Sample pictures taken with a Nikon 105 F/2.8 ‘Micro’ VR
Finally we decided to take the plunge and get a new macro lens. The new Nikkor micro 105VR lens was on our sight but we wanted to make sure that we were making a substantial upgrade. We’ve been using our Tamron 90mm SP F/2.8 since our Pentax days. We took a week test ride with the Nikon micro 105 ‘D’ version from my loyal buddy Kenneth Sewel almost a year ago. Although we loved the nice construction on the Nikon 105 micro D, we feel that image quality wise the Tamron had little next to nothing to envy Nikon’s counterpart. We finally decided to go a bit further and recently gave our loyal Tamron for a new micro Nikkor 105 VR. It didn’t take long to impress me, since the moment I attached it to my D200, I felt my hands were grabbing nothing but high quality optics.
Dressed with new revolutionary Nano coatings the lens it is not that small. See the pictures below and compare the size next to the 17-55 F/2.8, 24-120VR and the tiny micro 60mm F/2.8. I loved the fact that the new lens does not grow as it is zoomed to higher magnifications as the Tamron it replaced and even the Nikkors. And by the way, the effective aperture change to F/4.8 when the lens is set to 1:1 and it is F/2.8 at infinity. This is completely normal in macro lenses.
This lens has 2 ingredients that make it a great performer.
Starting by the AFS, the lens is really fast focusing; the focus limiter also helps a lot. If you miss the focus, the lens will acquire back in a fast manner, a lot faster than the non AFS cousins.
Vibration Reduction-VR: This is the second ingredient that makes this lens so versatile. And it is because I believe that they rely on each other, AFS without VR or VR without AFS? Together they make a great difference, just look at the mixed point of views on the Nikon 80-400VR and you see what I mean.
But wait, this is a macro and macros should be used on tripods. Yes indeed, but let me tell you, when browsing for micro wildlife even in your backyard a tripod becomes very obtrusive. I have done it before with the Tamron and definitely, VR makes a substantial difference. The ratio of keepers with the 105VR increased substantially. I had to delete a lot of good keepers in camera and even after download because of the high yield rate of this lens. The sample pictures you see below were taken in a matter of hours and what is better, no tripod at all. I must be clear; VR on this lens does not replace a tripod. For critical and clinical focus and sharpness, it is highly recommended you that use your tripod. This lens has VR-II, which by Nikon’s test, gives you up to 4 stops of shooting speed. This might change from user to user. In my case, I’ve got great effortless results at 1:2 without a tripod using ISO 400 on my D200. Some pictures below are between F/8 to F/16.
Would I recommend this lens, I certainly would. Sharpness is great in all the sense of the word. I have yet to notice CA as mentioned by some early users on the web; I don’t know what to believe about this until we got ours. As a portrait lens, it does a good job in terms of image sharpness and bokeh, but only if it is intended for occasional portraiture. If you are more serious about your portraiture, think about a good 85mm 1.8, 85mm 1.4 or 105mm F/2 DC as the micro tends to be a bit ‘contrasty’ harsh with the skin tones.
-Great lens for outdoors, portraits insects and small wildlife-
Approx street price for Nikon’s 105 VR Micro 1:1 F/2.8 Macro Lens: $949.99 USD.
Click below to get yours!
