Anyone use the 105mm f2.8 VR Micro Nikkor?

[Canis Vulpes]

I am thinking of treating myself to a Macro lens but am torn between a used NON VR 105mm f2.8 Micro or going the whole hog and purchasing the VR model new.

Reviews online seem to confuse the two versions old and new.

Does anyone here use either version?

[Leif]

Stephen.

This link might be of interest:

http://www.nnplus.de/macro/Macro100E.html

Also see the review on www.PhotoZone.de.

I used to own the 105mm F2.8 AFD, but I never liked it. The Bokeh was very ugly, but otherwise I cannot really say why I did not like it. It is not IF unlike the new one.

By all accounts the Tamron 90mm F2.8 lens is better than the old Nikon. In your place I would opt for the Tamron unless you need the slightly more robust Nikon build, or the VR feature. Note that the VR feature is not very effective for close ups, but of course will work for portraits etc.

The general concensus is that optically the new one is a little bit better than the old one. www.NikonCafe.com has a recent thread on this in the "lens lust" forum.

[Leif]

BTW the old lens has no lens hood, so that will add to the purchase cost.

[Mick V]

Hi Stephen, bought the Nikon vr back in march and find it a brilliant lens to use hand held and very sharp.

[Subzero]

Hi Stephen,
Yes I have a 105/2.8 VR Nikkor, have had it since it was first released, and came to it from a sigma macro 105 EX.
If you have not resolved all you queries regarding this lens I will try to help you (I owe you for info on 200-400VR Nikkor).
regards Subzero.

[Canis Vulpes]

Originally Posted by Subzero

Hi Stephen,
Yes I have a 105/2.8 VR Nikkor, have had it since it was first released, and came to it from a sigma macro 105 EX.
If you have not resolved all you queries regarding this lens I will try to help you (I owe you for info on 200-400VR Nikkor).
regards Subzero.

I am not sure which one to go for, I am tending toward the older AF-D as VR not really important to me and I read its a little sharper than the VR model. I am also unsure whether to upgrade my monitor so lots of thinking on what 'treat' I want the most. I am a bit concerned about Leif's comments about Bokeh.

I do have NEF's from the VR on a D2Hs taken from approx 10ft from subject and I was unimpressed, perhaps its sharp in macro region after all thats what its designed to do.

Its nothing desperate but might just treat myself and venture into Macro but it will be a Nikkor if any.

[Leif]

Stephen.

I suspect you would be happy with the AFD as it is a nice lens, despite my reservations. Now that I think about it, I found the focal length was not enough for nervous insects such as dragonflies, hence my dislike. The bokeh is not so bad, but not as good as the best.

[Subzero]

Stephen,
Please go to DPREVIEW, and visit the nikon lens forum (about 10 posts or so down from the top) and see the pros/cons of the 105vr.
regards Subzero.