Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 (AI-S) review

According provided by Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 lens (AI-S) many thanks to Maria Skakunova and the store www.fotika.com.ua, where can I find this model.

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 (AI-S) review

Review of the Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 (AI-S)

As soon as this lens falls into your hands, the first thing you pay attention to is that the lenses are set very deep in the lens barrel. In general, the lens is somewhat similar to the Soviet Industar-61LZ. Interestingly, the lens was produced from 1979 to 1985, and it is still appreciated. Seriously, after I took a few shots on the Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8, I immediately wanted to get myself the same one;). It captivates with its sharpness and macro capability.

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 lens has always been produced in only one AI-S modifications. Also, there is a huge line of different modifications of the older model - Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 3.5.

You will find how to use manual lenses on modern Nikon central control centers in the 'How to work with non-CPU lenses on modern Nikon central controllers'.

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 Deep Set Lens (AI-S)

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 Deep Set Lens (AI-S)

With the Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8, you can achieve a maximum magnification of 1: 2 for macro photography. This review contains original photos, without cropping. The lens is very sharp precisely because it is designed for macro photography. And yet - the lens has a special PK mode, which shows an increase from 1: 2 to 1: 1 when using the PK-13 prefix.

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 when focusing on MDF

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 when focusing on MDF

Attention: you can get a 1: 1 magnification only when using a special attachment (and in fact - a regular macro ring) Nikon Ai-s PK-13 Automatic Extension Ring... It is unlikely that someone wants to bother buying a special extension cord, it is easier to immediately buy a lens that gives “macro” 1: 1.

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 Rear Lens

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 Rear Lens

When focusing, the trunk of the lens moves very forward, while the front lens does not rotate. It’s a little annoying that when focusing, along with the trunk of the lens, the focus ring moves forward. The focus ring rotates 330 degrees. Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 uses a small thread diameter for filters - only 52mm. When focusing, the entire lens block moves, and the lens uses a system CRC (Close Range Correction) - a focusing system with correction at close focusing distances.

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 with native covers

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 with native covers

There is a focusing distance scale on the lens barrel, in the standard mode the minimum focusing distance is only 25 cm.There are also two scales with the designation of the macro zoom ratio: for the standard mode from 1:10 to 1: 2 and for working with the Nikon PK-13 extension ring from 1: 2 to 1: 1. The DOF scale is made using multi-colored stripes, each color has its own aperture value (DOF is indicated for F / 32 - orange, F / 22 - blue and F / 11 - yellow). There is also a red dot that serves as a marker for focusing in the IR spectrum. The diaphragm has seven blades.

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 on ZK

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 on ZK

Since this is a good old manual lens, he very well assembled, the case bears the inscription 'Made in Japan'.

On cropped cameras, the lens will give an angle of view equivalent to the lens in 82.5mm in 35mm equivalent. This falls within the range of portrait focal lengths.

Example photo on Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 (AI-S)

Example photo on Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 (AI-S)

The lens, due to its specification, is very sharp, even at F / 2.8 very sharp portraits are obtained, on which each eyelash is drawn. Personally, I am not afraid of sharpness in portraits, and sometimes it is even necessary. Contrast picturesaturated. The lens is afraid of backlight, side light - much less (due to the deep fit of the lenses). I do not observe distortion. Bokeh is a bit rough, but there will never be a clear opinion on such a delicate issue.

I really liked the lens, I would use it instead of the classic 'fifty dollars'. It’s not worth bothering that it’s 55mm, not 50mm, and that the maximum aperture of 2.8 is not worth it. For example, on my Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8D (MK III) more than 90% of pictures are taken at aperture of 2.8-4.0 and higher. The lens is lightweight so you can store it in your camera bag and get it out when you need to take a super-duper-sharp shot. The only thing that confuses me is that it turned out to be quite difficult to get into sharpness at a fully open aperture.

Here link to the archive with the originals - 359 MB, 27 photos in .NEF format (RAW) from the camera Nikon D700 (FX)

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 with extension ring 'M Nikon F Japan'


Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Conclusions

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 (AI-S) Is an excellent manual lens with killer sharpness and good macro photography.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Andrei

 

 

Comments: 60, on the topic: Review Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 (AI-S)

  • Vladimir.

    colleagues, such a situation: this lens came. on D600 instead of 2,8 aperture I see on camera 22. when I close the aperture, the number grows. at 32 shows 90. The glass itself is in excellent condition. Can you somehow “explain” to the camera that 22 is 2,8 so that the metering works correctly?

  • Vladimir.

    I figured it out ... In the camera settings in the Set data for a lens without a CPU menu, the value is 2,8 - and there will be happiness :-)

  • Glory

    what can you say about Nikon 55mm f / 2.8 AF MICRO-NIKKOR (1987-1989) (1987-1989)
    http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/55af.htm

  • Andrei

    Will it stand on canon?

    • Yarkiya

      Who? :)))

      • KalekseyG

        )))))))))))))))))

      • Gennady

        Nikon

      • Ivan

        someone who hurts about that and says ...)
        as for the question itself, then with the adapter, of course

  • Vladimir

    Greetings. Will it go to the nikon7100?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      It will do.

  • Basil

    Tell me when installing the PK 13 ring, according to the logic, does the focus change too? Or is it still 55?

    • KalekseyG

      Of course not. Native 55 will always be.

  • Maksim

    Colleagues, tell me, I ran into such a strangeness, I went to buy this used glass and ran into 2 “BUTs” - a very, very tight move of the focus ring, and after all, ai-s Nikon always did it conveniently, but maybe it was 55 macro so or just old glass and this copy is already passing (the number went to 5, not the newest parties then)? But most importantly, the aperture did not change, the ring moves easily, even too much, everything is ok in the light of the optics, the petals narrow, diverge, but on the camera (750 ka) the pictures are 2.8, which is 8, which is the same by 22, okay it would be used modern plastic glass, where everything is automatic, there you can understand malfunctions, but when everything is manual, and there is nothing special to break, how can this be ??

    • Arkady Shapoval

      An unsuccessful specimen, possibly poorly assembled during repairs, or tired. Look for another.

      • Maksim

        Thank you, Arkady, yes, I certainly didn’t take it, I just can’t understand how the diaphragm may not work on the ai-s if it reacts to the rotation of the ring on the glass itself, all the time before I came across this only on AF 35 2d, but there it is all the same, the automation is already changing the diaphragm, it is easy to believe that somewhere something has moved away and does not contact

        • Arkady Shapoval

          The mechanics of work are the same here and there.
          Usually the problem is a short / bent diaphragm leash

    • Dmitry Kostin

      I understand that the answer is no longer needed, but it may be useful to future buyers of this lens: “... two double helicoids - that’s exactly what this lens has. And if you might think that the brakes occur in the main helicoid, under the focusing rings, the feeling is erroneous; it is the second (small) dual helicoid, located in front of the front lens unit, that brakes more, as it creates tension.”

  • Ljubomir

    Good day! Please be kind 55 2.8 with auto focus
    rіzkіshiy for 60 2.8d chi nі? For macrophotography, zooming in front of the selection, camera d90

    • Arkady Shapoval

      60 will be better

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    At aperture 5,6-8, the lens provides such incredible sharpness that it probably couldn’t be better. I didn’t look at the graphs, but according to my feelings, it will definitely be 90-95lin/mm, especially at 8.

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

Russian-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2011/11/obzor-nikon-55mm-f2-8-ai-s-micro-nikkor/?replytocom=118649

Versión en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2011/11/obzor-nikon-55mm-f2-8-ai-s-micro-nikkor/?replytocom=118649