Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D review

According provided by Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D lens thanks a lot Puzik Yuri.

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D review

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D review

The Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D is a great inexpensive macro lens.

The Nikon Micro 60 (55) /2.8 line of autofocus lenses includes four models:

  1. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8, produced from September 1986 to November 1989. Optical design - 6 elements in 5 groups, the same as the manual predecessor Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 (AI-S).
  2. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8 (MKI) - produced from 1989 to 1993. Optical design - 8 elements in 7 groups. An overview of this modification can be viewed here.
  3. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D (MKII) - the second version, produced from 1993 to 2008. Optically and externally - exactly the same as the first. The main difference is the ability transmitting the focusing distance to the camera. The model is presented in this review.
  4. Nikon N AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8G SWM ED IF Aspherical Nano Crystal Coat (MKIII) - is still being produced. Unlike previous models, it has a different optical scheme, a built-in focusing motor, a different lens coating, does not have a diaphragm ring, etc. It's funny, but some of the lenses of this model were produced in Thailand (all the previous ones are only in Japan).
Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D side view with focus on MDF

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D is a very high-quality, weighty (about 450 g) Japanese lens. As befits a macro lens, in addition to the focusing distance scale and depth of field (for F / 16 and F / 32), there is an additional field indicating the magnification ratio in the range from 1:10 to 1: 1.

Aperture F2.8 is available only when focusing in the range from infinity to 2 meters, after which the minimum number F increases, and when focusing on MDF, it becomes equal to F5.0. This is common for macro lenses, for example Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 105mm 1: 2.8D behaves the same way.

When focusing, the 'Focus breathing'.

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D rear view

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D has a special focus stop, which can be in two positions: 'Limit' and 'Full'. Pregnant Limit Focusing is available from infinity to 30 cm. In this case, you can get an increase of up to 1: 3. You can limit the work not only from infinity to 30 cm, but also from 27 cm to MDF. MDF is 21,9 см (from the focal plane), with a maximum magnification of 1: 1. When focusing on MDF, the distance between the lens and the subject is about 7 см (not to be confused with focal plane distance).

The lens uses a system to focus Nikon CRC - Close Range Correction - image correction at small focusing distances. You can see how the very deeply set front lens of the lens during focusing moves forward in a special 'tulip', as shown in the photo below. But the rear lens remains stationary when focusing.

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D

View of the trunk of the lens Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D when focusing on MDF

The lens has a focus mode switch 'M \ A', which is fixed with a special locking button. In automatic mode 'A', the focus ring rotates freely and does not affect the focusing process itself. Focus ring rubberized and rotates 135 degrees in the Full position. The focus distance scale is in feet and meters. During focusing, the front lens does not rotate, and the trunk of the lens lengthens noticeably. The lens uses 62 mm diameter filters.

Pregnant Limit from infinity to 30 cm the lens focuses enough fast. Pregnant Limit from 27 cm to MDF, the focusing speed drops noticeably, and in the Full position the lens focuses and is completely slow.

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D Lens Marks

Auto focus with Nikon AF Micro lens Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D is only available when using cameras with built-in motor focusing. Accurate and complete list Nikon cameras that support autofocus with similar lenses ('AF' type) can be found in the 'Auto focus on Nikon cameras'. During auto focus, the lens pretty noisy :(.

Устройство aperture consists of only 7 not rounded petals, diaphragm closes to F / 32 when focusing on infinity and to F / 57 when focusing on MDF. The lens has aperture control ring (in the photo the ring is easy to recognize by two rows of numbers from F / 2.8 to F / 32). To control the value aperture of any modern Nikon camera automatically, you need to install the ring aperture in position F / 32 and fix it with a special button, which is located to the right of the numbers. If this is not done, the 'fEE' error will appear on the camera display. For more details on the iris control ring, see Non-G Nikon Lenses. The lens is FX, AF, D the lens.

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D

View of the Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D on the ZK

When using Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D on Nikon DX cameras, it EGF will be 90 mm. It is said that such a lens can also be used for portraiture. Recently, I have moved away from this opinion and I think that for a portrait, nevertheless, some kind of fast fifty dollars. On a full frame, the Nikon 60mm 1: 2.8D may be an everyday staffer, but again, I believe that half a ruble and will have an advantage here. But for macro shooting Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D will be just right, however, a number of photo tasks related to 'macro' are much easier to solve with longer 'macro' lenses, for example, such as Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 105mm 1: 2.8D. Personally, I am shooting photo equipment for reviews on Radozhiva using 105 mm of focal length on my Nikon AF Nikkor 28-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5D Macro.

The analogue of such a lens for Nikon crop cameras can be roughly considered Nikon DX AF-S Micro Nikkor 40mm 1: 2.8G, EGF which on Nikon DX cameras will be the same 60 mm as Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D in full frame.

I think that Nikon 60mm 1: 2.8D turned out very successful the lens. Now it is easy to find in the secondary market, where it is one of the most affordable native macro lenses for full-size cameras with automatic focus. Who wants to get a cheaper similar native macro lens, can look towards excellent Nikon 55mm 1: 2.8 Micro-Nikkor (AI-S).

The lens is sharp, with good detail and good contrast, and without fear of backlight. But still, I expected Nikon 60mm 1: 2.8D, like any macro lens, a bit sharper :). Here link to the archive with the originals - 426 MB, 49 photos, photo parameters in the archive and in the gallery are indicated here, shooting was made using protective filter L37c 62mm Nikon Japan.

Prices for the Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D lens in popular online stores can be look at this link and in the price block:

All autofocus MICRO / MC NIKKOR lenses

Z-mount FX:

  1. Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50 mm 1:2.8
  2. Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm 1: 2.8 VR S

F-mount FX:

  1. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 50 mm 1:2.8 R-UW
  2. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 55 mm 1:2.8
  3. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60 mm 1:2.8
  4. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60 mm 1: 2.8D
  5. Nikon N AF-S Micro Nikkor 60 mm 1: 2.8G SWM ED IF Aspherical Nano Crystal Coat (Japan or Thailand)
  6. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 105 mm 1:2.8
  7. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 105 mm 1: 2.8D
  8. Nikon N AF-S Micro Nikkor 105 mm 1: 2.8G ED VR SWM IF Micro 1: 1 Nano Crystal Coat (Japan or China)
  9. Nikon ED AF Micro Nikkor 200 mm 1: 4D
  10. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 70-180 mm 1: 4.5-5.6D ED

F-mount DX:

  1. Nikon DX AF-S Micro Nikkor 40 mm 1: 2.8G SWM
  2. Nikon DX AF-S Micro Nikkor 85 mm 1: 3.5G ED VR SWM IF Micro 1: 1

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Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D is a good and inexpensive macro lens :)

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

Add a comment: Maksim

 

 

Comments: 33, on the topic: Review of Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D

  • anonym

    Bright, positive review.

  • Artyom

    Arkady, why did you change your mind about shooting portraits with macro lenses? because of aperture?

    • Ivan

      I could be wrong, but purely theoretically:
      over sharpness. Which is necessary macro, but for a female portrait does nothing good.
      I myself have a canon 40 2.8 - not a macro, of course, a lens, but very sharp. Women's portraits fail in any way. But for men it is very good.

      • Oleg

        Ivan, try an additional soft filter, B&W has very good ones, it will give you a softening of the picture that you are missing

    • Arkady Shapoval

      No, not because of the sharpness. Causes:
      1. A portrait needs a certain focusing distance, macro lenses have a very meager smell of the focus ring stroke in the region of 2-3 meters, while the tenacity of focusing is lost, and aiming manually seems like hell. Even the children from the review were not so easy to remove, there were a lot of focusing errors at such distances.
      2. Aperture. Nevertheless, for the same money you can get F1.4, which is 2 stops better than F2.8.
      3. Lens pattern. Still, macro lenses have a more rigid design. This is not due to sharpness.

  • Alex de Kairoy

    Arkady, is 4500 inexpensive? at the present time? Or is it the price for MKIII?
    then where and for how much can you get the first?

  • Vyacheslavyan

    Sharpness. I would like to hear what people are investing in this concept. For example, I have 3 lenses for Nikon: 18-55 (whale), 55-200 (4-5.6 non vr), Helios 81N. So, if each of them takes the same photo, then the subjective difference will be only in the specific drawing of these lenses. But sharpness, what is it? What to eat with?

    • Andrew

      Well, as I heard this is a purely personal concept. There are a lot of different fixes and I was very interested in the Nikon 85mm 1.8 AF-S G since it is considered very sharp in tests. Here is an example frame http://goo.gl/qSkXtb shot on a D600 ku. Up to an object of 300 meters, and so an increase of 1: 1 pixels do not turn into a mess and the detail is present at a very high level. For me it's harsh. If you look at how simple the frame is, then agree sharpness is not particularly important at all. You can reduce the frame size to increase the detail. Somehow I compared a couple of Nikon 20mm 2.8 and Nikon 50mm 1.8 AF-S fixes on the same F9 or something like that and was amazed how many details got out on the Nikon 50mm 1.8 AF-S and how sharp it was.

      • Ernie

        You described “spatial sharpness” here. Sharpness, in general, is detail plus micro-contrast (although it only creates a feeling of “sharpness”). So, as they say, not all “sharp” lenses have this very “spatial sharpness” - at decent distances. Only a part of all lenses are specially sharpened for this. And “portraits”, as a rule, do not possess this property. Somewhere in the comments they wrote about it.

    • Andrew

      PS: Here is another D600 + 85mm 1.8 AF-S shot the other day, focus on the girl’s eyes. https://www.dropbox.com/s/7idpm6d3gilui03/DSC_8910.jpg

  • Alexander

    Thank you very much for the review, for the work done, especially for the archive with the oil.
    This review, in fact, prevented the purchase of this lens. Nothing worth mentioning after sigma 35,1.4

  • Vladimir

    On the D80, color is certainly more interesting.
    The old horse does not spoil the furrow.))

  • Andrii

    Good day to Arkadiy!
    You have a couple of articles, you need one to see it, it's melodious ...
    Happiness!

    • Andrii

      I ask again, ce I have mercy)

  • Eugene

    An excellent lens, you can use it both for macro and for portraits and as a staffer, of course the focus is not lightning fast, but the picture has a very decent glass, much better than Nikor 50 1,4d (for example). For 3 years of use, Nikon (previously shot Sony) went through a lot of lenses, but this one still remains with me and pleases with the pictures)

  • Vadim

    good day!
    help with the choice, for shooting jewelry, between Nikon Nikkor AF 60 / 2.8D Micro and Nikon Nikkor 105 / 2.8 Micro (Non-D type)? carcass nikon d800. I’m interested in the differences in lenses, especially in the field of depth of field, will it be and on which lens will it be larger?
    Thank you!

    • Sergei

      I think it's too late. a lot of time has passed, but still .. The 60s will have a wider grip. The focusing distance will be shorter, almost close. But the question is, why autofocus for jewelry photography? Maybe it makes sense to take a manual 55 ais and not bathe? And I would not spend at all on all these 40-60s and immediately took the autofocus 105d or g - a much more convenient focal point for macro and autofocus can be useful for non-macro, you can also look towards Sigma and Tamron if the native 105 seems expensive

  • Nadezhda

    A very good lens, I have had it for seven years, the sharpness is amazing that it’s macro to shoot portraits.

  • Sergei

    Colleagues, hello!
    Tell me, please, where does this lens version MK ll have a serial number on the case?

    • Sergei

      Kenrockwell's website says

      Serial Number

      Laser engraved on bottom of aperture ring.

      But I can’t find on my

      • Sergei

        Understood :)
        You can see it better with a flashlight, in the evenings after work, you had to look carefully.

  • Daniel

    Cool glass. I use it on the d7000 crop and on the d300. Someone advises it as a portrait lens, but the lens is too sharp and often smears at a long distance. In macro shooting, it shows itself perfectly. sharp and clear.

  • Svetlana

    Hello everyone, tell me please, I am shooting catalog photography, my priority is life-size photography, I need good sharpness and detailing of clothes, I work 4-5 meters from the model, I choose a lens based on the parameters of the studio, the studio is 6,5m long.
    the choice fell on 60mm and 85mm, camera d700, please orientate, please, which one to take? I work with impulse.

    • B. R. P.

      85 is long, with 6,5 m. An object with a height of 1,8 m will fit right next to it. A fifty dollar will be enough + cover the diaphragm.

      • Svetlana

        thanks for the comment)
        according to the simulator below, they set the distance from 4 meters, it fits right in, and from 5, so there is still space from the top, can you rely on it?
        https://dofsimulator.net/en/

    • Novel

      I don't know how Nikon has it with 24-120, but on Canon I would not use anything at all except the universal 24-105 in the studio - you still hide behind until 5.6-8. Well, or 24-70 / 2.8, if funds allow and weight does not bother. The studio is not empty - there is light, there is an interior - zoom makes it possible to ignore obstacles and play with perspective, getting the desired effect.

      85 is inconvenient for such a size of the room, I agree, and will almost never be opened. A 60, albeit more convenient, but still sharpened for use as a macro lens.

      • Svetlana

        thanks for the comment)
        according to the simulator below, they set the distance from 4 meters, it fits right in, and from 5, so there is still space from the top, can you rely on it?
        https://dofsimulator.net/en/

        • Novel

          It is quite possible to trust. At 85 mm, the full-length model confidently fits only in the vertical orientation of the frame. You should have some kind of background, space in front of the background, you need to stand not close to the wall, and if with a tripod - at least a meter from the wall. And if you are working with a standard gray background, then you will need to move the model relative to it constantly, depending on the desired result - whether you want to make it black, white or highlight.

          60mm will be freer, but provided that your studio is empty and you are not capturing lighting fixtures.

          The best way is to take a lens - you have some kind of whale zoom available - fix the focal one and try to shoot the model in full growth on it. I’ll tell you this, it was inconvenient for me to shoot half-ruble half-length portraits on a crop in a large room, the same with an 85 in a full frame. More or less freedom began with a 24 mm crop - 35 mm full frame, but in reality it was possible to shoot only with a zoom. You expose the model, expose the light, squeeze into this space yourself and only then adjust with the zoom, because the room for maneuver is extremely insignificant.

          • Svetlana

            thanks for your reply, success.

          • Maksim

            I absolutely agree that a studio is a zoom, better, of course, a good one, but it's always better, many people shoot in the studio with fixes, I tried it, it's not convenient for me, I don't always have enough space for maneuver, here on the street the fixes open up, and the studio zoom, well or as I often do, a portrait fix on the second camera for shooting a large portrait, then ok

  • Denis

    kind

    • Denis

      Should I use macro rings on this Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D lens? I doubt it, because fr 50mm.

  • Edgar

    Thank you, Arkady for the review!

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