Portrait photographers have something to get excited about with Nikon’s announcement of the AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED Lens. This lens is primed to be one of the best optics in its range, thanks to an impressive f/1.4 maximum aperture, which will deliver exceptionally smooth bokeh and super-shallow depth of field. It is a brand new entry into Nikon’s legacy of 105mm lenses, including the more specialized Micro versions and faster portrait-oriented options. It also makes a perfect pairing with the AF-S 58mm f/1.4G Lens for a set of lenses that can deliver outstanding image quality and beautiful bokeh in a variety of situations.
To guarantee optical excellence, the 105mm uses three extra-low dispersion glass elements, which help reduce chromatic aberrations, as well as improve sharpness, color accuracy, and clarity. Combine this with the Nano Crystal Coat to limit flare and ghosting, and this lens will be able to create phenomenal images. A fluorine coat is also present to further the professional design and protect the exposed elements. And, as one of the latest additions to Nikon’s lens lineup, it incorporates an electromagnetic diaphragm control mechanism for greater exposure accuracy and consistency, especially when using fast continuous shooting rates.
Operation will be speedy, thanks to the use of a Silent Wave Motor autofocus system to quickly and accurately lock onto your subjects. Full-time manual override will of course be available for making adjustments to your focus whenever you feel the need. Also, the side of the lens barrel offers a switch for quickly changing from AF to manual focus. Additionally, the lens has an 82mm front filter thread.
31 Comments
Is it weather sealed? If it isn't then ..its just not worth spending that kind of money
Hi Johnny,
The lens is sealed and gasketed for resistance from dust and moisture. Also, it has a fluorine coat on the exposed elements so that smudges and debris can be cleaned very easily.
Over $2000 and they didn't even include Vibration Reduction! I am sure the lens quality is superb!
It doesn't need VR.
I love shooting portraits at ISO 1,600! It pulls out the awesome grainy look that so many photos from the 1950s display!
We love our gear and once again Nikon is coming to satisfy this craving. Why would folks who already possess a slew of fast lenses still be so impatient to part with their thousands and PREORDER when history has shown us that the initial release of new gadgets are the ones with all the manufacturing faults (the guinea-pig release). Then you will waste more time sending it back for tweaking, waiting for the firmware or returning for a refund. This may not be the case here but still.
No doubt the 105 1.4 should be a bang of a lens, but are we more obsessed with lenses and cameras than making pictures themselves? Do we suddenly lose taste for our current equipment when something new comes out. Do we feel that we have not made a real picture until we make it with that lens or camera etc? Are those with the 85 1.4 now having performance anxiety as a result of the 105 1.4 coming on the scene? How big is the difference in aesthetic terms?
Interesting that there is no VR as well which people who have become dependent on it are asking about. As someone mentioned that is a good excuse for a version 2 from Nikon...this time with VR so that those who will buythis lens will again feel restless and want to buy the latest "better" iteration.
I am a Nikon guy for sure don't get me wrong and I love B and H too. But I believe there is nothing yet to be invented that its absence will seriously handicap my photography.
Looking forward to the greatest pictures ever from this lens.
Totally agree!!
My card won't be charge until lens is shipped out? That will be on Aug. 26th correct? Thanks!
Hi Josh,
If you are in the USA, then your card will not be charged until the item is shipped. Please see this page for more details on billing:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/Payments.jsp
And, as of right now that is the expected availability, but this is always subject to change for various reasons and depends highly on availability. Please check the product page here for any updates on expected availability.
Sir,
What is the cost of this lens please....I love to own one.....
premkumar cdb
[email protected]
Hi Premkumar CDB,
Follow this link for current pricing and pre-order options:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1269658-REG/nikon_af_s_nikkor_105mm_f_1_4e.html
Awaiting the 19mm PC, as roumored
Hi Sameer,
You are going to have to wait a bit longer. At this point it is still just a rumor.
Wonder why they didn't introduce the 135mm f/1.4 version at the same time....?
Hi D.S.,
Lenses take some time to develop and then manufacture, so if there is in fact a 135mm in development it will likely be some time before we see any official information.
Does anyone know if this lens is a micro lens as well like the older version?
Nikon's 105mm f1.4 AF-S is not a macro lens. People rarely shoot macro @ 1.4. It is a portrait lens.
No, it is not, and the older version is a 2.8. So it's not really a version of the same thing, it is a different lens with a different purpose.
The older version is an f2.0
I'm pretty sure he's referring to the 2.8 macro lense, not the 2.0 DC...
Hello, all,
Will the new AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED Lens significantly improve the quality of the excellent pictures I have been getting for the past four years via autofocus (I am a novice) with my AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.4G lens?
If so, what should I expect a camera store or other venue to pay for my 85mm lens?
Thanks,
Jack
Hi Jack,
Your 85mm is a great lens. As you admit to being a novice, my advice would be to stick with your current lens until you feel a need to desire to use a slightly longer focal length. The differences between the two lenses are not going to be in objective quality, but in how the image is rendered due to the different focal lengths. The important thing is understanding how different focal lengths affect your subject and depth of field, once you know that you will be better able to answer the question about which lens is best for your photography.
Thanks, Shawn!
Hi Kohnikon,
This lens is not a micro lens, it is designed with a different purpose in mind as a fast portrait lens. This new 105mm f/1.4 offers a minimum focus distance of 3.3', or 1 meter.
the older version of this lens would have to harken back to the 105/f1.8 manual focus for a most apprropriate comparison. It too was seen as a low-light lens or a wide aperture portrait lens. There are other versions of the 105. One is the 105/f2.8 - primarily a macro lens, then there is the 105/f2DC - primarily a portrait lens because of the D-focus Control. It is highly unlikely that the current macro 105 will be discontinued, not sure about the 105DC. This new lens is missing the most important features of thiose two lenses.
I don't understand why Nikon chose to release this lens without VR capability.. Granted it's speed may allow for faster shutter speeds when shot wide open (but honestly - who shoots wide open without questioning sharpness) and in many cases it may be used with stabilization (e.g., tripod mounted), still VR widens its use to a larger market than without. ... Just thinking out loud....
good question Tom, but I"ll bet Version 2, will have VR......
I have a Nikon 85, 35, 24 1.4 and with my Nikon D5 focus is right on at 1.4 every time! I preordered mine, I can't wait!
I completely agree that this lens should have been designed with VR included. Certainly at this price nothing should be missing. You can always turn it off. But you can't turn it on if its not there. I suppose I would accept it without VR if a Nikon optical engineer gave me a sound explanation of how a VR mechanism would have degraded the optical quality of the images. But I have never seen such reasoning from any optical engineer, ever.
Hello Tom,
Traditionally, fast short telephotos do not incorporate VR as there is a belief that adding stabilization could affect sharpness and image quality. Micro and macro lenses on the other hand greatly benefit from the addition because of the extremely close focusing distance that magnifies image shake. At longer ranges with appropriate shutter speeds, where most target users will likely be using this new lens it is generally not needed and not worth compromising on IQ. The degradation comes from the need to rely on a moving element that may or may not be as well controlled as a fixed element.