prime35mmdiscontinued
Nikkor 105mm f/1.8 AI-S
Nikon · 1981-1998
The fastest 105mm ever made when released. A deliberate minimalist design with only 5 elements for maximum clarity. Built-in telescopic hood. Beautiful for portraits with exceptional subject separation.
Known for
- Portraits
- Cinema
- Low light telephoto
- Events
Considerations
- Heavy at 590g
- Soft wide open
- 62mm filter size
- Expensive
Optical Characteristics
Sharpness (wide)3/5
Sharpness (stopped)5/5
Contrast4/5
Flare Resistance4/5
CA Control3/5
Vignetting Control3/5
Distortion Control5/5
Bokeh: Beautiful, smooth, 9-blade rendering
Rendering: Classic portrait rendering with character
Color: Warm, flattering
Common Issues
- Telescopic hood mechanism wear
- Focus ring stiffness
Buying Guide
A specialist portrait lens. Check the built-in telescopic hood extends and retracts smoothly. Focus should be smooth. Worth the investment for serious portrait work.
Specifications
MountNikon F
Focal Length105mm
Max Aperturef/1.8
Min Aperturef/22
Aperture Blades9
Min Focus1m
Filter Size62mm
Weight590g
Optical Design
FormulaSonnar
Elements5
Groups4
CoatingNIC (Nikon)
Pricing
£500 - £750
Typical used price
Mint: ~£900
Sought after for cinema. Prices rising.
Adapts To
Sony EFujifilm XCanon RFNikon Z
Compatible Cameras
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Last verified: Jan 2026Report an error