Micro and Yoyogi Park Gardens

The family was at Yoyogi Park for a day cycling to celebrate my son's 7-the birthday.  I took some time out to try out the new 105mm. 

During a break, I took a few minutes to wander over to one of the rose gardens in the park.  There many varieties of roses and other flowers in bloom right now, and the colors are amazing.

The depth is a little shallower than I expected even when the lens has been stopped down 2 or more stops.  Subjectively, the sharpness and contrast appear very good.  I don't think that this is the sharpest and most contrasty photos that I've seen, but subjectively these images look pretty good.  I probably should have shot using a tripod or mono-pod with a cable release.

New lens in my kit - AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED...

I pulled the trigger last week and put in an order for a AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR
105mm f/2.8G IF-ED. I've been considering getting a Nikon Micro (macro to everyone else) lens for quite some time.

The closest focusing lens that I currently have is the AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR which has a Maximum Reproduction Ratio of 0.25x. The Micro-NIKKOR 105mm will get you to 1:1 (Maximum Reproduction Ratio of 1.00x).  Although the 16-35mm does a great job, I wanted to get closer.

Anyway, here's the rational for my purchase...

1. Although I already have a 85mm f1.4 the 105mm can do double duty as a portrait lens.
2. It's a Micro-NIKKOR and focuses to 1:1!
3. It will be the second modern lens (with AF-S, VR and N coat) added to my kit.
4. I considered getting the AF Zoom-NIKKOR 80-200mm f/2.8D ED but I have an older 80-200mm f/2.8 AF (non-D) that is still hanging on (the aperture blades are sticky but otherwise works well).

Here are the un-boxing photos.  As usual, Nikon packaging is very nice, and the lens is well protected in the box.  Included with the lens are the Bayonet hood (HB-38) and Flexible lens pouch (CL-1020).

The lens is boxed with the 62mm Snap-on front lens cap (LC-62) and Rear lens cap (LF-1). The instruction manual, NikonUSA 5-year warranty registration, and warranty form are also included in the box.  I purchased a B+W UV-Haze filter to protect the front element. 

I did a quick set up with my SB-600 to check that everything was in order.

I'll post more photos when I get this lens out in the field.

First Post

Welcome to F2.0 Photography. I decided to carve out a little space share my journey in photography. I hope to be able to share tech tips, discuss equipment (both new and old), the art and craft of photography, and other photography related subject.

I have been been a passionate amateur photography since picking up a camera in high school over 25-years ago!

Anyway, I hope to be able to share some of my experience and perhaps learn a thing or two on my journey.