Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens

The Nikon 2160 105mm f2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens is the world's first macro lens featuring Nikon's exclusive Silent Wave Motor and Vibration Reduction. Designed for close-up and macro photography, this camera lens is versatile enough for virtually any photographic situation.

Technical Details :
* Designed for close-up and macro photography; versatile enough for virtually any photographic situation.
* Features new VR II vibration reduction technology, which allows photographers to shoot hand-held shots up to 4 shutter speeds slower.
* Nano-Crystal coat and ED glass elements that enhance overall image quality by further reducing flare and chromatic aberrations.
* Includes internal focus, which provides fast and quiet auto-focusing without changing the length of the lens, retaining the subject's working distance.
* Weighs 27.9 ounces, and measures 3.3 x 4.5 inches (Diameter x Depth).



This Nikon 105 millimeter lens features Nikon's new VR II vibration reduction technology, which allows photographers to shoot hand-held shots at up to four shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, providing sharper images in general and in close-up photography. This lens also features a high-resolution and high optical performance, with a Nano-Crystal coat and ED glass elements that enhance overall image quality by further reducing flare and chromatic aberrations, and contributing to improved color, contrast and clarity. Constructed with an f2.8 lens, this unit includes an internal focus, which provides fast and quiet auto-focusing without changing the length of the lens, retaining the subject's working distance through the focus range. This lens has a non-rotating front design that is convenient for use with circular polarizing filters and the R1C1 wireless close-up Speedlight system. Specifically engineered for both Nikon digital and 35mm SLR cameras, the Nikon ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor lens helps ensure high quality and high performance for all photographers, from amateurs to professionals, and includes front and rear lens caps, an HB-38 bayonet lens hood, and a CL-1020 flexible lens pouch. The 2160 weighs 27.9 ounces and measures 3.3 x 4.5 inches (diameter x depth).

Pros:
- Excellent image quality.
- Excellent build.
- Excellent VR implementation.

Cons:
- Pricey.
- Shortens focal length when focusing close.
- Max aperture goes down to f/4.8 at closest focusing distance.

Impressively, the Nikon 105/2.8 VR shows center and corner sharpness through the entire aperture range. The sweet spot is said to be between f/5.6 to f/11, but inspecting 100% crops did not reveal much loss of sharpness at the larger apertures. This probably has a good deal to do with the ED glass element and Nano Crystal coating showing its worth, but it is also probable that the lens outresolves the 6-megapixel APS-C sensor on the test body (a Nikon D50), so any decrease in sharpness is not as apparent.