Not so long ago, I bought a Nikon D100 DSLR camera to maximize my growing collection of vintage Nikon lenses I use on my film SLRs. I can always adapt those lenses on my Fujifilm XE3 but I missed owning a DSLR. Part of my growing Nikon lens collection is the AF Nikkor 25-105mm f3.5-4.5 MkII.
The Nikkor 25-105mm f3.5-4.5 MkII lens is introduced in 1998’s and offers macro, although it is not a true macro lens since it only has a 1:2 magnification – a proper macro lens has a 1:1 magnification. Still, this lens offers good close-up capabilities, and when used on the decades-old 6mp CCD sensor Nikon D100 the results can be quite interesting.
Obviously, the age of the 6mp sensor of the Nikon D100 does show in this photos – you are limited with cropping and the details aren’t as fine as newer higher megapixels cameras. Also, since this lens only allows manual focus on its macro setting, getting your subject in focus can be a challenge without a focus magnification feature an electronic viewfinder offers. This limitations plus the colors produced by the CCD sensor and lens, gave the photos a painting like rendition.
I was on the brink of selling my Nikon D100 but these photos made me think otherwise. The colors the CCD sensor produce is really different from the CMOS sensor found on most modern cameras. Plus, since most had already shifted to mirrorless cameras and Nikon has discountinued production of all of their DSLRs, it is not hard to find bargain f-mount lenses. These lenses still and will always produce good results.
If there is any take away on this blog is that you don’t need to fancy yourself on new cameras all the time. Cameras and lenses released decades ago are still capable especially if it is for personal use or as a tool to learn photography. As they say, the best camera is the one you have with you.
King 