5 replies to this topic

[GeorgeH]

Anyone care to share experiences with the Nikkor AF Micro 105/2.8 D on a full frame body?

I have used the 60mm AFS Nikkor and it focuses very fast and is reasonably easy to use but I am disappointed in the background or Bokeh in some images from the two times I have used it. I’ve only had the housing in the water a few times as I am a relatively new diver having just passed 50 dives.

I assume the AFS VR version has improved focus speed but the D version is the one I own and the optical quality is very close. My concern is during topside use, the AF 105 f2.8D has a tendency to hunt and it can be a slow process while the lens moves the focus from one extreme to the other and back again before finally locking on at times. By then a skittish creature would be long gone. With a good focus light, even in the dark green waters of Puget Sound, I am hoping it will be up to the task. I can see times and subjects I would want the option of the shallower depth of field I would get with the 105 D and the additional working distance.

Thank you.George

[okuma]

It will hunt more than the 601
Use manual focus or pre focus on a stationary subject and then drift the housing in/out to fine tune on subject!

[Deep6]

It will hunt more than the 601
Use manual focus or pre focus on a stationary subject and then drift the housing in/out to fine tune on subject!

Good suggestion. I used this older version on an F4 almost always in MF. It is fairly good on my D80 & D200 (DX). I can switch between AF & MF with the Nexus (Anthis) multiport.

Bob

Edited by Deep6, 17 January 2013 - 04:12 PM.

[KirkD]

I have the newer 105 and on my crop semsor, it hunts. Focus light helps, but yhe 60 still focuses faster

[GeorgeH]

Just returned from taking the 105 f2.8D out for some night Lumpy hunting and while it is much harder to find the subject and lock focus, it gives me the background and Bokeh I was looking for. This required almost no editing. Depending on what I'm trying to shoot, I won't hesitate to take the 105 D.

Thanks for the replies.

Edited by GeorgeH, 17 January 2013 - 08:54 PM.

[divegypsy]

I have used the 105mmD for years. First on the F4, then the F5 and now on the D700.  I have also tried the 105mmVR.  My experience is that the 105D has less problems with the focus locking onto the subject than the 105VR.  The speed of the AF-S focusing on the 105VR is considerably faster than the camera body driven focusing of the 105D and in my experience the focusing of the 105VR "whizzes" past the intended focus point much more frequently than with the 105D.  This is particularly true as the magnification increases towards 1:1.  As a result the 105D is my preferred lens for most diving situations.

 

Fred