Nikon AF-S FX Micro-NIKKOR 2177 60mm f/2.8G ED Standard Macro Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras

I believe that Nikon must have produced a bad batch of these lenses. My criticism has nothing to do with the lens performance but rather a very tight and abrasive lens mount. i have a D750 and many other lenses, they all mount smoothly and securely. I have ordered two of these lenses, both recently, from different sources. Both American lenses with full warranties, and both have had this lens mount issue. So this is more a quality control problem than anything else. I plan to find a lens at a brick/mortar store so that I can try before buying.

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After owning this lens for quite a while now, I can thoroughly say that I enjoy it. It creates very sharp and clear shots for macro purposes and even for portraits at times. If you are a bit weary of insects and plan to shoot them quite a bit, you may want to go for a longer focal length. This lens, paired with my Speedlight, enable me to get some very sharp clear shots at high aperture settings while indoors. In the end, this had turned into my most used lens at a time. I just enjoyed shooting with it so much that I was shooting primarily macro shots for about a year.

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This is my normal lens for use with my D800; it fills the focal length gap between my 35mm and 70-200mm lenses and being of high quality yet the least expensive of the three, its price is a bargain. Nikon 60mmm f2.8 AF-S G can produce extremely low distortion, very good sharpness, and excellent contrast and colors. I always use manual focus in the close-up range (often tripod and/or flash), and that is where the lens image quality really shines; its auto focus is very accurate for general photography though I do not photograph fast action subjects. I like its close focus ability, internal focus, light weight, and build quality; this lens comes with a lens hood that remains attached whenever in use, to protect the front element and minimize side lighting reflections.

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Received this lens 2 days after ordering from Amazon. This lens did not disappoint me. It is very very sharp. It passed my own AF focus test easily and the AF is very accurate. I didnt compare the AF speed with other lenses as this is a macro lens which typically has slower AF when comparing to other normal (non-macro) lenses. This little gem has the best technologies Nikon offers currently: Silent Wave motor, AFS, IF (internal focusing), ED Glass, 9-blade rounded diaphragm, and Nano coating. To my knowledge, there is no other Nikon lenses that sell for less and still have all these technologies. The only thing it missed is VR which will make it "perfect". In additon to very sharp, I also like the background blurry a lot. The lens is very light when comparing to the Nikon 105 VR. This makes it very usable for hand-held close-ups which is the purpose I bought it for. Id recommend this lens to anyone who look for a macro lens with a different prospective (than 105 VR) with a Nikon FF camera. You should also consider this lens if you are thinking to get a standard lens (like 50mm f1.4). This lens can focus from a few inches all the way to infinite while normal lenses requires a minimum focus distance of 2-3 feet or more. Also macro lenses are typically sharper than non-macro lenses. [Updated on 3/30/2010] Just finished processing the first major batch of images shot with this lens. The color is so vivid and brilliant. The blurry background is so beautiful. The lens is a gem. Highly recommended. [Updated on 4/24/2010] I tested the AF today. The AF for this lens is actually very fast. Compare to my other lenses, AF speed for subject great than 2 feet, this lens AF faster than 85 f1.4 and my Sigma 50 f1.4. So I would not say its slow AF any more. The more I used it, the more I like it. The images are very sharp. I also think this lens is a great value considering its great IQ and price.

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This is a truly excellent lens. Used with the D800E it achieves extremely clean high quality images. It is used only in a studio and delivers as expected. Excellent construction and well balanced this is an outstanding product.

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This is the first Macro (or in Nikon-speak, Micro) lens I have owned (in 45 years of photography). What a treat this lens has been. Its also been a new learning experience for me. I think if this lens were image stabilized, then Id certainly give it 5 Stars! Here are my issues with this lens… While the lens is crisp and sharp (once youve made the mandatory focus adjustments that ALL Nikon lenses seem to require… and why is this necessary, Nikon?!?) Ive found that hand holding this lens to do Macro photography is not too practical. If youre holding the lens close to the subject, say 6 inches away, you must shoot at 1/500 or better still 1/1000 to mitigate any body movement (such as your heart beating). However, if youre shooting at 1/1000, then youre going to be shooting at f2.8 or thereabouts. This will minimize depth of field. Therefore, a tripod is almost a necessity. If image stabilized, then youd be able to shoot at f4.5 or better still f5.6. Other than this, this lens seems like a well-built Nikon plastic lens… its also a bit heavier than the typical Nikon lens in this price category (lots of glass inside). Good color, saturation and contrast, with minimal CA. I am using this lens on a D7100 and overall satisfied and would recommend this lens to anyone with a recent Nikon digital SLR.

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Pros: I really labored over purchasing this lens, as the Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras was announced around the time I had bought this lens. But I knew I wanted more working distance since I was going to use this lens on my D200 (DX body, so effective focal length 90mm); I also wanted something that would work on my N75 and have the ability to use with a D700/D3/D3x if I so chose to. A recent Dec 2009 review from Popular Photography also supported my choice, titled "7 Versatile Pieces of Photo Gear": The 60mm Macro Lens For tremendous versatility in a single focal length, nothing beats a fast (f/2.8 or faster) 60mm macro lens, especially when you use it on a DSLR with an APS-C-sized sensor. Its tops for both fascinating close-ups and flattering portraits. A macro lens is a must to get in tight on a small object. And if your subject is round (like these cherries), a 60mm can help bring out the shape in ways that longer macros, which flatten the scene, cannot. Even better? Its typical close-focusing distance of 7-9 inches lets you adjust your subject while your eye remains glued to the viewfinder. But with portraits, you want to be farther away. The one here succeeds in part because the photographers 60mm macro lens, used on her Nikon D200, scaled up to a 90mm equivalent--just about perfect for people pictures. Regardless, this macro has been a joy to use, and it gives me several stops advantage over the "competing" 85 3.5 VR macro recently released. . . Quick, silent focus, and excellent gold-stamped "N" construction round out the pluses! Cons: Odd length, doesnt really fit well with my small lens cases. HEAVY for the size. But I like it (some may not). Some hunting in low light and slow to focus from infinity to close, as expected of a macro though since they are made to be be finely adjusted. Wish it had VR as I use it as a portrait lens sometimes. P.S. I also use with the post-processing suite DxO Optics Pro v5 Standard Edition (D200 + 60mm 2.8). Cleans up my shots and gives me a few-stop advantage in post processing!

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I am no way close to calling myself an amateur photographer let alone a professional but this is one damn fun lens. Everything is so much more fun to photograph from screw heads to smaller details of flowers. Look, its a macro lens, I am not going to use this to take pictures of people so people that complain about it really should re asses their lens choices. Also its great for photographing jewelry and smaller items if you sell anything on the bay and the kinds.

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This lens is sharp, sharp, sharp and is ideal as a short macro or portrait telephoto for DX format. Its too short for most macro applications on an FX camera, although it is super-sharp in that format as well. Its compact, focuses quickly and accurately, and has good bokeh.

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I bought this lens as my entry into shooting macro and havent been at all disappointed. I was concerned about the claimed 7.2" minimum focus but apparently, thats only for the auto-focus because focusing manually I can get down to 2 or 3 inches. All images are superbly sharp with good color reproduction. This lens will not disappoint, however, if distance is a concern you may wish to look at the Sigma 150mm Macro or Nikons own 105mm Micro lens. After being so satisfied with this Nikon 60mm I broke down and bought the Sigma 150mm macro as well and Im glad I did. Both have their specific uses and sometimes the shorter focal length of this Nikon is exactly what I need for a specific situation. The Sigma is at least as sharp and perhaps a little more versatile as well as being (arguably), one of the best macro lenses currently available. Unless you need to really keep your distance, this lens will serve your needs and blow you away with the crisp detail and accurately saturated color in the pictures youll produce. I didnt think I could get close enough to some subjects but working slowly, Ive had the end of this lens within 2-inches of wild fence lizards and inside of the minimum possible focal distance with subjects like grasshoppers and bees. Its almost one of those rare "cant go wrong" situations. Buy it, youll be glad you did.

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