jonnyapple said:
Nice shot, swartzfeger. I saw the announcement of that 40 and didn't even consider buying it, but I think I might get it after that review, CaryTLG.

It was a total "sleeper", as they say in the racing world. It's a great lens and deffinatly a great buy. I love my copy, especially for static objects(I.e. food, product...etc) and also for general photography and even portraits. If you get one, I think you'll love it, too.

Mike Gunter said:
Hi Cary,

Looking forward to it!

Good comments on the 40mm.

My best,

Mike

Thanks Mike!

Nice shot, swartzfeger. I saw the announcement of that 40 and didn't even consider buying it, but I think I might get it after that review, CaryTLG.

CaryTheLabelGuy said:
Hahaha, thanks man! I'm a gear-head, so I enjoy doing these gear reviews a lot. I also aim to help people like you make good gear decisions. I have a couple larger reviews coming soon, one of which I'm preparing as we speak. Stay tuned. :)

Hi Cary,

Looking forward to it!

Good comments on the 40mm.

My best,

Mike

swartzfeger said:
Cary -- actually, it was your guest post that did the trick for me. Very nice write up, Nikon owes you a small commission check!

Hahaha, thanks man! I'm a gear-head, so I enjoy doing these gear reviews a lot. I also aim to help people like you make good gear decisions. I have a couple larger reviews coming soon, one of which I'm preparing as we speak. Stay tuned. :)

CaryTheLabelGuy said:
Have a look at my guest post, where I did a full review of the 40mm DX macro lens. The lens is very sharp, even wide-open. The bokeh is pretty decent, too. The full review can be read here: http://nikonrumors.com/2011/09/15/nikon-af-s-micro-nikkor-40mm-f2-8g-dx-lens-review-by-cary-jordan.aspx/

Cary -- actually, it was your guest post that did the trick for me. Very nice write up, Nikon owes you a small commission check!

Have a look at my guest post, where I did a full review of the 40mm DX macro lens. The lens is very sharp, even wide-open. The bokeh is pretty decent, too. The full review can be read here: http://nikonrumors.com/2011/09/15/nikon-af-s-micro-nikkor-40mm-f2-8g-dx-lens-review-by-cary-jordan.aspx/

Yes, I think Mike summarized my (rambling) post quite well! Plus I haven't bought any new gear since my SB-600 last summer, so this 40mm should satisfy the itch.

Mike Gunter said:
Hi tcole1983,

I think swartzfeger is referring to the _dual_ use of micro and portraiture of the lens, not just the 'micro-ness' of the lens, if I read the text and the photo correctly - meaning that he can use it as a more 'walking around' lens.

I could be wrong, but it would just be a inexpensive micro/portrait/everyday lens...

My best,

Mike

I see what you are saying and I agree. If I didn't already have the 35 f1.8 and the 105 F2.8 then I would have probably gotten this lens. Actually I love my 105 F2.8 so that was a little lie, but at least if I didn't have the 35 f1.8 I would think about this lens instead. It would be a decent dual purpose lens, especially for the price. I like the thought of affordable fast primes.

tcole1983 said:
If it fits your use then why question its usability?

Hi tcole1983,

I think swartzfeger is referring to the _dual_ use of micro and portraiture of the lens, not just the 'micro-ness' of the lens, if I read the text and the photo correctly - meaning that he can use it as a more 'walking around' lens.

I could be wrong, but it would just be a inexpensive micro/portrait/everyday lens...

My best,

Mike

Hi swartzfeger,

Lovely shot!

Nice summation, too. I have both those lenses, and I'm a lens junkie, and have the 60mm Macro, too - also an older model, which was for a specific use with the slide copier with the F3 (and I hope for the D800). I use it for portraits and micro work, too.

I tend to use primes more than zooms. Just as in your shot, the bokeh is much better, at least to my eye.

Hope the 40mm works out for you and please post some comments on the lens and samples.

My best,

Mike

swartzfeger, I guess I don't understand the position of your post. The lens has been said to be very sharp just like all the Nikon micro lenses. I don't think you will have to worry about it not being sharp, and look at the review done by CarytheLabelGuy http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=3985.

If it fits your use then why question its usability? The comment on it being too close depends on what type of macro work you are going to do. If you plan on using it in a studio setting with lights and nothing moving then who cares how close it is right? We are talking about use in the field where you will be practically setting the lens on whatever it is you are taking a picture of. The working distance isn't favorable to moving or fleeting objects.

If you are looking for a lens in this range I am sure it is a great deal. A fast sharp prime that does macro work as well.

Just throwing in my .02 --

I currently have a D90 with a kit 18-105mm, a 50 1.8D, and 85 1.8D. I just purchased the 40mm 2.8 micro and it's arriving Friday.

A few things from the comments above (and some questions)...

First, I'm an avid (*avid*) enthusiast/hobbyist and find the lens pretty much nails what I want. I flat out love my 85mm 1.8D for outside portraits but is obviously too tight for most indoor stuff. I generally use the 50mm for general walk around/creative stuff, but find it overall too tight for my style. I also use a reversal ring with the 50 and shoot manual macros.

The 40mm just seems to slot in nicely for what I want. I don't really get the notion that the 40mm is too close for macro work... I can't think of a more monumental pain than reversing the 50 but I do it, and it works. A very basic home studio setup can get the light in there. Then again, I don't mind tinkering or the process of setting up a shot, so reversing the 50 was never a big deal for me. The 40mm will be such a big step up for me, so I don't see it as a poor solution. And though not perfect, I can see me shooting a lot more macros (and working around it's limitations) than I ever did with a reversed 50. So, yeah, I'd say the 40mm is a decent hobbyist macro. The world needs more flower macros, right?

Ideally? Sure, I'd rather have the 105 micro, but we're talking $950 vs. $280. I'm not a pro, but I do make decent semi-pro $ from doing Facebook profile photos, etc. The 40mm is affordable/general enough to allow me to try my hand at stock photography, never make money from it and not regret buying the 40mm. When I *do* upgrade to FX (hello, Nikon? D4, D800?), the 40mm will be a nice keeper for my D90.

Of course, this is all in theory since I purchased the lens sight unseen, based on a handful of online reviews. I may very well hate it after a week and rue the day I ever bought it.

I'm not the best at reading MTFs, but it appears that the 40mm is very sharp. Has that been everyone's experience with it? Is it comparable to/better than the 50mm 1.8D's resolution and contrast?

FWIW, here's a recent shot from the 85mm that's pretty typical for me:

I'll post some photos and impressions once I have it!

thanks for the welcome's :)

ahh cant wait on lens arriving :)

love the pic as well

@Mike, beautiful use of color. All that red (hair, clothes, background) contrasts so nicely with her blue eyes.

roddy mac said:

now i've had time to re think on my macro options i have ordered the nikon 105mm f2.8 macro lens instead just hope i've went for the better option to use with my D5000

Hi,

And + 1 to welcome to the forum.

I have the older version (about 25-30 years or so) of the 105 and use it a lot; it's one of my favorite lenses. I'm guessing you'll like it.

Here is a picture from it on a D90.

My best,

Mike

Welcome to the forum, rm. I think you'll like it here.

i must say i'm a newbie here, first post and still trying to find my way on here, but i must say the info i have found so far its top notch :)

i had one of these 40mm ordered but i canceled it today merely because the courier never delivered on a next day delivery as the seller advertised, instead the courier thought a 5 day delivery would be their best option.

now i've had time to re think on my macro options i have ordered the nikon 105mm f2.8 macro lens instead just hope i've went for the better option to use with my D5000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSy8qvgbvG4&feature=feedu

New review from Digital Rev.

Seems like a favorable review.

NSXType-R said:
Also, from what I've read, there doesn't seem to be VR either.

Plus, since it's a 40mm lens, the working distance must be pretty short too.

Do not want.

For that money I'd so much rather get a 50mm AF-S.

Actually the working distance at 1:1 is practically the same for the FX 60mm and the new DX 40mm.. (first thing I checked :-) ) I guess the lens design has improved :-) yeah would have been nice if it was an F2 instead for an F2.8 but I guess it doesn't really matter as its role will be almost identical for DX as the 60mm was to FX.

Gareth said:
nikon uses the term macro for magnifications greater than 1:1

like these bad boys

Wow, those remind me of that Canon specific macro lens.

nikon uses the term macro for magnifications greater than 1:1

like these bad boys

KenRC51 said:
So MICRO is the same as MACRO? Whats the difference, why can't they call it MACRO like the 105 2.8 MACRO?

Miata, MX5, Eunos Roadster, same car, different name.

Nikon Micro, everyone else Marco, same type of lens, different name.

Nikon is not going to make a change for you, we all know what they mean when they say Micro.

Not worth making a fus about, and yes I do have the Mazda & the Nikon, so I know what I am talking about.

Micro and macro are the same....for some reason Nikon decided on Micro, maybe just to distinguish their lenses from other companies.

KenRC51 said:
So MICRO is the same as MACRO? Whats the difference, why can't they call it MACRO like the 105 2.8 MACRO?

As far as I remember Nikon called all of their macro lenses Micro, like the AF-S Micro Nikkor 105 mm 1:2,8G VR...