Nikon Micro NIKKOR 105mm F 2 8 Review | 54 Data compared

The Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Ai-S is a highly versatile manual-focus macro lens originally debuted in 1983 that remains valued for its exceptional subject-to-lens working distance, making it ideal for bug photography, portraiture, and scientific use. On the positive side, the lens delivers exceptional sharpness wide-open at f/2.8, features an advanced Close Range Correction (CRC) system for sharp corners across all focusing distances, and maintains low distortion with a bright viewfinder image. Its neutral contrast reproduces highly accurate tones, and it is built with an integrated damping/lock mechanism to prevent accidental focus shifts. However, the lens suffers from notable performance flaws, particularly a high level of chromatic aberration that can persist even down to f/8 when focusing further away, making it problematic for shiny objects like jewelry. It also exhibits heavy vignetting when wide-open, flares significantly with a noticeable loss of contrast when the sun is near or inside the frame, and can produce rough artifacts in its background bokeh. Mechanically, the lens is incredibly complex with numerous interlocking parts that make DIY overhaul risky for beginners, and it is prone...

The Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8 AI-s is a highly capable, solidly built manual-focus macro lens that doubles as a versatile telephoto prime for portraits, landscapes, and street photography. Optically, the lens is exceptionally sharp corner-to-corner across the entire focus range when stopped down, achieving its peak technical rendering and maximum microcontrast at f/8. It features a buttery-smooth focus ring and a built-in focus drag screw that is highly useful for stabilizing focus position while mounted on a tripod. Without any accessories, it reaches a close-focus distance of 1.34 feet to deliver a 1:2 reproduction ratio, though it can be paired with a dedicated PN-11 extension tube to achieve true "beyond-macro" magnification at a 1:0.88 ratio. It also exhibits zero distortion and negligible vignetting, making it an excellent budget-friendly alternative to modern autofocus equivalents. Despite its stellar performance, the lens does come with some notable drawbacks. It is physically heavier and longer than faster non-macro 105mm alternatives. Optically, shooting wide-open at f/2.8 introduces spherical aberrations that mask fine details, alongside heavy purple fringing and longitudinal chromatic aberrations in high-contrast scenes that...

Optically, the lens delivers impressive sharpness across near and far subjects due to its Close Range Correction (CRC) system, while exhibiting virtually zero geometric distortion. Flaring and ghosting are also well-controlled despite its complex 10-element construction. On the downside, the lens suffers from mild color fringing—though easily correctable in post-processing—and creates only "fair" bokeh because out-of-focus highlights mimic its heptagonal diaphragm shape. Furthermore, macro photography at high reproduction ratios heavily darkens the viewfinder on DSLRs, making focusing difficult unless paired with a mirrorless camera. Finally, the lens is poorly suited for infrared photography because it develops a prominent hotspot at its smallest apertures.

The Photography Life review of the Nikon AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR highlights its sturdy metal construction, excellent central sharpness, and creamy bokeh, making it a reliable choice for macro and portrait work. Performance pros include effective Vibration Reduction, very low distortion, and a smooth manual focus ring, offering great value for both F-mount and Z-mount users. Conversely, the review notes the lens is showing its age with slower autofocus that can hunt, higher levels of chromatic aberration, and a heavier weight compared to modern alternatives. Additionally, the effectiveness of the VR system diminishes at 1:1 magnification, and the build is susceptible to minor paint chipping.

Ken Rockwell’s review praises the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED as a professional-grade lens with outstanding sharpness, excellent color, and beautiful bokeh from a 9-blade diaphragm. It is highlighted as the first Nikon macro lens to combine Internal Focusing (IF) with Vibration Reduction (VR) and a Silent Wave Motor (SWM), providing constant lens length and instant manual focus override. Conversely, the review notes the lens is significantly heavy, large, and bulky compared to older, non-VR models. Additionally, the autofocus may hunt in low light, and the VR system becomes less effective at extreme 1:1 macro distances, where tripod use is recommended.

The Nikon AF-S 105mm f/2.8G ED IF VR Micro is a highly versatile lens, delivering excellent sharpness in the center from f/2.8 and outstanding, consistent resolution across the frame when stopped down. It features an effective VR system for handholding, produces low chromatic aberration and distortion, and provides a robust, high-quality build suitable for 1:1 macro and portraiture. While offering high performance, the VR system becomes less efficient at extremely close, 1:1 macro distances. Additionally, some users may find third-party alternatives offer similar macro sharpness at a lower cost, despite this lens being reasonably priced for its performance.

The AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED is Nikon’s flagship macro lens, offering full-frame (FX) and crop-sensor (DX) compatibility alongside a 1:1 maximum magnification factor. As the first macro lens on the market to introduce image stabilization, its built-in VR allows photographers to shoot at slower shutter speeds like 1/15 or 1/30 of a second. The professional build includes an advanced optical design of 14 elements in 12 groups, a silent wave motor (SWM) for autofocus across all Nikon DSLRs, a focus limiter switch to prevent hunting, and weather sealing via a rubber lens-mount grommet. Its 105mm focal length is highly versatile, acting as a standard macro distance for capturing fine details while doubling as a capable telephoto lens for portrait work. However, the lens has several physical and financial drawbacks. At 750g and 19cm long with the lens hood attached, it is quite bulky, heavy, and far from "pocketable". Its complex optical arrangement increases the risk of flare, ghosting, and reduced contrast—though Nikon counters this by adding a specialized nano-coating. Financially, the lens carries a steep price tag of...

The SLR Photography Guide review rates the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED as a top-tier, true macro lens capable of delivering extremely sharp images with a 1:1 reproduction ratio. The standalone advantage highlighted in the review is its Vibration Reduction (VR) control, making it the only true macro lens at the time of writing to feature image stabilization. This capability allows photographers to capture handheld shots of insects or flowers at slower shutter speeds (down to 1/60th of a second) and higher f-stop apertures under shade, without the risking image blur from camera shake. Additionally, the review notes the inclusion of a high-quality lens hood and storage pouch as added benefits. On the flip side, the review identifies a few drawbacks, specifically focusing on the lens's physical footprint and cost. Looking across message boards, a common gripe among users is the high price tag, which sits around $755 USD on Amazon. In terms of physical handling, the reviewer mentions that the lens is slightly larger and heavier than other tested macro lenses, necessitating a specific holding technique with...

The 1990 Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 is an F-mount lens that provides life-size 1:1 magnification and excellent sharpness across the entire frame when stopped down to f/8 or f/11. It features a useful 13.6cm (5.25") working distance at maximum magnification, and the camera automatically calculates effective apertures (like showing f/3 instead of f/2.8 when close-focusing) to simplify exposure compensation. Additionally, it features a focus limit switch that restricts the minimum focus distance to 45cm to speed up focus acquisition. The lens accepts standard 52mm filters and can be paired with the HS-14 lens hood to prevent flare. However, the lens suffers from several age-related ergonomics and performance drawbacks. Because it relies on an older screw-drive autofocus system, it requires a camera body with a built-in focus motor to autofocus, rendering it manual-focus-only on cheaper DX cameras and mirrorless Z-mount adapters. Optically, the lens is completely soft wide open at f/3 and suffers from heavy diffraction at apertures from f/16 down to f/36. Mechanically, the reviewer noted that the physical rings and switches—including a tight, sticky aperture ring, a difficult...

The Imaging Resource review of the Nikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor highlights an optically excellent lens offering uniform sharpness, minimal distortion, and very low chromatic aberration, with peak performance between f/4 and f/11. While providing a comfortable working distance for macro, it is considered a heavy, slow-focusing lens reliant on screw-drive autofocus. Key cons include significant softness at f/32 and an overly sharp rendering that may require post-processing for portraiture.

The Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is an exceptionally sharp, versatile mid-range telephoto lens that serves as a high-performance tool for both 1:1 life-size macro photography and portraiture. A major pro of this lens is its outstanding edge-to-edge optical performance, delivering next to no chromatic aberration, ghosting, or flaring across its entire aperture range. It features robust weather sealing, a smooth electronically coupled focus ring, an OLED information screen, and built-in optical vibration reduction that works with Z-series IBIS to offer up to 4.5 stops of stabilization. Weighing only 630 grams, the lens is surprisingly lightweight and delivers beautiful, silky bokeh patterns well past f/25, making it an excellent all-around lens for products, landscapes, and wildlife. However, the lens has several notable drawbacks, including a body construction made mostly of plastic rather than the metal found on its F-mount predecessor. The filter threads are also made of plastic, which could be a concern for photographers working in extreme temperatures. While the autofocus is snappy for standard subjects, it slows down significantly and tends to hunt when focusing on...

The Photography Life review deems the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro an "optical masterpiece," highlighting its exceptional sharpness, robust weather sealing, and fast, accurate autofocus. Key advantages include 1:1 magnification, a versatile OLED display, effective VR, and a lightweight design for handheld use. Conversely, the review notes the lens is incompatible with Z teleconverters and suffers from a lack of a specialized distant-subject AF limiter. Other drawbacks include focus-by-wire handling, noticeable focus breathing, and a reduced effective aperture of f/4.5 at maximum magnification.

The Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S is a highly recommended macro and light telephoto lens for full-frame Z-mount mirrorless cameras, offering 1:1 (1x) magnification without extra accessories. Priced at $1,000 / £999, it introduces extensive upgrades over its DSLR predecessor, including custom functions, thorough weather sealing, advanced anti-reflective ARNEO and Nano coatings, and a practical OLED barrel display to track focus distance and magnification. Its optical performance stands out by delivering incredibly sharp images wide open with negligible field curvature or color aberrations, even in challenging backlit environments. Additionally, its integrated optical image stabilization (VR) pairs with the camera's in-body stabilization to provide a proven 4-stop advantage during handheld shooting, and its autofocus motor operates quickly and nearly silently.

The Photo Review assessment highlights the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S as an exceptional, professional-grade macro lens that offers a versatile mid-telephoto focal length and true 1:1 life-size reproduction. Its innovative optical design excels in providing edge-to-edge sharpness, suppressing field curvature, and virtually eliminating chromatic aberrations, while featuring fast, silent internal autofocus and effective Vibration Reduction (VR) up to 4.5 stops. Despite its stellar performance, the review notes the lens's physical footprint is longer than its F-mount predecessor, which can be bulky in tight macro setups. Additionally, the electronic focus-by-wire system may lack the tactile mechanical feedback preferred by some for manual fine-tuning, and the effective aperture drops to f/4.5 at the minimum 29 cm focus distance.

The Nikonians Review highly praises the AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED as a major technical leap forward from its popular D-series predecessor. Evaluated during a real-world demonstration at the PMA International Show, the lens showcases several major pros, including splendid resolution, exceptional contrast, and advanced Nano Crystal Coat technology to effectively minimize glare. Additional key pros include its swift and silent Silent Wave Motor (SWM) autofocus system, internal focusing (IF) mechanisms, Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass for chromatic aberration control, and Vibration Reduction (VR II), which allows users to capture sharp macro images even when shooting handheld. The review and subsequent community feedback also highlight its versatile performance as an outstanding portrait lens, further aided by a 9-blade rounded diaphragm that yields incredibly smooth out-of-focus background bokeh. Despite its stellar performance, the review and its accompanying community comments outline a few notable cons. A prominent operational disadvantage is that the maximum aperture drops from f/2.8 down to f/4 or f/4.8 at a full 1:1 macro focus distance due to internal light fall-off, making it a non-constant f/2.8 lens across its...

The Nikon 105mm f/2.8G Micro-Nikkor lens is a completely redesigned version of its predecessor, introducing an updated 14-element optical design, ED glass, nano-coating, an AF-S focus motor, and VR II vibration reduction. It is solidly built and serves well as both a dedicated 1:1 macro lens and a moderate telephoto lens, offering automated panning detection and highly adjustable manual focusing with a generous 270-degree ring rotation. Optically, the lens delivers exceptional central sharpness, stands out with virtually non-existent linear distortion, and is spectacularly free of chromatic aberration or noticeable vignetting across digital bodies. However, the lens does exhibit a few drawbacks, including a tiny bit of edge softness wide open—making it slightly inferior to its predecessor in overall optical perfection. While its autofocusing is fast at normal ranges, it becomes somewhat jittery at macro distances. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the vibration reduction (VR) system gradually degrades as you get closer to a subject, providing virtually no benefit at a 1:1 reproduction ratio. Finally, the focus limiter switch is slightly restricted, as it allows users to cut off close-focus distances but...

The Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 AI-s manual focus macro lens is highly praised by the reviewer for its solid, all-metal build quality, smooth focusing ring, and inclusion of a useful focus-locking screw that prevents barrel movement when pointing up or down. It delivers exceptional image sharpness even when shot wide open, along with very pleasing bokeh, making it an excellent dual-purpose option for both macro work and portraits. Additionally, the author notes that its manual-only design avoids the downfalls of autofocus, which can be too noisy and slow for skittish macro subjects. However, the reviewer points out a major limitation for macro purists: the lens natively tops out at a 1:2 reproduction ratio, meaning it is not a true 1:1 macro lens without accessories. While using extension tubes (like the Nikon PN-11) can pull it down to 1:1, doing so ruins the accuracy of the lens's built-in focusing distance chart and creates optical problems at wide apertures. Lastly, its high resolving power can occasionally be a drawback for portraiture, as it records small skin flaws with punishing clarity.