Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E ED
Announced July 27, 2016
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED is a uniquely capable portrait lens that produces exceptional sharpness and creamy background blur even at its widest aperture. That said, it is a heavy, expensive, and non-stabilized prime that requires steady handling to avoid motion blur.
Weighted from 15 reviewer scores
Pros
- Beautiful, soft, and creamy background bokeh rendering
- High-quality build with effective flare and ghosting resistance
- Outstanding sharpness and contrast across the full frame
- Fast and quiet autofocus performance
- Minimal distortion for a telephoto prime
Cons
- Heavy and bulky physical design
- Lack of built-in image stabilization
- High price point
- Noticeable vignetting at wider apertures
- Pronounced longitudinal chromatic aberration
- Launch price $2,199.95 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 105mm f/1.4
- Mount & coverage Nikon F Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus (0.13x)
- Filter thread 82mm
- Autofocus motor Ring-type ultrasonic
- Weight & size 985g (2 lb 2.7 oz) · 94.5 x 106 mm (3.72 x 4.17 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 15 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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The Nikon 105mm f1.4E ED is a unique lens. It is the only current f1.4 105mm lens for full-frame bodies and it delivers beautiful-looking images with very attractive Bokeh and very good contrast and sharpness across the full-frame sensor, even with the aperture opened to f1.4.
- OpticalLimits 9/10
It's difficult not to be excited about the Nikkor AF-S 105mm f/1.4 E ED. Sharpness is outstanding across the frame at any aperture setting (limited by diffraction at small apertures, of course).
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[T]he 105mm f/1.4E is an absolutely amazing piece of glass that I can highly recommend. [...] If you are looking for the best telephoto portrait lens today, don’t look any further – the Nikon 105mm f/1.4E is the one.
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You need to make sure you can keep your shutter speeds up and stabilize the lens.
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I am by no means a fan of the high optical vignetting, but it was probably a good idea not to create another lens as big as the Sigma 105mm 1.4 Art.
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105 is a very pleasing focal length for portraits, and this does it better than any other 105 offering.
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There is no doubting the fine qualities of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E ED lens.
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The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E ED is an eye-wateringly expensive short telephoto prime lens that delivers amazing image quality.
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Yes it's a little heavy. Yes it's limiting because it's a prime lens but if you have the time and you were looking to get the best portraits you cannot go wrong with this lens.
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Autofocus is based on a ring-type ultrasonic system which is fast and whisper-quiet. However, due to the tiny depth of field when shooting at close range at f/1.4, accuracy is more consistent with a mirrorless Z-system camera than with a DSLR.
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The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E ED is one of the sharpest lenses we've tested, and sure to be the darling of portrait photographers and bokeh fiends.
- Digital Trends 9/10
The Nikon 105mm f/1.4 is the ideal portrait lens -- if you can tame the size.
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This 105mm is essentially perfect. The only limitations on sharpness with this lens are your skill as a photographer.
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I think concerning this point you get a really good value for money.
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So as far as I'm concerned, this Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED is Nikon's best portrait lens.
