Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens USA
- Price: $899.00
- Free Shipping (USA)
- In Stock
- B&H # NI10528GAF
- Mfr# 2160
Product Highlights
- VR II Image Stabilization
- Magnification Up to 1:1
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The Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens brings the benefits of vibration reduction (VR) to the domain of Macro photography. This lens will produce images up to a 1:1 (life-size) ratio of magnification. Any camera movement at this magnification is also magnified, so image stabilization is critical. This lens offers high-resolution, high-optical performance for both digital and 35mm film format SLR cameras. When used with cameras with an APS-C size sensor, the equivalent focal length is 157.5mm.
This lens incorporates Nikon's second-generation vibration reduction system (VR II) that allows flexible hand-held shooting by stabilizing the image to the equivalent stability of a shutter speed that is 4 stops faster when compared with a conventional lens. This in effect eliminates image blur caused by camera shake, particularly when shooting in low-light conditions.
Note: G-type lenses are fully compatible with all current camera models (as of 01/04). The older camera models F4, N90/s, N70, N8008/s, N6000 will only work in Program and Shutter Priority modes. Note: VR feature will only work with Nikon's F6, F5, F100, N80, N75, N65, D100 & D1 and D2-series (or any newer model) cameras.
Note: AF-S feature is not supported by certain camera models. Please click here for a list of compatible models.
- An ED glass element minimizes chromatic aberration. Nano Crystal Coat drastically reduces flare ensuring finely detailed, clear images.
- VR II (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization minimizes image blur caused by camera shake (cancelable)
- This lens can produce images at up to 1:1 magnification (life-size)
- Internal Focusing (IF) design for smoother focusing and better body balance
- Built-in M/A switch enables instant switching from autofocus to manual focus
- Silent Wave Motor for ultra-fast, ultra-quiet AF
- The rounded diaphragm (9 blades) makes out-of-focus elements appear more natural
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 105 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/2.8 Minimum: f/32 |
| Camera Mount Type | Nikon F |
| Format Compatibility |
Nikon FX/35mm Film Nikon DX |
| Angle of View |
23° DX Picture Angle: 15° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1' (30.48 cm) |
| Magnification | 1x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:1 |
| Groups/Elements | 12/14 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 62 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.3 x 4.6" (8.38 x 11.68 cm) |
| Weight | 1.74 lb (790 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 634 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
99%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (499)
- Strong construction (436)
- Consistent output (397)
- Durable (349)
- Easily interchangeable (321)
Cons
- Heavy (218)
- Slow focus (58)
- Lens creep (7)
- Pricey / poor value (5)
- Poor in low light (4)
Best Uses
- Macro photography (383)
- Low light (137)
- Portraits (120)
- Weddings (119)
- Wildlife photos (96)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (204), Semi-pro photographer (116), Enthusiast (91), Pro photographer (66), Semi-professional (61)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (305), Yes (18)
Most Liked Positive Review
An excellent macro or portrait lens
This is an excellent lens for both macrophotography and portraiture. I wish it was a bit less expensive, but the build quality and optical design is superb.The fast f/2.8 aperture makes focusing quite ...Read complete review
This is an excellent lens for both macrophotography and portraiture. I wish it was a bit less expensive, but the build quality and optical design is superb.The fast f/2.8 aperture makes focusing quite fast. I know there are some reviewers who say it's a slow-focusing lens, but my experience has been quite the opposite. It focuses quite fast provided you give it a resonably high-contrast subject. Knowing when to use the focus limit switch helps a lot in this regard -- if you're shooting portraits or wildlife (or anytyhing further than 3 feet away), there's no reason to enable the full focus range. The fast aperture also makes precision manual focusing much easier. For portraits, it means that you can throw the background completely out of focus and isolate your subject.Like all the Micro-Nikkors, the sharpness of this lens is as good as it gets. On my D800 it reveals an awe-inspiring amount of detail in subjects large and small. While performance is quite good at f/2.8, this lens really shines between f/4 and f/11. At f/16, diffraction is noticeable, and at f/22 and beyond the resolution is certainly reduced somewhat. That said, the lens is still useable up to it's maximum f-stop (the max. f-stop changes depending on the focusing distance). While I certainly notice the diffraction softness while pixel-peeping, it's still possible to make beautiful 8x10 and even 11x14 prints from shots taken at f/32.The 105mm focal length is great for macro because it lets you get close to the subject without having to be right on top of it. On full frame cameras, it affords a comfortable distance for head+shoulders portraits, while still keeping the background soft and out-of-focus. On DX cameras, the effective focal length of ~150mm works well as a medium telephoto (and it's still sharp as a tack), though for portraits on DX I'd still prefer the 85mm/1.8G or 50mm/1.4G.The bokeh ranges from good to excellent, depending on the focusing distance. At focusing distances between 3 and 30 feet, and apertures at or below f/4, the bokeh reminds me of my Rolleiflex f/2.8 when shot wide open (which I happen to love). At macro distances, it's soft and even. At 30 feet and beyond the bokeh is still quite nice, but not as soft it is close up.The VR functionality is nice for portraits and handheld documentary work. For macro work, it's always wise to use a tripod, VR or no.If you're looking for FX glass that can do exceptional portrait and macro work, you really can't do any better than this lens.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
OK to Just OK
This is a great lens optically, but the VR is a little useless when up close. It performs really well when I use manual focus, I had hoped to be able to get the...Read complete review
This is a great lens optically, but the VR is a little useless when up close. It performs really well when I use manual focus, I had hoped to be able to get the best depth of field, but the shutter speed doesn't go high enough to avoid shake unless you set it and loose depth. I had hoped to be able to take shots in lower light without a tripod. It is great in bright sunny conditions though, and that's when you see the optics shine. It is an absolutely gorgeous portrait lens - so good that I can now get really great shots and am starting to love portraiture. Was it good for the money - not really - you could get a non VR to do the same for a lower price.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 634 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I use this lens mostly for jewelry and detail shots at weddings. I had the 60mm Nikon Micro, but this lens definitely beats it out. I can get super sharp shots with this lens easily and quickly. Its a great addition to my kit. Its a little heavy, and its not the fastest focusing lens to use for portraits (although it looks great for that). But you're probably buying this lens for manual focusing anyways so....
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Sharp photos, no problems, good price
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by mountain man
Boots watching the sunset
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I'll admit that I'm an amateur but I've got a pretty good eye for detail. This lens is phenomenal. I shoot on a D600 and it's primarily either portraits of my month old daughter or closeups of disassembled hard drives. At either distance this lens performs well. Focus is very snappy although it seems to require a bit more light than I expected. The vibration reduction feature is very nice when shooting with a small aperture. I find the lens to be very versatile so it's kind of become my go-to general purpose lens. Today I shot a humming bird who knocked himself out on a window. He survived and I got a pretty cool shot of him looking pretty upset before he flew away.
The only bad thing is that I see some artifacts when shooting at the closest range. Don't know if it's dust in my camera, on the lens or elsewhere but it's consistent. It also makes a squeaking noise when you rotate the focus ring past the normal focus range. (normal feature of the AF-S lenses, except the squeak) B&H has graciously offered to replace it at no cost. I'll be doing that as soon as I can part with it but it's hard to let go at this point...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Great lens! I mainly use this lens for insect macro work and some portrait photography. The lens seems as well built as all the newer Nikon lenses. Shots thusfar have produced great Bokeh and sharp in-focus details. The only thing I dont like is the (fabric!?) ring on the edge of the front lens element which seems a bit flimsy and prone to gathering dust.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
The only issues I have are due to my limited experience with macro lenses. I replaced another manufactures' lens with this one. The Nikon focus is much faster; maybe 20% the time when hunting. I can't discern a difference in pictures quality, but the speed was my concern and I am still learning macro photography. By that I mean the depth of field and stability of the camera / lens is critical. Maybe I will be good enough to not require a tripod for closeup shots; for now it is a requirement. VR offers substantial help, and is definitely preferred over non-VR.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Although I was disappointed to discover that even Nikon's relatively expensive lenses are made in China, everything works flawlessly for now. As a hobbyist, I use this lens with my D300 mostly for macro shoots; I enjoy exploring natural light detail of objects both indoors and out. This fast lens also works well for existing light photographs indoors. The lens is quite large and heavier than I expected, but meets my performance expectation.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Great lens. Very sharp. Considered Zeiss 100mm, but felt that this was the better overall value, particularly if macro is primary use. Sturdy construction and VR is a nice touch. It's got great utility as a portrait lens, but perhaps not a strong as other choices there. Some say it's expensive, but it's a good value for the $.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Nikon R1 Speedlight System
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
Cons
- Lens Is A Little Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Awesome lens. Simple yet very effective. Purchased this lens with the Metz ring flash to use on dental cases. Works quickly and the VR stabilization makes photos crisp and clear.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I recently received my Micro 105mm...it's a little bit on the heavy side....but besides that you can't get a better lens for the money. Nikons philosophy of "spare no expense" definitely shows up in the quality of there products.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I was using a Tamron 90mm for my macro shots and most of the time it just didn't work on my D90, Now each time I turn on my camera it is ready for me to take the shot.So glad I bought it. It also does take great shots. It really feels a lot more rugged than the Tamron. I know peoople say it is heavy but I am able to do my macro shots handheld.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- A Superb Lens
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
f/2.8 for starters. That and the addition of the almost unheard of VRII image stabilization built in, combine to give you a 4 stop advantage on the competition. Why use a flash if you don't have to? This is a subject near and dear to me but dragging a tripod around dense foliage gets a bit much after a time. Hand held can give you a lot more advantages. This lens was designed with excellent auto-focus capabilities, and it does so from infinity to life size. The inclusion of internal silent wave focusing technology allows for a very quiet lens as well as a lens barrel that doesn't protrude, or rotate while it is focusing. The use of several nano crystal coated elements, along with low color low dispersion elements, ensures a lens with virtually little noticeable chromatic aberration, flares, and ghosting. With this lens you can get as close as 1 foot and as far as infinity. This is quite a lens to match.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
The aperture leaves a beautiful bokeh and a razor-sharp finish to the subject. Must have to macro photography and details for lifestyle/wedding events such as the bride and groom's rings.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Very sharp and fast. Being used on a D800 for Macro and still life. Only minor issues, but those issues are expected for what this lens does. Focus is fast, except when you are getting very close, but you'll get used to giving it a helping hand manually to speed it up. Other thing is weight, but making it lighter probably would have made it a less competent lens. So, if your combining this lens with a D800, save your neck, get a shoulder harness.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Shoulder harness
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I have used this lens for some spring flower work at a flower event as well as a few portraits and found the lens to be very sharp. You just have to be carefull in using the micro due to shallow depth of field (true with all macros).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I got this to replace a sigma 105mm macro and at first I was hesitant with this costing about 400 more. However after playing with it for a while, its worth it. Super sharp pictures, the vibration reduction is a huge plus. Doing macro shots with a tiny focal distance this helps to keep it nice and steady. People have mentioned the focus when very close to the subject, however I found it did a really good job. Not perfect but That's to be expected. I can prefer manual with macro anyway.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
This lens doubles as a very crisp portrait lens and a surprisingly nice macro. Its focus is quick and smooth, quiet as well. In a macro setting I tend to manual focus, but this lens is capable of auto focus at a very close range. It does however hunt a little the closer you get to the subject as most macro lenses do at closer ranges. I would recommend this lens to a friend any day.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
This is my first "prime" lens in years and it takes some getting use to after shooting zoom (16-35,24-70,70-200) but is super easy to frame shots and get great results. Macro ir really fun to shoot just make sure to use a tripod especially when shooting 1:1 and remember even a slight "breeze" can make your subject move and blur the shot so take care with this when picking a subject. This lens is GREAT and totaly worth the investment.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I love my Nikon 105mm macro lens.
I get crisp clear photos from this lens. I am
a still life and nature photographer and this lens
is my favorite. I also have the Nikon 200mm macro
lens and I use that for field work. I have dealt with B&H since I took up photography and by far they are the best company to deal with. Their sales staff are very informed and easy to talk to. They are very professional. Thank you B&H.
pat Tapper
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Manual setting works well, and auto will work with practice. Great lens for landscape shots. Love rhe detail
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Shooting Stars
Take One
(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I'm new to macro photography and this lens so far has been great to use! The optics are great with minimal distortion. Nice bokeh. The focus ring is smooth and solid. I've not yet used this for portraiture, but I understand exactly why the other reviewers say it's a great portrait lens. Worth the cost in my opinion.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 634 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
99%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (499)
- Strong construction (436)
- Consistent output (397)
- Durable (349)
- Easily interchangeable (321)
Cons
- Heavy (218)
- Slow focus (58)
- Lens creep (7)
- Pricey / poor value (5)
- Poor in low light (4)
Best Uses
- Macro photography (383)
- Low light (137)
- Portraits (120)
- Weddings (119)
- Wildlife photos (96)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (204), Semi-pro photographer (116), Enthusiast (91), Pro photographer (66), Semi-professional (61)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (305), Yes (18)
Most Liked Positive Review
An excellent macro or portrait lens
This is an excellent lens for both macrophotography and portraiture. I wish it was a bit less expensive, but the build quality and optical design is superb.The fast f/2.8 aperture makes focusing quite ...Read complete review
This is an excellent lens for both macrophotography and portraiture. I wish it was a bit less expensive, but the build quality and optical design is superb.The fast f/2.8 aperture makes focusing quite fast. I know there are some reviewers who say it's a slow-focusing lens, but my experience has been quite the opposite. It focuses quite fast provided you give it a resonably high-contrast subject. Knowing when to use the focus limit switch helps a lot in this regard -- if you're shooting portraits or wildlife (or anytyhing further than 3 feet away), there's no reason to enable the full focus range. The fast aperture also makes precision manual focusing much easier. For portraits, it means that you can throw the background completely out of focus and isolate your subject.Like all the Micro-Nikkors, the sharpness of this lens is as good as it gets. On my D800 it reveals an awe-inspiring amount of detail in subjects large and small. While performance is quite good at f/2.8, this lens really shines between f/4 and f/11. At f/16, diffraction is noticeable, and at f/22 and beyond the resolution is certainly reduced somewhat. That said, the lens is still useable up to it's maximum f-stop (the max. f-stop changes depending on the focusing distance). While I certainly notice the diffraction softness while pixel-peeping, it's still possible to make beautiful 8x10 and even 11x14 prints from shots taken at f/32.The 105mm focal length is great for macro because it lets you get close to the subject without having to be right on top of it. On full frame cameras, it affords a comfortable distance for head+shoulders portraits, while still keeping the background soft and out-of-focus. On DX cameras, the effective focal length of ~150mm works well as a medium telephoto (and it's still sharp as a tack), though for portraits on DX I'd still prefer the 85mm/1.8G or 50mm/1.4G.The bokeh ranges from good to excellent, depending on the focusing distance. At focusing distances between 3 and 30 feet, and apertures at or below f/4, the bokeh reminds me of my Rolleiflex f/2.8 when shot wide open (which I happen to love). At macro distances, it's soft and even. At 30 feet and beyond the bokeh is still quite nice, but not as soft it is close up.The VR functionality is nice for portraits and handheld documentary work. For macro work, it's always wise to use a tripod, VR or no.If you're looking for FX glass that can do exceptional portrait and macro work, you really can't do any better than this lens.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
OK to Just OK
This is a great lens optically, but the VR is a little useless when up close. It performs really well when I use manual focus, I had hoped to be able to get the...Read complete review
This is a great lens optically, but the VR is a little useless when up close. It performs really well when I use manual focus, I had hoped to be able to get the best depth of field, but the shutter speed doesn't go high enough to avoid shake unless you set it and loose depth. I had hoped to be able to take shots in lower light without a tripod. It is great in bright sunny conditions though, and that's when you see the optics shine. It is an absolutely gorgeous portrait lens - so good that I can now get really great shots and am starting to love portraiture. Was it good for the money - not really - you could get a non VR to do the same for a lower price.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 634 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I use this lens mostly for jewelry and detail shots at weddings. I had the 60mm Nikon Micro, but this lens definitely beats it out. I can get super sharp shots with this lens easily and quickly. Its a great addition to my kit. Its a little heavy, and its not the fastest focusing lens to use for portraits (although it looks great for that). But you're probably buying this lens for manual focusing anyways so....
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Sharp photos, no problems, good price
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by mountain man
Boots watching the sunset
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I'll admit that I'm an amateur but I've got a pretty good eye for detail. This lens is phenomenal. I shoot on a D600 and it's primarily either portraits of my month old daughter or closeups of disassembled hard drives. At either distance this lens performs well. Focus is very snappy although it seems to require a bit more light than I expected. The vibration reduction feature is very nice when shooting with a small aperture. I find the lens to be very versatile so it's kind of become my go-to general purpose lens. Today I shot a humming bird who knocked himself out on a window. He survived and I got a pretty cool shot of him looking pretty upset before he flew away.
The only bad thing is that I see some artifacts when shooting at the closest range. Don't know if it's dust in my camera, on the lens or elsewhere but it's consistent. It also makes a squeaking noise when you rotate the focus ring past the normal focus range. (normal feature of the AF-S lenses, except the squeak) B&H has graciously offered to replace it at no cost. I'll be doing that as soon as I can part with it but it's hard to let go at this point...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Great lens! I mainly use this lens for insect macro work and some portrait photography. The lens seems as well built as all the newer Nikon lenses. Shots thusfar have produced great Bokeh and sharp in-focus details. The only thing I dont like is the (fabric!?) ring on the edge of the front lens element which seems a bit flimsy and prone to gathering dust.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
The only issues I have are due to my limited experience with macro lenses. I replaced another manufactures' lens with this one. The Nikon focus is much faster; maybe 20% the time when hunting. I can't discern a difference in pictures quality, but the speed was my concern and I am still learning macro photography. By that I mean the depth of field and stability of the camera / lens is critical. Maybe I will be good enough to not require a tripod for closeup shots; for now it is a requirement. VR offers substantial help, and is definitely preferred over non-VR.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Although I was disappointed to discover that even Nikon's relatively expensive lenses are made in China, everything works flawlessly for now. As a hobbyist, I use this lens with my D300 mostly for macro shoots; I enjoy exploring natural light detail of objects both indoors and out. This fast lens also works well for existing light photographs indoors. The lens is quite large and heavier than I expected, but meets my performance expectation.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Great lens. Very sharp. Considered Zeiss 100mm, but felt that this was the better overall value, particularly if macro is primary use. Sturdy construction and VR is a nice touch. It's got great utility as a portrait lens, but perhaps not a strong as other choices there. Some say it's expensive, but it's a good value for the $.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Nikon R1 Speedlight System
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
Cons
- Lens Is A Little Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Awesome lens. Simple yet very effective. Purchased this lens with the Metz ring flash to use on dental cases. Works quickly and the VR stabilization makes photos crisp and clear.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I recently received my Micro 105mm...it's a little bit on the heavy side....but besides that you can't get a better lens for the money. Nikons philosophy of "spare no expense" definitely shows up in the quality of there products.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I was using a Tamron 90mm for my macro shots and most of the time it just didn't work on my D90, Now each time I turn on my camera it is ready for me to take the shot.So glad I bought it. It also does take great shots. It really feels a lot more rugged than the Tamron. I know peoople say it is heavy but I am able to do my macro shots handheld.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- A Superb Lens
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
f/2.8 for starters. That and the addition of the almost unheard of VRII image stabilization built in, combine to give you a 4 stop advantage on the competition. Why use a flash if you don't have to? This is a subject near and dear to me but dragging a tripod around dense foliage gets a bit much after a time. Hand held can give you a lot more advantages. This lens was designed with excellent auto-focus capabilities, and it does so from infinity to life size. The inclusion of internal silent wave focusing technology allows for a very quiet lens as well as a lens barrel that doesn't protrude, or rotate while it is focusing. The use of several nano crystal coated elements, along with low color low dispersion elements, ensures a lens with virtually little noticeable chromatic aberration, flares, and ghosting. With this lens you can get as close as 1 foot and as far as infinity. This is quite a lens to match.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
The aperture leaves a beautiful bokeh and a razor-sharp finish to the subject. Must have to macro photography and details for lifestyle/wedding events such as the bride and groom's rings.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Very sharp and fast. Being used on a D800 for Macro and still life. Only minor issues, but those issues are expected for what this lens does. Focus is fast, except when you are getting very close, but you'll get used to giving it a helping hand manually to speed it up. Other thing is weight, but making it lighter probably would have made it a less competent lens. So, if your combining this lens with a D800, save your neck, get a shoulder harness.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Shoulder harness
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I have used this lens for some spring flower work at a flower event as well as a few portraits and found the lens to be very sharp. You just have to be carefull in using the micro due to shallow depth of field (true with all macros).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I got this to replace a sigma 105mm macro and at first I was hesitant with this costing about 400 more. However after playing with it for a while, its worth it. Super sharp pictures, the vibration reduction is a huge plus. Doing macro shots with a tiny focal distance this helps to keep it nice and steady. People have mentioned the focus when very close to the subject, however I found it did a really good job. Not perfect but That's to be expected. I can prefer manual with macro anyway.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
This lens doubles as a very crisp portrait lens and a surprisingly nice macro. Its focus is quick and smooth, quiet as well. In a macro setting I tend to manual focus, but this lens is capable of auto focus at a very close range. It does however hunt a little the closer you get to the subject as most macro lenses do at closer ranges. I would recommend this lens to a friend any day.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
This is my first "prime" lens in years and it takes some getting use to after shooting zoom (16-35,24-70,70-200) but is super easy to frame shots and get great results. Macro ir really fun to shoot just make sure to use a tripod especially when shooting 1:1 and remember even a slight "breeze" can make your subject move and blur the shot so take care with this when picking a subject. This lens is GREAT and totaly worth the investment.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I love my Nikon 105mm macro lens.
I get crisp clear photos from this lens. I am
a still life and nature photographer and this lens
is my favorite. I also have the Nikon 200mm macro
lens and I use that for field work. I have dealt with B&H since I took up photography and by far they are the best company to deal with. Their sales staff are very informed and easy to talk to. They are very professional. Thank you B&H.
pat Tapper
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
Manual setting works well, and auto will work with practice. Great lens for landscape shots. Love rhe detail
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
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Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
Comments about Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens:
I'm new to macro photography and this lens so far has been great to use! The optics are great with minimal distortion. Nice bokeh. The focus ring is smooth and solid. I've not yet used this for portraiture, but I understand exactly why the other reviewers say it's a great portrait lens. Worth the cost in my opinion.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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