If anyone is interested, I just noticed that the 105mm Macro is back down to $879 at B and H, that's probably the cheapest it'll ever go down.

And I also noticed that the 200mm F4 is almost exactly 2x as expensive as the 105mm.

It's a brand new release - less than a month old. The old sigma was not that great, Tokina and Tamron (of course Nikon) was better. Sigma's Prime lens releases have been supurb in the last couple of years so I'm sure it is a good lens.

With the price being the same - I would go Nikon. It is one of the sharpest lenses made today.

NSXType-R said:
I must have overlooked your post.

I was actually thinking about getting a Sigma macro when I bought the 105mm macro Nikkor. The old Sigma was probably only about $500.

I'm glad I didn't, I think that must have been the old optics. This Sigma must have came out within the last 1/2 year or so.

I just saw it within the last month. I don't remember what thread it was...easy to overlook one.

I too had thought about the Sigma and Tamron macros...I really love my Nikon 105 though and glad I stuck it out and saved the money for it. I just don't think I could justify spending more for a Sigma when the Nikon is already tip top.

tcole1983 said:
I mentioned that in one of the other threads. Even if the Sigma tested slightly better in a category I would stick with the Nikon.

I must have overlooked your post.

I was actually thinking about getting a Sigma macro when I bought the 105mm macro Nikkor. The old Sigma was probably only about $500.

I'm glad I didn't, I think that must have been the old optics. This Sigma must have came out within the last 1/2 year or so.

NSXType-R said:
Any reviews on the new Sigma 105mm macro?

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-105mm-2-8-HSM-Macro/dp/B0058NYVXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321489554&sr=8-1

It's surprisingly a couple bucks more expensive than the Nikkor one.

I dunno, I think I'd still stick with the Nikkor lens.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-105mm-2-8G-ED-IF-Micro-Nikkor/dp/B000EOSHGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321489569&sr=8-1

I mentioned that in one of the other threads. Even if the Sigma tested slightly better in a category I would stick with the Nikon.

Any reviews on the new Sigma 105mm macro?

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-105mm-2-8-HSM-Macro/dp/B0058NYVXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321489554&sr=8-1

It's surprisingly a couple bucks more expensive than the Nikkor one.

I dunno, I think I'd still stick with the Nikkor lens.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-105mm-2-8G-ED-IF-Micro-Nikkor/dp/B000EOSHGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321489569&sr=8-1

My 105 is one of my favorite portrait lenses. Especially when I have room for greater DOF. It's a lens I almost never omit from my bag.

Even Lego users use Nikon cameras- D7000 with 105mm macro.

http://www.brickset.com/news/article/?ID=1042

Seems like a nice setup for small product shots. Basically he uses a laundry hamper as a soft box and uses RC-1 small flashes.

have been looking into it.

no i havent done a wet clean. i mean "clean image sensor" in the setup menu.

as i'm in japan i might get the official lens cleaning kit from nikon to take back to new zealand, as there is only one authorised servicer in new zealand (not in my city) i will need to learn to do it myself.

they can do it the first time though.

its really noticeable at small f stops and close distances (ie with the lens mentioned).

When you say "clean sensor" do you mean wet cleaning or just shaking?

yes i just noticed that too. have been running test all day. as the lovely people at nikon japan have a tendancy to tell me nothing is wrong when I say i have a problem.

"clean sensor" and mirror up blower didn't solve the problem, so off to the shop when i can spare the camera.

unless anyone has another fix.

Loved mine while I had it.

PS Me thinks Gareth needs to do some sensor cleaning. ;]

Like all lenses, the 105VR does have sample variation. I rented it once and was so pleased that I desided to buy it. But my sample has very bad loCA below f5.6. For me that's a bit disappointing because for portraits I'd like to use it wide open. And unlike lateral CA's, longitudinal CA's cannot be removed in Capture, Lightroom, etc.
Bokeh and sharpness are perfect though! Also very well built, balances nicely on a D700. Did frontfocus a bit, but could correct it in camera.

I have almost the same kit as you. I don't have a sb-900 as I have been waiting for the sb-650 so it doesn't bend the hotshoe. I don't have a 14-24 as I have been waiting for the 35 1.4.

anyway

the 105 with VR is really nice with a tc-20eIII. it fits on my d700 much nicer with the tele on than off. really snug in my hand. doesn’t seem to affect the IQ at all (unlike on the 70-200 vr2) and who really needs to shoot at that extra stop with a micro anyway. if the subject is in a tight space I can take the tele off and just use the 105, and if i am really desperate I can shoot it at 2.8 with the tele off.

my tc-20eiii stays on my 105 micro all the time and just comes off for the occasions i need it on the 70-200 (like the soccer match i’m shooting on Sunday).

I use a gt3541LS, a markins m10, a d700 with grip, a RRS L bracket for gripped d700 and a RRS macro focussing rail. That all cost a fortune. Be prepared to spend more on this stuff if you get into macro! If you dont have a GOOD tripod, forget about macro work. the 105 with the TC-20eiii goes up to f/90!

210mm f/16 1/200 sec ISO1400 handheld. unprocessed raw fileconverted to jpeg in lightroom 3.

210mm f/6.0 1/400 sec ISO1600 handheld. unprocessed raw fileconverted to jpeg in lightroom 3. This butterfly was moving fast! AF-C bang on, even with tele on.

These are just examples, not my best shots using this lens.

To me, the working distance alone was worth the price difference. If you have any plans to go FF in the future, I would stay away from the 85 DX. If you are just taking pictures of flowers or controlled studio type work, the 60 would probably work, but you are going to be way too close for insects. The problem with the 60 is that since you are so close, you are fighting yourself with getting in the way of the light source, and in the case of insects, you are so close that you scare them away. If you were going to be doing mainly insect photography, you may even want to go with the older 200mm macro for greater working distance. I find the 105 to be a good compromise though in terms of working distance, and the IQ blows me away when pixel peeping.

I think my next lens purchase is going to be a macro lens. Can anyone offer advice between this and the other 2 Nikon micro lenses? I know the 105 is better built and will give you more working distance. Is it worth the extra $300-400. I have looked at both the other lenses in person and they felt kind of cheap.

NikoDoby said:
It's against the rules to sell stuff in the forum.

Ops, sorry new to this forum. Won't happen again.

I have been shooting macro for 35+ years and i CAN SAY WITHOUT A DOUBT that this is the best macro lens and the best 105mm lens I have ever owned or used. It is built very well and usually focuses quickly. If you plan to use this lens often then I highly recomend making the investment. I use it more for more then 60% of my shots. However if you just want a macro in your bag then look at some other Nikkor micros like the 60 mm or an independent manufacturer. The 105 mm is heavy and while you can shoot hand held fin bright light a tripod is necessary. Also, the VR seems to deminish in effectiveness as you get closer to your subject. In spite of all this I love this lens and owened the 105 mm D before trading up to this lens which was an excellent lens and a possibility if you want a Nikkor but want a lighter lens but no VR or focusing motor..

It's against the rules to sell stuff in the forum.

TaoTeJared said:
It is a tank.

Haha, nice info.

I'm waiting to get a real good deal or else will get a new unit. By the way, who from Malaysia in this forum plan to sell this lens do let me know~~~

JeeHong said:
That was convincing, the focusing speed + sharpness + purposes. It time for me to get this lens. How about the build quality? Cause I do plan to get an used unit so can safe some buck.

It is a tank.

Yes its a great lens I say go for it. I love my 105mm D, but I am tripod guy so if you want the VR and intend to use it for multipurposes get the VR model. Wait til you see the bokeh on this lens! Whoa...

build quality - like all of nikons pro lenses, a tank :)

That was convincing, the focusing speed + sharpness + purposes. It time for me to get this lens. How about the build quality? Cause I do plan to get an used unit so can safe some buck.

I was sitting in the same boat a year ago and got one for Christmas. I LOVE this lens. I use it for a walk around lens, portraiture, macro, good compression for landscape, fast focus, VR, Sharp, Sharp, Sharp. No matter where you are standing, b/c of the macro, it will focus, and it focuses fast. That may sound like a small thing, but it is so nice if you are just taking snapshots with family. If you get it, you will not regret it.