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This topic is locked.Reason: OP's Question Answered - Now turning onto an argument.
I know there's a topic about this a little lower down, but it's for Canon - and I was more wondering what the Nikon 105mm f2.8 G AF-S VR IF ED Micro Nikkor Lens was like? I am seriously considering buying this one, but thought I should check first to see if there's anything better I could get? My main goal is very close photos of very tiny insects... I understand an extension tube would be the way forward? any advice on that appreciated too! 
xx
first off pretty much all the macro prime lenses on the market are very sharp and good choices - there is very little to pick between them.
As a pure macro lens the Nikon has no real advatanges or disadvantages over the others - it does, however, have VR which is a boon for other work, but has little to no impact on macro shots.
As for tiny insects if they are your aim I would suggest considering the sigma line of teleconverters - their 150mm might be a good option if you shoot handheld whilst thier 180mm is longer but more suited to tripod shooting.
Both of those are the top line macro primes from sigma - both having HSM motors, inner focusing, EX build quality (sigma's best) and also teleconverer compatabilty (sigma brand).
A 1.4 teleconverter will let you get more magnification out of the lens, without sacficing your working distance (which extension tubes will do) and the lens also retains infinate focus for those grabshots of other things whilst out in the field (though AF is limited). I often use a 1.4TC with my sigma 150mm for a bit of added magnifiction. A 2*TC gives even more magnification, but its a harder combo to use and further it does significantly affect image quality - though results are still useable.
I don't know about teleconverter compatability for the nikon 105mm macro - so check this out - kenko or sigma teleconverters might fit this lens as too might nikons own branad teleconverters.
Also, whilst many macro filters are not worth much consdier Raynox macro filters like the DCR 250 - which can add a good boost to magnification whilst offering very little image quality loss (some users say its only about as much as the loss resulting from using extension tubes - more info here: link
My advise would be to go out with a friend who has a couple of macro lenses, just to see what you're up against; it's a totally different form of photography; focusing, adjusting to an extremely shallow DOF, and a whole host of new techniques required. It's not that it's difficult, it's just that it's a highly specialised genre of photography, using specialised equipment, some of which you can make yourself from household items, and the rest you collect over time as you gain knowledge and skills.
If you are going to get one consider getting on the phone today - Nikon increased many lens prices by 10-15% on 12th Jan.
Quote: As a pure macro lens the Nikon has no real advantages or disadvantages over the others - it does, however, have VR which is a boon for other work, but has little to no impact on macro shots.
As an owner and extensive user of this lens I confirm most of this is wrong.
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The lens is one of only 2 macro lenses with nano type coating to reduce flair. The closer you focus the greater the effect of flare so by 1:1 or 2:1 nano type coating is a big advantage.
Digressing the other macro with nano type coating is the Nikon 60mm G.
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The 105 accepts Nikon's top grade e converters for greater than 1:1 magnification.
In these times of very strict trades description legislation and the risk of AF hunting with converters at greater than 1:1 Nikon imply AF is not possible with converters.
In the real world providing there is good light and I roughly pre focus it works for me with the 1.4 and 1.7 - but gets very "iffy" with the 2x at 2:1.
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There is much misunderstanding about VR and macro - or to be more precise safe hand held shutter speeds and macro.
Kodak (in their Professional Photoquide) say 1 x focal length (1/100 on 24x36) hand held is for a 12 foot wide subject - implying 2x 1/200 for a 6 foot wide subject, 4x 1/400 for a 3 foot wide subject etc with a 105mm lens on 24x36.
Nikon suggest (probably taking account of modern balanced DSLR mirrors) stepping up to 2x (1/200 on 24x36) closer than a 3 foot wide subject without VR, which equates to 1/400 at 18 inches wide, 1/800 at 9 inches wide, and 1/1600 at 4.5 inches wide.
At around 1:1 the 4 speeds VR II at infinity is worth about 3 speeds - which means 1/200 - 1/400 at 100 ISO when hand holding near 1:1 for subjects like insects.
Increasing ISO to 400 (where all current DSLR's perform well) gets back 2 shutter speeds - making hand held 1:1 VR shots a potential reality.
Off and on topic a 10 mph breeze with a 3 foot wide subject becomes equivalent to a 100 mph wind by 1:1 due to extra magnification - one reason why flash at perhaps 1/4000 equivalent is often used for outdoor macro.
When working from a tripod in controlled conditions (you do not get many butterfly shots that way) this lens does not have Nikon's tripod mode VR - so switch VR off.
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When it comes to macro flash there is currently nothing to compete with the Nikon R1C1 macro flash system for macro versatility.
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Good though the competition is the nano coating, the converter compatibility, the ability to hand hold at 1:1 with VR at 400 ISO and the RICI puts the 105 Nikon VR well ahead of the competition.
The 105 VR does not come cheap at about £460 for the lens and £480 for the flash system (if you beat the price rise) - but it has no equal.
i'll second that. It's a great lens, and I spent a long time researching my options before choosing it. It's the fixed barrel length that's a real gem for use with tubes (I use the Kenko ones without problems), and it's built like a tank. You'll also find that the 105 is really well suited to general photography. I use it for street photography, as well as chasing skaters around my garden pond. And eventually, you will want the R1 kit (trust me), and when you do, you'll need a lens that doesn't rotate or extend to get the most from it. Something to bear in mind.
I bought this (with the R1C1 Commander Unit) earlier this week (arrived on Tuesday) and have only just had the time to take it out of it's box (mainly due to my company year end, VAT period end and personal tax period all being due this week - thanks Gordon )
All I can say so far is that it feels reassuringly heavy for it's length but if I get the chance this weekend, I'll do a mini review and post up some pics (if they're good enough 
)
Quote: the ability to hand hold at 1:1 with VR at 400 ISO and the RICI puts the 105 Nikon VR well ahead of the competition
I think you will find that ability is greatly exaggerated. Nikon themselves say VR performance deteriorates the closer you get and make no claims for stops gained at 1:1. One other real problem with macro is that the slightest back and forward motion will wreck your focus point and VR is not designed to cope with that.
Indeed.. don't expect the VR on the lens when used for 'true' macro to be of any use or benefit.
The focal length makes it an great choice for portrait work and of course VR can be usefully employed
Firstly by all accounts it is an excellent lens. The previous version is pretty good (I've owned two copies). There are some online complaints about CA from the new one but I do not feel qualified to comment on that.
I have a few Nikon micro lenses and a 105mm lens is probably the most versatile focal length. It would work well with the R1 and R1C1 macro flash units (which are comparable to the similar Canon unit).
Quote: Quote:the ability to hand hold at 1:1 with VR at 400 ISO and the RICI puts the 105 Nikon VR well ahead of the competition think you will find that ability is greatly exaggerated. Nikon themselves say VR performance deteriorates the closer you get
Why to you think a semi professional with significant hands on experience and integrity would exaggerate?
As you report Nikon say you do not get the full 4 speed VR effect - but in my regular use without flash I get around 3 speeds close to 1:1 - a major gain compared to no VR.
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You perhaps misunderstand some of the technical issues in close up photography.
When using the R1C1 the primary light source is likely to be flash at perhaps 1/4000 effective shutter speed.
In this type of situation VR has little or no effect on reducing camera shake, but is important in helping AF better track something like an insect on grass swaying in a breeze.
I repeat sharp hand held 1:1 without resorting to flash is achievable with VR on and 400 ISO in bright daylight.
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If you go to Focus on Imaging next month and visit the Nikon stand I am sure Nikon will let you use your own card to check out that VR is very useful and works well for hand held close up work.
Quote: don't expect the VR on the lens when used for 'true' macro to be of any use or benefit.
It depends on your definition of "true macro".
If you are someone like John Bebbington who photographs tiny insects by spending up to 15 minutes clamping the grass they are on then a good tripod is the way to go.
If you are some-one like Roger Reynolds who breeds some of the butterflies used in RSPB films in the loft and sets the alarm for whatever time they emerge for the first hour or so they cannot fly and a tripod is the way to go.
If you are photographing in the field hand holding without flash VR makes consistent close up possible that was almost impossible without flash prior to VR in the Nikon 105.
At 1:1 total dof is about a tenth of an inch at f11 with not too much diffraction quality loss at f22 - so getting square on to a butterflies wings is perhaps the greatest challenge, and much more easily achieved in the field hand held than from a tripod.
At 1:0.7 (fine for larger UK fritillary butterflies) total dof is a useful quarter of an inch - and is an area where hand holding with VR without flash opens up a whole new range of photographic opportunities.
There was a time when many claimed 35mm was no good.
There was a time when many claimed in camera metering was no good.
There was a time when many claimed AF was no good.
There was a time when many claimed digital was no good.
There seem to be some wrongly claiming VR for macro is no good - those who have tried it (like those who have largely adopted in camera metering, AF and digital) know they are likely to Luddites afraid of trying the benefits of modern technology.
I don't thinks its a case where people say its no good - certainly having VR (or IS or OS) in a lens is definatly worth paying for (IMO) however from all counts I have yet to see the nikon perform in such a manner that the VR allows it to outperform the other options currently on the market.
Granted nearly all macro is either tripod with either natural or falsh - or handheld with flash. I don't think I can recall many if any doing 1:1 macro handheld without a flash. Thus it could be that without flash its simply not been tested that well/often by userse. Do you have any examples of such shots - possibly also with 100% crops as well?
Quote: Granted nearly all macro is either tripod with either natural or flash - or handheld with flash.
Clarification "is" in your first line can be consigned to the waste paper bin of history.
Thanks to VR in this lens, and good 400 ISO performance with all 7 Nikon DSLR's launched in the last 2 years, high quality hand held 1:1 is for the first time easily possible without flash.
I tried to read you first post again but - go lost again.
What sorts of shutter speed are you saying are possible with the VR whilst handheld whislt also working with macro subjects and thus typical macro settings?
Only if the shutter speed goes too slow you are going to introduce the problem of insect movement causing blur - not an issue for say fungie shooting or early morning shots (when normally a tripod would be used)
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