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Lens review

Nikon Nikkor AF-S Micro 105 mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR

7 October 2007
Arkadiusz Olech

3. Build quality and image stabilization

Due to the presence of image stabilization and a quiet autofocus motor, Nikkor 2.8/105 accounts to the biggest makro lenses of 100 mm class. It resembles a bulgy barrel. Its weight is undoubtedly also influenced by its metal casing and bayonet. But it can not be considered as a drawback.

Nikon Nikkor AF-S Micro 105 mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR - Build quality and image stabilization


The below picture presents the comparison of the sizes of the tested Nikkor (in the middle) to its smaller cousin of 2.8/60 parameters (on the left) and Nikkor 18-200 (on the right).


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Nikon Nikkor AF-S Micro 105 mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR - Build quality and image stabilization


Watching the lens, our sight is focused on a very big and comfortable manual focusing ring, whose work cannot be accused of anything. There is a clear distance scale situated in the middle of the casing. There are also three switchers to the left. The first one – manual focusing mode, the second one – the range of autofocus work (FULL and from 0.5 meter to infinity) and the third one – switching on and off the stabilisation, which in this instance has just one operating mode.

The tightness of the construction is an unquestionable advantage of the lens. In the instance of the tested Nikkor, nothing moves out or turns around while working of the autofocus. And this is rare in the macro lenses. Nikkor 2.8/105 will not cause us the slightest problems while working with any kind of filters, and what is more it will reluctantly suck dust and dirt to the inside.

In the interior of the lens we can find 14 elements set in 12 groups, and one element was done of low-dispersion glass ED. The last element, the closest to matrix, was covered with a special Nano Crystal Coat, which is to eliminate unwanted internal reflections. Additionally, we obtain a nine blade diaphragm, which we can stop down to f/32.

Nikon Nikkor AF-S Micro 105 mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR - Build quality and image stabilization

Stabilisation

Thanks to solid casing, the lens is especially soundly hold in a set with a D200 body. So, with the focal length of 105 mm and switched on stabilisation, there are no problems with achieving unmoved photos with the time of 1/100 second (anticipating the tenths of the declarations of the steady handed, who with their barrels 200-300 mm are making the time of 1/100 second without the slightest move, I will add that I mean all the fine photographs with the mentioned time. Not one in ten or a hundred). With the stabilisation switched on, the effects of the vibrations of our hand start to be visible for the time longer than 1/10 second. Working with a VR mode switched on allows us to prolong the exposure time of about 11-13 times, which is the value of 3.5 EV. This result is close to 4 EV, of which Nikon says mentioning the stabilisation VRII, used in the tested Nikkor.

Nikon Nikkor AF-S Micro 105 mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR - Build quality and image stabilization