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The latest
version of
Nikon's legendary close-focusing
1:1 "normal" macro
(the first was the 55mm f/3.5
of 1961), this full-frame lens
($490, street) incorporates
aspheric and ED glass
elements, with Nikon's Nano
crystal coating, indicated
by the gold "N" logo, for
suppressing internal flare
and reflections. Internally
focusing, with a non-rotating
front element, it's suited
to Nikon's lensmounted,
wireless macro flash system.
HANDS ON
In the
familiar stippled, matteblack
Nikkor finish, with
a large, rubber-clad and
smooth-turning, manual-focus collar, the
lens is average in size and weight for the
class -- slightly heavier than the Canon
digital-only 60mm f/2.8, and slightly
lighter than Nikon's previous 60mm f/2.8.
The Silent Wave Motor (SWM) provides a
fast and blessedly quiet autofocus action.
IN THE LAB
SQF performance was,
as expected, well within the Excellent
range, showing improvements over
the previous 60mm f/2.8 Nikkor at the
extreme apertures. (Midrange apertures,
however, dipped a bit in sharpness and
contrast.) DxO Analyzer 3.0.1 tests of
distortion control found Imperceptible
barrel distortion (0.05 percent) at both
infinity and within the macro range -- it's
hard to beat that! At infinity, light falloff
left the corners by f/4, but within the
macro range (1:3 and closer), edges and
corners showed no visible vignetting.
Maximum magnification at the
close-focusing distance of 7.25
inches was a larger-than-lifesize
1:0.97. Optical performance is nearly
identical to that of Canon's digitalonly
60mm f/2.8 1:1 lens.
CONCLUSIONS
A version
of this lens has been in Nikon's
catalog continuously for almost half a
century. Why? Because it's near-perfect
for close-ups. That 7.25-inch working
distance allows you to reach out from the
camera to adjust typical macro subjects,
whether small-scale products such as
jewelry or copied objects such as maps
or documents. Adding to this workhorse's
utility: On a DX Nikon body, it delivers
about the same angle of view as a 90mm
lens -- great for portraits, too.
SPECIFICATIONS
60mm (61.45mm tested), f/2.8 (f/2.99
tested), 12 elements in 9 groups.
Focusing turns 140 degrees clockwise.
• Diagonal view angle: 39 degrees.
• Weight: 0.93 lb.
• Filter size: 62mm.
• Mounts: Nikon AF.
• Included: Lenshood, case.
• Street price: $490.
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