The 105mm f4 Micro Nikkor (Page 2): This lens had the AI mount in 1977, and the AIS mount in 1981.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Ward Posey wrote:

I have long considered this lens as the sharpest in my camera bag. Mine is from 1978 and I use it on my old F-2 Photomic when I shoot film. Unfortunately it is not A1 so I can't use it on my digitals.

This lens had the AI mount in 1977, and the AIS mount in 1981.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I want to thank you each and everyone of you for your kind comments.
I have neglected using this lens for several years but I decided to try it again and I am glad I did. It will be used more often now and my next project will be using it for portraits.
I love the 105mm f4 Micro Nikkor. It renders beautiful images and works very nicely with my D610.
Once again thank you to you all.

forjava Loc: Half Moon Bay, CA

Can't tell you enough how much I appreciate your post.

CathyAnn Loc: Apache Junction, AZ

Thank you for the information. The photos are exquisite! Wow!

T. Walton Loc: Newton, Kansas

The history was fantastic as is the lens. As a portrait lens, it has provided me some awesome individual shoots. I like to tinker with it on macros as well.

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

Very nice images. Thanks for the history of the lens. I have the new f2.8. I love it and use it for portraits as well as for macro work.
Jack

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

ssymeono wrote:

In the hands of a skilled photographer like you (you demonstrate it in your two great pictures), these lenses achieve miraculous results. The lens is compact and feels quite heavy at 500gm.
As a footnote to your excellent history, I am reading in Peter Braczko's, The Complete Nikon System (Rochester, NY: Silver Pixel Press, 2000, p.198) that Nikon issued an SLR version of the rangefinder lens the 10.5cm f/4 in March 1960 but produced few of them and they are very rare today.

Nikon also made a 105 f/4.0 lens head with the F mount for bellows from 1969 to 1975, with aperture values in 1/3 stops, same as the 135 f/4.0 rangefinder bellows lens head.
My 105 f/4.0 AI (Serial Number 200862), without the focus lock, pretty much lives on my F5 full time.

Edit: On page 199, Peter Braczko mistakenly says the AI version, beginning with serial number 186956, can be identified by the focus lock screw.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Enjoyed the excellent photos. Would like to see the portraits when they are taken. What a great classic lens. I also enjoyed the narrative as I enjoy camera history regardless of make.
Again thank you for the photos and information.

ssymeono Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

RWR wrote:

Nikon also made a 105 f/4.0 lens head with the F mount for bellows from 1969 to 1975, with aperture values in 1/3 stops, same as the 135 f/4.0 rangefinder bellows lens head.
My 105 f/4.0 AI (Serial Number 200862), without the focus lock, pretty much lives on my F5 full time.

Edit: On page 199, Peter Braczko mistakenly says the AI version, beginning with serial number 186956, can be identified by the focus lock screw.

You mean to say that it is the AIS that has the locking screw. You are right, Braczko made many mistakes with numbers, his task was too difficult to keep track of. He also says that the AIS version begins with serial number 232001, but I have an AIS lens #223259, so he may have meant to write 223001.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

For sure the AI-S lens has the locking screw. I have never used it, by the way, the built-in hood is just a nice touch.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

ssymeono wrote:

He also says that the AIS version begins with serial number 232001, but I have an AIS lens #223259, so he may have meant to write 223001.

In defense of Braczko, 232001 is stated as the first AIS serial number in the Nikon Compendium (English Edition, April, 1993, Appendix, Page 181), and also here:

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

(Who to believe - looks like you're outnumbered three to one!! :lol: :lol: )

ssymeono Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

RWR wrote:

In defense of Braczko, 232001 is stated as the first AIS serial number in the Nikon Compendium (English Edition, April, 1993, Appendix, Page 181), and also here:

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

(Who to believe - looks like you're outnumbered three to one!! :lol: :lol: )

Even if outnumbered 300 to 1, there is no doubt that I own an AIS #223259! This means that either everyone is mistaken or else I have a rare pre-production model. Look for yourself. I am not showing it, but the attachment ring does have the AIS notch as well.

(Download)

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

ssymeono wrote:

Even if outnumbered 300 to 1, there is no doubt that I own an AIS #223259! This means that either everyone is mistaken or else I have a rare pre-production model. Look for yourself. I am not showing it, but the attachment ring does have the AIS notch as well.

Aha! You're showing the 105 f/2.8 AIS, not f/4.0.

ssymeono Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

RWR wrote:

In defense of Braczko, 232001 is stated as the first AIS serial number in the Nikon Compendium (English Edition, April, 1993, Appendix, Page 181), and also here:

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

(Who to believe - looks like you're outnumbered three to one!! :lol: :lol: )

I am sorry for the confusion, I thought we were talking about the 105mm f/2.8. There is no dispute about the serial numbers of the f/4 (I own #252612).

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

ssymeono wrote:

I am sorry for the confusion, I thought we were talking about the 105mm f/2.8. There is no dispute about the serial numbers of the f/4 (I own #252612).

I'm out shooting, so don't have a digital camera handy, else I'd post a picture of my AI sans the focus lock screw. Won't have internet access for my laptop til later tonight anyway.
I think we all agree that the 105 Micro-Nikkors are excellent lenses, bettered only, perhaps, by the 100 f/2.8 APO-Macro-Elmarit-R, which I recently saw listed in 8+ condition for $2,400.