Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E: Small, Light, And Powerful

Camera: Nikon D80      

Lens: VR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G

Focal Length: 55mm

Shutter: 1/60

Aperture: f/8

ISO: 100

Flash: SB-600

When I am shooting film, this is usually my number 2 lens.  It is the smallest, lightest 100mm/105mm lens you can get.  It is manual focus, but for shooting things that don't move, that isn't a big deal.  The ergonomics on this little guy are butter smooth.  The focus ring feels precise and the aperture ring moves smoothly with sharp detents.  The optics are wonderful.  In everyday shooting I don't see any discernible distortion or light fall-off.

Camera: Nikon D80      

Lens: VR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G

Focal Length: 55mm

Shutter: 1/60

Aperture: f/8

ISO: 100

Flash: SB-600

Being a Series E lens means that this is also an Ai-S lens.  An Ai-S lens will not function anything on the D80 I use, or any of the lower tier cameras.  Unless you are shooting a pro tier camera, you will have no metering and your camera will only operate in M mode.  This isn't a complete tragedy as with a little practice you can use it manual.  The product shot below was actually done with this lens, on a D80, and even with a SB-600 flash (which also has to be used in manual mode), and it came out fine.

Camera: Nikon D80      

Lens: 100mm f/2.8 Series E

Focal Length: 100mm

Shutter: 1/60

Aperture: f/8

ISO: 100

Flash: SB-600

There is an option, you can have this lens chipped and then it will fully operate on the low and mid tier cameras (no AF of course since it is manual focus) with full metering and full PSAM.  I am considering this since I really do like this lens for its light weight and I think it will work well on DX as a headshot lens.  If/when I do have this lens operated on I will update the review.

SPECS:

• Focal Length: 100mm
• Aperture: f/2.8 - f/22, 7 blades
• Close Focus: 38"
• Lens Type: Ai-S
• Filter Size: 52mm
• Weight: 7.9oz (223g)

Here are some test images for comparison.  This is the overall image and is shot at the closest focus distance, so about 3 feet or so from the target.

Camera: Nikon D80      

Lens: 100mm f/2.8 Series E

Focal Length: 100mm

Shutter: 4 seconds

Aperture: f/8

ISO: 100

Flash: None

Except for the fact I have the camera a little crooked, there is no discernible distortion in this shot.

The next image is the very center at full resolution.

Camera: Nikon D80      

Lens: 100mm f/2.8 Series E

Focal Length: 100mm

Shutter: 4 seconds

Aperture: f/8

ISO: 100

Flash: None

As expected, the lens is very clean in the center, looks great.

And this final image is from the left corner at full resolution.

Camera: Nikon D80      

Lens: 100mm f/2.8 Series E

Focal Length: 100mm

Shutter: 4 seconds

Aperture: f/8

ISO: 100

Flash: None

Here is the proof that the Series E lenses are of excellent optical quality.  There is nothing to complain about in this image.

I love this lens on my F4.  I could live my entire life with just this lens, and the 24mm f/2.8 AF-D on a 35mm/FX camera and never need another lens.  This one is a keeper which is why I am considering the Ai-P (chipping) upgrade.