Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/4 AI-S

[Sar NOP]

Hi all,
After reviewing my "new" 105mm f/2.5 AI-S, this afternoon I took my 28 years old Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/4 AI-S to chase some local birds.

Manual focusing at f/4 is more challenging than with f/2.5, but once the focus is spot on this Micro-Nikkor produces fantastic image quality at wide open.
The bokeh is not as good as the f/2.5 version, but still is very smooth and creamy. Contrast is better than the 105/2.5 and colours rendition is excellent on my D2Hs.

Here are some images from this afternoon, all taken at wide open (f/4) !! :


#1 : 1800x1200px





#2 : 1280x850px





#3 : 1800x1200px






#4 : 1800x1200px







#5 : 1800x1200px







#6 :

[Meumerke]

Great sharpness, would have liked the background in a bit darker.

[I @ M]

It is clearly past its' use by date Sar.

I think that you would be better off selling that one and putting the money towards some more modern gear.

Seeing as I am a generous sort of person I will offer you $40.00 for that one and I will pay the postage.

I mean, after all it isn't really a birding lens is it?

[ving]

g'day Sar. those4 old lenses are great hey. a mate of mine has that lens and i had a go of it ages ago... it really nice!

[Sar NOP]

It is clearly past its' use by date Sar.

I think that you would be better off selling that one and putting the money towards some more modern gear.

Seeing as I am a generous sort of person I will offer you $40.00 for that one and I will pay the postage.

I mean, after all it isn't really a birding lens is it?

Very tempting, I@M !!!



A Micro-Nikkor normally is designed for close focus, so a few minutes ago I took this image under lowlight condition, very high ISO and slow shutter speed :

D2Hs, 1/25", f/4, @6400 ISO, NR Off, processed in NX2.



Original file, full size (4.1Mpx) : http://images3.photomania.com/289405/1/rad827D0.jpg


Upsized file, from 4.1Mpx to 12Mpx ! : http://images3.photomania.com/289410/1/rad2CB9E.jpg

[DJT]

Crikey, they're sharp. The detail is amazing

[mongo]

It is amazing as a macro !!

Mongo used to own one of these and is sorry he parted with it (the lens - not the $20)

[Sar NOP]

mongo, this lens is quite rare on the secondhand market. Why did you part with such a wonderful lens ?


Here's the same file as above upsized to 18mpx ! :
http://images3.photomania.com/290475/1/rad3DCA0.jpg

[Sar NOP]

And another one upsized to 24Mpx !!! :
http://images3.photomania.com/292553/1/rad932A2.jpg

I'm not ready to buy a D3X now...

[mongo]

Sar, the only reason Mongo sold it was because he had (and still owns) a Nikkor 105 f2.8 A-is macro. Mongo thought he would keep the faster of the two macro 105s but has come to realise that the faster one is not necessarily the better of the two. It is widely agreed now that the f4 is the better of the older 105 macros.

PS what camera did you use for the last two posted today ? - you did buy that D3X didn't you ?

[Sar NOP]

PS what camera did you use for the last two posted today ? - you did buy that D3X didn't you ?

For all the pictures in this thread, I used my reliable 4.1mpx (but obsolete ) D2Hs.

D3X ? For the same price, I can buy a 300/2.8 VRII and a 24/1.4 N !!!

[mongo]

you are so right about the best use of any spare cash.

That "obsolete" D2Hs of yours is still wowing us !!