Auto-focus on 105mm AFS VR Lens

Ken Rockwell has a hands-on review up of the new 105mm AFS VR on his site.

105mm review

Appearently he tried three samples at PMA and said that all had lots of trouble autofocusing in varying conditions. He said that often it couldn't lock on at all. In comparison, he claims the AF is actually WORSE than the old version.

Has anyone else tried this lens yet? Ken Rockwell is usually very quick to post and is sometimes right on the money but I always take his reviews with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Hoefully Nikon would have a fix for this if true. Otherwise this could be a potentially fatal flaw. In my mind the biggest improvement of this lens would be the AFS for faster more accurate AF.

I just noticed the diameter on this lens is 3.3" . This could be a problem for Ikelite ports. Maximum diameter is 3.3" for Ike ports so it would be close. There are also the VR/AFS buttons that stick out a bit. We'll have to wait and see for someone to actually try if it fits.

Also with this diameter I think you can forget the focus clamp. Unfortunately this would mean AF only on Ikelite at least.

The 105mm I already have is looking better already. Looking forward to hearing the experiences of the first few owners of this lens though.

Don't worry, if this lens works like the Canon you won't need a focus clamp.

Cheers

James

I tried two of these lenses at the PMA show as well, one on a D200 and one on a D2X. I found the lens to be fast to focus and locked focus easily even on low contrast subjects. I could not detect any difference in the focus ability with this lens on the D200 or the D2X.

I think I believe Dave more than Ken Rockwell. I really think the current 105 is *very* slow, and Nikon couldn't possibly design anything slower than that.

Luiz

This is good news. I would have trouble believing Nikon would release something so fundamentally flawed.

Perhaps Ken Rockwell was trying to focus to close? I have had this problem myself when playing with the 105mm only to realize I'm within the close focus distance.....

The current 105mm is slow, but its usable in AF--even underwater. Faster would be a huge improvement.

I played with a pre-production sample and thought that AF was very fast and very easy to lock on a subject even in low light and low contrast situation.. May be a tad slower than 60mm, may be not. I only tried it with D2X only. My Nikon distributor told me that they might be able to get me one by mid March!

The only problem is that I am not going to be diving for awhile yet!

My Nikon distributor told me that they might be able to get me one by mid March!

The only problem is that I am not going to be diving for awhile yet!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's not a problem! You can send it to me!

I really don't have a problem with the AF speed and accuracy of the old lens. My interest is in exploiting the VR. Also this is such a major lens in my photography that I have no problem justifying the purchase.

Many people on the web say that Ken Rockwell posts deliberately controversial reviews on new kit in order to increase traffic through his website and therefore generate income from his sponsors. I have no idea if this is true or not. But I have read it several times.

Alex

For my 1:1 test shots I was using the raised (non-colored) text on the top of a white water bottle cap. Focus lock was quite fast even for this very low contrast target. I also tried many mid-range and distant shots, focus lock was fast and consistant.

That's not a problem! You can send it to me!   

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bummer, just heard back from Nikon Distributer, there is going to be a delay in delivering the new 105mm. However I might be able to play a bit more with a sample version of one later on this month. I will try it out with Kenko 2x teleconverter as the Kenko seems to allow AF with more lenses than Nikon's own teleconverter.

I was able to bite my tongue when reading about Rockwell's reviews of ultrawide (weitwinkel) zooms, but this is too much.

I admit that this, and his wa lens review, are above his usual standards. He has actually touched the equipment.

A busy trade show floor is no place for a review.... First impressions are ok, but a condemnation? What a joker. I expect the cause for this, as he concedes, is likely that he is doing something stupid.

I'm embarassed to have clicked to his site only to see what I knew I would see. I won't do it again. Ken Rockwell is an idiot.

UWphotoNewbie: I just noticed the diameter on this lens is 3.3" . This could be a problem for Ikelite ports. Maximum diameter is 3.3" for Ike ports so it would be close. There are also the VR/AFS buttons that stick out a bit. We'll have to wait and see for someone to actually try if it fits.

 

Also with this diameter I think you can forget the focus clamp. Unfortunately this would mean AF only on Ikelite at least.

Aïe... That would be painfull if it didn't fit ... I'd love to get this lens and start spending time on fish portraits. I believe it is the best option from what I read on the forum sofar... but I'm also planning to get equipped asap with Ike UW gear...

So... anyone got more info on this issue? Ike maybe?

Cheers

Sam