Nikon 105 macro with VR

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lensflair

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I'm about to pull the trigger on the Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR

I have read a report of this lens switching from f2.8 to f3.2 in low light due to a glitch in the lens. Is this a problem that anyones experienced? because most of the reviews I read are very positive.
 
It does do that, yes. I found it to be optically brilliant, but the AF in anything but perfect light was a complete pita. The hunting on both my D3 and D700 was rediculous.
 
it's not a constant f.2.8 lens and it changes the f-number automatically based on the reproduction ratio.

But it hunts annoyingly in low contrast situations.
 
kitmunzo said:
it's not a constant f.2.8 lens and it changes the f-number automatically based on the reproduction ratio.

But it hunts annoyingly in low contrast situations.
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*** didn't realize it wasn't a constant 2.8, I want it for details at weddings more than anything. Currently use a zeiss 50mm MF but was looking for auto focus and a liitle longer focal length. I guess you need to use MF up really close anyway most of the time?

Any other options or is this the best macro in nikon offering currently?
 
To echo Kitmunzo the hunting is my only annoyance but that is outweighed by the gorgeous optics. It is a great lens.

I've noticed that prices seemed to have softened in the last few months so it's a good time to buy.

Go on, press the button. :)
 
Traubrey said:
To echo Kitmunzo the hunting is my only annoyance but that is outweighed by the gorgeous optics. It is a great lens.

I've noticed that prices seemed to have softened in the last few months so it's a good time to buy.

Go on, press the button. :)
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Yeah I've read good things about IQ, as I said I'm using manual focus for all my macro shots at the moment so if I have to switch to MF occasionally it's not the end of the world although it kinda defeats the purpose of switching to autofocus. But I often use a video light for detail shots in low light, so maybe not so much of an issue.

I think I'm going to have to say deal!!!!! :D

I'm buying from B and H and their online ordering is offline tonight so I've got a few hours to talk myself out of it. I'm not putting up much of a case for against though ;)
 
lensflair said:
I'm about to pull the trigger on the Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR

I have read a report of this lens switching from f2.8 to f3.2 in low light due to a glitch in the lens. Is this a problem that anyones experienced? because most of the reviews I read are very positive.
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It is not a glitch in the lens all macro lenses do this but the 105vr reports it where other lenses don't, it is a superb lens, I must confess I haven't had issues with it hunting the few times I have used it as a general lens,use of the limited focus switch may help with this as well.
 
One of my favourite lenses. Like everyone says, it's got great optics. It does tend to hunt in poor light and the AF isn't very quick but it is super sharp.
 
It is a constant f2.8, it will alter slightly at macro distances, but that is the same with most macro lenses, it is not the swiftest focusing lens, but that is probably because it is geared to accuracy rather than speed.

Sharp as sharpened sharp thing though :D
 
I just bought one of these from my local Currys. £529.97. Bargain!!!:thumbs:
 
Any lens at 1:1 is two stops* less than it is at infinity. Nikon reports this, Canon does not. They are both correct in different ways.

It should focus okay if you use the limiter, but manual focus is much better at macro distances anyway.

Great lens :thumbs:

*Edit: Despite the theory, I don't think this lens reports fully two stops less at 1:1, ie f/5.6. This is because the internal focusing also reduces the focal length at very close range so the maximum aperture is correspondingly actually slighly larger than f/2.8. Guessing, it's about 90mm f/2.4 (dropping to f/4.8) at 1:1. If you follow! ;)
 
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Richard, it hunts with or without the limiter.
 
It's a macro lens - a superb one at that - it's not designed for low light work - although it also makes a great portrait lens on FF. Never had any hunting problems.
 
I have the non vr one.. brilliant.! Love it

As to the f# changing, someone mentioned it to me a while back. Something to do with that f2.8 the dof at macro closeness is too miniscle, so nikon put in an auto f# changing to get decent dof. Or to assist the af ;)

Either way the old one I have is brilliant, so the vr one should be as good or better. Go on. Buy it :D
 
awp said:
It's a macro lens - a superb one at that - it's not designed for low light work - although it also makes a great portrait lens on FF. Never had any hunting problems.
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Strange, because mine doesn't hunt either. One question. Does anyone use the macro ring set with these, and if so, which ones are they using, and are they pleased with them?
 
ecniv said:
As to the f# changing, someone mentioned it to me a while back. Something to do with that f2.8 the dof at macro closeness is too miniscle, so nikon put in an auto f# changing to get decent dof. Or to assist the af
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Sorry to say that is incorrect.

In simple terms and keeping this to one paragraph (if you want more detail google macro effective aperture).

It is all to do with the effective aperture at close up distances, at close focus distances you need to take into account the distance to the subject as well as the lens focal length when calculating exposure.

Fortunately TTL does this for you, and Nikon bodies report the effective f stop.
 
I see, so the aperture doesn't change as such, but at close up the effective aperture does and the lens reports this for metering when you are focused? Anyway, I'll read up on it and hopefully have the lens soon to try out. Will be using it on a D3 and D700, as I mentioned I tend to use a video light for close up shots in low light so I expect this will help with any focus issues.
 
Martyn... said:
Sorry to say that is incorrect.

In simple terms and keeping this to one paragraph (if you want more detail google macro effective aperture).

It is all to do with the effective aperture at close up distances, at close focus distances you need to take into account the distance to the subject as well as the lens focal length when calculating exposure.

Fortunately TTL does this for you, and Nikon bodies report the effective f stop.
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Thanks...


Still sets it for you tho. Which is what I meant. I can get f2.8 but not close up. Meh... Too technical lol - it changes and allows great pics :)
 
lensflair said:
I see, so the aperture doesn't change as such, but at close up the effective aperture does and the lens reports this for metering when you are focused? Anyway, I'll read up on it and hopefully have the lens soon to try out. Will be using it on a D3 and D700, as I mentioned I tend to use a video light for close up shots in low light so I expect this will help with any focus issues.
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Yes. The aperture remains wide open but because of the reduction in brightness at 1:1 (it's an inverse square law effect) the effective aperture for exposure purposes changes. Nikon reports this change.

Canon does not report it, because technically the f/ratio is only true for infinity focus and in depth of field terms, the aperture is still f/2.8 (or f/2.4 if you accept the theory I suggested earlier). The exposure is automatically compensated by the TTL metering.

So they're both right in different ways, and in reality the only difference is what the viewfinder says the f/number is. With either Nikon or Canon, the actual exposure is the same, and the depth of field is the same.
 
HoppyUK said:
Yes. The aperture remains wide open but because of the reduction in brightness at 1:1 (it's an inverse square law effect) the effective aperture for exposure purposes changes. Nikon reports this change.

Canon does not report it, because technically the f/ratio is only true for infinity focus and in depth of field terms, the aperture is still f/2.8 (or f/2.4 if you accept the theory I suggested earlier). The exposure is automatically compensated by the TTL metering.

So they're both right in different ways, and in reality the only difference is what the viewfinder says the f/number is. With either Nikon or Canon, the actual exposure is the same, and the depth of field is the same.
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yep makes sense, thanks.
 
wilko said:
Strange, because mine doesn't hunt either. One question. Does anyone use the macro ring set with these, and if so, which ones are they using, and are they pleased with them?
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I am using the Kenko tubes with mine and am really happy with the results, I have also used the lens tubes and my 1.4tc which gives me about 2.7 magnification.
 
Davec223 said:
I am using the Kenko tubes with mine and am really happy with the results, I have also used the lens tubes and my 1.4tc which gives me about 2.7 magnification.
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is that still able to autofocus with the tubes?
 
Just a quick shot of a dragonfly that hatched from it's larvae, taken with the 105 VR micro lens.
20110704-_DSC6180.jpg
 
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