Nikon 105mm f/2.8G...

Killerbob

I have the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 and I have been taking pictures with it on my D7000, and now my D800. However, funny enough, on the D7000 it opens up to f/2.8, but on the D800, it "only" goes to f/3.0. What the h...??? Anyone any suggestions?

Ade

At very close distances, the effective f-stop of the lens increases. E.g., at 1:1 (life-size) magnification, the effective f-stop of the lens more than doubles (as a rule of thumb).

Nikon cameras are clever enough to automatically calculate the effective f-stop at macro distances, and that is what is shown on the LCD.

This behavior is the same on the D7000 vs D800. On both cameras, when you focus far away, you can have f/2.8 aperture. But at macro distances, the effective f-stop will always be greater than f/2.8.

Killerbob

Thank you Ade. I learn something every day:)

Photophun

Was thinking of getting the 105 F2.8 for Macro work but after looking at the release date of 2006, I am wondering when it will be updated?

Any ideas??

Golf007sd

No idea when an update or replacement will show up. But it is A FANTASTIC lens...no reason not to get it. Love mine.

Photophun

No doubt about the quality but if newer one came out that was sharper and had the the newer image stabilization I not be to happy.

Isnt there a photo show coming up before the end of 2013?

CEBlueclouds

Thanks Ade now I know also....I just could not figure out why!!

spraynpray

@Photophun: It has been written on NR that VR doesn't help at macro reproduction ratios so why the hang-up with the latest version?

I imagine the 105 micro will be one of the very last lenses they update.

Msmoto

For a lot of shots which are not macro the VR can be helpful...e.g., nights, 1/30 sec....VR will keep you in the game. The effect of VR diminishes as one gets closer, so at normal close ranges, 1:4, maybe, VR will still have some effect. Maybe someone will test this out at 1/15 second or 1/8 sec to see how it all does work at 1:2, 1:4, 1:8......volunteers?

heartyfisher

The 105 vr is one of the sharpest lenses in the Nikon line up of lenses. Its just about the perfect macro lens. I really cant think of anything that needs to be fix or updated on it. Just get it.. its not going to get worse after you get it.

proudgeek

Well over half the macro work I do is on a tripod (with the exception of flying bugs for obvious reasons), which renders VR moot.

tcole1983

@Photophun: It has been written on NR that VR doesn't help at macro reproduction ratios so why the hang-up with the latest version?

I imagine the 105 micro will be one of the very last lenses they update.

Not to mention it already has all the features of the best lenses. The only thing that they could really update would be to newer VR.

Ironheart

Page 20 in the 105mm manual:

As the reproduction ratio increases from 1/30x, the effects of vibration reduction gradually decrease

This decrease starts at 3m and presumably decreases to zero at the minimum (0.314m) focus distance. I don't think this will be improved even with newer VR.

Photophun

You people are going to bankrupt me with gear envy. Must resist, must, um hm....

heartyfisher

You people are going to bankrupt me with gear envy. Must resist, must, um hm....

Huh ?? didn't you suggest the 105 VR yourself ? LOL !

dissent

LOL. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. Why do you resist.

tcole1983

LOL. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. Why do you resist.

Hang around this forum and you will spend too much money

Msmoto

Just a couple of goof ups shared when I was shooting head shots with my 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro Nikkor on my D4. Maybe this will help someone else not do the same.

In the pit area at the recent World of Outlaws racing….grabbing images of some of the very best who drive these 1400 lb cars with 950 hp…. Camera/lens f/6.3 1/400th sec, auto Iso about 700, focus on single servo, focus point in upper third of screen…..my results showed 75% of images with either front or rear focus….about an inch off from a distance of 4 feet.

When I rechecked the camera…..the focus range was on "Full" rather than "∞ to 0.5m", and the VR switch was a little nudged off the "on" position. Upon making the correct settings, "∞ to 0.5m", VR "on" and changing to continuous servo, nine point, I was able to nail 90+% of the head shots next day, some in cars moving toward me slowly, me being about a foot from the wheels as they rolled by.

Bad hair day:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/10736274573/

Following day:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/10756860553/sizes/o/

The take away: Check and recheck settings when in venues where you may be bumped, need to jump quickly, or the camera gets hammered against something….old folks like me sometimes do not hang on to things as well as we sued to…LOL

Also, I think the lens, 105/2.8 VR Micro will "hunt" more when on "full" than when on "∞ to 0.5m" focus range.

WestEndBoy

Photofun, check out the 200mm F4.0 Micro.

I am in a bit of a hurry to get that because I think that Nikon might replace it next year. If they replace it, it will have VR, a cheap build, and $1,000 more than the current version. I don't need any of that.

There is only one lens that I am holding off on for the reason that you describe, and that is the 35mm 1.4G, because it looks a little soft next to the Sigma and I know Nikon can do better (the 24mm 1.4G might be in the same category as well).

If you want the 105, get it. Though you may think about the 200mm. Macro is one area where a longer focal length is almost always better.

jimmyboy

I own Nikon 200 F/4, 60 F/2.8 nano, & the 105 F/ 2.8 VR. They all shoot good. The 105 is one hell-of-a lens .
If using the 105 in AF mode in low light, it searches for auto focus, in & out most often. Then I use manual focus using (mono-pod or tri-pod) It act's the same way as the 200 F/4. The auto focus on the 105 is (spot on) from the factory. If they update the 105 I'd wait for the reviews. But I'd still keep my 105. It's A Great Lens!!! As for the Nikon-800E, with the 105. Mine won't open up at 2.8. Mine does the same. Stays at f/3.0

shawnino

I own Nikon 200 F/4, 60 F/2.8 nano, & the 105 F/ 2.8 VR. They all shoot good. ... As for the Nikon-800E, with the 105. Mine won't open up at 2.8. Mine does the same. Stays at f/3.0

Recently my 200 f/4 does this, intermittently, also 800E. Won't open wider than 4.5 or 4.2. Some days 4.0 no problem. No rhyme nor reason. Indoors, outdoors. Good light, poor light. Warm, cold. Cannot discern pattern. Wondering if, like my own bones, the lens is just getting old.

proudgeek

As I understand it, at certain distances from the subject the blades won't open past a certain point.

HipShot

What ring flashes work well with these two macro lenses?

shawnino

As I understand it, at certain distances from the subject the blades won't open past a certain point.

At that point I'm not even trying to focus. Just turning the camera on, using dial to try to set aperture.

What am I missing?

proudgeek

Again, I'm far from the smartest guy in the room, but my understanding is that it's not a focus issue. I encountered this when I first bought that lens. Tried to get up close to something and couldn't get an aperture larger than f/3.5. Didn't really understand it at the time. I seem to remember someone talking about this on another thread. I believe what it comes down to is that that macro lens is only a true f/2.8 at a certain distance from the subject. I could be wrong.

henrik1963

I have the 105VR Macro. It is a wonderful lens. When you use it as MsMoto describes it has a good AF speed. Not as fast as other pro 2.8 lenses but plenty fast for most work. It is razor sharp on my D800.

If Nikon came out with a new one I don´t think I would bother looking at it - there is nothing wrong with the one we already have.

I have used mine as a walk around lens as I have been to cheep to buy the 85 :-) It works well for picking out people in a crowd.

As for the 2.8 thing I think mine does that when I get to close. I will have to check that out.