Nikon 60 AF-D Micro

Just a heads up before we get into the meat of this quick review.  This is one of our best lenses.  Definitely worth owning.

Now the details:

Macro lenses (Nikon calls them “micro” lenses, which is a more accurate description of what they do) are used to take close up images of small objects.  They come in generally three focal lengths, normal (50 to 60 mm), short telephoto (90 to 105 mm), and medium telephoto (150 to 200 mm).  Each of these types has it’s advantages and disadvantages.  The main differences are in:

1. Working distance.  Shorter macros have a shorter working distance, longer macros have a longer working distance.  The working distance is the distance of the front of your lens element to your subject at 1:1 magnification (image on film or sensor is same size as subject at 1:1).  Longer working distance makes it easier to light your subject and less likely to scare away small critters.  The biggest disadvantage to the Nikkor 60 Micro is that the working distance is less than 6 inches, making lighting of subjects at maximum magnification difficult.

2. Depth of field.  Shorter lenses have a greater depth of field at the same subject distance.

3. Size and weight.  Longer focal length lenses are bigger and heavier.

At this point, I have used all three types and have settled on a Nikkor 60 AF-D for my wife and a Nikkor 105 AF-D for myself.  Neither of these models is the latest version of its type, as Nikon has updated both of these lenses with internal focus motors.  Quality of the newer versions is as good or better than the ones I am reviewing here.

The optical quality of the Nikon 60 is strikingly superb.  It is not quite as good for distant subjects as it is for macros, but it is still very good.  This lens is RAZOR sharp, and really does not have any optical flaws to speak of.  The lens is pretty slow to focus (because of it’s wide focus range and no internal focus motor), and it will not auto focus on Nikons newest consumer DSLRs (Nikon D40, D40x, or D60 will not AF with this lens.  Get the AF-S version if you have one of these cameras, unless your vision is better than mine!).

Here are some images from this lens. This image was captured by my wife with a Nikon D200.  This image prints GREAT, even moderately cropped to make a stunningly sharp and detailed 12 in x 18 in print.

Spider on Leaf

The next image of a white Trillium is an example of an image where lighting can be difficult.  At maximum magnification (this one is not even close to 1:1, though) the working distance is only about 3 inches.  I’m not sure of this one, but I’d say this one represents less than 20% of maximum magnification.

Trillium

The last image I will show here was taken with “older” gear.  The camera was a Nikon D100, and this image prints GREAT at 12 in x 18 in - about the maximum I consider good quality from that camera.  The limitation is the camera, not the lens.  The 60 mm has enough working distance to take this image of a large dragonfly without too much difficulty.  My distance to subject is on the order of 2 feet from the front element of the lens (again no where near maximum magnification).

Dragonfly

Lastly, here is an image of a climatus flower at somewhat higher magnification.  Again, the 60 AF-D produces very nice detail in the flower parts.

Climatus

I guess, I already gave away the bottom line at the top!  Buy this lens if you want a reasonably priced Nikon macro lens.  These can now be had used for well under $300, and I would consider this lens a bargain, as long as your only camera is not a Nikon D40, D40x, or D60.