Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens

The Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 IF-ED is an exceptional lens. This replaced my earlier version without VR that was destroyed a few years ago on a photo outing. Besides being an incredible macro lens for 1:1 reproduction ratios it excels as a medium telephoto perfect for portraiture and landscapes. The lens is tack sharp, has a terrific solid build, feels hefty but smooth and is a joy to use. I haven’t used the VR feature yet but it’s nice to have when handholding in lower light. The filter diameter is 62mm. Because the lens is internal focusing, the barrel does not move in and out - a great convenience when shooting live subjects at high magnification. I am using this lens primarily on a DX crop-sensor camera so the focal length is about 157mm. This focal length for macro photography is a real advantage, permitting greater shooting distances while maintaining a life size reproduction ratio. A small pouch and lens hood are also provided. In the sample photo, the threads on the RF cable adapter are approx, 3/4 inch (19mm) in diameter. As a testament to resolution, you can plainly discern the manufacturing slop on the adapter threads which are tough to see without high magnification. Can’t wait to take this lens out in the field.

Typical Nikon level pro glass- high quality glass, great dispersion elements, great build, dead on AF, incredible images when used correctly. Arguably a little heavy. However, pro's are used to the weight. Weight, in my opinion, is commensurate with quality glass. Understand this is a single focal length 2.8. Most non-pro's are used to zoom lenses and will not likely want to trade the convenience of a zoom for the pro level quality, at single focal length, this lens offers. For consumerists, the application is somewhat limited. But, even if you are a consumer level shooter just coming off a kit lens, and are moving into serious portrait work, this lens will deliver. But even with such pro glass at 2.8, lighting is critical to any portrait work. So, don't think for a moment this lens eliminates your need for quality light. Many other reviewers hit the technical component of the review. So, I tend to review from a pragmatic end-user perspective. This lens will shoot your daughter's recital in a gym well enough, if you get close enough and properly white balance. In a controlled setting, this is a lens you will want to take portraits of your children and wife/husband; just be sure (if indoors) you can get back far enough. If you shoot outdoors, you will want fill flash (yes, even with this, or any lens). For outdoor night time sports under good lighting, this lens is a killer- just maybe not enough reach. For outdoor daytime sports, and at a much better price point, definitely go with the Nikon 70-300 f4.5 Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Nikkor Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras , which is more than sufficient to stop kids sports in action at great reach (450mm on a dx body). This lens also delivers great contrast and color replication- if you are using a color managed workflow (if not, you probably would not be looking at this lens anyway). Just remember that most people are viewing images only on some type of monitor these days (screen, Iphone, Ipdad, etc..). These screens/monitors are normally very cheap, not color matched, and using browser that only deal in the SRGB color space, thereby making all your effort nearly wasted. This is why prints, the true test of quality, still matter. And, if you are printing, this lens will definitely pay off. If you have the money and the need, you will not be disappointed with this Nikon glass. In fact, I have never been disappointed with any pro-level Nikon glass. Even their DX line is great for consumer to intermediate level shooting.

I've owned this lens for about six months now, and I can say with full confidence that it is one of the sharpest lenses in the Nikon lineup. I use it mostly for macro photography as well as portraiture, and for those purposes it's perfect. Images are crisp, distortion-free, clean, and accurately cast. Even when shooting wide open at f/2.8 there is little softness or vignetting present. Comparing shots wide open with shots stopped down, even at 100% crops, shows little difference in clarity, contrast, and sharpness, from corner to corner. I'm really impressed with how well this lens performs at its widest aperture. This lens is pretty much the do-it-all kind of device. You can shoot macro...you can definitely use it for portraiture (it's almost the ideal focal length for portraits). You can even use it for landscapes, if you want to isolate a subject from its background. The bokeh this lens produces is clean and well-defined. The subject leaps out of a soft, creamy background, especially at wider apertures. This lens uses the 62mm filter size...I strongly recommend getting a clear or UV filter to keep on the front of the lens at all times to protect the front lens element. A UV or clear filter will help prevent dust and debris from settling on or inside the front of the lens, and will also help protect it in case you bump into something. The lens comes with the HB-38 lens hood, a sizable hood which further aids in protection of the front of the lens. Vibration Reduction works well...it affords the photographer the ability to get shots indoors in low light that would otherwise require a flash or higher ISO. I can routinely get crisp, clear shots with no motion blur at shutter speeds of around 1/15 second...something I cannot do with other lenses that don't have VR. It's not a heavy lens, nor is it especially light. You can easily carry this lens around on your shoulder all day without a problem. It doesn't quite have the strong, tank-like feel of other Nikon pro lenses (I would not feel comfortable dropping this lens onto a hard surface); it doesn't feel like the body is made of metal as much as it is composite plastic...which is ok, since it keeps the weight down. Considering the lens has a reach of 105mm at f/2.8, I think the weight of the lens is very acceptable. I've never experience any issues with lens flare or ghosting, and I've used it a great deal in sunlight. Personally, I think this lens is worth every penny of it's sales price. It's not an inexpensive lens, but considering how well-rounded it is and how well it performs, the price is very fair and reasonable. I'd recommend the 105mm Micro-Nikkor to anyone who's looking for an excellent performing macro or portrait lens.

Ja, das Nikon AF-S Micro 105 mm 1:2,8G VR Makro-Objektiv ist nicht gerade billig aber jeden Eiro wert. Ich habe es in der Cyberweek gekauft und konnte so rund 94 Euro sparen, also kostete mich jedes Gramm des 750g wiegenden Objektivs nicht mal einen Euro. Das Objektiv kommt in der üblichen Nikon Verpackung mit Objektivdeckel, Abdeckung des Bajonett-Verschlusses, Gegenlichtblende und einem Aufbewahrungsbeutel. Mit einer Lichtstärke von 2,8 ist es ausreichend lichtstark, die kleinste Blende ist 32. Wie schon oben erwähnt, das Objektiv ist mit 750g kein Leichtgewicht aber entschädigt dafür mit einem Abbildungsmaßstab von 1:1 bei einem Abstand von 31cm als Makro-Objektiv. Das hat den Vorteil, dass man z. B. bei Insekten nicht bis auf wenige Zentimeter heran muss. Natürlich kann man das Objektiv auch als Objektiv für beispielsweise Portraits oder ähnliches nutzen, hier entspricht die Brennweite dann einem 158mm Kleinbildobjektiv. Der Motor für den Autofokus ist schnell und leise. Der Autofokus lässt sich zur Erhöhung der Einstellgeschwindigkeit auf 50cm bis Unendlich oder auf Full einstellen, wobei ich gefühlsmäßig keine Änderung feststellen konnte, ist vielleicht aber auch beleuchtungsabhängig. Der Bildstabilistor arbeitet gut, eben Nikonqualität und gibt keinen Anlass zu irgendwelchen Beanstandungen. Freihandaufnahmen mit 1/30 Sekunde sind kein Problem. Das Objektiv passt an die aktuellen Nikon Kameras mit DX Sensor so wie an einige Kameras mit Vollformat (KB) Sensor., entsprechend ist auch die Bildqualität in den Randbereichen scharf ohne Verzeichnungen. Ich muss sagen, der Käufer bekommt einen realen Gegenwert für die fast 800€, die es normalerweise kostet, ich bereue die Investition nicht und kann das Objektiv für diejenigen, die nach einem Makro-Objektiv für ihre Nikon suchen, uneingeschränkt empfehlen.

Calidad impresionante, con una nitidez que compensa su precio, lo he estado usado con la D800 y bueno, de fábula. Dos cosa, el objetivo siempre mantiene su tamaño independientemente de la distancia focal que estés usando, lo que es muy cómodo, por contra, su máxima apertura varia dependiendo de la distancia focal de f/2.8 a infinito a f/4.8 a 1:1(0,314 m), no lo considero ningún inconveniente dado que para fotografía macro es necesario utilizar diafragmas altos para tener algo de profundidad de campo. También es un objetivo que es muy valido para otros usos (aparte del macro), no tiene distorsiones, y en paisajes, retratos etc es muy útil, por ultimo, se le puede acoplar los tres teleconvertidores de Nikon Entrega rapida y perfectamente envasado, buen precio (garantía europea)

Unfortunately the version Amazon sent me looked like it was second hand (lens barrel dirty, front and rear elements dirty), so I sent it back for refund and got another from Jessops. But don't let that put you off, because this is an excellent lens. As others have said this lens is wonderfully sharp and doubles as both a macro and walkabout lens for portrait and other uses. Fully compatible with both FX and DX format, on DX cameras you will of course get a 1.5x boost in magnification compared to FX. It's expensive, but it's top quality glass and a good investment in my view. If you have a DX format SLR you will have a lens which will upgrade to FX if/when you decide to. One day I'm going to go for a D700 (or whatever semi-pro FX SLR Nikon is selling at the time), so when I do the 105 will step up with me without me having to pay again. A nice fast f/2.8 aperture, although you may notice the camera body showing a smaller aperture (higher f/number) when working in macro ranges - apparently the effective aperture at macro distances decreases (by 2x if working at 1:1 magnification). This is the law of physics and applies to all macro lenses, it's not a defect (and besides, you're unlikely to be using wide apertures when taking macros anyway, so nothing to lose sleep about). In normal ranges the AF is very quick on my D300, but this is with the limit switch on (which limits AF from 0.5M to infinity, therefore excluding macro). I found that at macro range or at normal range with the limit switch off that the lens can sometimes hunt. At macro I'm mostly working with manual focus anyway, so this isn't a problem for me. If you're using the reach of the 105 for fast action shots just keep the limit switch on. Simple. Bokeh on this lens is lovely - I've only had it a week, but have already taken some wonderful flower macros with it, with beautiful creamy bokeh. The lens is very sharp but at macro range the DoF takes some getting used to - the field of view changes at macro range with just minor movements of the lens (breathing), but given the results you get I'm prepared to live with that. It's a big lens, heavy and fairly large for a prime, but doesn't look out of place on my D300 (and well worth the size/weight inconvenience IMO). It's very well built, and looks like it would stand up to the roughest of treatment. More pro-like than the other (DX) lenses that I have. I haven't tried it on smaller SLRs, but I expect that on something like a D40 or D3000 it would make the camera feel very front heavy - my advice would be to try it out in person on the high street and see how you get on. Recommended.

けんこーのクローズアップレンズと併用して使ってるむっちゃお気に入り 絞りが結構開放的だから接写でも明るく写真が撮れる AFはやい

Very quick auto focus and sharpness.