Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro lens

[Murph]

The Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro is the sharpest lens I own. I'll try and get a photo up later.

[Metalhead]

great lens...one of my favorites







and probably everything in this set also taken with the 105 micro http://www.flickr.com/photos/mstphot...7603633699045/

[mccls1030]

Awesome! Another "I gotta have one of these" things I guess!

[D80]

Really great pictures. I recently purchased one, but have not achieved the qulaity of pictures you are showing. What exposures, etc. did you use here. Tripod too?Thanks

[Metalhead]

Originally Posted by D80

Really great pictures. I recently purchased one, but have not achieved the qulaity of pictures you are showing. What exposures, etc. did you use here. Tripod too?Thanks

no tripod...they were all hand-held. For me, chasing lizards and bugs is too hands-on and fluid to be stuck on a tripod.

The first one was f/16, 1/640, and ISO 1000

The lizard was f/6.3, 1/1250, and ISO 2500

and the last one was f/5.6, 1/320, and ISO 1000

...all 3 shot on the D3 in natural light

[Murph]

For me, handheld, laying on my stomach, using my elbows as a tripod.

[Lavatoad]

New to the forum... Been reading for a while but this is my first post.

I got his lens as a gift over Christmas and so far loving the lens. However, one thing I have noticed is that the lens only allows me to open to 2.8 when focusing at or very close to infinity. If I focus any closer then the lens immediately starts stopping down.

I'm new to primes and macro lenses so I'm not sure if this is normal behavior for this lens or if I should be concerned. It doesn't really bother me too much, I love the lens and have had a blast with it so far. This is just one nagging question.

[Metalhead]

Originally Posted by Lavatoad

New to the forum... Been reading for a while but this is my first post.

I got his lens as a gift over Christmas and so far loving the lens. However, one thing I have noticed is that the lens only allows me to open to 2.8 when focusing at or very close to infinity. If I focus any closer then the lens immediately starts stopping down.

I'm new to primes and macro lenses so I'm not sure if this is normal behavior for this lens or if I should be concerned. It doesn't really bother me too much, I love the lens and have had a blast with it so far. This is just one nagging question.

yeah, it's supposed to do that. And honestly, think about it, if you're doing a 1:1 macro at 2.8...practically nothing would be in focus. At such close distances, the aperture has to stop down to get the desired DOF.

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by Lavatoad

However, one thing I have noticed is that the lens only allows me to open to 2.8 when focusing at or very close to infinity. If I focus any closer then the lens immediately starts stopping down.

If you are in manual mode or aperture priority mode it should remain at f2.8. In any other mode your camera is making aperture decisions for you.

[Lavatoad]

Bondarnes, that is what I am referring to. I have the camera set to manual mode, but at a focus distance of 3m the aperture changes from 2.8 to 3.

I know 2.8 should not be usable at macro distances, but should my aperture be changing at 3m?

[bondarnes]

I'm sorry, but I thought you were talking about a much greater change than 1/3rd of a stop. Even though the aperture of the lens remains the same the distance the light travels after it reaches the front lens element until it reaches the sensor is increased to the point that the light is actually diminished by 1/3rd stop. In view cameras this is called the bellows draw factor.

[Lavatoad]

Okay, thanks for the explanation. I am still learning. The more I learn, the more there is to learn.

[Daniel W.]

If there's any lens design Nikon has down pat, it's the 105 focal length. As far as I know there has not been a Nikon prime 105 that wasn't razor sharp, whether it was the 1.8 or /4. I have a 2.5 version those images (on a D40) beat my 70-200L consistently (as long as I can get it in focus)

[Calvin1Calvin]

I have the 105 VR and it is razor sharp. A great lens for general photography or macro work. I also have a 70-180 micro that is another nice lens for macro. I was hoping Nikon would update the 200 macro and add VR. Still waiting on that.

[D80]

Originally Posted by Calvin1Calvin

I have the 105 VR and it is razor sharp. A great lens for general photography or macro work. I also have a 70-180 micro that is another nice lens for macro. I was hoping Nikon would update the 200 macro and add VR. Still waiting on that.

I just purchased the 105 VR. What areas of general photography is it most suited for? Thanks