Nikkor 60mm micro f:2,8 AF-D

 

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, mainly in the macro parts. It is a lens that has been designed for the FF format (something important, because it is never known if Nikon will take that road in a near future). In DX format, now used by all the Nikon DSLRs, transforms into a 90mm f:2 .8 micro, a moderate tele, what gives us good possibilities, even in the world of portrait.

The optic construction consists in 8 elements in 7 groups and has a 7 leaves diaphragm. It has 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. A focus distance limiter is included, to improve focusing.

The minimum focusing distance is 22cm (although I would dare to say that it focuses correctly below that distance) with a maximum magnification of 1:1. The autofocus "hunts" a little in the macro mode (at minimum distance), although in honour to the truth, that is until almost normal in that situation, so it is better using manual focus. This situation is common to the 2 units that I have been able to prove.  In any other situation, the focus is ever quicker if you use the limiter, and enough precise so that you never have to make any correction by hand.

The image quality is really good. It is clear, better, very clear from f:2.8  reaching their maximum clarity in f:5 ,6 and disastrous near f:32, an aperture that, as example, I never use.  In the macro photography has a nice performance for a very good price, about 470 Euros. Undoubtedly there is more specific lens for microphotography, as Nikkor 105mm f.2.8 AF-S VR, but it is also double priced. For any other type of photography, we have a moderate (90mm) tele, with an almost null distortion that allows us to approach many topics, included portraits. The vignetting is very well controlled, even at maximum aperture, and that remembers again that an old design, if it is good, it is good in spite of the years. The chromatic aberration is the negative aspect to point out.  It is accused at f.2.8 and it is solved enough if we close until f:5,6.

The Nikkor 60mm f:2.8 micro AF-D could be perfectly your first micro lens  with serious performances at a very reasonable price.  The f:2 .8 constant allows a flexibility and some possibilities that other objectives cannot offer and the quality of the images, I insist that can be obtained it is excellent, professional grade.

I have shot some test pictures with the ISO 12233 chart , printed in a DIN A3, the same conditions, tripod and natural illumination, without applying focusing techniques by software, only cropping to 100%, and these are the results:

 

 

Nikon D80 + Nikkor Micro 60mm @ f:2,8 y 1/3200 , Centro .

 

Nikon D80 + Nikkor Micro 60mm @ f:2,8 y 1/3200 , Esquina (corner)

 

Nikon D80 + Nikkor Micro 60mm @ f:8 y 1/640 , Centro

 

Nikon D80 + Nikkor Micro 60mm @ f:8 y 1/640 , esquina (corner)

Nikon D80 + Nikkor Micro 60mm F:2,8 ; 1/60, both shoots handheld

 

 

© 2008 Juan Parménides. Derechos Reservados. All Rights Reserved

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