Thanks for this. I was unaware of the Sonnar thing and have concluded from what I learned here that my 105 is circa 1971 and is a Sonnar formulation. I love the look I get from it on my Nikon Z9.

Hello, Brian! Thanks for sharing! In this video about the different 105mm f/2.5s you were not quite sure when Nikon changed the optical formula of this lens. This might help, referring to "The Nikon Handbook" by Peter Braczko, Fountain Press 2000 (english version), page 196. "At the beginning of 1973, another version with a modified optical construction (five lenses in four groups) and altered appearance was introduced; it can be recognized by its matte black finish. The aperture scale had been extended to f/32 and minimum focus distance had been reduced to 3.3 ft. (1 m). Other changes included a new, wider focusing ring, the red-colored "C" lens coating, and a weight of 15.3 oz (435 g). Serial numbers range from 500001 to 571564." By looking at a picture of this fourth version lens, also the aperture ring is black. Hope this helps! Best wishes from Ivar from Norway!

Thanks for this video. I just purchased a Nikkormat FTN with a Nikkor-P 105mm lens. Thanks to you I now know it's a Sonnar formula because of its small rear elememt!

I’ve heard of the Sonnar for many years but I had an early 105 and thought it might be. As it turns out, my 10.5cm f2.5 with the small rear element is indeed a Sonnar! I m blown away! No wonder I love that lens above all others. Thanks! Wow!😳 👍

@richardsimms251

2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful video. Thank you. RS

Thanks for the knowledge, and sparking my interest. My Nikkor-P Auto Nippon Kogaku 105mm f3.5 Sonnar with a proper Ai conversion was delivered today. It is entered into my D750 as a non-cpu lens and I’m hoping for good weather to play with it tomorrow. Amazing what we do under COVID house arrest to keep ourselves occupied...

@BriansPhotoShow

4 жыл бұрын

A wise purchase. You won't regret it.

Informative and useful, thanks!

Gorget to say: I have a very old 105 mm Sonnar. Even with scratches in the front and in the rear lens, and a strange noise produced by the diaphragm (that I didn't manage to lubricate myself) the lens has a stunning performance and I want today give a try to the 135 mm Sonnar from Nikon

I grab the old sonnar one, it is just great!

Thanks Brain, watching your videos. I never shot Nikon. I use to shoot Canon A-1 and old Pentax film cameras. Just getting in to Nikon film photography. Learning a lot about the different lens from you on Nikon.

I have a pre-AI 105mm f2.5, with black front ring, scalloped focusing ring and only the aperture ring itself (not the barrel) is chrome. It has the larger rear element and is marked Nikkor-P C which I assume is multi coated.

I would suppose they felt that in bright light situations having a bright finish on the ring in front of the lens caused scattered light off the ring to degrade contrast.... maybe.

Wonderful help, thanks

I knew I had a mint Nikkor 105 f2.5 somewhere and just after digging it out. Looked at the markings and it's 105mm as opposed to 10.5cm........Awww. Looked at the rear element and it's small and exactly the same as your lens........Horray! Now that I know it's the Sonnar version I can't wait to put it on my Sony a7 and give it a test drive. Appreciate the video and info, thanks

@BriansPhotoShow

3 жыл бұрын

You've got yourself one fine lens there; you will not be disappointed.

This is invaluable! Thank you for sharing.

@BriansPhotoShow

4 жыл бұрын

My pleasure! Please share the video with your friends and help support factually informative channels with crappy production value :)

Hi Brian, thank you for sharing this video. I have an interest in 105mm lenses right now.

I started my Nikon MF adventure with the AI-s version of this lens but eventually found myself enthralled with pre-AI lenses. I eventually found a 105 f/2.5 P that had been converted and it has the Sonnar lens design. It is really one of my very favorite.manual focus Nikon lenses... it is pretty gorgeous mounted on a silver Df as well. Thanks for this video Brian. I know this is a labor of love for all of us who spend time with these lenses.

Got yourself a subscriber. Thanks for the info.

@BriansPhotoShow

3 жыл бұрын

Welcome aboard! Glad to have you.

Are all these sonnar? Is the P version seems to be most available out there. What is the nikkor 105mm 2.5 PC version?

I just purchased a pre-ai 105mm f2.5 Sonnar type from aprox 1967 for a crazy price and I still can't get over how good this thing is. My new favourite Nikkor for sure. Also if you have one of the cheaper DX Nikon D-SLR's without any ai coupling lever these seem to mount no problem and was able to take a few test exposures before mounting on my film body.

Never had sonnar formula one but newer 105mm 2.5 Ai or Ai-s is one of the greatest, so much praised by AngryPhotographer :)

@BriansPhotoShow

3 жыл бұрын

I always found it curious that Ken never did a video on the pre-AI version, or even mentioned its existence as far as I know.

I have a Nikon F2 with a Nikkor p ai auto105mm 2.5 and it's a wonderful performer especially for portraits of people and flowers. Sonnar or not, I will never sell it.

I have leaned something new on Nikon lenses. Thanks!

thanks for sharing. really good info

Based on your reference I have a Sonnar, but it has no screws flathead or philips the metal is all fush?

Very informative. I still have and use 4 of my grandad's Nikkor lenses...the 105mm being one of them. It's the Nikkor-P auto and has the Sonnar design. It holds up on my A7RIV...and that's saying something.

I've got a scalloped ring, black nose non-sonnar, Nikkor PC, so I think your guess is right.

Question: Does that smaller rear element size mean anything in terms of adapting the lens to an APSC mount? Specifically, Fuji X-mount?

@BriansPhotoShow

5 ай бұрын

No, the rear element size shouldn't matter.

Thanks,

Super tip... can't wait to try it. The Sonnar formula for camera lenses is one of mankind's better inventions.

@BriansPhotoShow

4 жыл бұрын

Amen to that, brother!

@kinglear5952

2 жыл бұрын

@@BriansPhotoShow Tell us more about the Sonnar 'glow' Brian and Mr Bear

Oh wow! I have the Sonnar!😃

I got with lens hood. It is perfect

Hello, does anybody knows if the sonnar formula contains thorium?

will the sonnar fit on the same mount as the curent F mount?

So mine is a "P" but resembles the rear of the newer lens #467xxx and has a purple coating to the front element. It has a black front ring and single slot screwheads as your P. So where does that fit in? Thank You. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. just bought your book.

@BriansPhotoShow

5 жыл бұрын

The black front ring and rear element resemblance indicate this is not a Sonnar but an updated formula lens. If there is no "C" after the "P" then it's single-coated. If it says "P.C" then it's multi-coated.

@unclereg7713

4 жыл бұрын

@@BriansPhotoShow Could be one of these beauties... kzread.info/dash/bejne/rIx119p7ocSriqw.html

@troyphillips1077

4 жыл бұрын

I know this is a year plus old but for people reading the comments here’s this : some old pre ai Nikkor lenses are multi coated and not marked . For some reasons Nikon would do this . Peace

Thank you very much again: do you know perhaps how to spot the 135 mm sonnars (should be only in the f 3,5 group)?

@BriansPhotoShow

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, in fact I did a video entitled "Nikon's Other Sonnar" about the pre-AI 135/3.5: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGGEmpdsmsXgYbg.html

I thought they all optically the same? just the P didn't have multi coating? so the early version is "better" optically ? any comparison video?

@BriansPhotoShow

5 жыл бұрын

The early Sonnar 105's aren't "better", just different. In fact, the more recent formula is sharper. The old pre-AI lenses with the scalloped metal focusing rings come in three varieties: Chrome front ring with P = single-coated Sonnar; black front ring with P = single-coated updated formula, and black front ring with P.C = multi-coated updated formula. Comparison video forthcoming; stay tuned.

@chicobraz4335

5 жыл бұрын

@@BriansPhotoShow perfect thanks.. I'm trying to pair them with anamorphic adapters

@samyish

5 жыл бұрын

@@BriansPhotoShow any link to the video with sample images?

@BriansPhotoShow

5 жыл бұрын

@@samyish not yet, but stay tuned!

@umac76

3 жыл бұрын

@@BriansPhotoShow Looking forward to that! I have early P version and an AI version. I really prefer the P version because if it's fabulous bokeh. The P version's bokeh is just so soft, just a wash of colors that melt into one another seamlessly. The AI version's boheh is very nice as well, but it doesn't have that soft, painterly look that comes with the early version. I'm using cliche words to describe these lenses, but I don't know another way to do so! I guess it's part of that Sonar look. The early version stays on my DSLR almost all the time, it just seems to have more magic than any of my other lenses. I do have to be more careful with the P version when there's light in the background as it loses contrast more easily than the AI version.

can also tell by the mount....S-mount denotes Sonar, no?

@BriansPhotoShow

9 ай бұрын

I'm afraid not. The S-mount refers to Nikon's rangefinder cameras based on the pre-war Contax design. Having said that, any 105mm lens made during that period should almost certainly be a Sonnar formula.

I have the Ai version and it’s amazing so just use what works and don’t worry about it . Steve McMurrry used the later version to shoot the famous Afghan girl photo and it’s the most famous photo on the planet .

Interesting video well that clears it, So I have a 105mm new formula, and a slightly wider aperture? than the original model? And also Do you believe in protecting your lenses with UV Filters??? I do.

@BriansPhotoShow

2 жыл бұрын

The sun is very strong where I live so I use polarizing filters much more often than UV filters.

One Nikkor Sonnar you didn't mention is the 8.5cm f2 for the Contax rangefinder mount. One said that lens put Nikon on the map. Looks much like the Carl Zeiss 8.5cm f2 Jena for the same mount. Lovely, but a half a grand in good shape. Try one? BTW I did get an early chrome nose bc of your vid, thanks!

@JACKnJESUS

Жыл бұрын

Because it's not a 105mm lens.

@bransoncarlton4939

Жыл бұрын

@@JACKnJESUS oh man like you are da bomb hood one have a nice jerk jesus

I understand that you prefer he pre ai sonnar Nikkor above the ai Nikon, but in other video you posted you say the 105 ai is one of your favorites¡¡¡¡ didn't you?? I email you about this and other stuff¡¡ Thank you

@BriansPhotoShow

4 жыл бұрын

Don't you have more than one favorite?

@eutropiorodriguez4077

4 жыл бұрын

@@BriansPhotoShow Sure Brian, you're right. I do.

@bojanbuck7874

4 жыл бұрын

But no more than three :D

@eutropiorodriguez4077

4 жыл бұрын

I already got the ai but I am trying really hard tô find a modified pre-ai coated !!! I am a pro and I work with sony a7 as well as with nikon!!!

@bojanbuck7874

4 жыл бұрын

@@eutropiorodriguez4077 I have 105p old 5/3 sonnar factory ai

You could have discussed the different performance values of the changed formula. Why didn't you?

@BriansPhotoShow

11 ай бұрын

First, the differences are very subtle. Second, the choice between the two is entirely subjective as far as I'm concerned.

Awesome video. Are all early CM lenses based on sonnars?

@BriansPhotoShow

4 жыл бұрын

What do you mean by "CM" lenses?

@Nobodycallsmebymyname

4 жыл бұрын

Brian's Photo Show All early lenses marked in centimeter and not millimeter

@BriansPhotoShow

4 жыл бұрын

@@Nobodycallsmebymyname Ah, got it. No, not all lenses marked in centimeters are Sonnar designs. In fact, I believe the 105/2.5 and 135/3.5 are the only F-mount Nikkors based on Sonnar designs. If the focal length is marked in centimeters, this simply indicates early production. The accepted convention changed in the early 60s from marking lenses in centimeters to millimeters.

By what you know, there are limitations if I want to adapt Al lenses or non-AI lenses to NEX? May I use the same Nikon-NEX adapter for AI and non-AI?

@BriansPhotoShow

5 жыл бұрын

I don't know. I only use Nikon lenses on Nikon cameras. Having said that, an adapter capable of accepting non-AI lenses enables you to save money as unmodified pre-AI lenses sell at a discount ranging from ten to forty percent versus AI or AIS lenses. Before buying an adapter, read the fine print.

@greysuit17

4 жыл бұрын

Yes you can use the same adapter. It’s a manual lens with the same exact mount there’s no difference in regards to adapting it to a Sony mirrorless camera. I have the non ai 105mm & an ai 28mm and they both work perfectly with the same adapter.

Had a nikkor 105 for years silver look to it???

Hello. Great videos. You mention in this video that you'll have another video discussing "k" lenses. I think I have a 135 2.8 k lens. Can you link me the video where you discuss the k lenses? Thanks!

@BriansPhotoShow

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, I'll make that video just as soon as I purchase an unconverted K-series lens. Basically, K-series simply refers to the pre-AI lenses with rubber focusing rings produced roughly from 1975-1977.

@saxman3784

4 жыл бұрын

@@BriansPhotoShow thank you. Mine has been converted the right way with the kit. My main question I have is are the optics of my K lens better, worse, or the same as an AI lens? I think I read that my K lens has 4 elements in 4 groups and the AI has 5 elements in 4 groups. Curious if I'm missing out optically at all. I bought mine through keh and it was listed as an AI lens and I was disappointed to discover it was a K-style that's been converted. I still love the lens, I've just never used an actual AI to compare. Thanks for the great videos!

@BriansPhotoShow

4 жыл бұрын

@@saxman3784 Sounds like you've got the 135mm f/2.8, correct? If so, that's the one 135mm Nikkor I don't own because it's so much bigger and heavier than the others, and I don't know much about it optically.

I had a pre-AI 105mm f2,5 decades ago and regret selling it.

Where is the image of back of the 10.5 cm version?

@BriansPhotoShow

4 жыл бұрын

Versions marked in centimeters have the same size rear element as all Sonnar-formula versions.

Why would you want a Sonnar?

I just put my 105 sonnar on sale#regrets

The 105mm "P" version is the lens that took the famous "Afghan girl" photo. g.co/kgs/cLgf4D

Nice. And yet, that’s not what made the 105 lens famous. Only Nat Geo can do that.