shiny highlights, and that it doesn't have a ring-type SWM so focus speed is similar and no VR, similar crop/working distance, focal length - so all in all for my work they are similar.

By far I wanted a 200mm AFS f/2, amazing Bokeh without risk of swirls in the out of focus highlights, super fast AF, one of the fastest,,, VR, closer cropping due to longer focal length - Super expensive and heavy I agree. I found a Mint condition used 200mm f/2 AFS mark I at the same price as a new 105mm 1.4 AFS,,, so win win for my type of photography that most often have highlights in the BG.

[Erik Lund]

Just a quick sample of what I try to write with letters about the 200mm AFS f/2 wide open - It's a very shiny venting-tube under the ceiling in the BG

_EGL9629 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

[Jørgen Ramskov]

I have never tried the 200mm AFS f/2, but I know it is legendary and your shot above is a fine example of how impressive the bokeh is.

[Frank Fremerey]

A sample set of real world reporting most at f/1.4 (243 shots): https://www.flickr.com/photos/ngudu/sets/72157677313649654

[Jørgen Ramskov]

Tulips again - with a white wall as background:


F/1.4 by Joergen Ramskov, on Flickr

Shot from f/1.4 - f/11. The rest can be found on Flickr.

[Erik Lund]

So nice and relaxing to look at, thank you. Here the rendering of the lens truly show itself by the soft effortless blending of tones.

[Jørgen Ramskov]

Erik: I very much agree, seeing the window shot next to this one - big, positive difference.

Some more random shots from central Aarhus:

#1 Juice

2017-03-04 Nikon 105mm f1.4 test 009 by Joergen Ramskov, on Flickr

#2 Beer

2017-03-04 Nikon 105mm f1.4 test 023 by Joergen Ramskov, on Flickr

#3 Gin

2017-03-04 Nikon 105mm f1.4 test 042 by Joergen Ramskov, on Flickr

#4 Aarhus Town hall tower (church in the foreground)

2017-03-04 Nikon 105mm f1.4 test 044 by Joergen Ramskov, on Flickr

#5 City / retal bikes

2017-03-04 Nikon 105mm f1.4 test 046 by Joergen Ramskov, on Flickr