Nikon AF-S VR Micro NIKKOR 105mm F 2 8G IF ED Review | 54 Data compared

The Photography Life review of the Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR Macro lens praises its robust, weather-sealed build, smooth manual focus, and excellent center sharpness for portraits. It highlights the lens's versatility, noting effective vibration reduction for close-ups, pleasing bokeh, and minimal distortion, making it a strong choice for both DSLR and mirrorless users. Conversely, the review identifies limitations due to its age, including high color fringing, slow autofocus at close distances, and 720-gram weight. It is deemed less clinically sharp than newer Z-mount alternatives, with, as noted in the review, the vibration reduction being less effective at true 1:1 macro magnification.

Ken Rockwell’s review highlights the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR G as an exceptionally sharp, high-performance medium telephoto lens featuring stellar center sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and internal focusing. The lens offers useful features for portraits and close-ups, including instant manual-focus override and first-generation Vibration Reduction (VR) for handheld tracking. However, the lens suffers from significant focus breathing that complicates precise macro composition, notes Rockwell. Additionally, the effective aperture drops to f/4.5 at 1:1 magnification, and it lacks compatibility with older film cameras. Due to these drawbacks, the 200mm f/4 AF-D is suggested for dedicated macro, while the 105mm remains a top choice for general-purpose telephoto shooting.

The Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED is an outstanding, optically stabilized macro lens designed for the Nikon F-mount system. Measuring 4.6 by 3.3 inches and weighing 1.6 pounds, this fairly compact lens supports 62mm front filters and delivers true 1:1 macro magnification at its minimum focusing distance of 12 inches. It features tactile toggle switches for manual/autofocus switching, a focus limiter for faster non-macro tracking, and image stabilization control. When tested on a 36-megapixel full-frame Nikon D810, the lens proved to be exceptionally sharp, scoring 2,978 lines at f/2.8 and peaking at 3,683 lines at f/8, with virtually non-existent distortion and only minimal color fringing. The lens offers several distinct advantages, notably its tack-sharp image quality across the frame, a complete lack of distortion, and built-in optical stabilization that makes low-light handheld shooting a reality. However, it does carry a few drawbacks, including a premium price tag ($984.95 / £959.66) and a relatively short working distance when shooting at maximum 1:1 magnification. While competitors like the Sigma 180mm Macro offer more physical space between the camera and the...

The ePHOTOzine review of the Nikon AF-S 105mm f/2.8G ED IF VR Micro lens highlights its "gold ring" build quality, featuring a 720g weight and robust handling with effective Vibration Reduction for handheld shooting. The lens offers 1:1 life-size reproduction at 31cm, quick autofocus via SWM, and excellent control over flares and chromatic aberration. While optically excellent, the lens is heavier than expected for its size, lacks official, comprehensive weather sealing, and features a narrow, awkwardly placed manual focus ring near the mount. Despite these constraints, it remains a highly regarded, versatile macro option in the Nikon ecosystem.

The Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED is a professional-grade macro lens compatible with both full-frame (FX) and cropped-frame (DX) Nikon bodies. It serves as a flagship model in Nikon's macro lineup, featuring a true 1:1 magnification ratio and a 15cm working distance from the front of the lens at closest focus. The lens benefits from an advanced optical construction consisting of 14 elements in 12 groups, including an ED glass element and Nano Crystal Coating to minimize flare and ghosting. It also incorporates helpful physical controls such as an AF-S Silent Wave Motor for autofocus compatibility across all Nikon DSLRs, a manual focus override, and a focus limiter switch to prevent focus hunting. The review highlights several key strengths and weaknesses of the lens based on its feature set. On the positive side, it stands out as the first macro lens from any brand to offer image stabilization (VR), allowing for safe handheld shooting at shutter speeds as slow as 1/15 or 1/30 of a second. It is also praised for its weather-sealed design with a rubber grommet...

The 105mm f/2.8G ED IF AF-S VR Micro Nikkor lens serves as an enhanced, modernized successor to the classic 105mm f/2.8D macro lens, expanding its utility across 35mm film formats, full-frame setups, and DX-format digital cameras. Tested under real-world conditions at the PMA International Show, the lens delivers splendid image resolution, contrast, and sharp detail rendering even when utilized handheld at close range. Its standout pros include robust external build quality, a rapid internal focusing mechanism, and highly effective Vibration Reduction (VR) technology that counteracts camera shake during manual operations. Furthermore, as a native Nikon optic, it ensures seamless future compatibility across newer camera bodies, unlike some third-party alternatives. Conversely, users must navigate certain mechanical cons inherent to macro lens architecture. The lens operates as a true f/2.8 constant lens only at portrait distances of 10 feet and beyond. As the user focuses closer toward a full 1:1 macro magnification, internal physical mechanics cause a progressive drop in light transmission. This results in the maximum available aperture narrowing down to around f/3.0 or f/4.8, meaning it cannot maintain wide-open f/2.8...

The What Digital Camera Review evaluates the Nikon AF-S 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR Micro as an impressive, high-quality optic that delivers exceptional central sharpness across its common-aperture range. Tested on full-frame D700 and DX-format D80 bodies, the lens provides very quiet and rapid autofocusing, and features a broad, perfectly positioned manual-focus ring. A distinct operational quirk noted is Nikon's decision to display aperture information based on focal-plane brightness; as a result, the indicated effective aperture shifts automatically as you focus closer, even when the f-stop remains fixed. The review highlights several specific pros and cons regarding the inclusion of Vibration Reduction (VR) technology. On the positive side (pros), the lens is incredibly easy to hold, features well-placed control switches, and proves to be versatile enough to serve as a slightly softer, flattering portrait lens when shot wide-open on DX bodies. On the negative side (cons), the VR components make the lens significantly bulkier, heavier, and more expensive than conventional 100mm macro alternatives. Furthermore, the review concludes that VR is largely redundant for high-magnification close-up work because the razor-thin depth-of-field usually...

The SLR Photography Guide review highlights the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED as an exceptionally high-quality DSLR lens capable of delivering razor-sharp photographs with a true 1:1 macro reproduction ratio. The absolute standout advantage emphasized throughout the review is its vibration reduction (VR) control, making it the only true macro lens at the time of writing to offer built-in optical stabilization. This feature proves invaluable for handheld macro photography because it allows users to shoot at much slower shutter speeds (up to 4 stops) under challenging, shady conditions while retaining deep focus and crisp image details on close-up subjects like insects or flowers without causing camera shake blur. Additional pros include the inclusion of an excellent, high-quality lens hood and a dedicated storage pouch. On the downside, the reviewer acknowledges a couple of notable disadvantages, primarily focusing on its physical build and cost. This model is slightly larger and heavier than competing macro lenses, which prompts a recommendation to brace the lens by supporting it from underneath with your left hand to keep it stable during handheld shoots....

The ePhotozine review highlights the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED as a professional, weather-sealed macro lens offering stellar optical performance with outstanding edge-to-edge sharpness and 1:1 reproduction. It features an internal focusing system and Nano Crystal Coat, resulting in negligible distortion and high-contrast images, even at close distances. Key drawbacks noted in the review include reduced effectiveness of the VRII stabilization at extreme, close-up ranges and relatively slow autofocus, which can hunt in macro scenarios. The lens is also quite heavy (720g) and expensive compared to non-stabilized alternatives, and it displays a smaller effective aperture at close focusing distances.

The Radojuva review highlights the Nikon N AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8G ED VR IF as a professional-grade lens featuring excellent build quality, effective VR stabilization, and superb sharpness. Key advantages include its internal focusing design, 9-blade bokeh, and Nano Crystal Coat that minimizes flare. Conversely, the review notes the lens is quite heavy, lacks an aperture ring, and suffers from very slow autofocus speed when not using the focus limiter. Additionally, the maximum aperture drops to f/4.8 at close focus, with noticeable vignetting and some chromatic aberration on full-frame cameras.

The Nikkor AF-S Micro 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR lens provides exceptional performance, achieving peak sharpness at f/5.6 with impressive resolution extending all the way to the edges even when shot wide open. Tested on a 24 MP Nikon D7100, its phase-detect autofocus system proves to be very fast, highly repeatable, and basically silent, showing no focus calibration shift across different f/stops. The lens features a wide, user-friendly manual focus ring and excellent Vibration Reduction (VR), which represents a massive upgrade over older macro models like the 60mm f/2.8 AF-D. While optical diffraction begins to set in at f/8, it does not severely penalize resolution until the aperture is narrowed to about f/16. Despite its high quality, the reviewer notes several downsides, including the fact that the lens still requires autofocus fine-tune calibration to deliver its maximum sharpness on standard camera bodies. Additionally, its weather protection is limited, offering only a rear rubber dust gasket without comprehensive moisture sealing throughout the chassis. The working distance is another factor to consider; while it provides a standard 6 inches of working distance at...

The Digital Camera World review of the Nikon AF-S Micro 105mm f/2.8 G IF ED VR highlights it as a premium, full-frame compatible F-mount macro lens capable of 1.0x life-sized magnification at a 0.31m minimum focusing distance. Built with solid construction and sporting a weather-sealed mounting plate, it features exceptional center sharpness between f/4 and f/11 alongside a ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system with a focus range limiter switch. However, the reviewer notes that the integrated optical Vibration Reduction (VR) is a standard design rather than a hybrid system, meaning it counteracts angular vibrations but cannot correct for x-y shift, making it relatively ineffective for close-up, handheld macro photography. Additional drawbacks include noticeable color fringing/chromatic aberrations near image edges across all apertures, a reduction in center sharpness when shooting wide open at f/2.8, and a sharp drop-off in resolution when stopping down to narrow apertures. The focus limiter is also deemed unhelpful for extreme macro work because it only locks out the short end of the focusing range. Ultimately, while concluding that the lens delivers very good overall performance, the reviewer...

The Nikon AF-S VR Micro 105 mm 2.8G is a highly capable professional macro lens that delivers exceptional corner-to-corner sharpness, particularly when paired with high-resolution sensors like the 36-megapixel Nikon D800E. The lens features top-tier build quality with a wide manual focus ring that rotates 180 degrees, a fast and quiet autofocus system, and nearly absent chromatic aberration. It also provides a pleasing bokeh for background blur and includes built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) that offers a 3-stop advantage during standard handheld shooting, though its stabilizing effect diminishes at close macro distances. Despite these strengths, the review highlights several distinct drawbacks, including high vignetting at full aperture (up to 2.5 stops on full-frame bodies) and a high purchase price. Furthermore, its performance against bright light is relatively weak, showing noticeable flare and minor ghosting despite the integrated nano crystal coating. Photographers should also note that the maximum aperture drops significantly from f/2.8 down to f/4.8 at its closest focusing distance. Overall, the lens is highly recommended for its excellent center resolution and low distortion, offering high-end performance that justifies its cost.

The OpticalLimits review by Klaus Schroiff evaluates the Micro-Nikkor AF-S 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR on an APS-C body (Nikon D200), noting that it updates a highly regarded but dated predecessor. Mechanically, the review praises its decent build quality with an outer metal barrel and a smooth, rubberized focus ring. Its "true" internal focusing (IF) system is highlighted as a standout macro feature because the lens barrel does not extend during focusing, and the front element remains non-rotating for easy polarizer use. Key advancements include a virtually silent Silent-Wave AF motor, a built-in focus limiter switch, an effective single-mode VR II mechanism providing up to a 4-stop advantage, and Nano Crystal Coating to minimize internal flare. However, the review details several prominent drawbacks. The lens has grown significantly, making it fat and heavy with a 1cm wider diameter and a 40% weight increase over the older version, making it one of the largest in its class. Optically, the maximum effective aperture drops to f/4.8 at a 1:1 magnification ratio, though this behavior is common for internal focusing macro lenses. Additionally, the...

Here is a detailed summary of the lens review based on the provided article: Performance and Key Features The Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED IF AF-S VR Micro lens is a major update to its predecessor, designed for macro, close-up, and portrait photography. It features an advanced optical formula containing 14 elements in 12 groups, including extra-low dispersion (ED) glass for chromatic aberration control and nano crystal technology to eliminate glare. The integration of Silent Wave Motor (AF-S) technology delivers swift and quiet focusing speeds, while internal focusing (IF) keeps the lens length fixed. The addition of Vibration Reduction (VR II) provides significant stability for handheld shooting, capturing sharp images with excellent resolution and contrast even when not fully perpendicular to the subject plane. Pros, Cons, and Specifications A notable advantage (pro) of this lens is its 9-blade diaphragm, which produces highly pleasing background bokeh, making it an outstanding choice for portraits. It maintains a true 1:1 reproduction ratio for macro work, and the premium build quality guarantees future compatibility with newer camera bodies. However, the lens has several drawbacks (cons)...