I am about ready to purchase a nikon 105mm lens. My question is should I buy an Auto Focus model or a Manual Focus model? I have read pro's and con's for each.

I found the 105 Af too slow to be effective. This is the only lens I use in manual focus. I haven't tried it with the D2X's excellent Af system.

I agree with Dave that it is slow in anything but the D2x, but see my post in the gallery forum:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9736

Having said that, I still recommend you to buy the AF model. The AF works fine on land, and if you think it is too slow underwater you can use it in MF underwater. Also, I am not sure if the manual focus 105 versions are macro, and you want macro, right?

Yep, just checked at the Nikon site, the maximum magnification of the manual focus (AIS) version is 1:7.7 (minimum focusing distance of 3.5ft), while the AF version is 1:1, minimum focusing distance of 1ft. So, the MF version is no good for macro photography.

I don't agree with you guys at all. I use the 105 on AF all the time, at least during the day. Fish, nudis, blah blah blah. Sure, sometimes its a problem but most of the time its great.

Depending on your housing design you should be able to get a switch that changes the lens from MF to AF and vice versa. Much better to have that and be able to switch between them when the need arises. And yes, seeing the minimum distance Luiz mentions its definitely a no brainer.

Just make sure you get the gear that enables you to switch back and forth.

I'm with Mike.....I always use AF with the 105.....with the Fisheye focus light, hunting is minimal

If I had a bigger viewfinder I might try MF , but I've used the 105 with a 3T diopter and a Woodys and still didn't have any trouble with AF

I know I'm in the minority, but oh well!

Karl

In the tropics with a Fisheye the 105 in AF is fine. But in the murkey NW manual is the only way to get it to work.

I shoot only in manual focus, and I do it one handed

I've memorized the reporoduction ratios at different amounts of "backing off" from 1:1 w/ the various ports I use.

For example, if I see something that I want to shoot at 1:2, I pull a half turn back on the foucs knob, then move in until the critter is in focus.

This has taken some practice, but I'm pretty good at it now, allowing me to stabilize myself w/ my other hand.

Young Eyes

Karl

If you buy the 105 2.8/AF-D lens, you can always use in manual focus mode.

If you buy the 105 2.5/AI-S lens, no matter how hard you try, it will never autofocus.

The Ai-S lens does better wide open and makes a better portrait lens, but you won't be shooting wide open underwater.

I highly recommend the 105 2.8/AF-D. I have used it form many years, rarely in manual focus mode. Maybe I am deluding myself, but I believe I have a technique that reduces some of the AF hunting.

Ok George, you can't leave us hanging like this

Karl

It's always a good idea to have an aiming light for macro. You never know when you will find an creature in a dark crevice.

Joe

Out of curiousity, is the nikon 60mm faster at AF than the 105?? I have the 105 and have at times been frustrated.

Stuart, the 60 is *a lot* faster than the 105, I'd say maybe twice as fast. But you have to get a lot closer with the 60 to fill the frame with the same subject. The 105 gives you more working distance and is better for tiny or wary critters, that's why I have both. I use the 60 mostly for relatively small to medium sized and/or fast moving fish.

Luiz

I'm using the 105mm, mostly in MF (when shooting 1:1 or close). I sometimes shoot AF when i'm lazy or when taking a photo of a moving critter.
But hey, i'm still young and i get along with a tiny viewfinder

FYI.

All the best, James

Hi James, apparently there are several versions of the MF 105 out there. The only one at Nikon's site is the 105mm f/2.5 Nikkor AI-S, yours seems to be an f/2.8, that's why there's a difference in minimum focusing distance. I think the only manual focus 105 still being produced is the f/2.5.

Luiz

Nikon had a slew off those lens, the one pictured is a macro 105 with a max 1:2 ratio, 1:1 was obtainable with the accessory extension tube, what some of you guys are talking about is the F:2,5 portrait lens, a classic work horse now found on E-bay along with the older macro 105 Ais lenses for a simple and good reason, incompatibillity with most electronic camera except for the D1 and D2 series of Nikon.

Unless your a sucker for punishment, go with the AF version. I still own a F:2,5 & F:2,8 macro version along with a a pair of Nikon F2 photomic, great book ends

Cheers

The 60 is actually better for tiny animals that are not wary. Otherwise, the 105 is a more suitable tool.

Joe

Both the 60 AF-Dand 105 AF-D are f2.8 lenses so in theory, they should pass the same amount of light (and thus contrast) to the AF sensors. But it seems like they don't.

Other factors that affect AF (there are dozens) are the drive gear ratio, and how far the elements move, as well as how much they weigh. The 105 strokes out a LOT and it seems like it has a lower gear ratio.

It sure would be great if Nikon would come out with ultrasonic motor driven lenses - like Canon - eh? ;-)

Cheers
James

The 60 & the 105 af macro lenses are f/2.8 at infinity but are both f/5.0 lenses at 1:1. The slower af response on the 105 is due to the physical contraints of the lens not the light transmission to the af sensor. Because of the greater mass of the 105 lens it does not respond as quickly as the 60 and therefore will generate af errors in more situations. Which is why manual focus gears or a good focus lock technique is necessry with the 105 lens. IMHO the added working distance at 1:1 which also makes it a great lens for super macro work closer than 1:1 more than make up for it's af weakness. The AF works well on the 60 and it's a great lens for fish portraits down to 1:1, so both lenses deserve a place in your u/w camera kt.

Yes James! I most definitely envy Canon's 100 USM. I was thinking about getting the Sigma 150 HSM for Nikon, but then I read that it is as slow as the 105, is this right?

Luiz

Yes, it's true. It's a big heavy lens with a lot of glass to move. But it's HSM, so you can use the AF-On or AF-Lock and then just use manual focus if you need to over-ride.

Cheers
James

Thanks to everyone for the information, it helped.