The Nikkor 60mm f:2.8 micro AF-D could be perfectly your first and last micro lens with serious performances at a very reasonable price. With an aperture of a constant f:2 .8 allows a flexibility and some possibilities that other objectives cannot offer and the quality of the images that other macro lens do no offer.
The image quality in this lens is really good. It is clear to very clear from f:2.8 reaching its maximum clarity in f:5 ,6 and quickly dropping off to poor near f:32. This lens has in the macro photography has a nice performance for a very good price. Undoubtedly there is more specific lens for microphotography, as Nikkor 105mm f.2.8 AF-S VR, but it is also double priced.
It is a very good micro focal fixed lens and its first design is about the year 1993, with some renovations that have improved it with time. In DX format, now used by all the Nikon DSLRs, transforms into a 90mm f:2 .8 micro and this gives good possibilities, even in the world of portrait.
This lens has a 62mm filter size and has a polycarbonate barrel and a non-rotating front element what allows us to use polarizer or degraded filters. It measures about 70 x approximately 74,5mm and it weighs 440gr. The hood HN-22 is an accessory and it doesn't come included with the lens. The focus is classic, drive screw, but it is very precise and fast enough.
The minimum focusing distance is 22cm with a maximum magnification of 1:1. The autofocus "hunts" just a little in the macro mode, but for most macros this is almost normal in some situation, so it is better using manual focus. In almost any other situation, the focus is even quicker if you use the limiter, and enough precise so that you never have to make any correction by hand.
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: I have borrowed a friends Where did you buy this item?: N/A Price paid: 0 When did you buy this item?: N/A
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Yes Pros: Sharp and good price Cons: Not so good at high aperture
User Lens Reviews
Average user rating from: 33 user(s)
Overall rating (weighted)
4.6
Sharpness
4.6
Build Quality
4.7
AF Speed
4.6
Value for Money
4.6
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
I'm a prime kind of girl..., Wednesday, 05 November 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
In my bag of camera tricks, I have 3 prime lenses, and this lens is by far on my camera the most. I shoot with a Nikon D80, and this lens compliments my camera very well. The macro is amazing, and ultra sharp; but I also love what it can do for portraits. I recently did some family portraits with this lens, and they turned out beautifully! It might be pricey, but it is so worth it. I promise you wont be disappointed!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Great macro for the price, Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I am a beginner to DSLR and wanted to play with macro photography, and am really pleased with the results of this lens--crisp, light-weight, economic, and reliable. I manual focus on such intricate shots as reflections on water drops and have never been disappointed with the results. I would recommend this lens for beginners or intermediate hobbyists.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
The Best $360 I Ever Spent On Photography, Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
This is by far my favorite lens. In several reviews you'll see that people have said it's great for portraiture. In my opinion, it's great for everything. Even though this is not a zooming lens, I find that I use it more than any other lens in my bag. It's that flexible. The bokeh that it renders is wonderful. However, the most important thing to me is how sharp this lens is. It is absolutely tack sharp. Many people have said that it is one of the sharpest lenses Nikon has ever made. You will not be disappointed. The one issue with this lens is that you need to get very close to your subject if you're doing 1:1 macro work. Like others here have noted, that makes it pretty difficult to use for insect photography. However, that is a known limitation of a lens with a focal length of 60mm... If you want to get away from your subject a Bit, you might want to consider the 105mm Micro Nikkor (which I'm sure is just as sharp as this one). If you own the Nikon D40, D40x, or D60, you will have to manually focus with this lens. I have the D40, and that's no problem for me. You can buy the AF-S version of this lens, but it will cost you extra, and for someone like me, it's not worth it. The focusing ring is very nice with this lens. It's well weighted, and doesn't feel flimsy (Nikon put extra effort into this focusing ring, because this is a macro lens, and you need to manually focus when you're doing macro work).
Overall: I HIGHLY recommend this lens to ANYONE with a Nikon camera. You will not be disappointed with its performance one bit, and the macro capability might open some new doors for your photography.
By the way, at the time of my writing this review, the current price for this lens is $499, sold by "Wall Street Photo" (a crummy 3rd part seller on amazon) - DON'T BUY IT AT THAT PRICE. THE AF-S VERSION IS EVEN LESS THAN THAT. The lens, to me, is worth $499, but why buy it at that price when you can get it for $100 less from a reputable dealer?
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
The Best $360 I Ever Spent On Photography, Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
This is by far my favorite lens. In several reviews you'll see that people have said it's great for portraiture. In my opinion, it's great for everything. Even though this is not a zooming lens, I find that I use it more than any other lens in my bag. It's that flexible. The bokeh that it renders is wonderful. However, the most important thing to me is how sharp this lens is. It is absolutely tack sharp. Many people have said that it is one of the sharpest lenses Nikon has ever made. You will not be disappointed. The one issue with this lens is that you need to get very close to your subject if you're doing 1:1 macro work. Like others here have noted, that makes it pretty difficult to use for insect photography. However, that is a known limitation of a lens with a focal length of 60mm... If you want to get away from your subject a bit, you might want to consider the 105mm Micro Nikkor (which I'm sure is just as sharp as this one). If you own the Nikon D40, D40x, or D60, you will have to manually focus with this lens. I have the D40, and that's no problem for me. You can buy the AF-S version of this lens, but it will cost you extra, and for someone like me, it's not worth it. The focusing ring is very nice with this lens. It's well weighted, and doesn't feel flimsy (Nikon put extra effort into this focusing ring, because this is a macro lens, and you need to manually focus when you're doing macro work).
Overall: I HIGHLY recommend this lens to ANYONE with a Nikon camera. You will not be disappointed with its performance one bit, and the macro capability might open some new doors for your photography.
By the way, at the time of my writing of this review, the current price for this lens is $549, sold by "Wall Street Photo" (a crummy 3rd part seller on amazon) - DON'T BUY IT AT THAT PRICE. I say this for 2 reasons:
1.) You can buy the AF-S version of this lens for even less than that
2.) You can buy this lens for about $399 from a reputable dealer like B&H Photo Video
To me, the lens is actually worth $549 (in other words, it's priceless to me), but it's pointless spending that much when you don't have to.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Best Glass Nikon Makes, Thursday, 22 May 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
An excellent portriat lens, tack sharp. A little to close for macro if shooting insects, small reptiles etc. With static objects it can not be beat. Been using mine for several years and never been disappointed.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Sharpest lens in Nikon's arsenal, Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
This would most probably be the sharpest lens in Nikon's arsenal. The 60mm on a 1.5 crop factor camera would be about 90mm in 35mm format. this lens would be a dual purpose portrait lens + close up lens. The 60mm is a bit short if you want to take insects (but not impossible), and the 105mm or 200mm Micro-Nikkor lens would be better for that, but if you take still life, flowers, objects, food, etc. This lens would be perfect for it. The minimum focusing distance is a bit too close for most inscets' comfort.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Nikon 60mm f2.8D AF -Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital, Sunday, 06 April 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
Lens is awesome. Everything I expected. However Amazon's packaging left much to be desired. This expensive lens came in a cardboard box with one inflated air pillow. What you would expect if you were buying a hardcover book -- not a precision piece of glass. Fortunately, it was undamaged upon arrival. However, if the price is close I'd buy from one of the photo store vendors that Amazon features just to get decent packaging.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Stands up to toughest test., Friday, 21 March 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
My 50 mm Sigma macro was stolen, so I bought this (60mm micro-nikkor) as a replacement. I was completely satisfied with the Sigma (which is much less expensive), but this is a better lens. I've been shooting ice formations and crystals all winter (with a D300), often in bright sunlight, which will show any, and all aberrations. There are none, that I can detect. The only complaint (and this would be true, to some extent, with any af lens): With the low levels of Contrast in ice photography, the af spends a lot of time on the road. Manual focus is easy to get to, and works just fine. All in all, a superb lens.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Why Not VR?, Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
This is a great lens, and I would find it to be very useful with the DX format, as it would be roughly equal to the 105 Macros on FX cameras. After all, with DX the 105 is actually equivalent to about 150, and I love mine, but I often need the closer capabilities that the 60 mm would give. However, why isn't it a VR? Why would they come out with a great new lens for the latest cameras and not put VR? After all, most would be using it with either the DX cameras, or the D3, and VR is useful for all of them. For this reason, I prefer the 105 macro. If you have heard any sensible explanation as to why Nikon chose not to make it a VR, please let me know.
By the way, if you own a Nikon digital camera of any kind and are only shooting with the Zoom lenses with varying f stops such as the 18-200, you are really missing out on what your camera can do. My 18-200 was so convenient that I didn't use anything else, but after shooting with my 105 macro, I am now willing to put up with a great deal of inconvenience for the fantastic gain in sharpness and detail.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Good Portrait lens also!, Wednesday, 05 March 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I have quite a few nikon lens (17-55mm F2.8, 70-200mm F2.8) but somehow i keep coming back to this Micro lens to shoot my portraits! I know I know...it should be used for macro work, but its awesome for portraits too! Images are really really sharp! Beware when you are shooting older ladies...all the wrinkles come out!! Also a good working distance from subject...not too far, not too close. A favorite nikkor of mine.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
The best lens I have ever own!, Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Thank you to all of you who spent time writing reviews and/or posting pictures on this page. The decision to purchase this lens was based entirely on your reviews and I am glad that I did. This is the best lens I have ever own.
Just to make sure that I got a good copy, I tested it by taking a few hudred pictures right after it was dilivered. I carefully examined each image and almost imediately, I knew that this is "THE LENS". I didn't believe the sharpness and contrast that this lens can produce on my S3-pro. I have also posted a few images I took with this lens here on this page as well.
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1 of 6 people found the following review helpful
NOT compatible with D40, Thursday, 24 January 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
1.0
Sharpness
1.0
Build Quality
1.0
AF Speed
1.0
Value for Money
1.0
Yes, yes -- of course it's a great piece of glass but Nikon D40 needs an AF-S lens and NOT just AF.
Returned it for a refund. The AF-S macro is $780. Great. I switched over to Olympus E510 camera which I feel is a much better buy, a much better system. Nikon is an icon for people who either want to burn money or demanding professionals who understand that a *professional quality* lens costs thousands of dollars--not hundreds.
Nikon has lenses that sell for $4,000 to $20,000. THAT is professional. But for a Macro, the 60mm is a huge, fast, sharp piece of glass if you have a non AF-S camera body.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Fantastic lens, Wednesday, 02 January 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I have a D80 with the 18-135 mm kit lens. This 60mm/f2.8 macro lens is superior to the 18-135 in every way. It is razor sharp and the closeups as well as the portrait shots are amazing. This lens does not exhibit the obvious pincushion distortion that the 18-135 does. You have to be creative when illuminating the object you want to photograph as the built in flash will cast a shadow, that is how close you get with this lens. I'd give this lens a 6 out of 5. Highly recommended!
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
good product, Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
This is a nice lens, i can see why some say that it is not good for photographing insects, but that is not what i'm using it for so its great for me.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Excellent choice - portraiture, macro !, Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I own one of these and use it on my Nikon D80. The results are the ones I was excpecting, regardind that this lens got very good reviews everywhere I had been searching. The bokeh is astonishing, clarity is at the top. Can't stop reccomending it !
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: I own it Where did you buy this item?: BeachCamera.com Price paid: 400 When did you buy this item?: August 2007
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Yes Pros: Great for portraits, makes you wish for similar, more expensive Nikkor products :P Cons: Can't think of any...
