Nikon's budget 100mm portrait lens from the Series E lineup — lightweight and surprisingly sharp.
The Nikon Nikkor 100mm f/2.8 Series E was introduced in 1979 as part of Nikon's budget-oriented Series E lineup. Designed to offer good performance at a lower price than the AI-S Nikkors, it provides a classic short telephoto portrait focal length. Despite its economy positioning, it has earned a strong reputation for optical quality that belies its modest origins.
Sharpness is very good from f/2.8 and excellent by f/5.6 — surprisingly close to the more expensive AI-S 105mm f/2.5. Bokeh is pleasant and smooth at wider apertures, well-suited to portraiture. The five-element optical design is simple but effective. Colour rendition is neutral and accurate with good contrast, benefiting from Nikon's multi-coating technology.
Nikon F mount, AI-S specification with manual focus. Filter thread is 52mm. Weight is approximately 230 grams — noticeably lighter than the AI-S 105mm alternatives thanks to the plastic barrel construction. The Series E designation indicates cost-reduced materials (plastic barrel) but the optics are not compromised. Metres on all AI-compatible Nikon bodies.
Affordable on the used market and often overlooked in favour of the 105mm f/2.5. Check for smooth focus ring operation — the plastic barrel can develop stiffness. The lighter weight makes it more pleasant for extended handheld use than metal alternatives. An excellent hidden gem for portrait shooters and adapts well to mirrorless via simple F-mount adapters.