Micro Nikkor 55 f2.8 lens MF only: Looking for advice. I have 3 macro lenses and two 50 mm (a D 1.4 and a G 1.8) Nikon lenses. I already have a 105 f2.8 D macro Nikon lens and a DX 40...

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Looking for advice. I have 3 macro lenses and two 50 mm (a D 1.4 and a G 1.8) Nikon lenses. I already have a 105 f2.8 D macro Nikon lens and a DX 40 mm macro Nikon lens. I was given a Micro Nikkor 55 f2.8 lens. I am wondering if I should sell it. But if you all with your experience say, "NO, NO, NO!!" "it was one of the best", then I will keep it. Still on the fence. Appreciate your counsel.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

DaveyDitzer wrote:

Looking for advice. I have 3 macro lenses and two 50 mm (a D 1.4 and a G 1.8) Nikon lenses. I already have a 105 f2.8 D macro Nikon lens and a DX 40 mm macro Nikon lens. I was given a Micro Nikkor 55 f2.8 lens. I am wondering if I should sell it. But if you all with your experience say, "NO, NO, NO!!" "it was one of the best", then I will keep it. Still on the fence. Appreciate your counsel.

Davey as a Nikon Micro Nikkor lenses, I would not sell the Micro Nikkor 55 2.8. Get off the fence and use it and you will see why you will love it and would not want t sell it. An amazing super sharp design.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

PixelStan77 wrote:

Davey as a Nikon Micro Nikkor lenses, I would not sell the Micro Nikkor 55 2.8. Get off the fence and use it and you will see why you will love it and would not want t sell it. An amazing super sharp design.

Stan, Thank you. I like a person that tells it like it is. As my accounting professor noted on his first exam - "straight power, no tricks"

Quixdraw Loc: x

I gave my 55 Macro to a dear friend - then remembered it is what I used with the ES-1 and bought another.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

quixdraw: what is an ES-1?

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Keep the 55/2.8, and if “Three’s a crowd” then ditch the 40. The 55/2.8 doesn’t bring much at sale anywho.

If you get involved with extension tubes the benefit of the 55 is that it’s a simple unit focusing lens. Newer lenses have floating elements (aka Nikon “CRC”) or internal focusing, etc that can complicate use of tubes.

And yes, there really is a certain “look” to images from older, simpler optics ... if you don’t let it get overwhelmed by your image processing.

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DaveyDitzer wrote:

quixdraw: what is an ES-1?

It’s a slide copying accessory and can fit almost any macro lens but 55 to 60mm (or equivalent) is the most practical. If you have a bushel of slides to copy, then hang onto that 40mm til the job is done.

TerryVS

PixelStan77 wrote:

Davey as a Nikon Micro Nikkor lenses, I would not sell the Micro Nikkor 55 2.8. Get off the fence and use it and you will see why you will love it and would not want t sell it. An amazing super sharp design.

Curious, back in about 1980 I bought a used 55mm f3.5. The photog that sold it to me upgraded to the new 2.8 version.

His claim after a few weeks is the 2.8 wasn't as sharp as the 3.5. Kind of curious what y'all think. Still have that 3.5 floating around in the closet somewhere!

Terry

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

I loved my 55mm Micro, "long time." Found that my 60mm Micro is just a skooch sharper. BTW, sounds like you have a warehouse full of Nikkors. And how come nobody ever gives me lenses?

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I have one. It's one of "true macro"lenses that I own. No I would not part with it. I love the colors it produces too...

ELNikkor

Got my Micro Nikkor 55 2.8 hidden down deep in a bag full of "used" (but really unused) Sears KS2 gear; all for the princely sum of $25. The Nikkor also was in pristine condition. I use it on my D750 when I need the very best quality shot at any distance.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

Still sold new at B+H. Great lens!

photoman43

I have three Nikon macro lenses too: 55mm f2.8 manual focus; 105mm f2.8 D and the 200mm f4 D. I use the 200mm f4 most of the time as it has a tripod collar mount and I prefer greater distance from my mostly nature subjects. I use the 55mm f2.8 for subjects where I need to get close and and often use it with a Nikon extension tube to get 1 : 1.

For landscape photography, I use it a lot as I love how sharp the pictures are. I prefer it over my 50mm Nikon AF lenses and my Nion 24-70mm f2.8. This is on a D850 and D810.

All you can do is try it out and compare the results. Use it in macro mode and compare it to your 105mm and 40mm DX lens. Then use it for landscapes and compare it to your 50mm lenses.

If you do not want it, I will gladly take it ff your hands.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I have both. What's wrong with the 60mm Micro Nikkor AF?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

In my humble opinion the 105 mm f2.8 macro lens is all you need for your macro shots. The 55 mm macro is a very good lens but the working distance is too short.