Nikon 55mm f/2.8 Micro Reviews

This review is for the older manual-focus Micro Nikkor AI-S 55mm f2.8 macro lens.

I bought mine used a few years ago for film use and still use it regularly on my D70S and Fuji S2 digital cameras, although all metering has to be approximated and then double-checked with the histogram for my cameras. (Metering works on Manual or Aperture Priority for the current D200 or D2X models.)

The optics are simply astounding -- it's the sharpest lens I've ever used, even for general purpose use as a normal lens. I don't miss the AF focussing at all, as most of the time it's more convenient to move the camera back-and-forth (for handheld shots), and usually you have time to focus anyway with a tripod.

For the money, a used macro lens like this is probably the best way to go -- you can use it as much as you like and sell it for what you paid for it years later. The only other lens to consider (besides the Nikon AF version) is the Tamron SP 90mm macro, but only because of a similar cost and better "reach".

Have had three of these since 1991. Great lenses. Usually use my current one on my FE2 or my F2A. Tack sharp...

This is a follow-up review to my earlier one.

After several years of use, my 55mm f2.8 AIS Micro-Nikkor now has quite a bit of oil layered on the aperture blades. That means that it sticks occasionally, and therefore underexposes by as much as three stops when taking a photo.

This is usually no big deal, as one has to take one's time using this lens. On most DSLR bodies, you can use the histogram to check exposure anyway, which shows the "sticky" exposures. However, I no longer trust this lens with film bodies. Since a proper repair would be around $150 and I bought mine used in mint shape for $200, it's not worth the trouble to get it fixed. I'll therefore keep using it on my dSLR bodies as long as I can or dump it eventually on Ebay.

I did, however, pick up a Tamron SP90mm f2.5 for $125, and with the quality of that lens, this one won't be missed very much. See that review for more details.

I use this lens on a Canon 5D mkII, and have adapted them for Pentax as well.

Best macro lens of this FL. Better than the Zeiss ZK/ZE 50 Makro. Better than the Canon EF-S 60.

Great color, contrast, detail.

Get one without oil on the aperture blades, and keep it away from extreme heat, like in a closed car.