Looking at the 105mm micro

I have been thinking about getting my daughter a 105mm micro Nikon lens for her birthday. It will currently be used on her D5600. I could save a little money and get the DX model, but I think that it's worth spending a little more and getting FX lenses in case she decides to move to a full frame body at some point in the future. Not only that, I believe the FX lenses are sharper on a crop sensor body than a similar DX version.

Anyway. It looks like Nikon has discontinued this lens. I see one listed in their refurbs, but it says on the buy it page that it has been archived. I assume that means it is now out of production. Her birthday is several months away, but I wonder if I should go ahead and try and buy this refurb now while I can, or maybe wait for whatever new lens Nikon comes out with to replace this workhorse. I assume it's still available as a refurb, since it is not listed as out of stock.

I'm sure she would like a macro lens, and the longer focal length would give her more distance from small critters than say the 85mm micro.

Thoughts?

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› See More: Looking at the 105mm micro

@Clovishound
The replacement lens has already been released in the amazing Z MC 105 f2.8 VR S (my favorite lens right now!) for the Z cameras but that lens wont work on F mount- its only for the Z cameras. I dont think Nikon will be releasing any more F mount glass, (or DSLR's for that matter). Their focus is strongly on the Z having closed up shop in Japan. All production is now in China or Thailand which means any DSLR or lens manufactured in Japan, (like the 105 F mount) will never be manufactured again. Manufacturing lines can hardly keep up with Z mount demand, I cant imagine they'd halt production on their money makers to switch back to F mount lenses.

The 105 f2.8 AF-S F mount is amazing and is only bested for tiny critters by the 200 F4 AF-D but the 200 wont autofocus on a D5600, there has to be an in-body focus motor, (the screw drive by the mount in the full frame DSLR's, D500 or D7xxx) for that lens to autofocus. Not to mention that even though the 200 is like 30 years old, its still over a grand on the used market. The 105 F mount is also more future proof than the 200. The 105 is AF-S and autofocus will work with the FTZ adapter if she ever upgrades to a Z camera whereas the 200 would still work but it'd be manual focus only. No problem with that- IBIS and focus peaking offered in the full frame Z cameras make those old manual focus lenses more powerful and fun to use than ever! I like to use my ancient 35-70 f2.8 via FTZ for wide angle macro shots at the 35mm end with remarkable results.

Good luck, let us know what you decide on, and a happy birthday to your daughter!

Originally Posted by Bikerbrent

I have the Tokina Macro 100mm F2.8 ATX Pro and can recommend this lens highly!

I have it too and its great on a D7xxx, but it has to have a focus motor to drive the AF. The D5600 doesn't have one so it'd be manual focus only.

To clarify things, Nikon is reducing the F-mount lens selection and expanding the Z-mount catalog. Don't wait for a new replacement F-mount 105mm lens, I doubt one is coming. I have the Z-mount 105mm micro high on my list of lenses to buy. I discovered the hard way my Tamron 90mm does not work with the FTZ adapter (confirmed by Tamron, not just a firmware thing but requires service with replacement of a circuit board).

But on that note, the current Tamron 90mm macro lens worked great with my D7000 and D750 and I loved it until that discovery I could not continue to use it with my Z5. So I will use with my D750 until I can secure a used or sale price on the Z version. Z 14-24mm f/2.8 is on top of my to-get list and I would buy one this month with the $200 instant savings available if I had not been hitting my checking account hard the first half of this year. But the 105mm Z is the next priority.