105mm f2.5 Nikkor Formulae

[frederick_muller]

<p>Hi, does anyone know at what serial number the 105mm f2.5 Nikkor in F-mount switched from the older Sonnar designd to the more modern Gauss? Thanks in advance.</p>

[david_carroll4]

<p>As I understand it, the last Sonnar-type 105s were manufactured in 1971, and the Gauss introduced in 1972, although there might have been some overlap. I had a Sonnar #431xxx. Look here for more info:<br>

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#55micro</p>

[tedms gallery]

<p>according to mir.com after the P*C version was the first double gauss design. From what I can tell, very similar rendering to earlier Sonnar designs, probably less focus shift and distortion in later implementations.</p>

[Kent Shafer]

<p>I have a Gauss type (identified by the larger rear element), Nikkor-P, with the factory AI conversion, seven aperture blades, f/32 minimum aperture, serial number 426xxx. According to Roland Vink's chart, linked to by david carroll above, that model started in April 1971 with serial number 407301.</p>

<p>david's number 431xxx, however, would be in the same group (and later than mine), and he reports that his was a Sonnar type. So we seem to be giving you inconsistent information.</p>

<p>Good luck sorting it out!</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>Here is the design of the classic lens up to 1971 as I've grubbed it up from various sources. I have a wonderful Serial #202xxx one, but I am always a sucker for Sonnars, no matter who made them. There's also discussion of this topic on a site at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikkor/discuss/72157623346868025/">Flickr</a>, but it's tedious (at least for me to read through, so I haven't--let me know when the bad part is over :)</p><div></div>

[david_carroll4]

<p>Apologies to both Frederick and Kent - I posted BS without checking my facts first - the lens # 431xxx I mentioned earlier was an early <em><strong>Gauss</strong></em>-type, a "Nikkor P" which, as far as I could tell, dated from 1972. There's some confusion as to whether the "P" 105s were coated or not. I have read that the P*C version was the first multicoated version, but there was definitely a color-tinted reflection from my Nikkor P that suggested it was at least single coated.</p>

[Michael R Freeman]

<blockquote>

<p><em>"... but there was definitely a color-tinted reflection from my Nikkor P that suggested it was at least single coated."</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>All F-mount lenses from 1959 onwards were coated. The "C" designation was added to later versions of the early F lenses to indicate they were multi-coated.</p>

[rjm photo]

<p>Frederick</p>

<p>I bought my 105mm F2.5 brand new from a Nikon dealer in Washington D.C. in September 1968, serial # 234380.</p>

[Wouter Willemse]

<p>I have a Ai'ed Nikkor-P in the 43**** range, and an AiS. Both have the same size rear element (and visibly different coatings). So, +1 on what Kent and Daivd's second posting state.</p>

[StuartMoxham]

<p>I have an Ai'ed Sonnar version serial 24xxxx small rear element and silver barrel. I am very happy with the lens.</p>

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>All Nikkors post WW2 are coated</p>

<p>Nikon RL and Leica Thread Mount 10.5cm F2.5 are Sonnar and Single coated</p>

<p>Nikon F :<br>

<br /> Lenses that are from about 100,000 to about 290,000 are Sonnar and Singlecoated</p>

<p>Lenses after 400,000 to are the modern Gauss design and Single Coated.</p>

<p>Lenses after 500,000 are Guass and Multicoated.</p>

<p>Lenses after 740,000 are Gauss, Mulitcoated and AI</p>

<p>Lenses after 890,000 are Gauss, Multicoated, and AIS</p>

<p>Urban legends create value; thus a constabt myth is only AI are multicoated or Gauss. You really want some doofus folks believing myths it allows great Ebay buys! :)</p>

<p>A Gauss is only somewhat better than a Sonnar; thus a worry wart worries about getting a B+ on an exam in stead of an A.</p>

[frederick_muller]

<p>Thanks guys, you have all been wonderfully helpful! I have a chance to buy an older Sonnar with a serial numberin in the 100,000's. I love this lens and already have two of the double-gauss types, but have never shot the Sonnar variant. I didn't want to shell out the bucks unless I could be sure I was picking up a Sonnar. Thanks again!</p>

[roland_vink]

<p>Sonnar lenses have a chrome barrel and serial numbers from 120101 - 286276 (possibly a little higher). There are some minor variations in this range but all are basically the same.</p>

<p>The Gauss lenses have a black barrel and serial numbers from 407301 and higher. There are several variations to the barrel style and coatings but the optics are bacially the same. Lenses above 500001 are multicoated, lenses above 673101 have the modern style barrel with the rubber grip, lenses from 740001 are AI, and above 890001 are AIS.</p>

<p>source: http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#105</p>

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>In Nikon RF and LTM Nikkor 10.5cm F2.5; there are both chrome and black versions in Sonnar; adding to the confusion :)</p>

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>Hey Frederick; Here is the old 1/2 century old Sonnar 10.5cm F2.5 on an Epson RD-1; panned with the Pensacola player. About 1/250 at F4 iso 1600 thus noisy. Shot through a dirty hockey glass. </p>

<p><br /> <img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/105mm%20F25%20Nikkor/_EPS4278PENSACOLA28SULLIVANsmall105.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/105mm%20F25%20Nikkor/_EPS4278PENSACOLA28SULLIVANmediu-1.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/105mm%20F25%20Nikkor/_EPS4278PENSACOLA28SULLIVANlarge.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Here is the same lens at F2.5 on a Leica M3. Tulane Green Wave Student section<br /> About the only thing the new Gauss lens does is be a tad sharp at real close distances</p>

<p><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/105mm%20F25%20Nikkor/tripods-427.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/105mm%20F25%20Nikkor/tripods-444.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/105mm%20F25%20Nikkor/tripods-428.jpg" alt="" /></p>