Tamron 90mm or Nikon 105mm ?

[aboalreem]

I am trying to get either Tamron 90mm f/2.8 or Nikon 105mm f/2.8D Nikkor would like to know pros and cons for both lenses..any advice to which one is better...I have Nikon D200 and would like to get a great macro lens

 

[dbh]

before I went any further, I would make sure that whichever housing I had supported the Tamron 90 (EVERYONE supports the 105).

If both are supported, is money an issue?

I personally would go with the tried & true Nikkor 105 (and I did) !!

HTH,
Dave

 

[Mariozi]

I would go for the Nikon 105 (if you find the "old" not VR one, I think you will have a better cost ratio).
When I bought mine (2000) I tryed many lenses and I found out that only a ver few of them would support teleconverters the way I wanted.
For instance, all lenses would have their focal distances multiplied, but only a few would have their amplification factor multiplied also... so If you can not exclude the possibility of going super-macro one day, go for the nikon one.

 

[Warren_L]

Mariozi, which teleconverter do you use with the Nikon 105mm micro (non-VR)? I've been considering this lately but am not sure which one would work best.

 

[dbh]

Warren,
I, as well as the people I dive with, are using the Kenko 2X TC

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=371030&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Dave

 

[RonFrank]

Mariozi, which teleconverter do you use with the Nikon 105mm micro (non-VR)? I've been considering this lately but am not sure which one would work best.

The Kenko 1.4X also works very well with just about any prime Nikon lens. I use one on my 300mm and the results are excellent. The Nikon's also work great, but you pay 2X the price, and the results are not really better. The exception is some of the matched teleconverters designed for some of the bigger glass.

 

[Warren_L]

Thanks guys for the information. Is this only with manual focus then, or will autofocus work as well with the Kenko?

 

[RonFrank]

I am trying to get either Tamron 90mm f/2.8 or Nikon 105mm f/2.8D Nikkor would like to know pros and cons for both lenses..any advice to which one is better...I have Nikon D200 and would like to get a great macro lens

The Tamron 90mm is an excellent lens. That said, that type of lens is something you will want in your bag forever, and if you are like me, you will always wish for the 105mm VR because damn, that VR works great, and the Nikon 105mm is one sexy lens! :gr1:

This is from www.photodo.com on the 105mm VR

Verdict
There is not a lot I can criticise about this lens considering the optical performance along side the build quality and features. I think it will find a lot of friends amongst both professionals and keen amateurs alike. The only downside to the lens is the price, which is a bit steep for a type of lens that many will already have in their kit. Is it worth an upgrade? If you suffer from camera shake, yes!

In summary, the positive points of the Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8 IF-ED are:
The only true macro with stabilisation. And it works
Truly superb optical quality
Rapid and silent autofocus

The negative points are:
The price
Drop-off in resolution at the edges when wide open. (Minor)

One indication of a lens build quality is the weight. The Tamron is 14.3 oz. The Nikon is 1.6 lbs VR, and 1.22lbs non VR. One must ask why is the Tamron 10oz/5oz lighter? The answer is generally build quality. Both Nikon versions are well built with the VR being on one of Nikon's best built lenses and it will last a good 20 years. Is that worth an extra $350? That is what you will need to decide. IMO however get the Nikon 105mm non VR over the Tamron. BH still has it new, and with a non-VR lens I would not hesitate to go imported as there is not much to go wrong and the price differnce is $120. The Tamron is $450, and the 105mm Nikon imported is $540 based on BH pricing.

 

[RonFrank]

Thanks guys for the information. Is this only with manual focus then, or will autofocus work as well with the Kenko?

Fully supports metering, AF, 3D. Hmmm, not sure about VR, but I think no. However I'm not sure if the Nikon converters support VR.

 

[ABQdiver]

Fully supports metering, AF, 3D. Hmmm, not sure about VR, but I think no. However I'm not sure if the Nikon converters support VR.

I don't have a TC yet, but am looking at the 1.4 very seriously for my 70-200mm (topside glass). From my understanding the E-II series from Nikon are fully compatible with the VR lenses, you just don't get the AF.

From Nikons website:

AF-S Teleconverters TC-14E II/17E II/20E II (Autofocus operation is not possible. VR and AE functions are available.)