Nikon 105mm 2.5 or 135mm 2.8 as macro lenses

Laci Toth · May 13, 2022

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if anyone used the above lenses with extension rings for macro shots. I could grab any of the two for a really good price. Both non ai.
I’ve the 55mm f3.5 micro but would need more dof for macro.

Dan Fromm · May 13, 2022

I tried that with the old Sonnar type 105/2.8 Nikkor. Don't bother. I couldn't focus the thing wide open at 1:1.

There's no way to get more DoF in macro. The only advantage that longer macro lenses have over the 55/3.5 is greater working distance.

If you want a Nikon 105 mm macro lens, look for a 105/4, which was offered in AI and non-AI mounts, or the later 105/2.8 AI/AIS.

Laci Toth · May 13, 2022

Dan Fromm said:
I tried that with the old Sonnar type 105/2.8 Nikkor. Don't bother. I couldn't focus the thing wide open at 1:1.

There's no way to get more DoF in macro. The only advantage that longer macro lenses have over the 55/3.5 is greater working distance.

If you want a Nikon 105 mm macro lens, look for a 105/4, which was offered in AI and non-AI mounts, or the later 105/2.8 AI/AIS.

Okay, thanks for your advice! I skip it then.

Sammydesinas · May 13, 2023

The 105mm or 135mm will give you less in focus tehan the 55mm, but a longer working distance. Best bet is stopping down or focus stacking multiple images.

ic-racer · May 13, 2023

The smaller the film format , the greater the DOF. Or achieve the same by magnifying less during film exposure, and magnifying more during print exposure .

Chan Tran · May 13, 2023

I have the 135 f/2.8 I never used it that way. I use the 135mm f/5.6 Nikkor EL lens on the bellow and although with the bellow it can't even get near 1:1 (but it would focus all the way to infinity with the bellow). It works quite well. I am going to try the 135 AI f/2.8 on the bellow and see what I get.

Nikon 105mm 2.5 or 135mm 2.8 as macro lenses

Laci Toth

Dan Fromm

Laci Toth

Sammydesinas

ic-racer

Chan Tran

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency