A very used 105 f2.5 AI

[Akira]

Mmmm....

I'd hang out for an expander -  even on an oldy which has many battle scars such as Amandos lens.

LOL, no worries, Hugh!.  Believe me, I did the job really gently and, as Armando reports, the bent part could be brought back in shape without any excessive force.

Armando, nicely done!  Apparently the math problem is a LOT more difficult than fixing the bent thread.   

[armando_m]

Seeing how easy it was to fix it, I also see how easy it can be to bend it again, bump the front of the lens while mounted on the camera and the result will be a bent thread

Installing a filter would be a good idea

Akira, I'm not sure if the problem was that hard or she just wanted the paparazzi to go away 

[gryphon1911]

The more you use it, the more I think you are going to love that lens.   I know that I cannot get enough of it. 

[richardHaw]

the most common way here in Japan is to use a piece of wood with a half-circle depression on it (male) and a half-circle wooden block (female). the hammer used is the rubber mallet. It works VERY well. 

I am thinking of buying a filter ring vice for this.

[John Geerts]

Congrats with the purchase Armando.  The lens has an own character in that condition.    The 105mm lenses of Nikon are superb.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

after hitting the lens with a hammer went for a test shot
---

I like the sentiment underlying that statement  ... a phrasing pleasingly appealing to my culture ... nice portrait of the student as well.

[Thomas Stellwag]

after hitting the lens with a hammer went for a test shot

can someone translate that to Japanese and send it to 100years Nikon marketing team?  it is hilarous

[Hugh_3170]

Hi Armando, congratulations on a very neat dent removal job that is both well done and simple in its execution.

If the filter ring material of the lens is soft, then the hard brass rim of an old discarded 52mm filter screwed in and left there as a strengthening precaution is still an option.

************************

Regarding dent removing expanders for filter rings, may I say sorry about my tardy reply.

This is what I had in mind: 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Pro-DSLRF-Camera-Lens-Vise-Dent-Tool-Repair-Filter-Ring-Adjustment-28mm-to-105mml-free-shipping/32433856948.html?spm=2114.40010308.4.50.PzqsX6

I must say that it is much more expensive than I had remembered, so for a one off repair, your approach is certainly much more cost effective - if more exciting! 

Hugh,
What kind of expander would you recommend ? I've been looking at google but only found things that I do not understand how to use, or look like I do not want to put close the the front glass

[armando_m]

Thank you Hugh

Yes I had considered getting a filter ring and leaving it on the lens

Thanks for the link to the expander.

[JBPhoto]

Anyone care to share what they feel is the going rate for a decent AI version? Pick your currency.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

My guess would be 150-200 USD depending on its condition.

[JBPhoto]

My guess would be 150-200 USD depending on its condition.

Thanks Bjørn. I may just dig out my old AI one from the cabinet and put it up for sale. My eyes aren't what they used to be and I find the modern focusing screens quite troublesome to manual focus and rely on AF now to get things sharp. One of the reasons I recently bought the 105mm F1.4E.

[Peter]

A well seasoned lens!!
I have 4 105mm f2.5 lenses Sonar to Ai-s. I have 135mm lenses as well but I never use them the 105mm I always grab.

[armando_m]

Interesting, I was offered a135 f2.8 pre AI for less than $100, but I figured it is to close to the 105, so I didn't buy it

[David H. Hartman]

The 105mm focal length sets the distance and perspective in my sweet spot for a head and shoulders candid. At 2x normal it just looks right. The 105/2.5 AIS is smooth and fast. The AI which I used to pay a debt has longer throw I'd prefer for live view. They were carefully tweaked for good bokeh at close focus distance and large apertures, both together.

Dave