Nikon 105 AF-D Micro (non AF-S version)

This is another one of Nikon’s all time great lenses, a lens that is worth picking up used for much less money than the current version (the current model is the AF-S VR version, a G lens with no aperture ring).  This lens reviewed here is significantly smaller and lighter than the current one as well.

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 working distance for the 105 is about 12 inches or so, significantly more than that of the 60 micro.  This makes lighting your subject a little easier if you are at full magnification.

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 perhaps even somewhat better than the ones I am reviewing here, but they are more expensive, and bulkier.  The 105 VR, especially, is not a small lens, so the 105 AF-D, reviewed here, maintains a very significant advantage in this regard.

The optical quality of the Nikon 105 AF-D 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 two images from this lens. This image was captured with a Nikon D300.

Backlit Narcissa

The next images shows that there is enough working distance with this lens to get near some critters.  This image was captured with a Nikon D200.

Spider Eats Bee