Nikon macro AF 105mm f2.8D vs the new AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm F2.8G IF-ED

slojmn · 10/28/2006, 08:45 AM

First off does anyone know the difference here? I read a huge review on the new lens and got the whole S-VR thingy. Last year I made the mistake of getting an older 60mm macro lens (Nikon AF 60mm) without the "D" after it and have had to adjust to using it without certain controls. So I understand that I really want the "D" after the lens...the older 105mm D has the "D" rating but the new and improved awesome AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm F2.8G IF-ED has a "G" after it. I just want to get the right lens this time. I am pretty sure this is the one I want but any feedback would be great. I will be using it on my Nikon D-70. I also plan on heading down to the camera shop and picking the brains of those guys but they don't get the whole aquarium picture taking thingy...the issues with 14k-20k lights and all.

Thanks in advance

Frisco · 10/28/2006, 09:12 AM

I don't know all the Nikon model designations, but VR stands for vibration reduction. There is a small gyroscope like device inside the lens that measures movement of the lens and compensates by moving something so that the image isn't blurred. I have the same feature on a couple of my lenses and it is a pretty nice feature to have if you are taking pictures handheld.

steve68 · 10/28/2006, 10:25 AM

G lens has no aperture ring. It won't work on manual-focus film cameras It's perfectly compatible with every current AF camera and mostly compatible with 1980's AF cameras.

Review

cybertec69 · 10/28/2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by slojmn
First off does anyone know the difference here? I read a huge review on the new lens and got the whole S-VR thingy. Last year I made the mistake of getting an older 60mm macro lens (Nikon AF 60mm) without the "D" after it and have had to adjust to using it without certain controls. So I understand that I really want the "D" after the lens...the older 105mm D has the "D" rating but the new and improved awesome AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm F2.8G IF-ED has a "G" after it. I just want to get the right lens this time. I am pretty sure this is the one I want but any feedback would be great. I will be using it on my Nikon D-70. I also plan on heading down to the camera shop and picking the brains of those guys but they don't get the whole aquarium picture taking thingy...the issues with 14k-20k lights and all.

Thanks in advance

go to this web site www.dpreview.com , go to Nikon lens forum, you will get great responses from alot of great photographers.

Ebn · 10/28/2006, 02:20 PM

Have owned both, although not at the same time; I sold the older 105mm for the current 105mm VR. The "D" designation after the lens just means that it has 3D metering. There's really not a huge difference since it refers to the metering, which doesn't really matter.

The main difference between the current 105mm and the older 105mm is by quite a bit.
1) VR - vibration reduction as defined by Eli above
2) AFS - autofocus with silent wave motor (SWM); more quieter than the older model
3) front inner element doesn't protrude like the 60mm micro or the older 105mm micro
4) no aperture ring as Steve stated
5) increase in contrast and sharpness

Snausages01 · 10/28/2006, 09:51 PM

Not selling the 60 are you?

With the D-50 the WB can be adjusted pretty good by using the coffee filter technique; just place a coffee filter over the lens and evaluate the WB. The D-70 shouldnâ€™t be much different than the D-50.

slojmn · 10/28/2006, 10:48 PM

Chris, Nah...I'm keeping it. I know I'll be using both. Thanks for the coffee filter idea. I'll give it a try

.

Snausages01 · 10/28/2006, 11:19 PM

Had to ask.

Do you have any aquarium shots taken with the 60 that you could post? I've been tempted to buy that lens, but figured I'd be better off holding out for the 105. Have you tried stacking the 50 (or another lens) reversed on the 60?

slojmn · 10/29/2006, 07:59 AM

Check my website. All shots on the sps, softy, and lps pages are shot with the 60mm macro lens. I am still trying to figure out the white balance and depth of field...mostly the depth of field as evidenced in many of the pictures. Still took some nice pictures depsite my lack of knowledge and experience.

10/28/2006, 08:45 AM	#1
slojmn Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Napa, CA. Posts: 4,625	Nikon macro AF 105mm f2.8D vs the new AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm F2.8G IF-ED First off does anyone know the difference here? I read a huge review on the new lens and got the whole S-VR thingy. Last year I made the mistake of getting an older 60mm macro lens (Nikon AF 60mm) without the "D" after it and have had to adjust to using it without certain controls. So I understand that I really want the "D" after the lens...the older 105mm D has the "D" rating but the new and improved awesome AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm F2.8G IF-ED has a "G" after it. I just want to get the right lens this time. I am pretty sure this is the one I want but any feedback would be great. I will be using it on my Nikon D-70. I also plan on heading down to the camera shop and picking the brains of those guys but they don't get the whole aquarium picture taking thingy...the issues with 14k-20k lights and all. Thanks in advance __________________ Play hard and respect all living beings. Current Tank Info: 120g Starphire Cube, 30g nanoreef

10/28/2006, 09:12 AM	#2
Frisco Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 5,245	I don't know all the Nikon model designations, but VR stands for vibration reduction. There is a small gyroscope like device inside the lens that measures movement of the lens and compensates by moving something so that the image isn't blurred. I have the same feature on a couple of my lenses and it is a pretty nice feature to have if you are taking pictures handheld. __________________ Gone but not forgotten Current Tank Info: In Between Tanks

10/28/2006, 10:25 AM	#3
steve68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Piscataway,NJ Posts: 4,058	G lens has no aperture ring. It won't work on manual-focus film cameras It's perfectly compatible with every current AF camera and mostly compatible with 1980's AF cameras. Review __________________ "Never Give Up Never Surrender" Current Tank Info: 50 Breeder with 250w MH 10k XM bulb & 2 24inch VHO atinic 03,210 gallon Reef tank. 3 250 W MH,MRC CR-2 Reactor & MR-2 Skimmer,150 gallon sump,125 gallon refugium,75 Gallon Frag Tank & adding more water volume every t

10/28/2006, 02:20 PM	#5
Ebn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: San Jose Posts: 643	Have owned both, although not at the same time; I sold the older 105mm for the current 105mm VR. The "D" designation after the lens just means that it has 3D metering. There's really not a huge difference since it refers to the metering, which doesn't really matter. The main difference between the current 105mm and the older 105mm is by quite a bit. 1) VR - vibration reduction as defined by Eli above 2) AFS - autofocus with silent wave motor (SWM); more quieter than the older model 3) front inner element doesn't protrude like the 60mm micro or the older 105mm micro 4) no aperture ring as Steve stated 5) increase in contrast and sharpness __________________ Eric

10/28/2006, 09:51 PM	#6
Snausages01 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 739	Not selling the 60 are you? With the D-50 the WB can be adjusted pretty good by using the coffee filter technique; just place a coffee filter over the lens and evaluate the WB. The D-70 shouldnâ€™t be much different than the D-50. __________________ -Chris

10/28/2006, 10:48 PM	#7
slojmn Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Napa, CA. Posts: 4,625	Chris, Nah...I'm keeping it. I know I'll be using both. Thanks for the coffee filter idea. I'll give it a try . __________________ Play hard and respect all living beings. Current Tank Info: 120g Starphire Cube, 30g nanoreef

10/28/2006, 11:19 PM	#8
Snausages01 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 739	Had to ask. Do you have any aquarium shots taken with the 60 that you could post? I've been tempted to buy that lens, but figured I'd be better off holding out for the 105. Have you tried stacking the 50 (or another lens) reversed on the 60? __________________ -Chris

10/29/2006, 07:59 AM	#9
slojmn Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Napa, CA. Posts: 4,625	Check my website. All shots on the sps, softy, and lps pages are shot with the 60mm macro lens. I am still trying to figure out the white balance and depth of field...mostly the depth of field as evidenced in many of the pictures. Still took some nice pictures depsite my lack of knowledge and experience. __________________ Play hard and respect all living beings. Current Tank Info: 120g Starphire Cube, 30g nanoreef