105/2.5 flare and ghost resistance

[Airy]

Mauricio Avila asked the question in another thread ; my general response was, in substance, "pretty good, though not at the level of (say) the Zeiss 35/2". The latter is my reference for a well-behaved lens.

Here is some evidence. Lenses are either the AI or the AIS version. All shots were made against strong backlight. The ones on the sea shore had the sun very near the frame.
There is some drop in contrast and some fringing, but all decent.

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

The Organ shots are gorgeous!!

[armando_m]

The Organ shots are gorgeous!!

+ 1 yes , beautiful

[Jacques Pochoy]

Great examples, specially the organs 

[Airy]

As you can see, there is some visible blue fringing on the window structures.
All shots handheld, by the way (Df magic).

The Church is Maria Rotunda, in Vienna (Austria). The sea shore is opposite the place where I grew up, 1964-1970. Praia do Molhe, Porto, Portugal.

[golunvolo]

Yes, gorgeous organs!

[MFloyd]

The organ pictures should also go into the organ thread. Excellent !

[Mauricio Avila]

Airy,

Beautiful images, especially the organs.

Thank you for the evidence about the flare and ghost resistance of the 105mm 1:2.5, I am considering one unit for landscape and cityscape with strong backlit. My reference for a well-behaved lens is the 28mm 1:2 Ai-S.

Saludos,

Mauricio

[Airy]

Beware, if you buy one, you'll find out it is "for everything".
Not really though, since the 105 does not do close-up shots. That's the limit maybe.

Concerning the backlit stuff, please consider that the "Praia do Molhe" shots were minimally processed (no attempt to enhance contrast) ; the organ shots received "my normal" processing using LR (some noise reduction, some re-balancing of highlights and shadows...), excluding extreme measures such as HDR or fringe suppression.

[richardHaw]

one of Nikon's best lenses...i just hope that they made an AF version of this
will it sell? maybe, as a specialty lens

[Airy]

Thank you for the evidence about the flare and ghost resistance of the 105mm 1:2.5, I am considering one unit for landscape and cityscape with strong backlit.

An optimal choice for another reason : in  absolute terms, the 105/1.8 AIS is at least as good optically (forget about the widest apertures, f/1.8-f/2.0 though), and probably better in terms of handling backlight or point light sources. It is my 1st choice for stage shots. However, bokeh is slightly worse, despite the 9 blades. For your described usage, the smaller, lighter 105/2.5 is the better choice.

[Jacques Pochoy]

one of Nikon's best lenses...i just hope that they made an AF version of this
will it sell? maybe, as a specialty lens

Well, the AF version being larger, bigger and surely heavier, I'll keep with the original model...

[Airy]

I have the AF "version" - 105/2.8 VR. It is an entirely different lens. It is a good one, also one of my first acquisitions when I started my Nikon Digital story with the D700, back in 2009. I thought it would become my go-everywhere lens.

However I seldom use it. IQ is not questionable, but bulk and weight kill me. I'd rather take the Zeiss 135/2 for the sake of its f/2 magic (and even better IQ, overall).

The 105/2.5 remains my #2 walkaround lens (some fifties share #1 ranking : Leitz Summicron R 50/2 with Leitax mount, and Zeiss 50/2, mainly)

[John Geerts]

I have the AF "version" - 105/2.8 VR. It is an entirely different lens. It is a good one, also one of my first acquisitions when I started my Nikon Digital story with the D700, back in 2009. I thought it would become my go-everywhere lens.

I love the 105/2.8 AF D Micro.  It's smaller and lighter than the VR and just a bit longer than the 105/1.8. 

 

[Mauricio Avila]

Beware, if you buy one, you'll find out it is "for everything".
Not really though, since the 105 does not do close-up shots. That's the limit maybe.

Concerning the backlit stuff, please consider that the "Praia do Molhe" shots were minimally processed (no attempt to enhance contrast) ; the organ shots received "my normal" processing using LR (some noise reduction, some re-balancing of highlights and shadows...), excluding extreme measures such as HDR or fringe suppression.

Airy,

I was thinking to buy a Canon type 250D close up lens for the 50mm and 105mm focal length  that expands the limits a little bit.

Contrast in your sea shores images is very good. I find it quite acceptable for my purposes.

Saludos,

Mauricio