Nikon Nikkor AI-S 100mm f/2.8 Series E Lens
The Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E is a 100mm f/2.8 lens designed for Nikon F mount cameras. Used copies start from $60 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Nikon Nikkor AI-S 100mm f/2.8 Series E Lens
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Lens Overview — Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E
Key Features — Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E
100mm f/2.8 Prime: A fixed 100mm focal length with a maximum f/2.8 aperture, well-suited for portraiture and subject isolation with shallow depth of field.
Nikon F Mount: Compatible with a wide range of Nikon film and DSLR bodies, as well as mirrorless systems via adapter.
Full-Frame Coverage: Projects an image circle covering full-frame sensors and film, with no crop factor on FX-format Nikon bodies.
Lightweight 230g Build: Notably light for a 100mm f/2.8 prime, making it practical for travel and extended handheld shooting.
Manual Focus Design: AI-S coupled manual focus ring allows precise, deliberate focusing suited to controlled shooting situations.
52mm Filter Thread: Accepts a widely available and affordable filter size, keeping accessory costs low.
Lens Specifications — Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Macro, Creative Effects |
| Lens Type | Prime |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 100mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 52mm |
Description — Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E
The Nikon Nikkor AI-S 100mm f/2.8 Series E is a prime lens designed for Nikon F-mount cameras with full-frame coverage. It offers a 100mm focal length paired with a f/2.8 maximum aperture, giving photographers the ability to work with a meaningful degree of background separation in their images. Focusing is entirely manual, making this lens best suited to photographers who are comfortable with hands-on focus control.
At just 230g, it is impressively lightweight, reducing fatigue during longer sessions or on travel-oriented kits. The 52mm filter thread is a practical, widely supported size that keeps accessory costs down. There is no image stabilization, so a steady hand or support is recommended when shooting at this focal length.
Whether mounted on a film body or a digital DSLR, this Series E lens represents an accessible entry point into the 100mm prime focal length on the Nikon F platform.
Pros — Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E
- ✓Lightweight at just 230g, making it easy to handle during extended use
- ✓Wide f/2.8 maximum aperture for a 100mm prime lens
- ✓Full-frame coverage suits a wide range of Nikon F-mount bodies
Cons — Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus support for fast or unpredictable subjects
- ✗No image stabilization, requiring steady technique at this focal length
- ✗Series E build quality is more modest compared to Nikkor professional-grade lenses
Videos — Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E
Nikon 100mm f2.8 Series E Lens Review — Damian Brown