Reviews > Lens portraits with the Nikon Df
Lens "porn" with the Df: The 105 mm Nikkors. Part 2
Bjørn Rørslett:
[ Posted 10 January 2014 - 14:17 Edited and reposted by agreement ]
The legend amongst the 105 Nikkors are without doubt the f/2.5, a lens that in various incarnations (S-mount for rangefinders, then F-mount for [D]SLRs) have accompanied Nikon cameras nearly sixty years. The optical design changed from the earlier Sonnar- to a double Gauss-type around 1971. The Sonnar type was shared with the earlier rangefinder Nikons, but when the 105 should transfer from the "S" to the "F" mount in 1959, they had to tweak the rear element so the register distance was increased by 1 mm or so, in order to clear the reflex mirror.
One can easily discern these variations as the Sonnar has a rather small rear element whilst the newer models have a rear element extending all the way to the bayonet rim. The last incarnation, AIS, has a slide-out hood of the wobbling non-lockable kind. The others use either HS-4, HS-14 (snap-on), or HN-8 (screw-in). The older HS-4 is easily lost because the snap-on tabs extend a bit from the surface and can mistakenly be pushed either by yourself or objects it brushes into. If you epoxy them in place the HS-4 becomes a screw-in type so that'll be my recommended measure for it. The HS-14 has release tabs flush to the surface so stays put for a longer time. The safest bet is the HN-8 with locktite. Sissies will use a rubber hood but that is a true misfit with these lenses.
Here is an array of my 105/2.5 Nikkors. The AI had gone AWOL at the time. From left to right silver barrel "P" (Sonnar) with factory AI kit, a badly beaten up "P" pre-AI from '71 or '72 (Gauss, no multicoating), the first multicoated "P.C" version from '73 (Gauss, AI'd), and finally an early AIS. All except the beater have been CPU-modified. The beater copy reminds me of how much abuse these lenses can take and still be able to deliver outstanding images, plus it is a test lens for investigating the non-AI compatibility of new cameras. I have used mainly the '73 version of these 105 Nikkors on various Nikons since I originally purchased it in 1973 and it still focuses buttery smooth. It also has the advantage of aperture blades that are curved so its bokeh is softer than what the later AIS delivers. The oldest Sonnar-type had 6 blades with straight edges so bokeh could get less smooth if you stopped too far down and the background was problematic.
The AIs is the lightest and the early "P" the heaviest of these. The Sonnar-type is also slightly shorter in overall build length.
Note to self: find the AI sample (it turned up 1 week later)
tommiejeep:
Bjorn, I am becoming a big fan of the Nikon 105's. I have good copies of the Ai and Ais f2.5's. I've been offered one of the last (last 300 serial numbers) 105 2.5 P-C (factory Ai'd) in Mint- at what seems to be a good price. I will not be able to try out the lens . I use the 105's for candid portraits and general walkabout for people. Anything I should ask specific to this lens?
Cheers,
Tom
Bjørn Rørslett:
It has f/32?
The differences between the P.C and the later AI are slight, so apart from a change in the way the focusing ring looks (scalloped vs. rubber) and f/32 vs f/22 they are functionally identical.
Roland Vink:
If the 105/2.5 P.C is factory AI'd, it will stop down to f32. Strangely, when Nikon upgraded this model to AI it lost a stop and only closes down to f22 (possibly because early AI cameras couldn't reliably meter over such a large range), but the factory AI conversion ring preserves the minimum f32 setting! The missing stop makes little practical difference since this lens shines at wider and medium apertures. I don't think I ever stopped mine down past f11.
If you already have good copies of the AI version there may not be much point in getting the P.C version. The optics are the same, both have the nicely curved aperture blades, and I think the coatings didn’t change either. The only reason would be if you prefer the look of feel of the older scalloped focus ring.
tommiejeep:
Bjorn and Roland, many thanks. In this instance I was tempted to buy as an investment. Here, the new converts to the Sony a7 series, are actively looking for excellent examples of classic lenses but I will save my money and not be a Speculator :) . You, and some others, are very good at pointing out weaknesses of some of the older lens both in optics and build.
Cheers,
Tom
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