Lens Summary
Brand: Nikon
Also Known As: Nikon 105mm f/2D DC
Lens Type: Prime Lens
Format: Full Frame / FX
Focus: Autofocus
Lens Mount: Nikon F
Release Date: 1993-09-01
MSRP Price: $1049
Made in: Japan
Infrared Rating: Good
Production Status: In Production
Lens Description: This fast, classic portrait lens featuring Defocus Image Control allows for control over the degree of focus in the foreground or background of an image.
Nikon AF DC NIKKOR 105mm f/2D Specifications
| Lens Specifications | |
|---|---|
| * Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area | |
| Lens Type | Prime Lens |
| Focal Length | 105mm |
| Mount Type | Nikon F |
| Format | Full Frame / FX |
| Compatible Format(s) | FX, DX, FX in DX Crop Mode, 35mm Film |
| Compatible with Teleconverters | No |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 0.13x |
| Vibration Reduction (Image Stabilization) | No |
| Aperture Information | |
| Aperture Ring | Yes |
| Maximim Aperture | f/2 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
| Maximum Angle of View (APS-C or smaller format) | 15°20' |
| Maximum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format) | 23°20' |
| Optical Information | |
| Lens Elements | 6 |
| Lens Groups | 6 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Super Integrated Coat (SIC) | Yes |
| Focus Information | |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Built-in Focus Motor | No |
| Rear Focusing | Yes |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 3.0 ft. (0.9m) |
| Distance Information | Yes |
| Filter Information | |
| Filter Size | 72mm |
| Accepts Filter Type | Screw-on |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weather / Dust Sealing | No |
| Mount Material | Metal |
| Dimensions | (Approx.) 3.1x4.4 in. (Diameter x Length), 79x111mm (Diameter x Length) |
| Weight | (Approx.) 22.6 oz. (640g) |
| Other Information | |
| Available in Colors | Black |
| Supplied Accessories | 72mm lens cap Rear lens cap |
Lens Construction
MTF Chart
Venus Lens has a most interesting 105mm f/2 manual lens that competes with Nikon’s 105mm f/2 DC:
www.venuslens.net/
Here’s a comparison of the two:
It would be great for someone at Photography life to review this Venus Lens, as well as their unusual 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro Lens, and their upcoming 12mm f/2.8.
Thanks
Dear All,
Well I found this lens -in a un-used state- second hand at Foto Rembrandt in Maastricht (Netherlands).
It’s a really nice lens to use. The defocus function works great and you can mimic even the soap bubble bokeh of those expensive Trioplans of Optik Meyer. But you can also choose for the nice fluid Gaussian background bokeh. While adjusting your back- or fore-ground bokeh the focal length changes a bit. This lens, combined with a macro-adapter makes it a sharp option for sharp macro shots with interesting backgrounds. It’s also great when shooting contrajour subjects. One litlle minus is that it got some bokeh fringing (LoCa) wide open and at f2.8 compared to a Tokina ATX 90mm f2.5 or a Samyang 135mm f2.
Great lens, not only for portraits!
Bjorn
Perhaps, the Nikon 105 DC is the best 105 mm ever made by Nikon. It is also sharper than the new Nikon 105 micro AFS. The new Zeiss 100 Makro-Planar ZF.2 is a little bit sharper than the Nikon 105 DC, but only at f/2 and f/2,8. Furthermore, apart from its excellent sharpness, the Nikon 105 DC is fantastic for portrait.
I bought this lens a few years ago second hand. The condition was pristine, but the user had spent some years with it in the tropics and there it had developped mild fungus. I decided to take the risk since the user was honest about this and had lowered the price to about 1/3 of a new one.
I disassembled the lens partly and gave the glass a treatment with a hydrogen peroxide/ammonia mixture followed by a long bath of short-wave UV-light. I have had no problems with fungus ever since although some very minor etching of the glass stays visible even after the treatment, though you need to look really, really well to see it. There is absolutely no effect on the image quality btw.
Since then i find this the first lens i pick up when i want to shoot a portrait. It’s so sharp it’s almost scary. The fixed focal length is no problem since you buy this for portraits mainly. I have done some playing with the defocus control but find the effect hard to see. Personally i think it is mostly a marketing gimmick. However, the sharpness of this lens is legendary and without discussion.