Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Who would have thought that Nikon could have improved on the already excellent 60mm micro? How?
1) It no longer extends when focusing.
2) Hood is now included, and is bayonet style, not screw on.
3) AFS. Quiet focusing.
4) 9 nine rounded aperture blades (instead of 7 straight) for very pleasant bokeh.
5) As sharp as the old one.
6) New Nano crystal coatings supposed provide better color and contrast (only time will tell on this one).
Is it worth the upgrade? Check this list and see if these are important to you. If not, you can pick us a used 60mm AF(D) micro or maybe still find a new one for less money. As I was not replacing but buying a short macro for the first time, I got this latest version and am very very happy with it.
Is it worth the higher price? I certainly think so, but others may disagree. Shop around, there are better prices at good stores. Avoid Broadway photo and its related sites.

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Ideal for close-up shots, copy work, and general photography, the Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S lens is optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on both Nikon FX format and DX format image sensors. The lens is equipped with an exclusive Silent Wave Motor (SWM) that enables accurate, quiet, high-speed autofocus operation. The lens's pair of aspherical elements, meanwhile, virtually eliminate coma and other types of aberration even at the widest aperture. Add in an extra-low-dispersion (ED) glass element--which effectively minimizes chromatic aberration--and your photos will enjoy superior sharpness and color correction regardless of the subject. Other details include an internal focusing (IF) design that enables the use of polarizers and speed-light systems; a Nano Crystal Coat that virtually eliminates reflections across a wide range of wavelengths for even greater image integrity; a Super Integrated Coating (SIC) that substantially reduces ghosting and flare; a rounded nine-blade diaphragm that makes out-of-focus image elements appear more natural; and a M/A focus mode that allows you to quickly transition between autofocus and manual operation.
Specifications
Focal length: 60mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Minimum aperture: f/32
Autofocus: Yes
Silent Wave Motor (SWM): Yes
Compatible formats: FX, DX, FX in DX crop mode, 35mm film
Vibration reduction: No
Distance information: Yes
ED glass elements: Yes
Super Integrated Coating: Yes
Nano Crystal Coat: Yes
Internal focusing: Yes
Rear focusing: No
De-focus control: No
Close-range correction: No
Manual/auto focus mode: Yes
Minimum focusing distance: 0.6 feet
Angle of view: 39 degrees @ 40 feet
Lens construction: 12 elements in 9 groups
ED elements: 1
Maximum reproduction ratio: 1x
Filter type: 62mm screw-on
Mount type: Nikon F-bayonet
Lens case: CL-1018
Lens hood: HB-42
Dimensions: 2.9 inches in diameter and 3.5 inches long
Weight: 15 ounces
Warranty: 1 year

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Nikon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D Autofocus Zoom Nikkor Lens Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been an amateur photographer for almost 40 years and a devoted Nikon user for the last 30 at least. In that time I've owned every professional film SLR from the original F to the F5 and, at one time or another, almost every piece of glass from 18 to 300 mm that Nikon ever produced. Like many, I went through a period of having to have only "the best" in my camera bag and consequently paid a premium to own only "professional" primes and zooms (many of which I still own).
What constitutes a good lens however is not it's performance on test targets alone but how it performs in real life. A $1000, pro level, f2.8 zoom is useless if it's so heavy you hate taking it with you on vacation. All the money you spent on that "pro" performance is useless sitting in the bag at home.
As a real life "user", this lens is hard to beat. With a range that covers the focal lengths used for a large percentage of the pictures you will want to make, the sacrifice of 0.5 stops at the short end and 1.5 at the long is a small price to pay - unless you are in the (discouraged) habit of using slow (ISO 50) films handheld all the time. The lens covers it's long focal length range with a surprising lack of distortions - a tribute to the designers - and even has a usable "macro" feature. Is it the equavalent of my 105 f2.8 AF Micro Nikkor? NO! But the difference only shows in the corners wide open. For the occasional close up on the beach that you might want to grab on vacation it performs surprisingly well.
All lenses are compromises and this is especially true of zooms. This lens is a generally nice package as a stand alone vacation lens. Or, if you prefer, couple it with a AF20mm f2.8 Nikkor and an old AF70-210 f4 Nikkor or newer AF70-210 f4.5-5.6D Nikkor (all using 62mm filters) and you have a very versatile travel package for film shooters.
My only complaint has to do with the recent addition of a Nikon D100 to my collection of bodies. The 1.5 multiplication factor of the sensor makes this effectivly a 42-157mm zoom on that body. Consequently, for the digital shooter who "sees" wide this becomes an unattractive range. If, on the other hand, you, like me, "see" better at longer focal lengths, you now have a "normal" to medium tele zoom with a macro capability. In addition, since the digital sensor only uses the center of the lenses projected circle - this lens in digital is as sharp as my AF180 f2.8 Nikkor prime on film.
For my way of shooting these are acceptable compromises.
Addendum: July 2010
As another reader has pointed out, this review was written before the advent of the "full frame" Nikon D SLRs as well as before the arrival of lenses like the Nikon 18-200mm VR DX, 16-85mm VR DX, and 18-135mm VR DX Zooms for DX size sensors. Despite these developments (and despite the fact that I have owned many of the alternatives listed and currently still own the 18-200 VR DX on a D300s), the hundreds of superb travel photos I have taken with this lens still makes it one of the few lenses I just can't bring myself to part with. I have "blown" shots in the past for many reasons - forgot to change settings, used too slow a shutter or too wide an aperture, wrong white balance, etc. - but I have yet to have a shot spoiled by the performance of this optic. Given present technology, it is only the lack of VR that would make me hesitate from buying it again.

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A 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5DD AF* Zoom-Nikkor lens that's great for close-ups & more!

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Nikon DG-2 2x Eyepiece Magnifier for Nikon D7000, D3100, D300S, D700, D90, D3X, and D3000 Digital SLR Cameras (Requires Eyepiece Adapter) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I think people do NOT understand that this is for close up work not for a dedicated "viewfinder"The metal hinge is there if you want to see the complete viewfinder/image to make sure that your subject is framed correctly etc, then switch back to the magnifier and focus.
Again, for close-up/macro work it is outstanding and a great help for dead on clear and precise focusing...nothing more.
Have been using this for years, even in the late 80's you could not find one of these for less than $50.00!!! So I can not see how they are over-priced. Considering inflation I would say that prices have decreased and still a good value for THE CORRECT INTENDED USE!

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Provides 2X magnification of the central portion of the finder image. Eyesight adjustment provided. Useful for critical focusing in close-up work. (DK-18 required for Cameras with a 22mm round high eye-point viewing eyepiece thread, including: F3HP (with DE-3 High Eyepoint Finder) & F3T, F4, F5, F6, F100, N90, N90s, N8008, N8008s.D1, D3000, D300S, D3100, D3X, D700, D7000, D90

Get 34% OFF

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Nikon 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you've never had a true macro lens that is capable of 1:1(life size on slide or negative), then you're in for some fun and you'll be amazed, trust me. It's razor sharp. Image quality is outstanding. You'll see detail on your slides or prints that you could never see with the naked eye.
The only thing that could possibly disappoint is the working distance. At 1:1, the subject is about 2-3 inches from the front of the lens. When shooting insects or other moving creatures, this may be too close. The 105mm macro is the way to go for that.
---Edited with the following: I've seen 1 and 2 star reviews for this lens because it will not autofocus with the Nikon D40, D40x, and D60(and possibly others). All the other functions still work, just have to manually focus it. **If you want autofocus with the above mentioned Nikon bodies, get the new G version of this lens. These days the 2 are almost the same price.And some knock it because it doesn't have VR. Hey, this lens was introduced around 1989-long before VR or digital SLRs. And in macro photography, steadiness and focusing are so critical, VR won't help much anyway. The only proper technique is to use a rock solid tripod and focus manually. If you think you can just hold the camera and shoot at 1:1 reproduction ratio, you'll have alot of blurred shots. So do your homework and research and don't buy something that is not fully compatible with your camera body-and then give it 1 or 2 stars. It's a fine lens-trust me.

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60mm lens for Nikon cameras

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