Nikon NIKKOR 105mm 1:2.5 Ai-S Lens (f/2.5)

Overall Rating:

The predecessor to this lens, a Sonnar type with five elements in three groups, was first introduced in 1959. In 1971, it was redesigned to have five elements in four groups and this is the design that lives to this day (2018).

Lens is very sharp. There is just the tiniest hint of color fringing at f/5.6, but it is still very usable.

This lens exhibits no distortion which is expected from a telephoto.

It is excellent for infrared photography.

The bokeh is very good wide-open, but just a little busy/distracting when stopped down some. This may have something to do with the diaphragm not being round.

This lens is Ai-S compatible so it will work with some Nikon bodies in program and aperture priority mode and the front element does NOT rotate when focusing so using a polarizer is easier.

This is an all metal lens with excellent manual focusing. There is no play in the focus collar. The build quality, though, is not as high as that of the earlier AI lenses.

This lens has a focus and depth of field scale.

Diffraction begins around f/8.

• Focal length: 105mm
• Maximum aperture: f/2.5
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• ø52mm filter ring
• Lens construction: 5 lens elements in 4 groups
• Picture angle: 23°20'
• Focus: 1.0m/3.4ft. to infinity with infrared focus index
• 1:7.7 (0.13×) maximum reproduction ratio
• Price: $271 (USD) (1985), $410 (USD) (1988)

Related links:

• Nikon Nikkor Lens Reviews
• All Lens Reviews