Nikon 105mm f2.5 non AI and 105mm f2.5 AI, which is better?

[KhanX]

Hi all of my friends,

Long time no see and miss you very much.

I have a question about Nikon 105mm f2.5 non AI and 105mm f2.5 AI.

Which is better? in contrast, sharpness, and lens building.

Any sample of these lenses would be appriciated.


Thank you very much.

[taunusreiter]

Hi,
the major change in lens design of the 105/2.5 was made well in the Non-AI era, 1971.
See the two lenses on top of my page, they are easy to keep apart:
http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Nikkor_NonAI_Objektive.html
Some data and lens diagrams as well.
So the later 105/2.5 is the only one which is available in AI mount. If you want the AI mount there is no choice in lens formular, just in outer mount.
For me, these two pictured are the most desirable versions. Both are very well made.
But one needs a Non AI camera for best use.
The best camera for non AI lenses are the Nikkormat EL (not EL2!) with automatic exposure. They are dirt cheap nowadays and very versatile. Often you pay more as a surplus when buying an AI'd lens.
As to the two lens design, the later has more snap wide open. It's quite a modern look. The older designs has more of the "Sonnar" look. I don't have some examples present but this is how they behave. Closed down to f/8 there isn't much difference. Both were among the very best lenses of their time and still capable of excellent pictures.

Have fun,

[Attila]

Welcome back! We miss you too , especially portraits from those nice ladies LOL!



I had both I kept AIS lot better lens than NON AI and price difference not too much.

AIS perhaps best lens from NIKKOR and perhaps best of all ~100mm what I ever had.

[KhanX]

Thank you taunusreiter for the best details.

Your site is very interesting although it's in German, I know German a little bit.

Attila, thank you for missing me for my girls. I'll try to take her some pictures soon.

[Attila]

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/japenese/nikon_nikkor/nikkor_pc_105mm_f2_5/

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/japenese/nikon_nikkor/nikkor_105mm_f2_5_AIS/

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/mfl_club_members/patrickh/nikon_nikkor_105mm_f1_8/

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/japenese/nikon_nikkor/nikon_105mm_f1_8_ais/

[patrickh]

I agree with Attila - the 105/2.5 AIS is legendary for very good reason


patrickh

[taunusreiter]

For the 105/1.8 AIS Nikkor this is the best general info page:
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/105mmnikkor/105mm18.htm

This lens was published in the year when the patent of CANON for the 85/1.8 (Telephoto with short length, Jiro Mukai) runs out. The diagrams are identical:
http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Canon_RF_2e.html#CANON_RF_1.8-85mm

[KhanX]

Thank you, Attila for the good samples.

Patrickh, I'm finding the AIS version but price are so high so I got Non-AI version already.

taunusreiter, I'm also interested in 105/1.8 too.

[taunusreiter]