New Nikon 105mm VR Macro
 

So what's with this new model, then - 'up to four shutter speeds slower' hand-held with the VR from near infinity to 3m (1/30th life-size)?

Why are they being coy about it's hand-holdability in the macro-range?

I shoot a lot with the 105 2.8 macro, its a great lens for working with a focus distance of 12" lens to subject at 1:1.
The new 105 offers VFS which is great for out door shooters
, but the range has gone to 3mtrs and the front element from 50 - 62mm, I would rather shoot that distance with a 70 - 200AFS VR.

On paper it sounds very nice indeed. It's nice to see Nikon stepping outside the conventional and adding IS (sorry, VR) to a lens class that has never had it before. It's a bit weird having it cut out at close focusing distances though, sort of defeats a lot of the point. Doubtless there is a white paper describing the reasoning behind it somewhere.

Interesting to see that, in a sense, the big two have done the same thing just now: introduce IS/VR to a lens type that has traditionally never had it and, say some, cannot benefit from it. The Nikon 105 macro VR and the Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS in the same week. Are we heading for a world where all lenses except the cheapest ones have IS/VR? Or is this Canon and Nikon racing to get IS/VR in as many lenses as possible before Sony debut a Minolta-based DSLR with IS in-body?

For interest only??there is a "short review" of this lens at www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=64014 for anyone who might be interested.
regards Subzero.

Although this lens was designed as a macro lens, it works extreemly well with the 1.4 and 1.7 TC making it a versitile travel lens. I never thought of using TC's on it until I read one of the big names in the "Nikon" world was doing this and loving it. Try it, it will bring a smile to your face with the results.

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