Nikon 105 VR macro

Ejazzle · Feb 5, 2009

So this lens isnt a constant 2.8??? Kind of depressing.

anubis404 · Feb 5, 2009

What? The only lenses with fluctuating apertures are some low end zoom lenses, and the Nikon 105mm is clearly a prime lens.

Overread · Feb 5, 2009

When macro lenses get to their close focusing distances the effective aperture does change as part of the design to achive close focusing. Its not something that you really notice in use (I find) as since it appears only nikon cameras report this change in effective aperture, my canon leaves me totally in the dark and calls the aperture f2.8 all the time (at least for my sigma lens which will still report a change in aperture on a nikon camera) - but of course the amount of light let in is still the same so it makes little difference.

Regardless the nikon 105mm macro VR is an impressive macro lens and the only one with VR

kundalini · Feb 5, 2009

If you are referring to the aperture stopping down on 1:1 macro & closeup work, look at the chart on page 100 of your manual. No reason to be depressed, be happy.

Ejazzle · Feb 5, 2009

Thanks for all the help guys! after thinking about it for a little bit, i thought it might have to do with the focussing.

The lens is so crazily sharp. I am loving it!

I wish i had the manual. The guy i bought it from threw away everything but the 5 year warranty. He used it twice in his house and told me he didnt like it so i scooped it up! haha

Phranquey · Feb 5, 2009

anubis404 said:
What? The only lenses with fluctuating apertures are some low end zoom lenses, and the Nikon 105mm is clearly a prime lens.

Ejazzle said:
So this lens isnt a constant 2.8??? Kind of depressing.

Why?? I sure wouldn't want to shoot 1:1 at f/2.8. The DOF would be so shallow that it would be practically useless. My 105 f/2.8 non-VR goes from f/2.8 to f/5 at full 1:1, but at the other end of the scale, I go from f/32 to f/57. Which means..... if I can crank enough light onto the subject, my macro DOF is phenomenal.

Overread · Feb 5, 2009

f57??? that is insane!
but what about diffraction induced softnes in the shot?

Phranquey · Feb 5, 2009

Overread said:
f57??? that is insane!
but what about diffraction induced softnes in the shot?

I certainly haven't noticed any problems. I couldn't remember any shots off the top of my head where I have shot fully stopped down, but if you remember this pic, it was taken at 1/60 f/45 ISO200.

Gives me a good idea to go test, though.

JerryPH · Feb 6, 2009

Ejazzle said:
I wish i had the manual.

Did you look at Nikon's website? They have PDF manuals for 90% of all products from 1977 to now.

Better yet, let me save you the 20 seconds it took me to find it:

http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/lenses/AF/AFSVR_105_f2.8(80)01.pdf

Search is a wonderful thing.

Overread · Feb 6, 2009

yes I remember that shot - its almost making me want to go out and find an older macro lens for canon to get to such silly apertures! (if there is one out there)

JerryPH · Feb 6, 2009

Macros are fun, but at least for me, its not something that I do a lot of. I have the Sigma 105mm F/2.8 and it is tack sharp and an excellent macro lens, but I prefer using it as a portrait lens.

Sheesh, I just thought of something... I've never had the 105mm Sigma on my D700! I wonder how it performs on it? Guess I will have to go out this weekend and find out!

Overread · Feb 6, 2009

D700 - is that hte fullframe nikon?
if so do share how it performs

fullframe macro is something I want to try (and it will be decades before I can get my hands on a 5DMwhatever one they are on in decades)

sabbath999 · Feb 6, 2009

Ejazzle said:
The lens is so crazily sharp. I am loving it!

It is the sharpest lens I own, and I own a bunch of sharp lenses. The image quality is PRISTINE.

sabbath999 · Feb 6, 2009

JerryPH said:
Macros are fun, but at least for me, its not something that I do a lot of. I have the Sigma 105mm F/2.8 and it is tack sharp and an excellent macro lens, but I prefer using it as a portrait lens.

Sheesh, I just thought of something... I've never had the 105mm Sigma on my D700! I wonder how it performs on it? Guess I will have to go out this weekend and find out!

I use my 105 for lots of stuff, it is absolutely gorgeous for portraits.

It's funny, I will say that, and some web wonk will reply "that's stupid, you have to stand too far back to take a portrait with that on a cropped sensor camera"... Gotta love the web wonk's... it's like they have to pay money for each step back they have to take to zoom with their feet.

I imagine it is absolutely a perfect length on your D700.