Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S) · 1977–1981
Nikon's 105mm f/2.5 goes back to a 1954 rangefinder lens, a Sonnar design that carried over to the Nikon F. In 1971 Yoshiyuki Shimizu replaced it with a 5-element, 4-group layout that Nikon calls a Xenotar type, and that's the optic in this AI version and in every 105mm f/2.5 Nikon made after it. Nikon's own lens history says the new design improved close-range performance and corner light, and calls its balance of sharp and blurred areas beautiful, ideal for portraits. Contrast is good wide open, and Nikon says sharpness climbs further from f/5.6. Steve McCurry's 1984 Afghan Girl portrait was shot on a Nikon FM2 with the AI-S version, according to Nikon's own Nikon World magazine. On mirrorless it's a classic short tele, about 160mm equivalent on APS-C, and it works on Nikon's FTZ adapter with stop-down metering.
On a mirrorless camera
It’s a Nikon F (AI / AI-S) lens, and its mount sits 46.5 mm from the film. Every mirrorless mount below sits closer than that, so a plain adapter ring fills the gap and the lens still focuses to infinity. On a smaller sensor it frames tighter, like a longer lens.
Versions
Two optical designs share the name. Chrome-barrel Nikkor-P Auto lenses, sold from 1959 to 1971, are the old 5-element, 3-group Sonnar type. Black lenses from 1971 on, through the K, AI and AI-S, use the 5-element, 4-group design. The AI stops down to f/22, while a pre-AI K lens that was AI converted keeps its f/32. The 1981 AI-S adds a built-in hood and an orange f/22, and later ones got Nikon Super Integrated Coating.
Haze, fungus and oily aperture blades are the common age faults. Its second group is a cemented pair, so check for separation. The AI has no built-in hood, so look over the front glass.
New to old glass? How to check a used vintage lens covers haze, fungus and the rest in detail.
Buying guide
We'd buy a native AI graded Exc+5 at $255 delivered, under the band, or pay $312 for one titled serviced. There are at least 62 for sale and most ask $270–340 delivered, nearly all from Japan dealers, while the cheapest US fixed-price copy asks $231 with an HS-8 hood. A factory AI stops at f/22, and f/32 on an AI-style ring means a pre-AI lens that was AI converted, the same optics if the barrel is black, while a chrome barrel is the older Sonnar-type Nikkor-P. Ask for a flashlight photo through the back for haze, fungus or separation in the cemented second group, and skip the $75 Auto lens from a 96.9% seller. It needs a Nikon F adapter, and Nikon's FTZ works with it on a Z body; the model page lists the adapters by camera.
$199.00est. delivered
The lowest delivered working lens here, a US copy with caps and a filter, titled works great with no fog or fungus, at $199 delivered with no bids yet. It will climb, and $231 buys a US copy with a hood outright, so stop there.
Nikon 105mm f2.5 AI with caps and filter works great no fog or fungus
![Video*[Exc+5] Nikon Ai Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 Telephoto Lens F Mount From JAPAN #001](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/~5MAAeSwwS5qlR0L/s-l500.jpg)
$254.98est. delivered
A native AI graded Exc+5 by the Japan dealer at $255 delivered, $15 under the band. The title offers a video, so ask for one of the blades stopping down and a flashlight photo through the back.
Video*[Exc+5] Nikon Ai Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 Telephoto Lens F Mount From JAPAN #001
$311.98est. delivered
Titled serviced and graded near mint, at $312 delivered from Japan, right at the median. The service claim makes it the least work before you shoot.
Nikon Ai Nikkor 105mm F2.5 MF Portrait Lens From Japan Serviced Near Mint #9297
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$199.00est. delivered
$185.00 + $14.00 shipping
Auction · no bids yet · ends in 2d 23h
Good buy
Caps and a filter, titled works great, no fog or fungus. No bids yet, so the price will climb.
Seller: nate04
100% positive
Used$254.98est. delivered
$214.99 + $39.99 shipping
Buy It Now$214.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Good buy
Exc+5 is the dealer's grade. Titled with a video.
Seller: japan_cameras_store
99.4% positive
Serviced$311.98est. delivered
$269.99 + $41.99 shipping
Buy It Now$269.99
Good buy
Titled serviced, near mint by the dealer's grade. Hood and caps in the photo.
Seller: harmony_lens_japan
100% positive
Used$231.32est. delivered
$224.99 + $6.33 shipping
Buy It Now$224.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
US seller, with an HS-8 hood.
Seller: kebr197893
100% positive
![Ai Converted [ Near MINT / Tested ] Nikon New Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 Lens From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/qHQAAeSw-bxqxpj1/s-l500.jpg)
Used$259.98est. delivered
$189.99 + $69.99 shipping
Buy It Now$189.99
Our take
A pre-AI New Nikkor that was AI converted, titled tested. Near MINT is the dealer's grade.
Seller: shibainu_camera_japan
100% positive
Used$287.99est. delivered
$219.99 + $68.00 shipping
Buy It Now$219.99
Our take
Titled tested. Caps, a filter and a hood in the photo.
Seller: taako-m
100% positive
Used$75.00delivered
$75.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$75.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Titled Auto and AI, so likely a converted pre-AI lens. Seller feedback is 96.9%, and the ask is far under the market.
Seller: cambridgephoto
96.9% positive
![[Near MINT] Nikon Ai Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 MF Lens From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/QJgAAeSws5hqwsAP/s-l500.jpg)
Used$239.99est. delivered
$199.99 + $40.00 shipping
Buy It Now$199.99
Check the seller
Same title as another seller's listing. Compare photos before buying.
Seller: ma88_9646
99.7% positive
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