Nikon 105VR Tips?

[bkkchriss4 0]

Just picked up my new Nikon 105mm VR - pretty amazing lens from the little I have had a chance to play with it so far.

 

Any tips for use underwater? Seems everyone feels a focus light is much more helpful with this lens than say the Nikon 60mm. VR off. I have the focus ring, but do most shoot in M or AF?

[adamhanlon 0]

Hi,

 

It is a great lens!

 

I keep the VR on-it allows you to hold a higher aperture than you could otherwise. It is a really good feature

 

I use the autofocus only (dont have a MF port). It is very good, but alittle "tweaky". It has a tendency to hunt sometimes. A good focus light certainly helps with this. I have also found that you need to be quite sentsitive with the AF-hold the button until close to your desired focus, and then use small blips to get sharp.

 

All the best

 

Adam

[sgietler 1]

Congrats on the new lens.

 

You'll find the bokeh on that lens is nice, and different than the 60mm. Try shooting some subjects at small and large apertures (e.g. - F8, F25), and see how it changes your background, instead of just always shooting at the same aperture.

 

have fun!

 

Scott

[Alex_Mustard 0]

Seems everyone feels a focus light is much more helpful with this lens than say the Nikon 60mm. VR off. I have the focus ring, but do most shoot in M or AF?

 

I shoot predominantly in AF. Although for some subjects prefer a locked focused method, such as using the AF-ON button.

 

The need for a focus light depends on your diving conditions, subject and camera. I use a focus light if I am diving somewhere dark, deep or at night. I tend not to otherwise. I don't even take one on many of my trips. The need for a focus light also depends on the AF ability of your camera body. A D3s has a lot less need for one than a D5000. And finally some subjects don't care less about a focus light, while for others it can cause them to turn away from the lens (e.g. seahorses). In this case you can always turn it off.

 

Alex

[davichin 18]

I use it with VR in off position as I don´t like the image moving while I look through the viewfinder. I think that water provides enough dampening for hand vibration (most of the people use it in on position). One tip is to use anything (I use duct tape over the switch) to avoid accidentally switching the focus distance to 0.5m-infinite while changing ports etc... It happenned to me during a competition and it is very frustrating to find out underwater...

[tdpriest 115]

It seems a bit silly to buy this lens and then turn VR off: a used/loved old 105mm micro might be easier to handle if you don't want VR?

 

Tim

 

[WanderingBob 2]

Just picked up my new Nikon 105mm VR - pretty amazing lens from the little I have had a chance to play with it so far.

 

Any tips for use underwater? Seems everyone feels a focus light is much more helpful with this lens than say the Nikon 60mm. VR off. I have the focus ring, but do most shoot in M or AF?

 

Per your profile, I see you shoot a D90, DX sensor. Some of the responses are from people who shoot Full Frame and Cropped Sensors. I would think the 105VR over the 60mm would give longer reach which may shine in clear waters. However, would a 105VR on a cropped sensor in more turbid water allow you to get "good" photos? Is that a good combo?

 

Thanks,

[bkkchriss4 0]

Thanks! Lots of good info. I am of course just going to play around and see what works best. I have heard from others that when shooting close-up objects with VR on there is a slight shift in focus which can result in out of focus shots, but I am going to try it all! Cold, dark California waters this month and warm, clear-ish Thailand next month.

[TomR1 5]

I don't use VR. However, this lens is a LOT faster focusing than the old 105. Some don't like this because the lens can hunt. However the secret, as said above, is small focus changes. Simply focus on the subject from far away then refocus as you move in. Works fine.

 

The issue with a 60MM vs a 105MM on a cropped sensor is not cold dark water vs warm water. It is water clarity. As water increases in organic content the blue gets adsorbed first while inorganic components affect both the blue and green adsorbtion.

[WanderingBob 2]

I don't use VR. However, this lens is a LOT faster focusing than the old 105. Some don't like this because the lens can hunt. However the secret, as said above, is small focus changes. Simply focus on the subject from far away then refocus as you move in. Works fine.

 

The issue with a 60MM vs a 105MM on a cropped sensor is not cold dark water vs warm water. It is water clarity. As water increases in organic content the blue gets adsorbed first while inorganic components affect both the blue and green adsorbtion.

 

 

<<The issue with a 60MM vs a 105MM on a cropped sensor is not cold dark water vs warm water. It is water clarity. As water increases in organic content the blue gets adsorbed first while inorganic components affect both the blue and green adsorbtion>>

 

Thanks Tom. LOL!

 

I live in Alaska now and learned to dive in the Bahamas as a kid. I understand turbidity and backscatter from particulate matter, but I do equate cold, dark with poor visiblity and warm water with clear visibility to this day. And yes, no direct correlation.

[davichin 18]

It seems a bit silly to buy this lens and then turn VR off: a used/loved old 105mm micro might be easier to handle if you don't want VR?

 

Tim

 

 

Then, I guess I am silly!

[PRC 2]

Then, I guess I am silly!

 

If being silly produces shots like yours then I am headed your way....

Paul C

[adamhanlon 0]

me too....!

 

even though I leave the VR button on!

Edited January 15, 2010 by adamdiveruk

[WanderingBob 2]

I am ordering a Nikon 105 VR, have a Subal housing and am wondering if I should get the Subal auto focus port or the one that has a Manual control too?

 

Seems to me that the auto is he way to go as I cannot see the need to use manual focus for macro ... unless using a tripod U/W?

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks,

[adamhanlon 0]

Hi,

 

I have the AF one.

 

Most of the time, the AF seems to work fine, and on the odd occasion when it doesn't, I just lock the focus off and move the camera in and out till it is sharp!

 

Saying that, I haven't really used the MF port so can't offer a balanced opinion.

 

I do like the look of the XIT focus rings for the 105, which would allows me to MF from the body of the housing, but as mine is a type 3 port system, there isn't enough room around the lins for it.

 

BTW, if yours is a type 3 as well, you may need to do some boring out of your ports/extensions.

 

It is a great lens!

 

Adam

[davichin 18]

If being silly produces shots like yours then I am headed your way....

Paul C

 

me too....!

 

even though I leave the VR button on!

 

 

 

I think the 105VR, when used underwater, is like when using a long VR/IS range lens (400-500mm) with a tripod in that it works better with the VR in off position... But it is just an opinion

[WanderingBob 2]

Hi,

 

I have the AF one.

 

Most of the time, the AF seems to work fine, and on the odd occasion when it doesn't, I just lock the focus off and move the camera in and out till it is sharp!

 

Saying that, I haven't really used the MF port so can't offer a balanced opinion.

 

I do like the look of the XIT focus rings for the 105, which would allows me to MF from the body of the housing, but as mine is a type 3 port system, there isn't enough room around the lins for it.

 

BTW, if yours is a type 3 as well, you may need to do some boring out of your ports/extensions.

 

It is a great lens!

 

Adam

 

Adam, Thanks.

 

Mine is a Version 3 too.

 

<<BTW, if yours is a type 3 as well, you may need to do some boring out of your ports/extensions.>>

 

Are you saying you need to do some boring even with the "auto" port from Subal? Or just the manual port?

 

It just seems to me that to use manual focus you would have to lay on the bottom, or reef or hover above a subject in flat calm water in order to get sharp images from manual focus?

 

What am I missing? Anyone?

 

Thanks

[JackConnick 75]

I've used this lens a few times, although borrowed before so I didn't get a lot of experience.

 

I would say the VR is pretty nice, but the AF is almost too fast. My new Nauticam has an MF gear and I can tell you it's very sweet to rock the focus around on a small fish from lips to dorsal fin. The bokeh on the lens is wonderful.

 

I am wondering if anyone but me uses this lens with a 2x wet diopter. When I used it that way it was very nice to cut the distance down in our more turbid waters.

 

Jack

[Mike L 0]

I love the 105 VR! I always shoot in AutoFocus. MF would be nice on rare occasion, but I find it really to be unnecessary. The cost alone on the MF gears are generally outrageous, and I believe putting that $$ towards a quality focus light is a much better way to go.

[adamhanlon 0]

Hi again,

 

What I and I suspect a lot of other people have done is to buy the 60mm auto port, and then add an extension to increase the length of this for the 105mm. This gives you one port to use with both lenses! If you do this, then you are best boring out the extension piece to accomodate the wide bore of the 105mm. Some of us do occasionally use diopters on the 105 as well-this again involves the use of extensions.

 

I'm afraid off hand I can't actually remember the size of extemsion-33 mm seems to ring a bell, but I may be wrong... If you are interested, I can measure it later. Or someone more knowledgable may come along!

 

All the best

 

Adam

[tdpriest 115]

Then, I guess I am silly!

 

Must be the hair...

 

... certainly there's nothing silly about your images (except for the insanity of trying to use a camera in salty water).

 

More seriously: does the modern lens offer anything if the VR function is turned off? I never used the old 105mm, so I learned with the new lens, with VR on. I can well understand disabling AF, but I'm not sure what is gained by turning off the VR.

 

Tim

 

[bkkchriss4 0]

The only issue I have heard with the VR ON is that when shooting as an actual macro lens (and I think the manual for the lens states this as well) is that the VR can shift your focus ever so slightly. But seeing how the depth of field in the fstop range most shoot this lens underwater is already TINY that slight shift can mean an out of focus photo...

 

I leave it OFF shooting macro underwater, ON above shooting portraits.

 

Also, I know of a fair amount of people using their 105 port with a 60 with no issues - certainly leaves room for converters and whatnot!

[tdpriest 115]

The only issue I have heard with the VR ON is that when shooting as an actual macro lens (and I think the manual for the lens states this as well) is that the VR can shift your focus ever so slightly.

 

I've not noticed this: eyes etc stay sharp, tho' maybe the observation that I'm also using AF and moving the AF target area around is the explanation for that. I can see that maybe an interaction between AF and VR means that they should either both be on, or both off.

 

I use the same port, with a 40mm extension for the 105mm; that gives me enough space for a close-up lens, as well.

 

Tim

 

[jimmmarks 0]

jus wondering whether can i change my 18-105vr plastic mount to steel mount? (without drop my camera) keep hanging my camera on my neck or shoulder and walk around (travel) will cause my lens plastic mount to break?? due i feel tat my kit lens provided a sensible load tat may break the plastic mount...it is quite heavy.

 

Hope D90 users here provide a good review to help me on this issue.

[HowieSun 0]

This lens didn’t even grab my attention at first. While I was told about it long before it’s announcement, I’m perfectly happy with the 70-180 & 60mc for my limited macro needs. It wasn’t until my good friend/mentor Joe McNally showed up with one at our DLWS event that he had purchased that my interest was peaked. He was kind enough to not only share the lens with me, but his thoughts on the lens (he loves it) and applying it. The man is a genius (and not just about lighting!) I got the 105VR and I just LOVE it for portraits (you can count the hairs)! Yeah, it does that macro thing but the working distance of the 105mm at marco has never fit my style. It’s everything else this lens can do that I love shooting it. Its barrel diameter fits my hand just right, especially when I have gloves on. It’s one FINE lens (darn sexy too!), come to a DLWS event… we’ll let you get hooked!