Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED

Martin Wong ·

Photo from the post Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED

Key takeaways

  • Huge and heavy. Bigger and heavier than my Nikon D810.
  • Bokeh and depth of field stand out wide open. A sharp, great portrait lens in my opinion.
  • No VR. I needed faster shutter speeds and finally had to use the focal length times 2 rule.
  • Pros and cons. Pros: f/1.4 bokeh, prime speed, solid build. Cons: $2,200 price, size and weight, no VR.

It's here!!

My new Nikon 105mm f/1.4 lens is here!

AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED

First impression: This lens is HUGE and HEAVY. It is bigger AND HEAVIER than my camera (Nikon D810).

I got a chance to shoot a few quick shots with things in my house before heading out to dinner. The bokeh and depth of field are instantly standout points when shooting wide open. And since it is heavier and mid-range telephoto lens, I notice I need to shoot at a faster shutter speed in order to avoid camera shake (this lens doesn't have VR). I finally have to use the focal length times 2 rule for shutter speed. But the lens is very sharp and it definitely a great lens for portrait photography in my opinion.

Pros:

• f.1.4 - Beautiful Bokeh

• Prime lens speed (could be faster, but need more testing)

• Solid build (I trust I can drop this and it will be fine, but I won't do it)

Cons:

• Price - At $2,200, it is a hefty chunk of change

• Size and weight - It definitely takes a bit to get used to

• No VR (Vibration Reduction)

Photo from the post Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E EDPhoto from the post Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E EDAF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED

FAQ

Is the Nikon 105mm f/1.4E good for portraits?

In my opinion yes. It's very sharp and the bokeh and depth of field stand out wide open.

Does the Nikon 105mm f/1.4E have VR?

No. Because it's heavy and has no Vibration Reduction, I needed faster shutter speeds, using the focal length times 2 rule.

How much did the 105mm f/1.4E cost?

It was $2,200 when I wrote this post.

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