This is the only Nikon lens that I’ve ever purchased new. I suppose one of the older macro lenses might do the trick, but as I like to do my macro photography while walking through a park or a garden I enjoy the VR ,lovely bokeh and don’t have the hassle of carrying a tripod!
I picked this lens up two weeks ago for use with both my Nikon F100 and Z7. Very impressed so far. It's not the sharpest 105 mm (I have the 105mm f/1.4 for that) but it's gorgeous stopped down. Thanks for the video, much appreciated.
Jolly well go sit on the naughty step - I just spat my lunch all over my laptop upon hearing this. Also, top TOP reviewing here, so much valuable info without fluff, well done, subscribed!
Hello again and thanks for a great lens review. The only point I would like to make is that I exchanged my "D" 105mm lens for the new AF_S VR lens, having bought a D850. I wanted the new lens to do some fancy, in camera focus stacking. I began to regret this decision almost instantly. I really miss the colour rendition in the "D" lens and its "warmth". I have stuck with the new lens however, but if I were to start again, it would be the D lens every time (or if Nikon could accommodate the D lens for in camera focus stacking!). Love these videos, please keep them coming. Regards Robert
YES!!!! See my comment above that is exactly what I want to do focus stack with my 850 and the af-s with vary the focus point! Nice! Do you know what impact a 2x af-s extender would have on this lens? I am a little disappointed to hear that you are unhappy with the color.. Thx
I’ve been using Nikon equipment since 1974 and love the JKLenses reviews. They pretty much mirror my own experiences with the lenses. I enjoy using a Rodenstock enlarger lens on a PB-4 bellows for product shots. The ability to use Scheimpflug affect to put the plane of focus parallel to the product is awesome. So instead of shooting at very small aperture’s to get depth of field, you can shoot at much larger aperture’s and avoid diffraction.
Thank you for this., I have been contemplating replacing my old 55mm Micro Nikor (pre ai) with something a little more modern. Seems like the image quality is still there. I will welcome the additional working room as well I imagine.
Thanks for your review. I own the Tokina 100mm f/2.8 and purchased it on sale new for under $330.00. Works brilliantly. Sometimes wish I hadn't turned down a used 200mm f/4 macro at a good price, but I don't do enough macro to make that worth my while just yet. The one down side to the Tokina is that you can't use the D850s focus shift feature (if you want to use that) as it is not a Nikon Prime which at last look was the requirement. Also has excellent color rendition. Overall, the Tokina provides excellent optics for the price.
I heard the d850 focus shift feature would only work with the Nikon 105mm af-s G version. That leaves the Tokina with a company ( Nikon 100mm f2.8 AF-D, AI-S, Laowa, etc ). Doubt the focus shift will work with the 200mm f/4 as well.
@@joshmcdzz6925 Thanks Josh for the info. I never specifically researched the Nikkor 200 f/4 and FS (but may look into it now just for interest) as that lens was never really going to make it into my kit. Appreciate the thoughts. As mainly dance/sports/wildlife photographer in the Nikkon ecosystem I'm eagerly awaiting the real world performance of the Z9. I actually would benefit from those specs if the AF Tracking and performance are markedly improved. Thanks mate for the comment.
Another lens to look at as an alternative is the Tamron f017 SP 90mm f/2.8 VC macro. Its a little sharper, has a better built full metal construction, a better focus limiter with 3 positions, Better VC which is also customizable with the TAP in console which also allows for very good AF adjustment, and it has better coatings and better weather/dust sealing. It also has a slightly different character with more saturation and contrast. And it's only $650.
I have both the old ais manual and this afs version of the 105 which I bought pretty soon after it came out (mine is made in Japan). Probably my most used lens and the only thing I don’t like is that it’s a G lens with no aperture ring so I can’t put it on my much loved F3. It has the huge advantages over the manual version in that it goes down to 1:1 without needing a large extension tube and is internal focusing - the manual is quite unwieldy at full extension and with the PN11 tube attached. The afs is heavy but I take it everywhere!
Do you know if you can use an af-s 2x extender with this lens, and what impact would it have. I suppose it would act as an extension tube and magnification would be greater than 1:1?
@@mikeconnor3602 Yes you can, and AF still works although you probably wouldn't use it at such magnification. At closest focus it is around 2:1 (I can only fit one letter of my keyboard in the frame while without the teleconverter I can fit two letters. It is not a very balanced set up though (feels front heavy if hand holding) and depth of field will be minimal.
@@ianp9086 thank you! I will be doing focus stacking with my D850 so its exciting to know that. I just ordered the Nikon 105mm F2.8 micro last night reconditioned directly from Nikon. Thx
You asked why the AF-S version of this lens. The Nikon D850, with an AF-S lens will move the focus point whilst doing focus stacking....I like that! Non AF-S lens will not. I am about to buy a reconditioned version of this lens directly from Nikon and can not wait to do my first focus stack
Just bought the 60mm f2.8 D recently to not only do macro photography but to potentially digitize film with it (between what I am doing now and what my parents did decades ago). What are your thoughts on the ES-2 attachment from Nikon and are there any good/cheaper alternatives? Thanks JKL!
I have the 60mm 2.8D lens and have used it to digitize family vacation slides using the ES-1 adapter. I don't have any experience with the ES-2 (that's made for the D780 and D850 I believe.) Here's a photo I took back in 1984 with a Minolta SRT-202 and digitized using the 60mm 2.8D lens. flic.kr/p/2cCZSVh
Thanks for the response@@64BBernardI was thinking about the ES-1, but it seems the product is geared more for slides (since it doesn't look like it has a good way to hold 35mm negatives). The ES-2 is not made specifically for the D780/D850, but the two bodies have software to invert negatives. This can easily be achieved in post, so I am not worried about that. The advantage the ES-2 has is the way you insert the media into the attachment -- it includes frames for 35mm negatives and slides. But back to the ES-1, with your experience with the attachment, do you think it can, in some way digitize negatives easily (and without damaging the film while doing so), or is it not worth the trouble? Thanks again Bernard!
@@7wv5 The ES-1 has two clips on it to hold a slide in place. Putting a negative into the adapter will scratch it, badly. So I would potentially use the ES-2 to digitize negatives. In fact, I did look into it myself a few months ago and may go the ES-2 in the future when digitizing negatives.
I'm a bit late to the party here and probably not much use as I'm a Nikon CoolScan V kind of person - results hard to beat for 35mm and increasingly reasonable to buy secondhand. Also, 60mm AF-D is probably the only macro lens you'll ever need... :-)
Love JK Lens stuff. This is my favorite lens out of the bag. Boy, is it heavy. I have to spread the tripod legs wide most of the time to prevent it from toppling over with my D850 or D750 attached...
The first macro lenses I have used are Sony 90mm and 50mm. I’m under the impression that macro lens tends to hunt. I recently bought an used Nikon Df and this 105mm AF-S macro also used. I’m pleasantly surprised by how fast and quite to focus, better than Sony 90mm. The only thing I need to get use to is the focus ring is kind of dull, a bit difficult to get precisely. Manually set the focus to desired distance and move the body to focus works fine. The other thing I can’t figure out is the aperture will automatically change from 2.8 to 3 and won’t allow me to change back to 2.8, sometimes it would be 3.2 or higher! Anyhow, my copy is an old version made in Japan, very solid but a bit heavy to hold, glad it has VR. I’m very happy with the lens.
I might be wrong but my understanding is that VR is pretty useless for actual macro so I’m not sure it’s a big advantage on the lens. I went with the Tokina for about $300 and am very happy with it.
On a tripod use I agree. But for Hand-Holding photography? I beg to differ. Unless if you can shoot steady slower than 1/60s Shutter?! Because, this lens weighs a ton. I have that lens.
A great Lens. Pity the focus breathing messes up stacking for product work. I hate ring lights - the R1C1 is far superior. Other makers have cheaper copies now...
I don’t think the Zeiss goes all the way to a life-size 1:1 image size, although I’m sure its image quality will be very comparable with the Nikon. You may be paying for the famous name a bit here! If you need AF-S and VR then the Nikon will be better. Have you considered the Tokina 100/2 ? 😊
I eventually went for the Zeiss 2/100, which is apparently optically superior (f/2, really 100mm at MFD, better overall rendering, sharpness, bokeh and less aberrations), but misses key features of the Nikon (1:1, AF, VR), while the advantages Zeiss has, I guess most would think are small. I have the soon to be replaced Pentax D FA 100mm 2.8 WR Macro for my Pentax K-1 II, which shares it’s optical formula with the Tokina ATX Pro equivalent. The body has shake reduction and profile corrections. However, the latest Tokina ATX-i 100mm 2.8 Macro while keeps the original mid-80’s Pentax optical design, has introduced 2 ED glass and 2 aspherical elements, probably to reduce fringing.
Hello. I just bought one and I have question if I may ask and thanks in advance. While shutter button is pressed halfway with VR mode on, the Lens constantly makes some kind of motor noise. That noise doesn’t stop until shutter button is released or after the photo has taken which means shutter button is fully pressed. My others VR lens only make noise 2 times. One at the beginning of shutter button halfway pressed and one more time when shutter button is released. Does your one make the same noise? Or my one makes noise because it’s malfunctioning?
With the shutter button half-pressed, the AF sytem will be constantly looking for focus. If the subject is moving slightly then this will produce a little bit of AF motor noise. Also, the VR system will be in constant use, keeping the image stable and this will generate some VR gyro noise. Neither of this should be very loud but will continue until the pic is taken or you release this shutter. All my AF-S/VR lenses do this quite normally. Perhaps your copy of this lens has a slightly loud VR system? Are thje pics OK?
Thank you for answering me. The facts you explained are reasonable and acceptable. That’s what exactly I thought as well. I was just worried that my lens is defected. Because the noise produce from this lens is louder than other VR lens I have. Apart from the noise issue nothing else to complain. Pictures are sharp. The sharpest lens I’ve ever own. I love it. Once again appreciate for your reply and thanks. 👍
@@om1882 AF and VR noise levels do vary from one lens to another. I have noticed that noise levels from AF-S lenses does increase as they get older. Depending on the age of yours, a service might be an idea if the noise is becoming noticeable...
@@jklenses8611 I bought it less than a month ago but noisier than my old others AF-S VR lens. That’s the reason I thought it’s factory fault. I asked other CZcamsrs who own this lens and they answered me pretty much same. According to you and others explained this noise is common for this model, I hope. Once again thanks for reply me instant. 👍
probably the worst value macro lens on the market right now. third party options like tokina, tamron and laowa are much sharper and cheaper. i went with a tamron for the VR and autofocus because it doubles as a portrait lens for me, but something like the laowa 100mm is sharper, cheaper, has almost no CA and give 2X magnification. nikon definitely need to update this lens.
@@jklenses8611 I bought it, tried it and sold it. First of all, the cromatic aboration was so visible. And it was much of it. VR did not work good. Maybe it was my copy.
I returned a used version of this lens as the CA was terrible and was unable to fix it auto or manually in Photoshop. I like the sigma but the noise from the OS isn't acceptable.
You are, with no doubt, the best lens reviewer on CZcams. Please, please keep it up - I can only rewatch the old videos so many times!
:-)
This is the only Nikon lens that I’ve ever purchased new. I suppose one of the older macro lenses might do the trick, but as I like to do my macro photography while walking through a park or a garden I enjoy the VR ,lovely bokeh and don’t have the hassle of carrying a tripod!
I picked this lens up two weeks ago for use with both my Nikon F100 and Z7. Very impressed so far. It's not the sharpest 105 mm (I have the 105mm f/1.4 for that) but it's gorgeous stopped down. Thanks for the video, much appreciated.
Jolly well go sit on the naughty step - I just spat my lunch all over my laptop upon hearing this.
Also, top TOP reviewing here, so much valuable info without fluff, well done, subscribed!
Thank you for your very detailed and high quality reviews. As an ex pat of some 30 years I enjoy your rapid fire drole british humour.
I’ve been looking forward to this review thank you JKLenses.
Excellent and thorough analysis, as always. Thank you!
Hello again and thanks for a great lens review. The only point I would like to make is that I exchanged my "D" 105mm lens for the new AF_S VR lens, having bought a D850. I wanted the new lens to do some fancy, in camera focus stacking. I began to regret this decision almost instantly. I really miss the colour rendition in the "D" lens and its "warmth". I have stuck with the new lens however, but if I were to start again, it would be the D lens every time (or if Nikon could accommodate the D lens for in camera focus stacking!). Love these videos, please keep them coming. Regards Robert
YES!!!! See my comment above that is exactly what I want to do focus stack with my 850 and the af-s with vary the focus point! Nice! Do you know what impact a 2x af-s extender would have on this lens? I am a little disappointed to hear that you are unhappy with the color.. Thx
I’ve been using Nikon equipment since 1974 and love the JKLenses reviews. They pretty much mirror my own experiences with the lenses. I enjoy using a Rodenstock enlarger lens on a PB-4 bellows for product shots. The ability to use Scheimpflug affect to put the plane of focus parallel to the product is awesome. So instead of shooting at very small aperture’s to get depth of field, you can shoot at much larger aperture’s and avoid diffraction.
Thank you for this., I have been contemplating replacing my old 55mm Micro Nikor (pre ai) with something a little more modern. Seems like the image quality is still there. I will welcome the additional working room as well I imagine.
Sigma 105 macro beats Nikon in every aspect, and it is way cheaper new. I adore that lens!
Thanks for your review. I own the Tokina 100mm f/2.8 and purchased it on sale new for under $330.00. Works brilliantly. Sometimes wish I hadn't turned down a used 200mm f/4 macro at a good price, but I don't do enough macro to make that worth my while just yet. The one down side to the Tokina is that you can't use the D850s focus shift feature (if you want to use that) as it is not a Nikon Prime which at last look was the requirement. Also has excellent color rendition. Overall, the Tokina provides excellent optics for the price.
Thanks - it does seem to be excellent value for money. :-)
I heard the d850 focus shift feature would only work with the Nikon 105mm af-s G version. That leaves the Tokina with a company ( Nikon 100mm f2.8 AF-D, AI-S, Laowa, etc ). Doubt the focus shift will work with the 200mm f/4 as well.
@@joshmcdzz6925 Thanks Josh for the info. I never specifically researched the Nikkor 200 f/4 and FS (but may look into it now just for interest) as that lens was never really going to make it into my kit. Appreciate the thoughts. As mainly dance/sports/wildlife photographer in the Nikkon ecosystem I'm eagerly awaiting the real world performance of the Z9. I actually would benefit from those specs if the AF Tracking and performance are markedly improved. Thanks mate for the comment.
Incredible review.! I am looking at the China made SWM AF-S model, and you help me understand its value!
A well rounded review also providing good alternatives. Thankyou!
I have the D version and it is excellent. With 14 elements (vs. 9 for the D) and nearly 6 ounces heavier, the AF-S version seems overwrought.
As always brilliant review fella 👏🏻🇦🇺👏🏻🍻
Another lens to look at as an alternative is the Tamron f017 SP 90mm f/2.8 VC macro. Its a little sharper, has a better built full metal construction, a better focus limiter with 3 positions, Better VC which is also customizable with the TAP in console which also allows for very good AF adjustment, and it has better coatings and better weather/dust sealing. It also has a slightly different character with more saturation and contrast. And it's only $650.
Great presentation
It’s a shame you don’t do more video’s as you did in the past
God, I love this channel! I think I binge-watched your videos before deciding which Nikon lenses I needed to buy :D Thanks a ton!!
:-)
Very nice review. No rubbish. Just on points
I have both the old ais manual and this afs version of the 105 which I bought pretty soon after it came out (mine is made in Japan). Probably my most used lens and the only thing I don’t like is that it’s a G lens with no aperture ring so I can’t put it on my much loved F3. It has the huge advantages over the manual version in that it goes down to 1:1 without needing a large extension tube and is internal focusing - the manual is quite unwieldy at full extension and with the PN11 tube attached. The afs is heavy but I take it everywhere!
Do you know if you can use an af-s 2x extender with this lens, and what impact would it have. I suppose it would act as an extension tube and magnification would be greater than 1:1?
@@mikeconnor3602 Yes you can, and AF still works although you probably wouldn't use it at such magnification. At closest focus it is around 2:1 (I can only fit one letter of my keyboard in the frame while without the teleconverter I can fit two letters. It is not a very balanced set up though (feels front heavy if hand holding) and depth of field will be minimal.
@@ianp9086 thank you! I will be doing focus stacking with my D850 so its exciting to know that. I just ordered the Nikon 105mm F2.8 micro last night reconditioned directly from Nikon. Thx
You asked why the AF-S version of this lens. The Nikon D850, with an AF-S lens will move the focus point whilst doing focus stacking....I like that! Non AF-S lens will not. I am about to buy a reconditioned version of this lens directly from Nikon and can not wait to do my first focus stack
thanks mate
Just bought the 60mm f2.8 D recently to not only do macro photography but to potentially digitize film with it (between what I am doing now and what my parents did decades ago). What are your thoughts on the ES-2 attachment from Nikon and are there any good/cheaper alternatives? Thanks JKL!
I have the 60mm 2.8D lens and have used it to digitize family vacation slides using the ES-1 adapter. I don't have any experience with the ES-2 (that's made for the D780 and D850 I believe.) Here's a photo I took back in 1984 with a Minolta SRT-202 and digitized using the 60mm 2.8D lens. flic.kr/p/2cCZSVh
Thanks for the response@@64BBernardI was thinking about the ES-1, but it seems the product is geared more for slides (since it doesn't look like it has a good way to hold 35mm negatives). The ES-2 is not made specifically for the D780/D850, but the two bodies have software to invert negatives. This can easily be achieved in post, so I am not worried about that. The advantage the ES-2 has is the way you insert the media into the attachment -- it includes frames for 35mm negatives and slides. But back to the ES-1, with your experience with the attachment, do you think it can, in some way digitize negatives easily (and without damaging the film while doing so), or is it not worth the trouble?
Thanks again Bernard!
@@7wv5 The ES-1 has two clips on it to hold a slide in place. Putting a negative into the adapter will scratch it, badly. So I would potentially use the ES-2 to digitize negatives. In fact, I did look into it myself a few months ago and may go the ES-2 in the future when digitizing negatives.
Thanks@@64BBernard!
I'm a bit late to the party here and probably not much use as I'm a Nikon CoolScan V kind of person - results hard to beat for 35mm and increasingly reasonable to buy secondhand. Also, 60mm AF-D is probably the only macro lens you'll ever need... :-)
It is like you knew I was looking at this lens. Bam, review pops up.
:-)
Love JK Lens stuff.
This is my favorite lens out of the bag.
Boy, is it heavy. I have to spread the tripod legs wide most of the time to prevent it from toppling over with my D850 or D750 attached...
I have a copy of this lens that (serial number 214xxxx) was made in China. It doesn't have the issue you mentioned at 3:24.
I think I probably need to get mine serviced! :-)
I bought the AFd version of this lens second hand, more to satisfy my curiosity and now I cannot part with it.
The first macro lenses I have used are Sony 90mm and 50mm. I’m under the impression that macro lens tends to hunt. I recently bought an used Nikon Df and this 105mm AF-S macro also used. I’m pleasantly surprised by how fast and quite to focus, better than Sony 90mm. The only thing I need to get use to is the focus ring is kind of dull, a bit difficult to get precisely. Manually set the focus to desired distance and move the body to focus works fine. The other thing I can’t figure out is the aperture will automatically change from 2.8 to 3 and won’t allow me to change back to 2.8, sometimes it would be 3.2 or higher! Anyhow, my copy is an old version made in Japan, very solid but a bit heavy to hold, glad it has VR. I’m very happy with the lens.
The maximum aperture of the lens becomes smaller (bigger f no.) than f2.8 when you focus at close distances - this is quite normal... :-)
I might be wrong but my understanding is that VR is pretty useless for actual macro so I’m not sure it’s a big advantage on the lens. I went with the Tokina for about $300 and am very happy with it.
Precisely! :-)
On a tripod use I agree. But for Hand-Holding photography? I beg to differ. Unless if you can shoot steady slower than 1/60s Shutter?! Because, this lens weighs a ton. I have that lens.
A great Lens.
Pity the focus breathing messes up stacking for product work.
I hate ring lights - the R1C1 is far superior. Other makers have cheaper copies now...
It's hard to imagine any subject which you couldn't light with an R1C1 but I do miss my SB-29 sometimes! :-)
Should I get the Zeiss Makro Planar 2/100 or the Nikon 105mm 2.8G Macro?
I don’t think the Zeiss goes all the way to a life-size 1:1 image size, although I’m sure its image quality will be very comparable with the Nikon. You may be paying for the famous name a bit here! If you need AF-S and VR then the Nikon will be better. Have you considered the Tokina 100/2 ? 😊
I eventually went for the Zeiss 2/100, which is apparently optically superior (f/2, really 100mm at MFD, better overall rendering, sharpness, bokeh and less aberrations), but misses key features of the Nikon (1:1, AF, VR), while the advantages Zeiss has, I guess most would think are small.
I have the soon to be replaced Pentax D FA 100mm 2.8 WR Macro for my Pentax K-1 II, which shares it’s optical formula with the Tokina ATX Pro equivalent. The body has shake reduction and profile corrections.
However, the latest Tokina ATX-i 100mm 2.8 Macro while keeps the original mid-80’s Pentax optical design, has introduced 2 ED glass and 2 aspherical elements, probably to reduce fringing.
Hello. I just bought one and I have question if I may ask and thanks in advance. While shutter button is pressed halfway with VR mode on, the Lens constantly makes some kind of motor noise. That noise doesn’t stop until shutter button is released or after the photo has taken which means shutter button is fully pressed. My others VR lens only make noise 2 times. One at the beginning of shutter button halfway pressed and one more time when shutter button is released. Does your one make the same noise? Or my one makes noise because it’s malfunctioning?
With the shutter button half-pressed, the AF sytem will be constantly looking for focus. If the subject is moving slightly then this will produce a little bit of AF motor noise. Also, the VR system will be in constant use, keeping the image stable and this will generate some VR gyro noise. Neither of this should be very loud but will continue until the pic is taken or you release this shutter. All my AF-S/VR lenses do this quite normally. Perhaps your copy of this lens has a slightly loud VR system? Are thje pics OK?
Thank you for answering me. The facts you explained are reasonable and acceptable. That’s what exactly I thought as well. I was just worried that my lens is defected. Because the noise produce from this lens is louder than other VR lens I have. Apart from the noise issue nothing else to complain. Pictures are sharp. The sharpest lens I’ve ever own. I love it. Once again appreciate for your reply and thanks. 👍
@@om1882 AF and VR noise levels do vary from one lens to another. I have noticed that noise levels from AF-S lenses does increase as they get older. Depending on the age of yours, a service might be an idea if the noise is becoming noticeable...
@@jklenses8611 I bought it less than a month ago but noisier than my old others AF-S VR lens. That’s the reason I thought it’s factory fault. I asked other CZcamsrs who own this lens and they answered me pretty much same. According to you and others explained this noise is common for this model, I hope. Once again thanks for reply me instant. 👍
Can we use this lens with DX cameras like Nikon D5500?
I've not tried it but I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work fine...
@@jklenses8611 Thanks for your reply, really appreciate it 🙏
probably the worst value macro lens on the market right now. third party options like tokina, tamron and laowa are much sharper and cheaper. i went with a tamron for the VR and autofocus because it doubles as a portrait lens for me, but something like the laowa 100mm is sharper, cheaper, has almost no CA and give 2X magnification. nikon definitely need to update this lens.
I own nikon 70 200 f2.8 E FL ED VR , still this lens helps for better macro ? Please advise
My 10 y.o. phone focuses down to one inch. Just sayin
yawn yawn why bother
As a macro lens, this is garbage!
Why?
@@jklenses8611 I bought it, tried it and sold it. First of all, the cromatic aboration was so visible. And it was much of it. VR did not work good. Maybe it was my copy.
@Peter Christensen It's a story which is true for many Nikon lenses! :-)
@Peter Christensen That's often where the peak of the Value for Money curve is! :-)
I returned a used version of this lens as the CA was terrible and was unable to fix it auto or manually in Photoshop. I like the sigma but the noise from the OS isn't acceptable.