Nikon 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 D

Well, here it is, the lens I used to my recent macro adventures. Like I said in my previous post, this lens is rated at "bargain", hard to believe, because it is in very good shape to me.

Here is the macro/normal switch.  You can only switch to macro mode when it is >50mm.  The front part of the lens (narrower band) is for focusing, while the rear portion of the lens is for zooming.  The focus is very smooth, no problem for me.  Although my eyesight can use some help.  Larger viewfinder would help, :)   Check out Fred Miranda's site, under review, to see other people's opinion.  I have learned to read group opinion on this type of lens review, go with the consensus, rather than one person's opinion.  If you decide to get one, have fun!

Spider Man

I am on a old mid-range zoom kick recently. I don't know how I missed these affordable lenses before, but I have just discovered these useful lenses, and acquired a couple.

One is the 35-70mm f2.8, non-D version. An old professional mid range zoom, that's been replaced by 28-70, then by the 24-70mm f2.8 AFS lens. After doing my research on the web, I found a bargain rated copy at KEH for about $260, that's not bad for a pro graded lens, not bad at all. The design is old, and it is using the push-pull style zoom, but it didn't creep on me like my older 70-210mm lens. Boy, is it sharp! It has very fast focus, and with good light, I can hand hold to capture very detailed images. It also offered a 1:4 macro function, which, since always wanted a macro lens, but never made an investment into such a lens, I was sort of interested in venture into it a little more. I was thinking about buying an 85mm f1.8 for dedicated portait lens, now I don't have a need for that.

That's when I discovered the Nikon 28-105mm f3.5-f4.5 lens, it is another mid-range zoom, which I believe was a kit lens for the F100 when it was released, and it offers 1:2 macro function. At around $150 a pop on KEH for a bargain rated lens, I grabbed a copy without any hesitation. On a D80, it gives me 42mm-157mm range, which is actually very nice range for a walk about lens. I am not sure how KEH rates their lenses, but with this bargain rating, I can't find anything wrong with it. As long as glass elements are not scratched, I am happy.

The macro is available from 50-105mm range only, and I am just having a ball with this lens. It is not the sharpest lens, but I am having fun with it, I think that's what a hobby is about, right? Having fun...