mmakay 3 Posted January 8, 2017 I appears that not many people are using the Nikon 85mm Micro underwater. I'd like to hear from those that do use it or have tried it. Does it work well? Are there down sides? The f/3.5 max aperture is often cited as a concern, but I can't imagine it being too much of an issue with macro since I'm normally stopped down for DOF. Everything else about it seems to make it a fairly good choice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Mustard 0 Posted January 9, 2017 It is a very good lens - light and great value for money. It is not popular because it is for cropped sensor cameras only - meaning you would have to sell it if you switched to a full frame camera. For this reason most Nikon users choose the 60mm and 105mm, which can be used both on DX and FX. Here are three shots taken this year with the 85mm Nikkor: http://www.amustard.com/library/cache/40/SARD16_am-10438_750.jpg http://www.amustard.com/library/cache/40/SARD16_am-10644_750.jpg http://www.amustard.com/library/cache/40/SARD16_am-10677_750.jpg Alex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trimix125 73 Posted January 9, 2017 Hi Alex,so in qualitative things it is good?Just thinking because of weight reasons to buy it, its light and needs a leighter much port than my Nikon 70 - 180mm micro zoom...Regards,Wolfgang Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Mustard 0 Posted January 9, 2017 I am sure its optical quality is better than the 70-180mm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trimix125 73 Posted January 9, 2017 Hi Alex,have heard that on a full frame camera it is not performing so well as it was on my D300...Now its a D500...But that you can ceep some distance to the animal, helps sometimes ;-))So the zoom is a nice thing, but old and too heavy....Regards,Wolfgang Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmakay 3 Posted January 9, 2017 Alex, do you find that the FOV afforded by the 85mm gives it any advantage over the 105mm in terms of framing/subject flexibility? How do the 2 compare in AF performance underwater? Those seem to be the biggest factors that make people recommend the 60mm over the 105mm ... but the working distance of the 60mm is a non-starter for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussiebyron 57 Posted January 9, 2017 Another lens with excellent performance and priced cheaper than the Nikkor 85mm Macro is a the Tokina 100mm Macro. Regards Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eyu 27 Posted January 9, 2017 I like the zoom flexibility of the 70-180 mm micro lens, but have found it soft on my D800E compared to the 60mm G and 105 mm VR Elmer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmakay 3 Posted January 9, 2017 I should point out that I'm not looking at the 85mm for cost savings. Compared to every other expense in this hobby (ports, housings, dive travel, etc. etc.) the cost differential of the lens itself is completely in the noise. If we were looking at lenses that cost $2000 or more, I'd be singing a different tune! LOL The potential advantages I see for the 85mm: Good working distance (way better than 60) Ability to make good use of wet diopters (way better than 60 / not quite as good as 105, but close) Small size = small port (same as 60) Somewhat more flexible in subject size than 105, though not as good as 60 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom_Kline 137 Posted January 9, 2017 (edited) I should point out that I'm not looking at the 85mm for cost savings. Compared to every other expense in this hobby (ports, housings, dive travel, etc. etc.) the cost differential of the lens itself is completely in the noise. If we were looking at lenses that cost $2000 or more, I'd be singing a different tune! LOL The potential advantages I see for the 85mm: Good working distance (way better than 60) Ability to make good use of wet diopters (way better than 60 / not quite as good as 105, but close) Small size = small port (same as 60) Somewhat more flexible in subject size than 105, though not as good as 60 Sounds like an 85mm macro is in your future as it does fit in between the 60 and 105 nicely. I might have purchased the 85 had Nikon brought it out sooner. After going digital I bought the 60 and 105 D lenses (felt a need for AF for UW) and then the 105 and 60 AFS when they came out. As well I have the older manual focus 55 and 105s, the macro zoom, and the 200 medical lens. Thus my lack of interest in the DX macros, which came out more recently. A few years back I shot an entire diving trip to Maui with the 105VR using the D2X. Got some great shots of small reef fishes on that trip but it was a bit too narrow the day a White Tip Reef Shark and a moray were going around in circles in front of me! Even the 60 might have been too narrow for that. However I have taken half-shark pix with the 60 (the front half!). The 60 is pretty good for shooting APS-C format in more limited visibility too. Edited January 9, 2017 by Tom_Kline 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
onokai 18 Posted February 7, 2017 I am a 60 and 105 shooter since the mid 80s and just picked up a 85 and will try it at at Wakatobi for the two weeks we are there shortly. I'll report back in march.Ju]st bought all new lenses to see what get new stuff is like.I'm still shooting a cropped sensor D30 so the 85 will work fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
onokai 18 Posted March 14, 2017 I loved that lens for my cropped sensor nikon camera . It was a new tool after all these years with the 60 and 105 option Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manatee19 5 Posted March 14, 2017 Agree with Alex. Use all three lenses. 105 is trickier to use. The 85 is a great lens on APS-C and doing super macro with it works just fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
