A True Legend: The Nikon 105mm 2.5

I give my impressions of the legendary vintage Nikon Nikkor-P 105 2.5 lens. With sample photos..
My email: [e-mail]

[@Nafregamisrocanob]

Proud owner of a 105mm f/2.8 micro-nikkor AIS, it’s incredibly sharp and works great on my D810’s.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@Nafregamisrocanob Nikon has always known how to make great 105 mm lenses. Thanks for watching.

[@michaelcase8574]

I really miss rhe Nikon Bubble! Inovative packaging.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@michaelcase8574 I agree, but with lenses that came with the bubble you needed to buy a rear lens cap, to put the lens in a gadget bag. Thanks for watching.

[@michaelcase8574]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 Alas!

[@philmtx3fr]

hi Jules , following your video I looked for my old 105mm f2.5 2nd version (all metal but black) and mounted it on my Zf. And Wooaooo, what a lens.it s more than 50 years old but is very short and compact, very well built as usual and even with an adapter it s not too long and fits perfectly my Zf. I made some portraits, some flower pictures in front of the sun and all are beautiful. It will probably won t leave now my bag and will be with my 28mm f2 and my new voigtlander 40mm f1.2 with this combination I cover 90% on my needs with three very fast and good lenses. So thx again for make me rediscover this fantastic lens. Please don t hesitate to make us re discover some of these old jewels, I am sure you still have plenty of them.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@philmtx3fr Thanks Phil. The black one that you have was the 3rd Nikon lens I ever bought. It has always been my favorite Nikon manual focus lens.

[@mikaelwerner1]

I bought one of these barely used in the early nineties, the one with an extractable hood, just in time for the birth of my first daughter. I wanted the best lens I could get at the time and boy; was it good! Still use it on my trusty FA, F2-DE1 and also on my Sony ZV-E10. Thanks for a brilliant review as always!

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Thank you Mike. You have the Ais version which is supposed to be the best one. I think every version is excellent.

[@randyk1919]

Great video! I've owned the Sonnar version (small rear element) for several years and use it regularly on my Fuji X-T5. Still easily one of my favorite lenses even on APS-C, where the field of view is narrower. The image quality and rendering is truly beautiful.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Agreed. I had the newer black barrel version, which I bought in 1973, for years. I only have the chrome version for about 2 years. Not sure which I like better. Thanks for watching.

[@leod1671]

Jule, I love these old lenses, I appreciate you bringing this lens into focus. You reminded me that I have a Nikkor-Q 135mm f/2.8 pre-AI that came as a package with a Nikon F I purchased recently on Ebay. I am going to mount it to my FTZ adapter and see how well it works or not works. More to come…

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

The 135 2.8 is an excellent lens, just a little heavy.

[@boblozano]

Actually just bought the 1977 ai-s version in superb condition. Fun to use on a zf, like the built in hood. Just initial impressions, but something about that rendering is really pleasing. Fun video, thanks.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Every version of the 105 2.5 is great, dating back to 1959. Thanks for watching.

[@0202068103]

Minor correction: the AIs version didn't come around until the early 80s - I have an AI version, from the late 70s, and it doesn't have a built-in hood.

[@JaredTremper]

I believe the chrome version you show here was the earlier Sonnar optical design. I have the P - C pre-ai (factory converted to ai) and I just love it.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

You are correct. The chrome version is the original Sonnar design from 1959. Thank you for watching.

[@ChristianAndrew1.4]

Incredible lens that renders images with real magic...

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@ChristianAndrew1.4 Agreed, different than the later version. I’m still not sure which one I like better. Thanks for watching.

[@ChristianAndrew1.4]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 I have both versions too and the silver nose just has it for me, the later one is still a great lens with magical bokeh and sharpness, but the Sonnar has the magic by the truck load for me.. Appreciate what you do here Jules, great channel!.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@ChristianAndrew1.4 Thank you Christian.

[@ronaldsand3000]

Wonderful documentary Interestingly as these lenses came in the cups, it’s the reason why the period correct rear lens caps are so hard to get All the very best

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

You are correct. No rear caps shipped with the lenses.Thanks for watching.

[@MysterDaftGame]

I believe the original version had a Sonnar optical formula. Not for everyone's taste but it's nice ! I have the Nikkor-P version, it's fantastic ! I use it on my digital mitrorless. I remember taking a landscape, it was wide open by mistake. But it was still very sharp although the colors were a bit different and vignette was stronger

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

It is a Sonnar formula. I love them both. Thanks for watching.

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

The early version of the F mount 105 2.5 was in facts launched optically identical in 1953 in S mount for the Nikon rangefinder cameras and modified in a second F mount version in 1959 when the Nikon F SLR was launched

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Thank you for that information.

[@myblueandme]

Wow those potraits are amazing/ I have been using the similar lens (exactly 105 mm PC f2'5) but the pics are yellowish/ It has old fungus on the rear glass could fungus be responsible for the warm tones ?

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@myblueandme Sorry I just saw your comment. I don’t think fungus would cause a yellowish cast. Does the coating look yellow? If you are shooting digital try doing a custom white balance.

[@myblueandme]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 after the comment which is 2 months old i cleaned the lens and pictures are not yellowish/warm anymore. Earlier the pictures were sharp and visibly warm now they seem to be neutral. I think fungus and dust can make the lens warmer and muddy.

[@michaelrasmussen3347]

I have the Ai-s version (945777). A superb lens. The 135mm f/2.8 is also highly recommended but only look for the Ai or the Ai-s version or, as in my case an Ai converted new K because they have an extra element (5/4 instead of 4/4) and are multi coated. In general I prefer the Ai versions because of their larger focus throw - a dream for a videographer ;-)

[@Snikkelbek]

The modest ai 135/3.5 is even better (better contrast, better resolution).

[@spartus]

GOT a 135mm 2.5 or something ..it works great on my digital D300 Nikon... its a metal tank and weighs a ton but the true glass in it ... SHARP ///

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I don’t believe Nikon ever made a 135 2.5. They did make a 135 3.5, which is excellent. Thanks for watching.

[@spartus]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 sorry but .. 135mm f/2.8 Nikkor-Q .. have one maybe its not seen very offten...

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@spartus Also an excellent lens. But yes, it is heavy.

[@smkunder1]

Great video, I thought they had a built in lens hood?

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Only the AIS version from the early 1980’s. Thanks for watching.

[@davidmascorro5636]

so what year did the AIS version come out.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I believe it was 1981.

[@ronaldmoravec2692]

Mine is original Sonnar and not converted in perfect condition. Non converted work fine on Z cameras.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

You are correct. Pre Ai work fine with the FTZ adapter. Thanks for watching.

[@jamesoliver6625]

They have more than one legendary 105. My 105 2.5 is from roughly 76, my 105 1.8 from about 1990, and my 105 f2 DC is roughly 2000. Is there much difference? No. In the right situation the f1.8 is worth the trouble from it's weight. The f2 the same though not as extreme as the 1.8 takes. In general, the f2.5 is the use simple because it does 97% of what the other lenses do at half the weight.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I have never owned or used the 1.8 or the 2.0, but the 2.5 is so good I never thought I needed another 105 for portraits. Thanks for watching and your comments.

[@javierRcastro]

Just got one for $100 in good condition for my Nikon ZF

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@javierRcastro Congratulations, it’s a wonderful lens. Thanks for watching.

[@sputumtube]

Prices on eBay range from £50 - £220 (UK)

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

That’s a big price difference. I guess it all depends on condition.

[@sputumtube]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 Definitely Jules, perhaps UK prices are a bit different to yours as well.