Showcase Nikon 105mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Micro

[GolferChris68]

I'm considering either the 85mm f/1.4, or the 105mm f/2.8 VR lens for my next purchase. There is a huge thread with a ton of great shots taken with the 85mm f/1.4, but I would also like to see some shots taken with the 105mm VR. If possible, would love to see not just macro, but also some portaits and some general photos.

I want one of these to cover the mid-range, to pair with my D700. I already own the 70-200mm VR, which is fantastic, but sometimes a bit too heavy for certain situations. The 105mm VR looks great for macro photography, while the 85mm looks amazing for portraiture. Whichever lens I pick out of these two, I want to use for general photography as well.

Photos taken with the 105mm f/2.8 VR, as well as advice/thoughts concerning these two lenses is greatly appreciated.

 

[Zee71]

Chris,

Here is a link to some photo's I took with the 105mm VR f/2.8 lens for your viewing pleasure.

http://www.pbase.com/zee71/cats_meow

 

[GolferChris68]

Mark, those are excellent, and great examples of what I was looking for. I especially like the shot of "Ole Blue Eyes".

 

[Charles Loy]

I use the 105 VR for portraits often, but don't post the photos.
105 VR @ f5.6

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@ f5.6 with 17EII - groomer was 125 yards out

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@ f13

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[this is me]

For macro, it's is great!
Although I've shot portrait with it once, I didn't like the result and sticked with my 85mm f/1.4
I have all the lenses you mentioned above and to me they all serve their own purposes.

Here some shots from the 105mm VR
On a D70s

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On a D3
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And here is an 85mm doing quasi close up. I just wanted to test out the bokeh of the 85mm compare with the 105mm.
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[rwolds9]

Her's one taken indoors at 2.8 no flash.

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[Masa]

For macro, it's is great!

Nick,

Your flower pics look great. Did you use a tripod? If handheld, did you have the VR on or off? Did you use flash on some of them?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[GolferChris68]

For macro, it's is great!
Although I've shot portrait with it once, I didn't like the result and sticked with my 85mm f/1.4
I have all the lenses you mentioned above and to me they all serve their own purposes.

Here some shots from the 105mm VR
On a D70s


On a D3


And here is an 85mm doing quasi close up. I just wanted to test out the bokeh of the 85mm compare with the 105mm.

Nick, great shots. The flower shots taken with the 85mm are pretty interesting, what with the beautiful colors and creamy bokeh. On the other hand, the 105mm VR shots are also very good.

Unfortunately, your shots haven't helped me narrow down my choice since they are all really, really good! :wink: Makes me want both lenses. :biggrin:

 

[Tim W]

This isn't going to be an easy decision for you, if you only want one of the lenses. They both make wonderful general purpose walkabout lenses, with one biased towards portraiture, and the other a more technical macro lens. As you can see I have both.................

If I had to only pick one, I would go with the 85/1.4 and optionally, the Canon 500D 77mm macro adapter which you could use on the 85, or your 70-200.

 

[Cools]

All the runway photos in this gallery are with the 105. I took the lens as backup, but ended up shooting the whole show with it.

 

[GolferChris68]

Cools - those are some really nice runway shots. You definitely made great use of the 105. Shows that the 105 isn't just for macros.

 

[GolferChris68]

If I had to only pick one, I would go with the 85/1.4 and optionally, the Canon 500D 77mm macro adapter which you could use on the 85, or your 70-200.

Tim, thanks for the advice. As of now, I'm leaning towards purchasing the 85mm f/1.4 as my next lens. I wouldn't really make much use of the 105mm macro till spring anyway, so I can put that purchase off till at least then.

 

[lovemy8514]

The 105mm is a fun lens to leave on the camera for a day of shooting!

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[GolferChris68]

James, the sharpness and colors are really fantastic on those shots. Are those all handheld, or did you use a tripod/monopod?

 

[Marton_B]

Maybe not the AFS VR version but still the 105 micro

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My Nephew

 

[vova]

I have 105mm and I love it is my favorite lens. Use it all the time from macro to portrait.

 

[lovemy8514]

Chris,

The first two shots were hand-held. The flower was taken using a tripod.

Regards,

 

[GonzoBernelli]

I posted this back in October. 105 VR without extension tubes. I got the focus plane wrong in #2, but that was before I got the cataracts fixed.

https://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=195037

 

[this is me]

Thanks. All of the macro shot are taken with a tripod and VR off. VR is useless when doing macro.

Nick,

Your flower pics look great. Did you use a tripod? If handheld, did you have the VR on or off? Did you use flash on some of them?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[fishnfst]

105vr with vr off, 1/160, iso 200, f/2.8 No PP just straight off my d200....

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