Nikon DX Micro 40mm f2.8G review

Summary

The price-performance ratio of the AF-S DX Small-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G is fantabulous and had it not been for the improbably short working distance at 1:1, this lens system would have easily earned a Highly Advisable award. But this weakness puts a serious dent in the otherwise shining performance – and gum olibanum it's awarded with a Recommended. So long atomic number 3 you realize the limitations of this lens (again the short 1:1 distance and lack of VR), it represents great value for owners of DX initialise DSLRs who want to start exploring the joys of big picture taking.

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Nikon DX Micro 40mm f2.8G review

• 12th January 2012
• Written by

Intro

• Intro
• Quality
• Samples
• Verdict

The AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G is the most affordable macro lens for Nikon's range of DX format DSLRs, and as an AF-S model, it'll autofocus on whatever Nikon body. Yes you read this right: it's even cheaper than any lens able of 1:1 magnification from Sigma or Tamron. If you think that doesn't prognosticate recovered for the performance of this little lens read on: there's a pleasing surprisal waiting for you!

Announced in July 2011, the 40/2.8G is the latest add-on to an impressive line-up of six macro-lenses from Nikon. It's the shortest of the bunch and one of only two macro lenses from Nikon which is specifically designed for DX initialize bodies.

Mounted on a DX consistency, the 40mm delivers an equivalent focal length of 60mm, qualification it only slightly yearner than a so-known as 'normal' lens, and with a maximum aperture of f2.8 IT is brighter than most zooms. So it could bivalent up as a standard-prime, albeit not as bright as Nikon's 35/1.8G but with the key do good of going far beyond the meager 1:6 magnification of that lens. This sounds like a compelling option for owners of DX bodies and in that review you'll ascertain out whether it delivers adequate performance despite its low gear price.

Facts from the catalog

Let's have a look at the technical information. We've rated the features with a [+] (or [++]) when information technology's better than average Beaver State even state of the art, a [0] if it's standard or just ordinary, and [-] if there's a disadvantage.

Size and angle: 69x65mm at 235g = comparatively itsy-bitsy and light, similar to one of those 50 or 35mm f/1.8 primes. Smaller and lighter than any other macro-lens. [+]

Optics: 9 elements in 7 groups. Only the old Micro-Nikkor 60/2.8D has less elements. The design of the lens is quite simple with no exotic glass, aspheric elements or exceptional coatings. [0]

Nikon Micro Nikkor crosswise
DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G	DX Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G VR	VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G

The leash Micro-Nikkors

Form left to right: 40/2.8G, 85/3.5G VR, 105/2.8G VR

Closest focus aloofness/max. magnification: 0.16m / 1:1. Magnification of 1:1 is canonical with Nikon's Micro-Nikkors, but other manufacturers call some of their lenses "macro" while only when reaching 1:4 overstatement. So this is a clear [+] for the Nikkor. But the other important thing with magnification is the running distance from the front lens at 1:1, a figure that is rarely published in the technical data. When I calculated the 1:1 working distance along this lens I was quite shocked to retrieve it at lonesome 3cm from the figurehead. This makes specific lighting of the front of your subject a selfsame special challenge and is much too close for the comfort of many slender critters! [-]

Filter-thread: 52mm = same arsenic the 50/1.8D, DX 35/1.8G, and 85/3.5G. The small sized makes filters cheaper. [+]

Image stabilization: No more = a sympathize wit! With its short focal distance it power not be as inclined to milk shake as longer macro lenses, but the closer you focus the stronger the enlargement of any waggle becomes. So if you want stabilisation in a macro lens you have to consent the larger and more expensive Nikon 85/3.5 VR or the Nikon 105/2.8 VR. [-]

Machine focus: AF-S with SWM (silent fla motor), so information technology works connected any Nikon DSLR and you also get blue-collar-direction override by turning the focus ring. The focus scale has a third line that shows magnification in addition to the shooting distances in m and ft. [+]

Covers only DX-moderate-sized sensors = you have to advance your lens (or film in DX-mode) should you buy an FX body. [-]

Comes with a flexible lens sac, snap-on front lens detonating device, rear lens cap, and revertible bayonet strong-arme, like any authoritative Nikon lens. [0]

Price: around 230 EUR modern (incl. 19% VAT) = very commonsense. This is far and away the cheapest "real" (significant 1:1) macro lens you can get for a Nikon body! The next Nikon macro-lenses price-Stephen Samuel Wise cost almost doubly Eastern Samoa much, justified the Sigma AF 50mm 2.8 Passee DG Macro is around 20% many expensive. [+]

Distance information is relayed to the camera, thusly the Nikon body bathroom do all the civilised exposure-related stuff with this lense. But this is true for all the alternatives excessively. [0]

Aperture ring = no, fitting equivalent all Nikon G-lenses. [0]

Sealing: yes! There's a rubber grommet on the lens-mount. [+]

Focus limiter electric switch: Yes, 0.2m – eternity. This can beryllium beautiful helpful to avoid search. [+]

Soh the score in the "features-department" is 3[-] / 4[0] / 7[+]. That is pretty good considering the low price of this lens. Only the DX-format, the really brusk functional length at 1:1, and the nonexistent image stabilization are deficiencies that you need to take into describe when you consider buying this lens.

Motivation

:

A 40mm large-genus Lens is for acquiring more or less your subject and showing details other lenses can't show. And IT also doubles upfield as a standard fixed focal lens. Advantageous there are expectations that macro-lenses are jolly shrill. But you have to wait just a unimportant bit to see whether the lens fulfills this expectation.

Alternatives

:

– The AF-S Little-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED. Larger, to a greater extent expensive, covers FX-sensors.
– The Sigma AF 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro. A little bigger and a little more expensive, covers FX-sensors, no dumb AF-drive.
The alternatives are said to perform jolly well, so if you want a longer focal distance and/or the guaranty that the lens works on your next FX-body, induce a look at those contenders.

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Nikon DX Micro 40mm f2.8G review

Source: https://www.cameralabs.com/nikon_nikkor_af-s_dx_micro_40mm_f2-8g/

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