Nikon (Nikkor) Micro 105mm f/4 AI Manual Focus Lens. Exc++++. Tested. See Test Images
Key Features
See Hi-res images taken with this lens on Youtube
https://youtu.be/wqDkbhUw768
This is a superb example of one of Nikon's high quality AI lenses from the early 1970's and 1980's: when Nikon didn't make anything except high quality pro lenses. It's great as a general purpose Tele lens and also for close-up studio work where manual focus is actually an advantage. This one comes in its original Nikon plastic storage case.
This one: lens number 194497, was number 8,061 of a total run of some 43,803 of the AI version of the 105mm f/4 Micro AI lens manufactured by Nikon Japan between 1977 and 1981. We can, therefore, be fairly certain that this lens was made just under a fifth of the way through the production run at some point around September 1977.
The Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/4 has excellent optics and mechanics. It is at least 90% as good as today's newest 105mm lenses wide open, and at least as good stopped down. Unlike the newest lenses, it is manual-focus only, which is ideal for macro work. In fact, on AF and digital cameras, their finder screens are optimized for lenses like this 105mm f/4, so with modern cameras, this old lens works just great! In fact, with the electronic focus assist on FX cameras, this lens works much better today than it ever did on film.
See camera reviewer and photographer Ken Rockwell's review of this lens on the Nikon Lens Reviews section of his website.
Lens compatibility
Use on Digital Cameras
On the D810, D800, D800E, D750, D700, D610, D600, D500, D300s, D300, D200, D7200, D7100, D7000 series cameras, it can give full matrix metering and aperture-preferred auto (A) and manual (M) modes, and encodes the shooting aperture and focal length in the EXIF.
The Nikon 105mm Micro AI works on the lesser cameras like the D80, D70 and D40, but without any metering - you'll have to use an external meter or guess using the LCD.
Use on Film Cameras
The F100 and most film cameras offer centre-weighted metering with this lens, while the F4, F6 and FA are unique among film cameras in offering matrix metering with it.
For further reading on the subject, please visit Ken Rockwell's most instructive website on the subject.
Lens Condition: Exc++++
Mechanical / Cosmetic: Exc++++
The lens is in superb mechanical and cosmetic condition, although there are a few slight abrasions, notably on the retractable hood and the top of the focus ring. The felt lining on the hood is perfect, and the hood action is also perfect. The painted lettering is bright and completely intact. The focus action is nice and smooth and perfectly weighted with no play at all in the action. The bayonet mount is in excellent condition. The aperture ring is smooth and 'clicky' and the blades are free of oil.
Optical: Exc++++
There are two smaller than pinhead specks of debris in the lens, and there is a very small amount of dust in the lens, but much less than one would expect in a lens of this age. Neither affects image quality at all as can be seen from the test images. The optics are otherwise flawless. The front and rear elements are pristine.
Image quality
Image quality is outstanding. The Ken Rockwell review explains the characteristics of this lens in some detail. The attached images I have taken with this lens attest to the quality he sees.
The lens tests were shot on a Sony A7RII 42.4MP Mirrorless camera. It works perfectly on my Nikon D7200, but I wanted to show the full-frame capability of the lens.
The Ebay upload images
The test images were taken in Birmingham, UK on a cloudy bright day. The first image is of a street scene shot from Paradise Circus. It was shot wide open at f/4. The next two images are a 100% centre and edge crops of that first image. This lens is dead sharp in the centre and very good indeed at the edge wide open. The next two images are of the same scene, but this time they are 100% centre and edge crops at f/8. Both are perfect. The next two images of the wall and bollard were shot at f/4 and f/8 respectively. Both have been cropped. They show the smooth Bokeh and DOF that this lens generates. The final image is of a leaf at close focus shot at f/4. The 100% crop is totally sharp with zero Chromatic Aberration.
The Youtube Images
https://youtu.be/wqDkbhUw768
I've created a video of the street scene test images on Youtube. I've taken 100% centre and edge crops at various apertures from f/4 all the way to f/32. As you will see, it's sharp edge to edge at all apertures. Look at the f/4 LH edge crop. There's not a trace of CA on the contrasty road signs at the edge of the image. Resolution drops off a bit at f/32, but that is the case with all lenses, and it’s also worth noting that I was at ISO 10,000 at this point. I've uploaded some other shots and titled them so you can see the aperture used. I've also included a couple of Macro shots.
What's in the box?
Lens, Nikon storage case, front Nikon lens cap.