cliodiver

I have a tokina 100mm macro lens . It has a screw drive AF that works fine. The problem is that it won’t work with the camera’s focus stack feature . Focus stack works with Nikon lenses. Any ideas on why the tokina won’t?

Bill_de Loc: US

I read it has something to do with a communication difference between the AF system (screw drive) and the AF-s / AF-p lenses.

I don't think it is brand specific. It won't work with my AF Nikkor 105 micro either.

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Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee

Make sure you turn AF off before image stacking. You may have to be in manual mode also.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

The D850 does in camera focus stacking in which it shoots a series of shots in a burst at multiple focus points. You don’t want to turn of AF or it’ll never work. You want to be in either aperture priority or manual and you want to turn VR off. And it doesn’t work with screw focus lenses, only with lenses that have an internal focus motor.

cliodiver

Thanks for your responses. Just wasn't sure if I missed something in camera settings.

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

this good to know. I would not have known this.

photostephen

Focus stacking built into the D850 only works with AF-S lenses, regardless of manufacture.

Bill_de Loc: US

As Nikon states, the camera does "Focus Shifting". it does not do focus stacking. You need to do the stacking in software.

Unfortunately some of the online publications misunderstood the difference and their words are never forgotten.

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Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

If you decide you want to get an AF-S lens to focus stack, I'd be interested in your Tokina 100. Let me know if you would like to sell it. Take care & ...

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Get the Nikkor 105mm micro. The most recent version. It is very affordable and you will be set.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Yes, it needs to be the "AF-S" version. The Micro Nikkor 105mm is a superb lens, but at almost $900 I wouldn't call it "very affordable". In fact, that makes it one of the most expensive macro lenses around the 100mm focal length.

The only macro that's more expensive in Nikon F-mount is the Zeiss Milvus 100mm... upwards of $1500 if memory serves. It's a manual focus-only lens (so wouldn't work for that auto stacking), but with an f/2 max aperture the Zeiss is at least a stop faster than all but one or two other macro lenses.

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM macro has in-lens motor too (ultrasonic, similar to AF-S).... is on sale right now for $519. That's a hefty discount of $450 off list price, perhaps Sigma has a new version coming soon and is clearing the shelves in advance. But there's nothing wrong with the current model. This is an internal focusing (IF) lens with image stabilization (OS).

There are also two 90mm Tamron SP macro lenses, both of which have in-lens motors. The $500 model uses a micro motor that's a bit slower focusing and noisier, and it is not an internal focusing lens (increases length when focused closer). The $650 model uses a somewhat faster and quieter ultrasonic "USD" focus drive that's similar to AF-S and has image stabilization. The more expensive Tamron is an IF lens.

Something interesting.... DXO Mark gives the Nikkor AF-S 105mm Micro a higher overall score... Yet if you look at the various metrics they measure, the Sigma is rated to be slightly sharper, have equal light transmission, less distortion, less vignetting and less chromatic aberration.... Very minor differences between them, but somehow DXO adds that up to a higher rating for the Nikkor? https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/AF-S-Nikkor-VR-105mm-f-2.8G-ED-on-Nikon-D800-versus-105mm-f-2.8-EX-DG-OS-HSM-Nikon-on-Nikon-D800__261_792_361_792

There's a pretty thorough review of the Sigma lens here, including some illustrated comparisons with the Micro Nikkor, both on D850, here: https://www.closeuphotography.com/sigma-105mm-os-macro-lens/2017/10/20/sigma-105mm-f28-ex-dg-os-hsm-macro-lens

There isn't a full review of the Nikkor 105mm (Bryan's focus is on the Canon system, primarily), but there are magnified test shots done with it (on 24MP Nikon D3x) which can be compared side-by-side against the Sigma 105mm (on 21MP Canon 1Ds Mark III), here: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=645&Camera=614&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=790&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

There is a full review of the Sigma 105mm at that website: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-105mm-f-2.8-EX-DG-OS-HSM-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx

Something nice on the Sigma 105mm is it's Focus Limiter.... It's a more advanced, three range limiter: full, non-macro range (.45m to infinity) and macro-only range (.31m to .45m). The Sigma arrangement makes a lot more sense to me. The more expensive Tamron 90mm has a three range limiter with full, non-macro and macro-only ranges, similar to the Sigma.

The Micro Nikkor 105mm uses a simpler two range limiter: full range and non-macro range (.5m to infinity). The less expensive Tamron 90mm uses a similar two range limiter, too: full and non-macro.

Another thing that Sigma does is includes two lens hoods with their 105mm... one is designed for use on full frame and a deeper one is for use on APS-C cameras. The Nikkor 105's hood is larger and deeper, a "tulip" design usable with both FX and DX cameras.

I don't like that none of these lenses have option of using them with a tripod mounting collar (the two Canon 100mm macros do). To me that's a useful feature, although aside from the Canon lenses, it's mostly only found on 150mm, 180mm and 200mm macro lenses.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

$3,000.00 for the D850, you can afford a decent lens to match with it. Don't have to pay &900 either. A bit over $700 at B&H used, 9 rating. B&H # 1913542

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The primary reason the screw doesn't work is the screw lacks the small precision movements required for the focus stack.