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105mm vr macro

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boscobear

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New poster today, I've scanned through an hour worth of postings, and have not found much discussion regarding the 105mm vr macro lens. I have this lens currently in my purchasing sights, along with the R1C1 lighting system. The only other digital lens I own is the 18-200 vr, and the SB800 speed light. I would appreciate some good pros and cons from fellow photo enthusiasts. My camera body is a D2,and I still use my old film camera, a Minolta XD11.

In the mean time, I'll continue to read more good information posted on this board by some pretty knowledgeable photographers.

Boscobear Surfside Beach SC
 
IMO, there are no BAD macro lenses, just different focal lengths. I was going with the non-VR version used when I started seeing people rave about the little 60mm Micro, so I went that route. One day I may well have the 105 also. It's not like with zoom lenses, where you can easily overlap coverage. If you are shooting skittish insects, you will need the longer focal length of the 105.
--

'A man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on.'
Winston Churchill
 
I've got a 105mm VR in my collection of 105's. (105/2.5 AIS, 105/2 AF-D DC, 105/2.8 AFS VR G)

It's a very nice lens - it has things that it does EXTREMELY well, and it has things that other lens do better.

Basically, if you are looking for a lens that will handle macro, general purpose, and landscape, it's great - I really am beginning to appreciate it's "look" for these sorts of things.

If, however, you are looking at it as a portrait lens, while it certainly can do a nice job of that, I prefer the tonality and rendering of the 105/2 AF-D DC much more so.

-m
 
nuteshack said:
ca can be a real problem with this lens ...been lots of sample
variation so i suggest ordering through a shop that's easy to deal
with...;-))
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nute/
Click to expand...
online I usually deal with B&H or Adorama, or occasionally with Ritz when their prices are not too far out of line. I have a couple more local shops that I deal with that I will check this week. If I strike out there, not sure where to get it then!

--
http://www.pbase.com/jctangney
 
I have this lens as well as the non vr 105. According to Thom, the optics of the nonvr are slightly better than the vr. My copy of the vr is significantly sharper than the old non vr,( and it is sharp). The vr really works. I thnk it is great for macro but also landscape. It is an excellent lens.
 
I have heard a few things bad about the 105 VR, but also a lot of good. I know I could opt for the Tamron 90, which also has excellent reviews. However, I know that most of my usage will not be on a tripod. A monopod possibly, but only occasionally a tripod. I will not be going all the way to 1:1, but will rather be using it mostly for flowers, and occasionally as a very sharp lens for landscape or wildlife (typically large mammels). For the way I will use it, the VR should be a noticable benifit. So, I am still going to try to find a copy!

--
http://www.pbase.com/jctangney
 
I'd recommend the Sigma 150mm f2.8 EX HSM. You'll get an extra 2 inches of working distance which can make a big difference and save lots of money. As per the Nikon 150VR, according to Nikon and Thom Hogan's review the VR isn't effective at macro magnifications.
Nikon states the following in their specsheet.
"Vibration Reduction (VRII) minimizes the effects of camera
shake allowing photographers to shoot hand-held at as many
as 4 shutter speeds slower* (at near infinity to 1/30x reproduction
ratio) than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically
sharper images."

Well a 1:30 reproduction ratio is nowhere near macro. I suspect it works much better than 1:30 but achieving 1:1 is way off that mark. If VR isn't that useful for macro then are you willing to pay the extra high price?
--
Stan ;o()



In the spirit of Occam’s Razor one should embrace the less complicated formulation or simply put, less is more.
 
The statement "As per the Nikon 150VR" should read 105VR. I guess you figured that out - lol. Sometimes I type too fast for my own good.
--
Stan ;o()



In the spirit of Occam’s Razor one should embrace the less complicated formulation or simply put, less is more.
 
I truely appreciate all the fine photos, and thoughts regarding this lens. I have seen the 105 vr for auction on eBay but they are, according to the sellers, Gray Market items. From my investigation into Gray market I've come to the result that this is a product meant to be sold in Asia, and does not carry a USA warranty. The prices a slightly lower than one I could purchase from a US supplier. I'm thinking there is more to this Gray Market selling than I'm finding. I'm sure some people here have purchased something from this Gray Market. What are the general feelings on Gray Market products.
 
Nikon USA, Inc imports products from Nikon (Japan) and pays all necessary dues and taxes (etc...) and distributes these to authorized dealers in the US. In addition, any product needing warranty repair, can be serviced under warranty by Nikon USA.

Sometimes, to save costs, someone other than Nikon USA has imported products directly from the source, bypassing all those taxes and dues (etc....) making it cheaper for people in US. The disadvantage? if you want warranty service, Nikon USA won't repair it; you must either send it to who you purchased it from or send it overseas for repair. Make sense?

Basically, the only difference is, with Grey Market, you're saving a few bucks and losing the extra warranty options.

It doesn't mean that you're getting a product in the US that really meant for the market in Mangolia or any other foreign market.

There may be some errors in my summary regarding import taxes that someone will hopefully call out, but for the most part, that's it in a nutshell.

--



want list:
85mm f/1.4D
Tokina 12-24
10.5mm FishEye
 
DStan said:
I'd recommend the Sigma 150mm f2.8 EX HSM. You'll get an extra 2
inches of working distance which can make a big difference and save
lots of money. As per the Nikon 150VR, according to Nikon and Thom
Hogan's review the VR isn't effective at macro magnifications.
Click to expand...
VR makes the lens useful for other applications as well as macro, but it also helps at macro distances despite what I've read here. At 1:1 I'd definately prefer a tripod, but @ 1:2 and 1:3 handheld there is a noticeable advantage in having VR.
 
i had the lense its great. for me it was a little to much thow 105X1.5 more on the order of telephoto lense. sold it . bought a couple of close up filters under $50 not as sharp as the sigma. gonna try a sigma50-2.8 macro

or the nikon 60 mm macro next. i had that lense about 15 years ago was quite nice, ie the nikon .

ed
 
ed johnson 1 said:
i had the lense its great. for me it was a little to much thow
105X1.5 more on the order of telephoto lense. sold it . bought a
couple of close up filters under $50 not as sharp as the sigma.
gonna try a sigma50-2.8 macro
or the nikon 60 mm macro next. i had that lense about 15 years ago
was quite nice, ie the nikon .
Click to expand...
These folcal lengths has a miniscule working distance. It's good for jewelery, stamps and small inanimate objects. Even still this distance is so short that it can get in the way of lighting. I have the Nikon 60mm and the Sigma 150mm macros. The Sigma has about 5 inches more working distance, which is very nice to have when working live insects, difficult lighting, etc. The Sigma 150 is a steal, great lens.
--
Stan ;o()



In the spirit of Occam’s Razor one should embrace the less complicated formulation or simply put, less is more.
 
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