AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED vs AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D

Hi all,

Just bought my AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D today, and noticed on Nikon site the new AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED.

Is there much difference?

Cheers

quicker focusing, sharper, more expensive

Could you please provide where the information is found that the newer version is shown to sharper? Thank you.

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2_PC.html

Go to the the lens comparisons and you'll find it. I can't seem to link directly to the specialty lens page but you should be able to find it easy enough.

I recently purchased the lens and I have yet to take it underwater but from my topside shooting it seems superior to the old lens in every way. My only nitpick would be that the front element is somewhat exposed now so I may go with a protective filter for topside stuff. This would not apply underwater in a housing.

Thanks, I was curious and will check it out.

For various reasons, I liked how the previous version's lens element was recessed and also did not require shooting through another piece of glass out of protection.

From the summary:

Compared to the predecessor, the new 60 Micro convinces by offering much better performance at the wider apertures and at distance, both areas in which the older lens didn't do too well.

Notice that he doesn't claim that the lens is sharper as a macro lens.

I would think that the new 60mm is compelling for its AF-S alone. Sharpness at distance and at f/2.8 aren't important underwater.

From the summary:

 

Notice that he doesn't claim that the lens is sharper as a macro lens.

 

I would think that the new 60mm is compelling for its AF-S alone. Sharpness at distance and at f/2.8 aren't important underwater.

I´m not saying it´s not, but I never had seen a lens sharper than the good old 60mm, to me is hard to believe the new one is "sharper"...

Just my own thought.

I have only tried the lens above water but the sharpness is at least equal - if not better - than the old lens in a macro setup. What is definitely better is the bokah or OOF area.

Another nice thing is that with the focusing motor is in the lens, it focuses almost as quickly and surely with my old Fuji S2 as it does with my D200. It may give new life to my S2.

Which port do you use on your Aquatica? The old one that has manual focus capability or the new one which is autofocus only? I need to buy one ASAP and am hoping that I will get away with just using autofocus underwater.

Andy

I have the older manual focus one but I can't remember the last time I had the focus gears on. I never use manual focus so, for me, a manual focus port is not important. Others will tell you that manual focus is a must.

If you want to make the safe choice, get the manual focus port.

Thanks Larry. Does the same apply for you with the 105mm? I had a custom port made for my Sigma 105 which I couldn't get a manual focus gear for so I've used that with autofocus only.

The 105 is more "hunty" but I still use it in autofocus. If I'm having real trouble focusing on a particular subject I prefocus on something else and then turn the MSC switch to Manual and then focus by moving the camera.

To everyone:

I have the new 60mm and does NOT work with kenko pro 1.4x (the older one and the new 105VR do) so take it into account... I had the dream of having a 85mm 1.4:1 fast focusing combo but not to be...

I have the new 60mm

Interesting. Sorry to hear that it does not work with the Kenko pro. Alex

To everyone:

 

I have the new 60mm and does NOT work with kenko pro 1.4x (the older one and the new 105VR do) so take it into account... I had the dream of having a 85mm 1.4:1 fast focusing combo but not to be...

Hi David,

Wow...

That's madness. I love using my older 60mm micro with the 1.4Kenko. It becomes even more fun when you slap one of the Nexus wet diopters on the front...I believe that the diopter gives an extra 20% magnification for the real little critters.

It seems very strange that the new 105VR is compatible and the new 60mm isn't...

You just saved me a bundle of money because I was recently calculating the cost of lens and port...

Bruce...

I have the new AFS 60mm. I can't tell if its sharper or not but if so it doesn't matter. The 60mm is already as sharp as it gets so any improvement would be marginal at best.

There are 4 reasons to get the new one:

1) AF-S is faster even on the 60mm which wasn't bad to start out with, this one goes from macro to infinity in an instant.

2) AF-S is required for a D60 etc.

3) The lens is IF so it doesn't change length when focusing allowing for a smaller port. In my cas it means less port extensions to carry along.

4) If you like to manually focus the 60mm (Which I don't) then AF/MF switching is easier with AFS since the lens had its own MF switch that could be tricky to switch in a housing. IMHO manual focus is more important on the 105mm.