Nikon 105mm f2.8D Macro

BillN_33

BillN_33

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does anyone use this lens - the older D version with the screw AF drive, for Micro photography?

is it any good - (Ken Rockwell says so!!!)
 
I've got one. Use it for all sorts. Perhaps not as much macro as I ought to. And yes good. It can take extension tubes that the newer G can't.
 
Thegreatroberto said:
I've got one. Use it for all sorts. Perhaps not as much macro as I ought to. And yes good. It can take extension tubes that the newer G can't.
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Thanks

doesn't the new AF-S 105mm Nikon take extension tubes - the Kenko DG tubes?
 
BillN_33 said:
Thanks

doesn't the new AF-S 105mm Nikon take extension tubes - the Kenko DG tubes?
Click to expand...
Might do. But you'd have to manual focus. Not an issue with macro. Not sure how the VR and aperture are controlled though. Certainly the kenro tubes allow full use of a 105 d
 
I have a G and use it with a 2xTCIII so I'd assume itll be ok with tubes
 
I also have this lens, its a beauty too.
I couldnt warrant the expense of the new VR version, but im sure this lens is not that far behind it, in overall performance. Like all/most Nikon lenses though, this older version still holds a fair price(when you can find one!) I got mine off Fleabay, and lucky it was less than 5 miles from home, so a local pickup for me. Im pretty sure they still sell from between £200 to £300(for a good one).
I use the Polaroid Auto macro extension tubes(cheaper than the others!) and they still auto focus/exposure well on my D7000.
Had a great butterfly session today, using a combo of D7000, AF 105mm micro 2.8D lens, an the 12mm extension tube.
The Butterfly in question, was the Dark Green Fritillary (a 1st sighting for us). It was very windy, so the auto focus tube worked well, out in the field.
One thing to be aware of with extension tubes, you lose infinity, therefore your field skills have to come into play (depending on your subjects) but then, thats what macro is all about.
My young son managed to coax several species of butterfly on his hand today, such as Marbled White, Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, and the Dark Green Fritillary! Field skills will get you right up close to subjects, such as Butterflies/Dragonflies/Damselflies/Reptiles/Bugs.
 
Testudo Man said:
I also have this lens, its a beauty too.
I couldnt warrant the expense of the new VR version, but im sure this lens is not that far behind it, in overall performance. Like all/most Nikon lenses though, this older version still holds a fair price(when you can find one!) I got mine off Fleabay, and lucky it was less than 5 miles from home, so a local pickup for me. Im pretty sure they still sell from between £200 to £300(for a good one).
I use the Polaroid Auto macro extension tubes(cheaper than the others!) and they still auto focus/exposure well on my D7000.
Had a great butterfly session today, using a combo of D7000, AF 105mm micro 2.8D lens, an the 12mm extension tube.
The Butterfly in question, was the Dark Green Fritillary (a 1st sighting for us). It was very windy, so the auto focus tube worked well, out in the field.
One thing to be aware of with extension tubes, you lose infinity, therefore your field skills have to come into play (depending on your subjects) but then, thats what macro is all about.
My young son managed to coax several species of butterfly on his hand today, such as Marbled White, Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, and the Dark Green Fritillary! Field skills will get you right up close to subjects, such as Butterflies/Dragonflies/Damselflies/Reptiles/Bugs.
Click to expand...

Thanks Paul - do you have any images with the lens - just normal ones - I'm not putting you on the spot or anything

I too don't want to spend £600 on a new Nikon 105mm macro VR unless I am going to use it - I would rather spend less than half that on a D lens to start with
 
BillN_33 said:
Thanks Paul - do you have any images with the lens - just normal ones - I'm not putting you on the spot or anything

I too don't want to spend £600 on a new Nikon 105mm macro VR unless I am going to use it - I would rather spend less than half that on a D lens to start with
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No problems mate, an dont worry, i like to be put on the spot;)

To be honest, ive not sorted through any of todays pics, just like the last butterfly session of Marbled Whites 2 weeks ago!!! I havent posted any pics on this forum for some time! Ive not been active on my Flickr account lately either!
Ive just been out in the field (these last 3 months) shooting thousands of images of various macro subjects, using this 105mm 2.8D lens...I really do need to sort through all my images though, and soon!!!

I'll have a look on my Flickr, to see what i might have for you though;)
 
All these images are shot with the AF Micro 105mm 2.8D lens.
As usual - Jpeg, auto focus, no flash, natural light. Hand held(no tripod used).

Note- caution should be used, when getting this close to venomous snakes, such as the Adder (Vipera berus).

Male Adder (uncropped). 29th-March-2014. by Testudo Man, on Flickr

Brimstone Butterfly. 15th-March-2014. by Testudo Man, on Flickr

Wood Mouse(uncropped). 22nd-Feb-2014. by Testudo Man, on Flickr

Female Adult Adder (uncropped). 15th-March-2014. by Testudo Man, on Flickr
 
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BillN_33 said:
Thanks Paul
Click to expand...

No worries.
To be fair, those shots of mine are not really macro as such, they are just close up shots. Sure, i could have cropped into them, to give a more "macro feel" but i wanted to show you(with 3 of the uncropped pics) what the 105 2.8D could produce. When you start to add extension tubes to this lens, then things change, you will lose a degree of sharpness, your working distance changes(you can get closer still, but you lose infinity) you will also be able to achieve some freaky backgrounds though;)

A few questions for you, if you dont mind mate...and no offence is intended here either :)
What other lenses do you have? What subjects are you looking to photograph? Can you freely get within close working distances of subjects, such as Butterflies/Dragonflies/Damselflies?
Im sure i read somewhere that you have a 300mm prime? Why not get some Auto extension tubes to start with, use them on the 300mm, then chose a macro lens that suits not only you, but your intended subjects. The tubes will not go to waste, because you can then use them with your future chosen macro lens.

I personally dont have a lot of luck(so far) with serious macro shots using this lens, Im talking about true macro images, with very small subjects involved. For those types of images, i rely on bridge cameras, with 24/32X optical lens, coupled with a Raynox 250 macro lens........but thats a whole new area to discuss!
 
Testudo Man said:
No worries.
To be fair, those shots of mine are not really macro as such, they are just close up shots. Sure, i could have cropped into them, to give a more "macro feel" but i wanted to show you(with 3 of the uncropped pics) what the 105 2.8D could produce. When you start to add extension tubes to this lens, then things change, you will lose a degree of sharpness, your working distance changes(you can get closer still, but you lose infinity) you will also be able to achieve some freaky backgrounds though;)

A few questions for you, if you dont mind mate...and no offence is intended here either :)
What other lenses do you have? What subjects are you looking to photograph? Can you freely get within close working distances of subjects, such as Butterflies/Dragonflies/Damselflies?
Im sure i read somewhere that you have a 300mm prime? Why not get some Auto extension tubes to start with, use them on the 300mm, then chose a macro lens that suits not only you, but your intended subjects. The tubes will not go to waste, because you can then use them with your future chosen macro lens.

I personally dont have a lot of luck(so far) with serious macro shots using this lens, Im talking about true macro images, with very small subjects involved. For those types of images, i rely on bridge cameras, with 24/32X optical lens, coupled with a Raynox 250 macro lens........but thats a whole new area to discuss!
Click to expand...

Nikon 300mm f4, Nikon 300mm f2.8VR, Nikon 70 200mm f2.8VR, Nikon 70 300mm VR at the longer end plus TC20Elll and TC14E11 and the usual Nikon AF-S shorter stuff and a few older MF lens, including the 55mm f3.5 micro - I use mainly my D7100, but I have a D700 and a D300, plus a V1, FT-1 and a couple of M4/3's, Leica RF's. I have used Fuji bridge cams, they are find but not for me for my more "serious" stuff.
I get lots of use out of my Nikon AF-S longer lens ……. even the 70 300mm f4.5/f5.6 VR which I use in wet conditions.
Kenko tubes on the way and a Raynox 250 on the list
thinking about a Nikon 400mm f2.8 to enhance my birding, to use with the TC14Ell

no problems finding subjects to shoot - I'm retired so have plenty of time

Interests are birds, animals and general stuff plus Dragonflies and Butterflies

lots of stuff on my ipernity pages - http://www.ipernity.com/home/679211

A couple of typical shorts taken this morning with the 300mm f4, which is a good light weight set up on a CF travel tripod, even with the TC14Ell ……. works well with the D7100 and even the V1 + FT-1

Female Broad-bodied Chaser - (Libellula depressa)


Imm_BBC.jpg



and a very very very small Butterfly…… big as your thumb nail the Silver Studded Blue

idas_blue.jpg


Crop of the above
micro.jpg
 
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Great images.

Well, you have plenty of excellent equipment, so i can see why you desire a true macro lens.

Ive seen a fair few people out an about shooting butterflies, with long primes and extension tubes, and they get good results.
Where we went to today, this guy was using a 100 to 400 canon lens(with no tubes attached!) and he was sitting down on a fold up chair, waiting for the butterflies to land in front of him!!!...I wonder how he did today?

I would say, go for the longest dedicated macro lens, that you require...just do it;)
 
Testudo Man said:
Great images.

Well, you have plenty of excellent equipment, so i can see why you desire a true macro lens.

Ive seen a fair few people out an about shooting butterflies, with long primes and extension tubes, and they get good results.
Where we went to today, this guy was using a 100 to 400 canon lens(with no tubes attached!) and he was sitting down on a fold up chair, waiting for the butterflies to land in front of him!!!...I wonder how he did today?

I would say, go for the longest dedicated macro lens, that you require...just do it;)
Click to expand...

Thanks Paul - what I need is something that is not made - a 300mm f4 Micro Nikon - I too tend to take all my shots from some distance - the crop sensors Nikons, the D7100 are good for that - I am experimenting at the present time and will see if I can improve on the above, with extension tubes and maybe a close up lens on the 300mm - but if I stick a Nikon 105mm f2.8 Micro on the front of a V1 I will have almost 300mm in conventional 35mm terms ….. if I felt that the Sigma 150mm or 180mm would AF well on either the D7100 with the Nikon TC's I would go for that, but it is difficult to try that set up out - all I know is that the Nikon TC's that I have do not suit the Sigma's …… so it would means buying Sigma TC's.

As you can see it is my nature to sometimes complicate things
 
BillN_33 said:
Thanks Paul - what I need is something that is not made - a 300mm f4 Micro Nikon - I too tend to take all my shots from some distance - the crop sensors Nikons, the D7100 are good for that - I am experimenting at the present time and will see if I can improve on the above, with extension tubes and maybe a close up lens on the 300mm - but if I stick a Nikon 105mm f2.8 Micro on the front of a V1 I will have almost 300mm in conventional 35mm terms ….. if I felt that the Sigma 150mm or 180mm would AF well on either the D7100 with the Nikon TC's I would go for that, but it is difficult to try that set up out - all I know is that the Nikon TC's that I have do not suit the Sigma's …… so it would means buying Sigma TC's.

As you can see it is my nature to sometimes complicate things
Click to expand...

The V1 with a 105 2.8D lens sounds very interesting indeed!

There is the daddy macro lens out there...the 200mm...but im pretty sure that would be "big bucks" an hard to source.
I found the older nikon 200mm macro lens a few years ago, but it was manual focus, so i passed on it at the time. It wasnt a lot of money either, less than £400!!! But with wild creatures out in the field, with only a few seconds to capture any decent shots(and 50 year old eyes!) I really need auto focus!
 
The 200 isn't that hard to source you can find a few kicking about on dealer sites or ebay for about £900 ish. The Nikon 70-180mm is another macro that gets a good write up although a bit of an oddity. The new Sigma 180mm f/2.8 OS looks to be the king of long macro lenses right now. I had the 105mm D version and it's a great lens although the newer VR version I'd probably go for if buying a new macro.
 
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