The Most Iconic Portrait Lens In The World
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Have you ever seen the photo of the Afghan Girl? It's probably the most iconic portrait photograph of all time, and it was captured by photographer Steve McCurry with a Nikon FM2 and the Nikkor 105mm f2.5 lens.
But, that lens is also absolutley amazing used on modern digital cameras, especially Fujifilm!
Vintage glass really provides such excellent value for money and if you haven't explored the wild world of vintage camera lenses to adapt onto your modern mirrorless body you are doing yourself a disservice!
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The one thing that you forgot to mention about the Afghan Girl -photo is that it was shot on Kodachrome film, which is the other half of the camera equation that makes that picture look the way it does.
Very true! The colours of Kodachrome really can’t be replicated digitally, not easily - but at least with the same lens we can get a similar compression/depth of field and rendering characteristics of the image at least :)
If Kodak could bring back the one film.
I hope it would be Kodachrome.
@@rudermanphotothe classic chrome film simulation is reported to be an attempt at recreating kodachrome, because it is fuji, they couldn’t call it kodachrome, so they called it classic chrome. In that sense, this lens on the fuji body makes more sense than a Zf. It offers a closer digital approximation to the original shot via the film simulation.
@@pd1jdw630 Kodak should be willing to challenge themselves and reissue Kodachrome.
Well the film stock probably makes up for like 50% of the color in a photo. One of the best kept secrets in photography is lens coatings, people forget just how much your lens coating and glass actually impacts the contrast and colors, for example the kodak retina, it has a mediocre lens, but a top of the line coating, and the colors and contrast that thing produces are absolutely gorgeous on any stock you shoot.
I love the fact that you bought the magazine just for the video. Details matter.
I agree! Thank you 💖
I agree, wonderful addition
Shot 10s of thousands of photos with FM-2s and a 105 2.5 back in the day. The combo was all you needed for portraits. The lens just had a unique look to it that was magic. The original FM-2 had an extremely dark finder that made the pre-autofocus focusing difficult in low light, but the FM2n fixed that with a much brighter finder and it became my favorite SLR to use professionally. After lugging around multiple Nikon FTN's for years, the much lighter FM2 was a blessing.
Well, that first 1 second was unbelievably effective at keeping me here for the entire video. Bravo.
Thank you!
I have this lens on my ZF. It's a thing of beauty
I have it too the AI-S version on my Z6. An amazing lens
hi there - would you mind sharing what adapter you used
@@graffigdesign8977 the Shoten FZ1
I have a Nikkor 35mm f2 O.C. and it's a dream. I can definitely see 105mm being another vintage sweetspot!
Got a lot of amazing shots on this lens. I shoot it on Nikon mirrorless using the 200% punch-in to nail the focus, really nice experience.
No, don’t get the 105 2.5 for your fuji, don’t drive up prices 😅 let us film shooters keep great low price glass
The 35mm 1.4 is crazy good also but more expensive. I bought the 105 two years ago and I’ll never sell it. It’s an amazing lens at a very good price. But it’s heavy.
I've had a Nikkor 35mm f/2 for a few years and LOVE it
I used the 85 f2
and 50 pancake on my xt3 and I love it
what a beautiful, buttery lens…
I have the non-AI version of this lens (same optical formula) and it makes beautiful pictures. Lately I’ve been building up my vintage Nikkor collection and I must say that the Nikkor-S 50/1.4 (with the gold coating) makes lovely pictures.
I have vintage nikon and canon lense I still need to get adaptor for my nikon and fuji cameras. Vintage love. Thank you for the video.❤
For shooting vintage (manual) lenses on Fuji I always shoot raw+jpeg and use a b/w simulation with the focus peaking in red. This helps a lot plus you have the added bonus of seeing/adjusting the contrast of the scene better. Also consider using a Mitakon Lens Turbo Adapter (Mark II) or similar to mitigate the crop sensor effect.
in my country, there are very few lenses like this in such good condition, i used sometimes FD lenses on my XT5\XT4 , thanks for the video ^^
Great lens with a lovely bokeh. I have the Ai-s version and shot most of my favorite photographs using it, both on film and digital.
I do have some vintage Canon manual focus lenses, but I do not currently use them on my Fuji X-T3 camera bodies. However, I did purchase the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 lens as it comes close to the Nikon 105 lens with a 112mm field of view on an APSC camera body. The Viltrox has NOT disappointed me as it is a phenomenal portrait lens.😊
That Viltrox 75 1.2 looks incredible!!
I would love to try it out at some point in the future, they’re really making some incredible third party Fuji lenses atm
I have the same Viltrox 75 and absolutely love it. Amazing lens.
Such a fun video! I've been having an absolute blast using various manual focus lenses on my X-T5 since I picked it up. I sold my Canon kit to cover the body cost so I've just been scooping up cheap MF lenses and it's the most fun I've had doing photography in like 20 years. I haven't dipped into Nikkor lenses yet...mostly M42 and Leica-M stuff I got for cheap or free, but I know there are tons of old Nikon lenses out there so I may have to pick up a third mount adapter. Also 100% subbing after this video - I realized I'd already watched 5 of your videos since I've switched to Fuji and I love your style. Keep it up!
Thank you so much for the kind words!!
There are so many cheap manual Nikon lenses out there and they’re all so good! The only downside is I now want to buy a ZF haha
One of my favorite lenses and one of Nikon's best. I have the Ai-s and Ai versions and the difference is the more pleasing bokeh on the Ai when stopped down. You can't go wrong with both of them. Another great Nikkor lens is the 180mm f2.8.
Nice review of a great lens which I own as well. I have the AI version and I love it. It’s funny though I heard another video on TH-cam of a guy who met Steve McCurry and he said that he actually took that photo with a 75 to 150 series E lens. Which I have as well and it’s hard to tell the difference between them. They are both great lenses. That’s a lens you could use quite easily on your Fuji. One of my favourite lenses on my Nikon Zfc is a 24F2, which becomes a 36 F2 which is my favourite walk around lens. you’re right though you can get a lot of good Nikon glass for very little money. The 35 F2 is also a great lens. I had the AIS lens and it has a beautiful Bokeh as well. You won’t go wrong with any of the AI or AIS 1.4 or F2 lenses from Nikon, they’re all great regards, Gerry
One of my favourite lenses for weddings! Use it both on my X body as well as my Nikon film cameras. This video earned a sub💯 try the 50mm f1.4 pre-AI. Mind blowing for cheap!
Thank you!! I’ll have to check it out
The minolta lenses are such a great option too. The 58mm 1.4 in my Canon EOS RP is just sweet. I highly recommend it!
I stumbled into buying one of these without knowing it was a talked-about lens - at a steep discount because the aperture control is broken. You’re now making me consider trying to repair it to see how crisp it can get.
small tip for anyone looking for a fun prime: yashinon DS-M 50mm f1.7 (on m42 mount) with an adapter. radioactive glass with great bokeh and a slight yellow tint for around 50 to 70 bucks if you play your cards right
I bought a lens from the same eBay seller recently. Assuming there aren't multiple people sending cranes and candies.
Nice video, the lens I bought was an EF 20mm 2.8. Very much the other end of the spectrum
Unless they are the same one that sold me a vintage motorcycle part then yes there are multiple people sending origami and hand written thank you letters. It’s great service, never any of the post or customs issues as there are with shipments from the US and at half the delivery time and cost from the other side of the Pacific as things sent from just across the boarder.
That lens is a performer, no doubt. I love using vintage manual lenses on my Fuji bodies. I have a Konica 50mm F1.7 arriving tomorrow, I hope it is as good as I have heard. There are many more for you to explore. This is a somewhat addictive hobby, and it's easy to find yourself with 25 lenses before you know it. I love my new autofocus lenses, but the old lenses simply have a character in their rendering that is pleasing and unique.
Try the 105 or 135 f2 DC… defocus control… double aperture, enables you to either control bokeh drop off in front of, or behind the subject… also with the foremost aperture set smaller than the back, you can make some amazing blurred Hollywood old school style photos
The 105mm F2 DC is by far the most impressive lens I’ve ever owned
I'm lucky to have a whole set of vintage nikkor lenses: 24mm f2.8; 35mm f2; 50mm f1.4 from same era 1977-1981, and I constantly use them.
Sometimes, as designed, with nikon but most of the time with my fuji, and this combo gives very pleasing experience. Love the 35mm f2 ai-s, and use it almost constantly :) Also I have a successor of 105mm 2.5 - micro nikkor 105mm 2.8 and I find this one very good lens, which has great image character, and surprisingly sharp on digital sensors. It works great as tele lens, portrait and macro lens but the best aspect of it for me - how much depth it gives, no matter what and where i'm shooting! Smooth and rich bokeh combined with incredible image quality over all makes it one of my favourite lens
Been shooting the nikor 135 2.8 (non ai) for years and years on many fuji bodies including gfx.... wonderful wonderful lens !
I don't know how far they are related but nikkor 105 2.8 is also wonderful!
I own a nikon f3 and I use the 55mm 2.8 macro on it. Mostly as a portrait lens. The minimum focus distance is really short so you can get super close and its sooo sharp. Even at 2.8.
I love this lens and I need to get an adapter to use it on my xt3 for sure.
Definitely check it out!
Thank you for the infos! Ive had an eye on the 105 for a bit already, now I want it even more! 😅
Ooo, I’ve been looking for a nice macro lens actually so this could be a good option! I’ll check it out!
I have the lens in the NIkkor-P Auto version. Also received a little crane with mine! Great lens, I use it on a Fujifilm XT4. It is a very sharp and gives a wonderful look and colors.
Another awesome video, I myself use a 50mm Olympus vintage lens, but I have been looking for a 35mm vintage lens do you have any recommendations? I look forward to your upcoming video’s…
that is one of the first lens i've ever bought and i love it, i was using it on the original A7 and my Nikon FE. Now i use it on the GFX 50R and it's a really good match !
i paid 58$ for the AIS version in 2014, that was the best moment to get nikon lenses hahaha i wish price were still that low
Most of my lenses are vintage, and using a Pentax K1 I have catch in focus. It means that camera only fires when sharp. Holding the shutter button down and turning the focus ring the camera fires when sharp. It’s making shooting with manual focus so easy.
You should know that this photo is controversial. McCurry did not ask for permission and took a shot with a refugee girl without her burka (they do not like that). I know that this happens in journalism and you take photos of what we see, but he also got mega rich, selling prints for 10000 dolars or more. "In the end, however, it is about responsibility and respect. It is strange that McCurry did not record the name of his subject. Perhaps McCurry had pushed hard to get his shot and felt it would have been undiplomatic to then ask for personal details. Maybe it was a case of, ‘we got the shot, now let’s get out of here’." --- quote from an article.
Yeah, theres also an aid organization that started from the awareness that this image brought to the world, that’s what true photography is meant for. McCurry might be making money but if you know anything about him hes been everywhere and documented everything for us to see
I think "controversial" is a fitting term. Should he have done it all differently? Probably. But it happened, and at the very least it's a great basis for important debates about, obviously, the situation of Afghan refugees itself as well as morals and ethics of photojournalism. While it brought us incredible, very emotional insights into otherwise unseen conflicts and struggles in the world, it still begs the question of how much should photographers be able to profit from the suffering of others. Especially if the subjects, as in many cases, don't get anything at all from it except for some exposure. What ethical obligations might a photojournalist have? Thanks to the controversy surrounding the "Afghan Girl" portraits, this debate at least kicked off.
@@raphaelgonzo9788 I realize my comment was subjective because I know little of the photographer and more about the photo. So my knowledge is pretty one-sided. But I was right I guess about the photo being controversial.
28mm 2.8 ais is amazing as well
Great review, now I'm thinking of getting one myself and see if I can adapt it to my Leica M. Thanks man! FYI, Steve Mccurry's the Afgan girl was the reason I started learning photography.
You would be able to use it on Leica M with a Visoflex viewfinder, otherwise it won’t have any rangefinder coupling.
(Unless there exists an adapter that somehow enables that but I’m unsure if that exists haha)
@@rudermanphoto good to know, thanks for the info!
Im also enjoying vintage glass at the moment, but on vintage or semi vintage bodies to bring in the film stick element too. Shooting on film is a great way to expand this and late 90s SLRs have all the convenience of a DSLR ( Canon 300v)
Neat thing about this lens also is that it has shallower depth of field than any 50mm or 35mm lens you could buy - yes, even the F/0.95 ones. Focal length has a larger impact than aperture on DoF.
People have been making good prime lenses in the 35-135mm range for many decades, it's the ultrawides, superteles and zooms that require computer assisted lens design, exotic glass, good multicoatings and maybe aspherics to have good performance at a reasonable price.
Getting this the next few days after watching this video, very excited to try it! Which specific adapter did you get for this? Nikon F to to Fujifilm X? Thanks!
Yeah just the Nikon F to X Urth adapter!
Great video! I wonder how this would compare to a Canon FD 100mm f2.8 since they have a similar focal length and max aperture. I picked one up at my local camera store not knowing much about it but it has been fun to shoot with
great video, thanks! Please, keep going!
Thank you so much! Plenty more content planned for the future :)
Hi, for FF vintage glass on Fuji bodies, i highly recommend getting focal reducer, even cheap ones for less than 100 bucks are good for vintage glass, giving you much smaller crop factor (like 1.1 instead of 1.5) and more light for daker situations.
I’ll need to check it out! I’ve heard of them but didn’t have one handy for this video, surprised to hear they’re that cheap, I always thought they were around 3-400 bucks but maybe I’m just looking at the expensive ones haha
More than half my lenses are vintage Nikkors , only two of my more than 20 were manufactured as recently as 2010. I still shoot DSLRs so operationally I'm in the sweet spot for their use. My favorite is the 70-180 Micro (coupled with the 5T & 6T closeup duplexes) for all the closeup work. However my favorites are the 200mm f4 (AI-S rework of a K lens by Nikon) from around 1977 by the serial number, you can hide in plain sight since it is so small people don't realize what you're shooting, the 105 f;2 DC, though I've never used the "DC" control aspect in real work, and the mid 80s little zoom 28-50 f3.5, absolutely the sweetest street lens. It's almost as small as a pancake but flexible enough to make life easier.
Very nice. I need to get this for my Df
Nice to see a Canon T70 ad in that magazine. I’ve got one kicking around here somewhere…
I have AND love the 50mm 1.2 AIS.
I also got a 105mm 2.5 but never used it, yet.
It has some light fungus and I will let it be cleaned before using it.
I'm a fan of vintage lenses, I also have an Olympus 50mm 1.4 which as the Nikon F mount.
I'm using a Nokin Zf, Nikon Z fc and Nikon D800 (about to be sold soon) and trained myself on focus back in the 90s when I used an analogue Praktica with some MF lenses (and later digital Pentax with some really nice vintage lenses).
Wow, didn't know that's what was used. I've got the same camera and lens and it really is incredible for portraits. Although I don't get the same colors without Kodachrome.
The Pentax is very nice too, I own both
Thanks for reminding me of this lens my grandfather left me (though it's the AI-s version). Had less than stellar experiences mounting it to a MFT years ago and kind of gave up on it. Of the 4 lenses in this series I have, the 28mm F2 (or 2.5?) is probably the most surprising one.
One of the best lenses I own. Should use it more though.
I also ordered one from Japan and got two bags of green tea (which was crazy good). I got the AI-S version because I really liked the built-in lens hood 😂 I have a Zf and this lens is fantastic on it!
I would have loved the Ai-s version but paying twice the money for the lens hood didn’t seem worth it to me haha
Can’t believe got mine for around 80usd. Man those images ❤❤❤❤
Flippin the bird at 3:25 🤣
Excellent video 😊!
Thank you!
Another great vid man, consider me subbed! Been shooting with old nikon glass with my Fuji stuff for years. I use the Nikkor 60mm f2.8 macro for my film scanning set up but the E Series push/pull 75-150 f3.5 zoom is PHENOMINAL for how cheap you can get it for. a REALLY fun lens!
Thank you!!
The more I look into it the more incredible vintage Nikon lens options I find, and thankfully they’re all reasonably priced too.
It does make me want a ZF though, these old Nikkor lenses would pair beautifully with it haha
I think that's the ONLY way to shoot the Nikon ZF, it's such a shame that they haven't made more lenses to match the aesthetic. It doesn't handle as well as you would expect either which is wild as my main film camera is a Nikon F3!@@rudermanphoto
@@FeralGinger I’m yet to get my hands on one, I’d love to try it out but yeah the lack of aesthetically styled lenses outside the one or two they have released is disappointing - I hope in the future the can release more, I’ve heard it’s not that ergonomic either which is unfortunate too. Still would love to try it out tho!
Interesting idea and enjoyable video
Thank you!
I use vintage Nikon lenses all the time, but on my Sony A7 III. :) I can highly recommend the 35/1,4 AI. It renders a beautiful bokeh and is sharp enough for portraits wide open. For corner sharpness you have to stop down a bit.
The Nikon 85mm 1.8 was a much loved portrait lens too, both were pretty much surpassed by the 70-200mm 2.8 when it landed. Whether it was the availability of the lens, or a trend in photography, but around that era the portrait style of female models/movie and pop stars with really flat facial features became trendy - also often shot with high key lighting that reduced the models nose to little more than nostrils. The compression offered by longer lens became super popular. Another revered Nikon lens was the 55mm micro, with some photographers switching to Nikon specifically for that lens.
It's probably worth noting that Nikon had some other advantages, which probably helped their lenses reach legendary status. The main one being simple exposure to them. Back in the day newspapers and magazines employed vast numbers of staff photographers. It was totally normal to send one along with every journalist. These publications also provided equipment. Rather than fully outfit every photographer, each was typically given a couple of bodies and lenses pertinent to their usual assignments. In addition to this, the publication would have extensive "lens banks" which as well as spare lenses to replace damaged ones, would also have multiple copies of less 'standard' lenses. This allowed photographers to simply take out lenses that they might need for a special assignment. These lens banks were usually a very large investment, presumably with this in mind, Nikon made the very smart pledge that their lens mount would never change, and that from the original Nikon F, every Nikon lens would work on every Nikon camera. Lenses would not become obsolete, and even when 'automatic indexing' emerged, it only cost a few dollars to add indexing to an existing lens. Since virtually all the manufacturers had changed their mounts at some point in time, this pledge meant there was great economic sense in investing in Nikon. - As those publications closed down, they sold off their lens banks, which is part of why in camera stores today, you will still find that used Nikon lenses often outnumber all other brands combined
thanks for the video...
I have this lens and it is just incredible. One of my favourites. Great on full frame and crop. Stupidly sharp.
oh i got an fm2, gotta look into this one
I have both the Ai and Ai-s versions of this lens and can vouch for their performance. Other portrait lenses I can recommend are the 85mm f2 Ai-s and, if you're looking for a bokeh monster, the 135mm f2 Ai-s. I would steer clear of the 35mm f1.4 Ai-s as it has issues when used wide open (and it's expensive). The 28mm f2.8 Ai-s is a good (if not better) alternative.
Seeing as I love a 28mm focal length the 28 2.8 looks right up my alley! The 135 f2 is cool too and I sorta have my eyes on the 55 macro as well!
Thank you for this review ! I use a 50mm 1.4 on my Fuji Xpro2. And it is amazing !!! I think for the price, test the 1.4 instead the 1.2 ;)
I own this same lens. I also bought the Ai version over the Ai-S. I love it. And its almost sacrilege to use in on my Canon R7! Nikon-on-Canon. Its a thing. But its no worse than any of my other vintage lenses that I have adapted to my camera.
So after I bought the 105 f2.5 I wanted to try an older 35mm f2.8 so I did the research and discovered that the Nikkor-S 35mm f2.8 Pre-Ai is a very well respected lens. It doesn't have a lot of the coatings that the later lenses have, but in a way, I kind of like that very vintage look to it. And it can focus very close! The focus ring says .3 meters, but the lens continues to turn after that last number. So its probably closer to 26 or 27cm. Which is pretty good! And, that lens just looks super cool with its brushed aluminum rings and nose.
I can suggest that lens as well! And, its a fairly cheap as well.
Haha I actually have used this 105 2.5 on my old Canon 5d3 as well since I wanted to see what the 105mm focal length would look like in its entirety on a full frame sensor, definitely feels a bit weird mixing canon and Nikon, but it reminds me of the old DRTV days when Kai would always have a canon with a Nikon strap and vice versa!
I’ll have to check that lens out! I’m thinking of grabbing the 28 f2.8 just because I love 28mm so much, not the biggest fan of 35mm lenses.
I've had the AIS version nearly all my life. The integral hood is a nice feature. But I just don't use longer focal lengths much. Though I did sell some bullfight pictures from my 105 to a magazine once. So at least it made some money. But I will hold onto it forever I suppose.
You need to try the nikkor 100-300mm f5.6 ais lens. It is push pull and focus on the same grip. I love it and run it on my sony a7riii the photos I get are simply amazing. I bet you would love it.
I’ll have to give it a go! I really want to try more ultra Tele focal lengths, never really shot with anything beyond a 100mm
One of my pro photog friends was really enthusiastic when I got my Fuji X-Pro. He was going over it checking out all the features.
Then he turns to me and says in a low voice, "you know you don't have to shoot at the widest aperture all the time right? Your shots will look way better around f5.6."
Now several years later I have to say he was right.
Except certain lenses like my Meyer Optik Gorlitz 50mm f1.8 and Fuji 56mm f1.2 that do their best work wide open.
As far as length, I have a Takumar 105mm F2.8 that I use sometimes and it's never a problem.
You can always jack your exposure up enough so that the shutter speed is up in the multiple thousands.
I'm not sure about the Xt5 but my Pro and Xt3 can pull off ISO 3200 without breaking a sweat. 6400 if need be.
I have the 105mm f/2.5 Nikkor lens that I use on full-frame cameras and Fuji APS-C cameras. It is a great lens for portraits, but I prefer the 105mm f/2.8 macro lens.
The Nikon 50mm f2 has been referred to as the Japanese summicron. I would definitely look into that lens as well. You'd be surprised at the rendering..
I got a crazy deal on a 105mm 2.5 ais version on eBay a few years ago that was in alright condition but I wanted the ais because of that photo by Steve but looking back I wish I got the ai version as I think the built in hood is flimsy and the ai looks better imo. Plus the shorter focus throw rly does make hitting focus wide open pretty difficult wish it had a longer throw
I got the Nikkor-P 105mm f2.5 non-AI version for like 60 bucks off ebay not that long ago in pretty decent condition. I'd be curious to find out the differences it has from your AI version. I'm guessing the coatings aren't quite as good and wide open it might have more chromatic aberration than the later AI version.
I have the Nikkor AI 24 f2.8 and it is super sharp
Just got one for myself and god you aren’t selling this thing hard enough. Guys, seriously…get one. I have never been more excited and happy to take pictures
Haha I’m glad! I can’t shill it TOO hard but yes it’s an astonishing lens!
I use it with my GFX 50s II works great on it too, you need to use it with a tripod the focus is really difficult specially wide open.
I think it would be amazing on a GFX! Use the lens to its fullest potential haha
I have this lens and many of the other great retro lenses like the Helios 44-2 (if you don't have them WHY NOT?). The real miracle of lenses like this besides the unique look of the images is the price. For example, I paid $85.87 for my 44-2 on eBay and $93.52 for my Nikon 105mm f2.5 including tax and shipping in both cases. If you want to know what other vintage lenses are interesting I would suggest "Simon's utak" who has really great coverage of the subject. I use the lenses primarily on Nikon and Canon cameras and I buy the adapters with the most recent focus verification logic in them so the camera can help you to focus. The adapters are really cheap (about $20) and you only need one per camera per mount (e.g. Fotodiox for Canon EF to M42 is one such combination)
I have a Helios 44-2 that was owned by my Dad! It’s a great lens, shame the focus is so stiff but otherwise it’s beautiful, that swirly bokeh is so beautiful!
Thanks. Could a single great work make a tool iconic? What are other examples? What made this particular lens work for Afghan Girl?
Hey great video wouldn’t this be more like a 70mm on the xt5? Just trying to imput the right setting on my camera thanks!
You have to multiply the focal length by 1.5 to get the effective full frame focal length, 105*1.5 is 157.5mm.
@@rudermanphotothanks man that’s where I’m confused since the crop sensor is the xt5 and I assume the Nikon lens is the full sensor meaning 70mm would be the setting which will equate to the 105mm of the lens
@@Architekto what? The lens is like a 157.5mm lens on the XT5. You don’t need to change any settings at all, that’s just the effective focal length if you were to use it on full frame.
@@rudermanphototake a look man for ibis purpose you can manually enter the value of the manual lens so the ibis works better so what I did was enter 70mm instead of 105
I have Nikon D700 Legendary Iconic camera and also have one Nikon 50mm f1.4 AI-S Let me tell me you the Images render come out are Outstanding. I love it so much! To me It's a Perfect Combo!!!
I bought a mint Ai-S copy of the lens from Japan awhile ago. You are right about how well the lenses are cared for. Never had a problem. I just need to use it more. The focus through is almost identical to the Ai version from what I can tell from your video. Also have the 135 and 200mm versions. The 200 is not that sharp and suffers from severe C.A.
Im just going off what people say online regarding the focus throw - maybe it’s a little bit shorter on the Ai-s?
Interesting to hear about the duds in the Nikkor lineup too!
@@rudermanphoto Ya. I'm going to sell the 200mm. I've got some newer auto focus telephotos that are way better.
If you need 200mm lens, consider f/4 200mm nikkor ai/ai-s. They are really good, especially on full-frame sensor and extremely cheap - it's real hidden gem.
I love the stock footage that's actually just you making stock footage haha
the 180mm 2.8 is a hidden gem. Also, the original 105mm 2.5 was a zeiss lens formula and is also great
Best lens I ever owned and used!!
shhhh
The photo that made me fall in love with photography, I remember stopping in front of the magazine that was on a newsstand. It happily is a photo surrounded by controversies and ethical issues.😕
Try the 28mm ais on it! I’m sure it’ll make for a great 56mm equivalent
I have a Nikon z7 mirrorsless. Will it fit with my camera with my ftz adapter?
Yes it should work great!
What size is the lens cap? I wanted to get something to protect the glass
I've had this lens for over 40 years, and still use it today on my Nikon D700.
Just my opinion, the focal length is one important part of the whole advantage of this classic lens. I know 105mm and can mentally compose before lifting the camera to my eye. So, while I also use the Fujifilm system, I don't adapt the Nikkor because of the crop factor. It would be an angle of view that is not what I employ the 105mm for.
I always wish Fujifilm would make a 70mm f/2 which could make all of us old Nikon users happy.
FWIW... 20-some years ago, the various Nikon sites had many threads about what lens the Afghan Girl photo was made with which had lots of conflicting theories. Luckily I got to meet and talk to McCurry when he was presenting a beautiful print of the famous shot to the photo department of my town's college. He did tell me it was the 105mm f/2.5 Ai-s. This corroborates the data in a book by Tom Ang that states the same thing.
Have you ever tried using a focal reducer? Another commenter suggested it and it would make the lens much more true to its normal focal length when used on Fuji, I may have to look into it myself.
Amazing that you got to meet Steve! I guess without modern conveniences like EXIF data it’s all really just taking someone’s word for what lens was actually used, I had read that apparently the 180mm was also maybe the one he used, but from all credible accounts it does indeed seem to be the 105mm 2.5 AI-s hence why I said so in the video haha
@@rudermanphoto I've never used a reducer. I have the basic Nikon to Fuji and a Leica M to Fuji adapters, but never could get use to doing the 1.5 math, plus Fujifilm has great glass, so adapting lenses was a short lived experiment.
Also, I keep my D700 so that I can (maybe because of nostalgia) use that old Nikon glass that I used all over the world for decades.
@@albertsmith9315 very fair! I think if you’ve already got the lens and the experience keeping it full frame is the best option.
Have you looked into the ZF? If I had a plethora of old Nikkor glass that needed to be used I’d be getting one of these.
@@rudermanphoto I have looked at the Zf, and I'm tempted. If Nikon wasn't so late to the mirrorless game, I might not have gone with Fujifilm.
I fairly sure that I'll be getting the Zf sometime. Of course I'll have to violate my self imposed "no more cameras" rule. 😉
@@albertsmith9315 rules are meant to be broken! Get that ZF!
Never knew this was the lens he used. I bought this nearly 20 years ago when I first started. I was a student and couldn't afford the modern AF lenses so had to settle for these and an adapter to use them on my Canon. Nobody wanted them so you could easily find them for around $20.
Try the Canon FD lenses man on your Fuji
I use the 50 mm 1.8 FD on my XE-1 and it’s wonderful to use
Give it a try …
I bought a AIS version 10 days ago for only 60$ =)) and it is very new and clean.
Awesome deal! All the AI-s versions I found were like 450-500 bucks in decent shape sadly
As another Aussie Fuji shooter who mainly shoots with (a lot) of old manual lenses - get yourself a focal reducer. You'll get two lenses in one and much more character from the lens
Got any recommendations?
@@rudermanphoto the lens turbo 2 is the best quality for price you can get. The metabones is arguably the best but it's overpriced. Ive got 2 of the lens turbos and have zero image quality issues with them. They give a reduction factor of 0.726, so to give you a full frame equivalent on your Fuji you would go focal length X 1.5 X 0.726 = full frame field of view equivalent. It's not quite the same as on full frame but you'll get a lot wider, have around 1 stop more light when metering, more bokeh, and a perceived increase in image quality (less magnification)
a similar multi-purpose lens for abt the same price would be the nikon 105mm f2.8 mikro. as a macro, you ll get an f67 105mm which focuses up to 10ish cm away, otherwise it s an insane portrait lens.
today i was find Helios 44m 4MS like new :D today was luck. i hope he'll be cool!!
The aí stands artificial intelligence 😂
Great video mate
I wonder what the Ai-s stands for then 🧐
Artificial Intelligence - Supreme
The Nikkor 105 f2.5 Ai(s) may be the lens which took that iconic photo, but did you know that SOME of the earlier Pre-Ai 105 f2.5 are actually a Sonnar design and are IMO better? I've owned or used most Nikkor's down the years and can say that if I could only keep one Nikkor lens it would be the Pre-Ai Sonnar Nikkor.
I mostly use mine on the 51mp Fuji 50r and the images it creates are simply magical.
The added bonus is that on the 50r it equates to about an 85mm f2 making it the classic portrait focal length.
If that image had been shot with a plastic kit lens, it would still be great , and everyone would want one of those
Of course! At the end of the day gear really doesn’t matter - but it’s still cool to see what was behind one of the most iconic images of all time!
I went to the Steve McCurry exhibition the other week. The one that's making the rounds about the world right now. He did a lot of great street photography, and the portraits he took were spectacular. Worth a pop in if it comes by your way. Obviously the Afghan girl was the centre of the marketing, but I think I liked some of the other portraits a bit more.
The old Nikkor AI lenses go hard in general. I had the 35f1.8. OM lenses too, though the rendering is a bit more pastel. I'm not a huge fan of FD but I've got the 24f2.8 and it's got incredible coatings that make it feel like a modern lens. ✌️
I really want to go and check that exhibit out! It’s sheer coincidence I started to get hit with heaps of ads for it the moment I started making this video lol
Vintage Nikon glass is fantastic.
As a working photographer, I sold/gave away all my vintage glass and film cameras.
However, as a Fuji shooter I am lucky enough to have the XF 35mm F/1.4 which bridges the gap.
In practice, the autofocus on native lenses makes life easier for work.
I have used some of the Chinese lenses that have appeared based on classic lenses, some of them are fun have a vintage look, and cheaper than buying vintage glass
My nikon favorite lens is nikon 55mm f1.2 and very accessible.
Ps
And beyond reasonable 58mm 1.2 (~3000$) but it's just magical