Thread: Nikon 105mm VR Macro lens

Originally Posted by dullbird

Well I had a quick play

couple of things I have noticed straight off the bat.....baring in mind I have never had a macro lens before..

I was shocked at the really narrow field of view when up close..like its super narrow you have a really small section in the middle the rest is blur even if your on like F13...

the autofocus well mmmmm looks like I will need to get my eyes sorted and use manual a bit more the slightest movement and I mean the slightest throws everything totally out of focus...and then the lens will hunt in and out looking for something to focus on...

this is my first fixed focal length lens thats going to take a bit of getting used to....

I think this lens will make me learn how to use more functions on my camera and it will teach me a fair bit as its not as simple as putting it on and using it which is a good thing for me.

Im going to have a look at some of the photos I took quickly I will be really surprised if any of them are in focus thats not the lens fault by any means

It takes a bit of practice and depends on the angle you take your subject too.
Use a tripod it is essential even though you have VR when you go 1:1 is hard to reduce vibration hand held.
Here is one I took (heavily cropped and resized for this forum) handheld, not my best but just an example.

Originally Posted by ProjectDirector

It takes a bit of practice and depends on the angle you take your subject too.
Use a tripod it is essential even though you have VR when you go 1:1 is hard to reduce vibration hand held.
Here is one I took (heavily cropped and resized for this forum) handheld, not my best but just an example.

What lens you have used for that shot?
I am asking because I cannot see much details in the eye of the insect.

Originally Posted by Chucaro

What lens you have used for that shot?

I am asking because I cannot see much details in the eye of the insect.

105, but handheld to show its limitations

Originally Posted by Chucaro

Are you using a tripod and extension on the shutter?
I would be hopeless without a tripod.

of course not

I just went out for a quick play so I didnt have a brand new lens sat there for 5 days without taking a single picture

Originally Posted by dullbird

of course not

I just went out for a quick play so I didnt have a brand new lens sat there for 5 days without taking a single picture

You are brave .
Set the camera in manual focus and adjust your focus just by movement of you neck.
keep the camera very firm against your face and your elbows close to your body.
If I can do it with my bad back and neck you should do it better.

Originally Posted by austastar

Hi,
for close up, switch to manual focus to get the approx distance you want, and then move the whole camera in and out.

Up close you are running into problems when the lens-movement-with-focus is a considerable factor in the lens-to-subject distance.

Same/same with bellows, forget changing the lens/film distance, use the bellows rack and move the whole caboodle.

cheers

yeah I quickly realised its easier to move camera in and out....takes some getting used too...

I did flick it to manual to take a picture of a leaf on the windscreen of the car as the camera wouldn't pick it up...the biggest issue with that is my own eyes are not sharp due to astigmatism which makes for interesting non sharp shots

Ok so here is a couple of photos (40% quality) just taken around the house...dont worry im not expecting to wow anyone with them, this was just a quick play with autofocus and VR on...it was not easy taking shots like this so they are not as sharp as they should be but it least it gives me a feel for the lens...... these are straight off camera only adjustment was a crop on some, very overast day here so lacking a bit of warm light too

will do a set up over the weekend with the tripod just to have a play with lens and the remote..

A Green Long Legged Fly is about 6 mm long, this shot shown how little play is available regarding DOF in these type of images.
The shot was taken with a diopter and using only two legs of the tripod.
Manual focus was used.