|
Sample Photos taken with Nikon 105
Micro 1:1 F/2.8 VR Lens.
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:
$749.99 USD.
*By
clicking on the B&H link below and buying this lens, you are
helping this site stay alive.
 |
