Nikkor 105: I have an old 105mm from the 70's that I use on my Nikon 5200 in manual mode. Would the new 105 be any sharper? I find the old 105 to be pretty darn sharp. I use it...

Gdelvecc Loc: Dallas, TX

I have an old 105mm from the 70's that I use on my Nikon 5200 in manual mode. Would the new 105 be any sharper? I find the old 105 to be pretty darn sharp. I use it primarily for head and shoulder shots. Any thoughts?

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

I've never seen a comparison of the two. I have the newest one which is also macro and it's very sharp - love it for portraits. You indicate that yours is "pretty darn sharp", so why are you thinking it isn't sharp enough? I really doubt that the newer one is any sharper - better lens coating and weather sealing yes. That's my opinion, others may have better information.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Gdelvecc wrote:

I have an old 105mm from the 70's that I use on my Nikon 5200 in manual mode. Would the new 105 be any sharper? I find the old 105 to be pretty darn sharp. I use it primarily for head and shoulder shots. Any thoughts?

Welcome to our forum!

This is the best I could find.
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/AF-S-Nikkor-VR-105mm-f-2.8G-ED-versus-Nikon-AF-DC-Nikkor-105mm-F2D___261_0_949_0

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Is it the Micro F4, micro F2.8 or is it the the standard F2.5 version ? The current one may be better on bench tests, but in real world shooting, you would likely only notice it if you either pixel peep or print large prints, especially with that lens as it's always been one of Nikon's best...Most of the gains in newer technology (such as CA correction) can be fixed in post as well.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Jerry, that link won't answer his question as it's comparing a completely different lens to what he may have. We would need to know exactly which lens he's using first of all & then DxO won't be a viable source for a comparison as they only show the newer lenses, not the older MF models.

jerryc41 wrote:

Welcome to our forum!

This is the best I could find.
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/AF-S-Nikkor-VR-105mm-f-2.8G-ED-versus-Nikon-AF-DC-Nikkor-105mm-F2D___261_0_949_0

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

jerryc41 wrote:

Welcome to our forum!

This is the best I could find.
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/AF-S-Nikkor-VR-105mm-f-2.8G-ED-versus-Nikon-AF-DC-Nikkor-105mm-F2D___261_0_949_0

Good find Jerry. I used the D5000 on both for comparison (D5200 isn't listed) and the old lens beats the newer one in every category (by small amounts) - overall scores are same.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Screamin Scott wrote:

Jerry, that link won't answer his question as it's comparing a completely different lens to what he may have. We would need to know exactly which lens he's using first of all & then DxO won't be a viable source for a comparison as they only show the newer lenses, not the older MF models.

I realize that, but it's all they had, and I thought the info might apply to what he has. I think Nikon had made three 105mm micro lenses.

EDIT: This might prove useful. It's Ken Rockwell commenting on various 105's.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/search.htm?cx=007197459920594520885%3Aa6hwpcg-bx4&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&q=nikon+105mm&sa=Search

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

That comparison is like comparing apples to oranges. A macro lens to a fast portrait style defocus control lens... Big difference in price as well...

ecobin wrote:

Good find Jerry. I used the D5000 on both for comparison (D5200 isn't listed) and the old lens beats the newer one in every category (by small amounts) - overall scores are same.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

That's if he's got a "Micro" lens & not the old standard 105mm F2.5 lens

jerryc41 wrote:

I realize that, but it's all they had, and I thought the info might apply to what he has. I think Nikon had made three 105mm micro lenses.

EDIT: This might prove useful. It's Ken Rockwell commenting on various 105's.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/search.htm?cx=007197459920594520885%3Aa6hwpcg-bx4&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&q=nikon+105mm&sa=Search

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Welcome to UHH

Gdelvecc Loc: Dallas, TX

The lens is a Nikkor-P Auto 1:2.5 f=105mm f=2.5 to f32. It is not a Macro. Seems you all needed more info to work from as I didn't realize there were 3 versions of that specific lens. I am impressed with all the help and quick responses on my first post! Thanks to all for the responses. Before spending the money on the new 105, I just wondered if it gains me much. I like to focus myself anyway, and the mystery of F-stops went away a long time ago.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

There are 5 versions of the 105mm F2.5 I'm assuming you had yours Ai'd ?...If not, don't use it on any Nikon DSLR that has an Ai follower tab (that means any Nikon DSLR camera that requires focus motors in the lens as opposed to the body as it can damage those bodies if not Ai'd...Here is a link to the different 105mm F2.5 lenses..
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html#105

Gdelvecc wrote:

The lens is a Nikkor-P Auto 1:2.5 f=105mm f=2.5 to f32. It is not a Macro. Seems you all needed more info to work from as I didn't realize there were 3 versions of that specific lens. I am impressed with all the help and quick responses on my first post! Thanks to all for the responses. Before spending the money on the new 105, I just wondered if it gains me much. I like to focus myself anyway, and the mystery of F-stops went away a long time ago.

amehta Loc: Boston

Gdelvecc wrote:

I have an old 105mm from the 70's that I use on my Nikon 5200 in manual mode. Would the new 105 be any sharper? I find the old 105 to be pretty darn sharp. I use it primarily for head and shoulder shots. Any thoughts?

There are three current Nikon 105mm lenses available:

1. Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro
2. Nikon 105mm f/2 AF-D DC
3. Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor AIS Manual Focus

The first one is fully functional with the D5200. The second one will not autofocus (but you don't care). The third one is fully manual.

In terms of sharpness, #2, the DC lens, is one of the sharpest lenses Nikon makes. It is specifically designed for portraits, letting you adjust the background bokeh. For your subjects, that might be worth a look.

Gdelvecc Loc: Dallas, TX

Ewwwww... Not good news. Mine hasn't been A'd and so I will stop using it altogether.... I understand Nikon doesn't convert them any more and parts are all but impossible to find. Guess I'll just put it in mothballs.. Thanks for the education and warning. Didn't seem to harm my D5200 as it works great.

Terra Australis Loc: Australia

Gdelvecc wrote:

Ewwwww... Not good news. Mine hasn't been A'd and so I will stop using it altogether.... I understand Nikon doesn't convert them any more and parts are all but impossible to find. Guess I'll just put it in mothballs.. Thanks for the education and warning. Didn't seem to harm my D5200 as it works great.

A non Ai lens will work perfectly fine on a D5200. The Nikkor 105 f2.5 is a very fine lens indeed. I suggest using it rather than mothballing it. It was considered the finest portrait lens made by Nikon at one time.

Oliver.