|
Author
|
|
Charlotte
Growing roots
Registered: December 2006
Location: Romsey, Hampshire
Posts: 8392
|
|
Review Date: Wed May 7, 2008
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
VR, smooth bokeh
|
|
Cons:
|
|
|
This is still my favourite lens, and I have bought a few since I bought this one. If you want to try macro photography, then this is the lens to get. And it's not only good for macro ... it's also a great lens for portraiture ...
This lens is optimised for 35mm format, not DX. So on a DX camera (all Nikon DSLR's except the D3) the focal length equates to roughly 150mm ...
That is a good focal length to use for portraiture.
The best thing about the Nikkor 105mm VR Micro lens is the VR, it's really a great feature to have on a macro lens. Nikon boasts that it's the first macro lens to have VR, well I think they deserve a pat on the back for that, 'cos that's when you need VR the most (for handheld macro).
Of course if you use a tripod, then you don't need to use the VR in that instance. I have to say though that I do use this lens handheld a LOT + thus I value the VR feature very highly.
The next best thing about this lens - and this point is important for both macro work and portraiture - is the creamy bokeh, it makes such a difference to your final image.
Focusing - It has AF with manual overide, and Manual Focus. As with all AF lenses, it does battle to focus in low light + where there isn't a strong contrast between the subject + the background, but it's a simple matter to fine-tune focusing manually.
Unlike some lenses which claim to be macro lenses, this lens does reach a ratio of 1:1, i.e. lifesize.
The lens has a handy feature whereby if you're going to be focusing beyond 0.5m then you can set the AF so that it limits the focusing to 0.5m-to-infinity, i.e. it does not try to focus within 0.5m. This can save time and battery power. Just remember to switch it back to the full focusing range when you know you've finished using the feature.
Handling - it's a bit bulky/heavy, but I manage it handheld no problem.
Price - I forget exactly, but I'm pretty sure I bought it from a HK dealer (i.e. cheaper than local ones), I'm thinking somewhere in the region of £435 or thereabouts. Anyway, it's well worth the money!
I thoroughly recommend this lens to anyone intending to do any macro and/or portaiture, you won't regret it!
|
|
|
|
Dutchie
Feet under the table
Registered: October 2006
Location: Antwerpen - BE
Posts: 1984
|
|
Review Date: Wed July 16, 2008
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: £415.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
well build, Good clear pictures
|
|
Cons:
|
none so far
|
|
Definitely a stunning lens. I mainly used it for portraiture in the beginning as I love doing that. The detail is fantastic. The lens is well build, feels solid.
I use this lens now for macro and absolutely love it. I can recommend it to anyone. It has given me stunning results. Ok for what I expect from myself atm 
The only downside is the af sometimes keeps on going. I use it a lot with manual focus as this goes faster and does a better job when taking photo's of butterflies. Other than that, a real must for macro I would say. So definitely recommended.
|
|
|
|
|
VinnyP
Forum Regular
Registered: February 2006
Location: Surbiton Surrey
Posts: 1147
|
|
Review Date: Fri December 12, 2008
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: £380.00
| Rating: 9
|
|
Pros:
|
Constant length during focusing, AFS quiet well built
|
|
Cons:
|
No focus limiting for Macro work
|
|
I am not a big macro shooter so for many years I was very happy with the Sigma 105mm. The big downside for me of that lens was that it extended so much during focusing and it was a little slow to AF. This is a solid well built lens which comes with a draw string pouch and a good deep petal bayonet hood. I ended up getting it for the VR and to use as short telephoto, it falling nicely between the 85mm and 135. Often when I am out and about in a rural environment I'll have a wide angle and standard zoom and a macro in case I see anything interesting. With this as the macro I have a decent short VR telephoto as well that would be equally useful as a portrait lens so I can cover more bases.
It is very well built being mostly metal with a 62mm front element. It has three switches for AF/MF (Although you have full time over ride of AF thanks to the AF/S) VR on off and a focus limiter for when you are not using it's macro abilities within .5m This is one area I have an issue as on the rare occasions I AF with Macro it can hunt a lot and if the limiter could limit if to 0-0.5M that could help. It has a good large well weighted manual focus ring which is well used for macro especially when coupled with live view which I find great for macro.
Optically it is very good with Nano coating meaning it is less prone to flare outdoors and it is possibly slightly sharper than the Sigma but both are excellent so I doubt anyone would need more. The VR works very well at normal working distances which with a 105 VR lens means, for fairly static subjects you can shoot in quite low light handheld.
All in all I am pleased with this lens it is very versatile but still very good at it's main role which is a true 1-1 macro lens.
|
|
|
|
|
Pixalo Photography Community
