Author Topic: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open  (Read 2731 times)

Airy

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105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« on: July 05, 2020, 22:42:40 »
As shown in an older thread, the usability of that lens wide open is questionable. Aberrations are less conspicuous in B&W shots. From f/2.8, it is however at least as good as the legendary 105/2.5 AI (but for the bokeh): same sharpness, flatter field.

Here are some shots taken wide open, or at f/2.0 (the small flowers). There is little difference between f/1.8 and f/2.0.
Airy Magnien

Airy

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2020, 22:44:53 »
From f/2.8, performance changes drastically, and gets similar to the 105/2.5. This shot was taken at f/2.8, also from a short distance (close to MFD):
Airy Magnien

Airy

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2020, 22:47:03 »
As you can see, the bokeh can be outright weird & ugly, especially against bright light.Note that this lens is however very good for stage shots (at f/2.8-f/4.0, preferrably), as it does not flare easily.
Airy Magnien

Airy

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #3 on: July 05, 2020, 23:00:00 »
Somestage shots at f/2.8, the last (square) one at f/4.0.
Airy Magnien

Airy

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #4 on: July 05, 2020, 23:06:14 »
Some more, at f/5.6:
Airy Magnien

Airy

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #5 on: July 05, 2020, 23:09:09 »
Cityscaping at f/8.0:
Airy Magnien

Airy

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2020, 23:17:43 »
ah and just in case you would doubt it - chess is fun (admittedly less than go, but still...). At f/5.6.
Airy Magnien

Roland Vink

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2020, 00:53:04 »
Here are some shots taken wide open, or at f/2.0 (the small flowers). There is little difference between f/1.8 and f/2.0.
Regardless of the lens used, I always admire pictures such as these. It is a real art to place the focus plane selectively over 3D subjects such as these and let the in-focus parts contrast so well with the out of focus foreground and background

I have often tried similar shots, but even when I use a smaller aperture to increase the DoF, my pictures often just look out of focus  :-[

Akira

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2020, 01:35:41 »
The first image seems to tell it all.

I used the lens only during the film days.  I didn't feel that the bokeh was that disturbing.  The potential sharpening of the digital cameras may exaggerate the bokeh character?
"The eye is blind if the mind is absent." - Confucius

"Limitation is inspiration." - Akira

John Geerts

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2020, 06:59:37 »
You show great results about the versatility of this lens, Airy.  I like the bokeh.

ColinM

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2020, 11:31:12 »
I think im agreeing with you Airy on some points.

At f1.8, some of the results are interesting.
However i prefer the pink flowers at f5.6
And whilst the bokeh at f1.8 are dramatic, i feel they distract from the subject (e.g. 2nd & 3rd images - portrait, peach coloured flowers)

pluton

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2020, 19:07:13 »
Nikon's approach with this lens, perhaps similar to the 135/2 Ai/AiS, is that they expect you to shoot at f/2.8 or f/4 for standard results, but make the wide aperture available for emergency use in extreme low light.
Does your copy have the relatively stiff focus rotation that this lens (105/1.8 ) is famous for?
Keith B., Santa Monica, CA, USA

Airy

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #12 on: July 06, 2020, 20:30:58 »
I do not know the 135/2 but your comparison sounds plausible. Same with the Canon FD 135/2 by the way, marred by strong purple fringing wide open (but bokeh was good).

My copy's focus ring used to be very stiff, but I had the lens re-lubed. Now it is only moderately stiff.
Airy Magnien

John Geerts

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #13 on: July 06, 2020, 21:04:05 »
Nikon's approach with this lens, perhaps similar to the 135/2 Ai/AiS, is that they expect you to shoot at f/2.8 or f/4 for standard results,
Is that the normal approach?  Nikkor 1001 lenses history comes with this remark:  "What was the concept behind its design? There were no clear answers to any of these questions. However, looking back, it seems that there was a plan to renew the line of fast lenses to coincide with release of the F3. The 85mm f/1.4 and 105mm f/1.8 appear to be proof of this plan."  https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0059/index.htm

Erik Lund

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Re: 105/1.8 AIS Wide open
« Reply #14 on: July 06, 2020, 22:24:15 »
Wonderful sample images! Very nice ;)


Temperamental wide open as expected, so yes gentle pp needed if you like smoothness.


Get it re-lubed with thin grease ;)
Erik Lund