Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras

Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras
Get better pictures from your digital SLR with this Nikon USA: AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED lens. With its two aspherical lens elements, lens aberrations are rare. And if you need to take a picture fast, the Silent Wave Motor produces high-speed and quiet autofocus operation. And its Nano Crystal Coat eliminates most internal reflections across a wide range of wavelengths for even greater image integrity.

Faster, smoother autofocusing and eliminates barrel length changes and front element rotation Virtually eliminates internal reflections across a wide range of wavelengths Superior color performance, while substantially reducing ghosting and flare Optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on both the Nikon FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) and DX-format image sensors Rounded 9-blade diaphragm for more natural appearance of out-of-focus image elements M/A Focus Mode allows fast, smooth transitions, autofocus to manual operation Focal length - 60mm Maximum aperture - f/2.8 Minimum aperture - f/32 Lens construction - 12 elements in 9 groups (with one ED glass lens, two aspherical lenses, one with Nano Crystal Coat) Picture angle - 39° 40' (26°30' with Nikon DX format) Closest focus distance - 0.185 m/0.6 ft. (life-size) Maximum reproduction ratio - 1.0x (life-size) Filter/attachment size - 62 mm Diameter x length - Approximately 2.9 x 3.5 inches Weight - Approximately 15 oz. Supplied accessories - LC-62 62mm Snap-on front lens cap, LF-1Rear lens cap, HB-42 Bayonet hood, CL-1018 Flexible lens pouch Optional accessories - 62mm screw-in filters, including circular polarizing filter

Customer Review: Sharp, flat field, fast to use

An excellent lens. AF and MF both work well on my D200 in macro work and general use. AF-S lets the focus be easily controlled manually after AF, without moving switches. It's a good size match for D200-300 bodies and probably any recent Nikon.
The 60mm focal length gives more perspective & depth compared to longer lenses. It's also great for informal portraits. It gives the classic 85-105mm range from film in the DX format. I like all these aspects. They do mean there's a wider background and you're closer to the subject compared to longer alternatives.
Close focus is a hair tighter than 1:1. You have about 7.5" from the sensor-film plane to the subject. This translates to just under 2" from the lens front, or 1/2" from the front of the hood. The hood can be a problem that close. Backing off to 1:1.5 gains about an inch of distance. DX gives 1x1.5" field there to match 1:1 on FX or film. By 1:3 you've got 4+ inches in front of the hood. You get used to adjusting focus and framing with a mix of lens and camera movements. It's easier in practice than some have described, even on a tripod.
The lens is incredibly sharp and contrasty. You stop down from wind-open for DOF, not better sharpness. Papery low contrast detail on flowers is captured well. Out of focus areas are smooth. Some say it's got the best Micro-Nikkor optics ever (Bjorn, if you know the name). I can't confirm that, but you have to look hard to see this lens's few optical flaws (like barely visible CA).
Possible drawbacks (debatable):
The 60 mm focal length is short for some people's taste. Longer macro lenses do give greater working distance. Instead the 60 AF-S is smaller & lighter than 90-105mm macro-micro lenses. The price is lower if you're comparing Nikkors.
Manual focus gearing is quite fast. Infinity to close focus is about 180 deg. Finger tip movements take it from infinity to 7 feet. The manual focus gearing seems to get better in the near range. Slower gearing or even variable ratio would help, though.
[Edited focus distances after getting them way wrong]

Customer Review: ??...Not sure...??

For portrait style photos this is a great lens at 2.8f. However, when getting down and dirty with the macro you can't rely heavily on the auto-focus. It has problems focusing depending on the situations, or sometimes not. Use the manual and you've got yourself a good lens otherwise. IMO I would've tried out other lenses of equal price first, but I have such faith in Nikkor lenses that I didn't. I would have ended up with this lens regardless. The glass is just better.

Best Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras
The Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras features a 1:2 maximum close-up magnification at the 300 millimeter focal length. An excellent cost performance telephoto zoom lens for digital and 35mm SLR cameras, this lens also has a switch for changeover to macro photography at focal lengths between 200 millimeters and 300 millimeters. The minimum focusing distance 59.1 inches at all zoom settings. Optimized for digital photography, the lens features SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass for excellent correction of chromatic aberration.

Customer Review: It eats light, but it still works great

This is one of the best lenses you can buy for the price. The photos are clear and crisp. The only major problems is that it takes a ton of light to get a properly exposed picture, and if you don't have a DSLR that has AF built in it can be a challenge to get the lens to maintain its focus. This is a great lens for the price, just make sure you have a nice flash to get the most out of this lens.

Customer Review: Economical, but not fast or pro.

I've purchased the Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 DG Macro in 2007.
I purchased this for the use of photographing sports, especially football. Through my experience, this lens is worth it when shooting in ample light (meaning your shooting at least 1/250 @ ISO 800) and you're not shooting anything to increase your credibility. The lens is nice in terms that it's pretty large and the lens hood adds about 1.5" to the lens, which makes you look important if that's the case. On the other side, the lens is a little slow in terms of, the aperture is not large enough and the AF is slower since it's screw driven and covers a larger distance focus. *Just in case: A faster lens means that it has a large aperture closer or better to f/2.8 and you can use a faster shutter speed*
The lens does not have superbly dense photograph quality, but is acceptable with it's focal length coverage and low price. One this also is that the barrel rotates when focusing so beware for your fingers catching when focusing.
If you are on a budget, but want to have a telephoto lens and aren't in need of a fast lens, this Sigma 70-300 will work for your needs.

Best Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Autofocus VR Zoom Nikkor Lens

Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Autofocus VR Zoom Nikkor Lens
Nikon is a precision optical company with worldwide manufacturing, research and marketing capabilities. The Nikon name is equated with extraordinary photographic performance, innovation, precision and optical quality.PRODUCT FEATURES:Result of VR (Vibration Reduction) is equivalent to using a shutter speed three f/stops faster;VR is automatically detected during panning operation. Two modes of VR: Image plane and Viewfinder;3 ED glass for high resolution and high contrast even at maximum apertures;Filter does not rotate during zooming.

Customer Review: Need a zoom.....this is it!

For bird watching and any distant viewing, this is the lens that will bring things in, clearly and sharply. Goes perfectly with my Nikon D300.

Love its manual focus capability, as well as its autofocus; VR (Vibration Reduction) feature works well.

Customer Review: This Dog Will Hunt

I bought this lens after reading many reviews. So, I went into the purchase already knowing that this lens wasn't perfect. I own multiple cameras in several formats and have been a Nikon shooter since the 1980's. I guess you'd call me an "advanced amateur". However, I was slow to enter the digital world and have a lot to learn after about two years with a D70s and an 18-200 Nikon VR zoom.

I found the 18-200 very versatile, but wanted the greater reach that the 80-400 VR offers. After a few weeks of shooting small desert wildlife, birds and cactus flowers in our yard, I think I have a feel for the performance I can expect. While certainly not a fast lens, it produces very sharp photos when the lens is tripod or monopod-mounted. The VR function works well, but at the long end of the zoom I have experienced some blurring with this lens when it was hand-held. As noted by many others, this lens tends to "hunt" if the lighting is not strong or the contrast is low. While this is a bit frustrating, I knew this would happen. I just got tired of waiting for Nikon to announce an AF-S version and made the plunge.

Considering the price I paid for this lens versus what I would have to pay for a faster Nikon lens with a similar zoom range, I was willing to accept its weaknesses. Overall, I think this was a good purchase - not perfect - but good. I recommend this lens as a good value for serious amateurs.

Nikon HB-34 Lens Hood for 55-200mm DX Nikkor Lens

Nikon HB-34 Lens Hood for 55-200mm DX Nikkor Lens
For 55-200mm Zoom Nikkor Lens

Customer Review: CornFused Here...

I recently purchased the 55-200mm lens from Ritz via Amazon. I did not get this lens hood, instead I got the HB-37. Now, I'm not sure what the real difference is. Can anyone explain?
I've taken photos with and without it, and really don't see the purpose of it. Now, I just don't use it at all, takes less time to fiddle with while out in the field. Do I need it and why?

Customer Review: Does the job fine, but DON'T BUY IT FOR THE 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX!

Okay, this lens hood is fine. Terrific.
BUT...the 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX COMES WITH THIS ITEM! Don't "take advantage" of Amazon's "Better Together" offer for the lens:
"Buy this item with Nikon HB-34 Lens Hood for 55-200mm DX Nikkor Lens by Nikon today!"
Because then you'll own TWO of these.

Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR [Vibration Reduction] DX Lens

Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR [Vibration Reduction] DX Lens + Hoya 72mm UV Haze Protector Glass Filter + CapKeeper Lens Cap Strap + 6-Piece Cleaning Kit - for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras including Nikon D40, D40x, D50, D70, D70s, D80, D100, D200 & D300
Kit includes: 1) Nikon 18-200mm Lens; 2) Cleaning Kit; 3) CapKeeper; 4) Hoya 72mm UV Filter. ♦ Nikon 18-200mm includes: Caps; Hood; Pouch; Instructions; Nikon USA Warranty. ♦ The Nikon 18-200mm is a powerful 11.1x zoom lens designed for Nikon's Digital SLRs. Equivalent to a 27mm wide-angle to 300mm telephoto zoom lens on a 35mm film camera, it may be the only lens you will ever need. This impressive zoom range is ideal for landscapes, group shots, portraits, sports, wildlife and nature photography. This versatile lens also has macro capability for wonderful close-ups of smaller objects such as flowers. The Nikon 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Lens has Vibration Reduction (VR) which provides sharper, blur-free pictures at shutter speeds as much as 4 stops slower than one could ordinarily handhold; a Silent Wave motor (AF-S) for fast and quiet autofocus operation; Extra-Low Dispersion glass (ED) to minimize chromatic aberrations for vibrant images with superb contrast and high resolution; Internal Focusing (IF) for faster autofocusing without changing the length of the lens thereby providing more balanced lens handling; and a non-Rotating front element which makes using circular polarizing filters far more convenient. ♦ Hoya UV Filters are made of highest quality optical glass and can be left on your lenses at all times — even when taking pictures. A filter prevents environmental damage to the delicate surface coatings of the lens; shields the front element from accidental scuffs and scratches; and in the event of impact, absorbs most of the force — which helps minimize damage to the lens's filter threads. A UV filter enhances image quality by reducing the adverse effects of ultraviolet light which can cause outdoor photographs to appear hazy and indistinct. ♦ This Nikon Lens-plus-necessities Kit will help give you the amazing family pictures, portraits, vacation photos, sports, nature and travel pictures you've always wanted.

Customer Review: its Pro & value

it's very good deal to take a nikon lens .. it was my dream to buy because its completly different than other lenses brands no sound i feel like i have robot in my camera for AF no zzzzzz sound!! no headache for fast shot photos & vibration reduction is a must new tech in this lens.

complete set is value & recommended.

Customer Review: Great Lens

Excellent product for the money. The sharpness is greatly improved with VR switched on at max zoom.

Nikon LF-1 Rear Lens Caps

Nikon LF-1 Rear Lens Caps
Nikon is a precision optical company with worldwide manufacturing, research and marketing capabilities. The Nikon name is equated with extraordinary photographic performance, innovation, precision and optical quality.

Customer Review: It works!

It screws on the end my my lenses, and stays put. Sounds simple? So you would think, but Nikon has taken to the habit of supplying its lower end lenses with ugly, white, cheap lens caps. They do not screw on, and do not stay put very well. Even a 'cheap' lens is a good bit of money. Do yourself a favor and protect your lenses.

Customer Review: Best. Lens. Cap. Ever.

if you switch lenses frequently, it's a good idea to have several of these in your bag in case you lose one. also, if you have any third party lenses, somehow nikon lens caps fit better and snugger. the tamron, tokina, and sigma caps are all kinda weird for some reason. replacing all your 3rd party caps with nikon caps might seem anal (i do this with front lens caps too) but could save time in the field and actually prevent damage to your glass from an unforeseen lenscap accident.