Micro-Nikkor

{{Short description|Family of macro lenses by Nikon}}

File:2023 Obiektyw AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f 3.5G ED VR.jpg

Micro-Nikkor is a family of macro lenses produced by Nikon for their 35mm film and digital cameras. The first Micro-Nikkor lens was the 5cm {{f/|3.5}} lens introduced in 1956 for Nikon's S-mount rangefinder cameras. It was designed to produce microforms of texts written in Japanese using the Kanji alphabet, a task that, according to Nikon's corporate history, western microphotography systems were ill-equipped to handle, as Kanji text contains many more small details compared to Latin texts. The 5cm {{f/|3.5}} was later modified to have a slightly higher focal length of 55mm to accommodate the longer flange-focal distance of Nikon's SLR F-mount.{{Cite web |url=https://imaging.nikon.com/imaging/information/story/0025/ |first=Haruo |last=Sato |title=NIKKOR - The Thousand and One Nights No.25: Ai Micro Nikkor 55mm F2.8 (First Part) |website=Nikon}}

Longer focal-length Micro-Nikkors were released later, with the 105mm {{f/|4}} first appearing in 1970 and the 200mm {{f/|4}} being released in 1978. The Micro-Nikkor family of lenses went through a large number of revisions over the decades, the most recent models are designed for the Nikon Z-mount.

A common feature of Micro-Nikkor lenses is that they reach at least 1:2 (half life size) magnification without the need for extension rings. Micro-Nikkor lenses frequently employ compensating diaphragms, which keep the effective aperture constant, even when magnification is changed.

50-60mm Micro-Nikkor <span class="anchor" id="50"></span>

File:Nikon 55mm Micro-Nikkors (cropped).jpg|Various versions of the 55mm and 60mm Micro-Nikkor for F-mount, from left to right:

  • Micro-Nikkor-P·C Auto 55mm {{f/|3.5}}, converted to AI
  • Micro-Nikkor 55mm {{f/|2.8}} AI-s
  • AF Micro-Nikkor 55mm {{f/|2.8}}
  • AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm {{f/|2.8D}}
  • AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm {{f/|2.8G}} ED

class="wikitable"

|+Comparison of 50-60mm Micro-Nikkor lenses{{Cite web |last=Vink |first=Roland |title=Nikon Lenses |url=http://photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#55Micro |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=photosynthesis.co.nz}}{{Cite web |url=https://imaging.nikon.com/imaging/information/story/0026/ |first=Haruo |last=Sato |title=NIKKOR - The Thousand and One Nights No.26: Ai Micro Nikkor 55mm F2.8 (Latter Part) |website=Nikon}}{{Cite web |url=https://imaging.nikon.com/imaging/information/story/0085/ |first=Haruo |last=Sato |title=NIKKOR - The Thousand and One Nights No.85: The Truth About Micro NIKKOR Micro-Nikkor Auto 55mm f/3.5 |website=Nikon}}

! style="width: 15em" |

!5cm {{f/|3.5}}{{Cite web |title=Nikon (Nippon Kogaku K.K.) RF Micro-Nikkor 1:3.5 f=5cm (50mm f/3.5) for Nikon S-Mount Rangefinder cameras |url=http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/RF-Nikkor/Micro_RF/index.htm |date=2011-06-07 |access-date=2024-12-01}}{{Cite web |title=Repair: Micro-Nikkor 5cm f/3.5 (LTM) |url=https://richardhaw.com/2020/05/02/repair-micro-nikkor-5cm-f-3-5-ltm/ |last=Haw |first=Richard |date=2020-05-02 |access-date=2024-12-01}}

!5.5cm {{f/|3.5}}

!55mm {{f/|3.5}}

!55mm {{f/|3.5}} P

!55mm {{f/|2.8}} Ai‑S

!55mm {{f/|2.8}} AF

! colspan="2" |60mm {{f/|2.8}} AF

!60mm {{f/|2.8}} AF‑S

!Z MC 50/2.8

style="text-align: left" | Mount

|S and LTM

|F

|F

|F

|F

|F (AF)

|F (AF)

|F (AF‑D)

|F (AF‑S)

|Z

style="text-align: left" | Introduced

|1956

|1961

|1963

|1969

|1979

|1986

|1989

|1993

|2008

|2021

style="text-align: left" | Focus method

| colspan="8" {{partial|External}}

|{{yes|Internal}}

|{{partial|External}}

style="text-align: left" | Focus motor

| colspan="5" {{N/A}}

| colspan="3" |Camera motor

|Ultrasonic

|Stepper

style="text-align: left" | Close range correction (CRC){{Efn-lr|name=crc|Also called "floating elements". Focusing moves more than one group of elements in order to compensate for aberration fluctuation over a wide range of magnifications.}}

| colspan="4" {{No}}

| colspan="6" {{yes}}

style="text-align: left" | Angle of view (diagonal)

|

|

|

|

|43°–28°

|

| colspan="2" |39°–20°Based on OpticalBenchHub data found at {{Cite web |title=Optical Bench |url=https://www.photonstophotos.net/GeneralTopics/Lenses/OpticalBench/OpticalBench.htm#Data/US005751485_Example01_Tale74.txt,figureOpacity=0.25,AxisO,OffAxis}}

|41°–28°Based on OpticalBenchHub data found at {{Cite web |title=Optical Bench |url=https://www.photonstophotos.net/GeneralTopics/Lenses/OpticalBench/OpticalBench.htm#Data/US007898744_Example02P.txt,figureOpacity=0.25,AxisO,OffAxis}}

|47°–?

style="text-align: left" | Magnification
(without macro rings)

|Short mount{{efn-lr|S-mount version uses the focusing helicoid of the camera for near-infinity focus and requires using a bellows for macro focus.}}

|1:1

| colspan="2" |1:2

|1:2

| colspan=5 |1:1

style="text-align: left" | Working distance{{Efn-lr|name=wd|Mechanical working distance from front of filter ring to the subject. Nikon sometimes specified the optical working distance (distance between the vertex of the first element to the subject), which is larger for most of these lenses, as their front elements are deeply recessed.}}

| -

|

|11cm

|11cm

|11cm

|

| colspan="2" |7cm

|5cm

|6cm

style="text-align: left" | Aperture

| colspan="2" |Preset

| colspan="8" |Auto

style="text-align: left" | Compensating diaphragm{{Efn-lr|name=compensating|The lens or camera mechanically or electronically compensates for the change in effective aperture as magnification is adjusted, therefore keeping exposure constant. Macro lenses without a compensating diaphragm either require all light to be exposed through-the-lens (TTL) or require manually adjusting exposure when magnification is changed.}}

|{{no}}

|{{no}}

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

|{{no}}

| colspan=5 {{yes}}

style="text-align: left" | Diaphragm blades

|7

|7

| colspan="2" |6

|7

|7

| colspan=2 |7

|9 rounded

|9 rounded

style="text-align: left" | Aperture at magnification{{Efn-lr|name=apmag|The effective aperture diminishes with all lenses as magnification is increased. A simple unit focus design will loose two stops when set for life-size reproduction (1:1). Designs with CRC can counteract this to some degree.}}

| -

|{{f/|7|44}}Calculated

| colspan="2" |{{f/|5.3|48}}

|{{f/|4|45}}Based on OpticalBenchHub data found at {{Cite web |title=Optical Bench |url=https://www.photonstophotos.net/GeneralTopics/Lenses/OpticalBench/OpticalBench.htm#Data/JP1980-028038_Example01_Tale26.txt,figureOpacity=0.25,AxisO,OffAxis}}

|{{f/|5.3|64}}

| colspan="2" |{{f/|5|57}}

|{{f/|4.8|57}}

|{{f/|5.6|32}}

style="text-align: left" | Aperture at infinity

|{{f/|3.5|22}}

|{{f/|3.5|22}}

| colspan="2" |{{f/|3.5|32}}

|{{f/|2.8|32}}

|{{f/|2.8|32}}

| colspan="2" |{{f/|2.8|32}}

|{{f/|2.8|32}}

|{{f/|2.8|22}}

style="text-align: left" | Elements/groups

|5/4

| colspan="2" |5/4

| 5/4

| colspan="2" |6/5

| colspan="2" |8/7

|{{abbr|12/9|Including two aspherical and one ED element}}

|{{abbr|10/7|Including one aspherical and one ED element}}

style="text-align: left" | Filter size

|?

| colspan="4" |52mm

| colspan="4" |62mm

|46mm

style="text-align: left" | Diameter

|?

|65mm

|66mm

|66mm

|64mm

|74mm

| colspan="2" |70mm

|73mm

|75mm

style="text-align: left" | Length

|?

|53mm

|56mm

|55mm

|62mm

|74mm

| colspan="2" |75mm

|89mm

|66mm

style="text-align: left" | Weight

|?

|325g

|240g

|240g

|290g

|420g

| colspan="2" |450g

|425g

|260g

105mm Micro-Nikkor <span class="anchor" id="105"></span>

File:Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR 01.jpg

The 105mm Micro-Nikkor series started in 1970 and the newest lens is the Z MC 105/2.8 VR S for Z-mount. The 105mm {{f/|4.5}} UV lens, which is called both a Micro-Nikkor and a UV-Nikkor in the literature, is a highly specialized lens for ultraviolet photography made using quartz and phosphate glass instead of regular optical glass. This permits light transmission from roughly 200nm to over 900nm (normal optical glass blocks most UV light). It is specifically corrected for a low amount of focus shift between visible light and UV light, therefore permits focusing for UV using visible light. It had a second production run in 2006 at Tochigi Nikon.

class="wikitable"

|+Comparison of 105mm Micro-Nikkor lenses{{Cite web |last=Vink |first=Roland |title=Nikon Lenses |url=http://photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#105Micro |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=photosynthesis.co.nz}}

! style="width: 15em" |

!105mm {{f/|4}} P

!105mm {{f/|4}}

!105mm {{f/|4.5}}
UV

!105mm {{f/|2.8}} Ai‑S

! colspan="2" |105mm {{f/|2.8}} AF

!Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

!Z MC 105/2.8
VR S

style="text-align: left" | Mount

|F

|F

|F

|F

|F (AF)

|F (AF‑D)

|F (AF‑S)

|Z

style="text-align: left" | Introduced

|1970

|1975

|1985, 2006

|1983

|1990

|1993

|2006

|2021

style="text-align: left" | Focus method

| Bellows

| colspan="5" {{partial|External}}

| colspan="2" {{yes|Internal}}

style="text-align: left" | Focus motor

| colspan="4" {{N/A}}

| colspan="2" |Camera motor

|Ultrasonic

|Stepper

style="text-align: left" | Close range correction (CRC){{Efn-lr|name=crc}}

| colspan="3" {{No}}

| colspan="5" {{Yes}}

style="text-align: left" | Angle of view (diagonal)

|23°20'{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/nikonnikkormatha0000jose/ |title=Nikon-Nikkormat Handbook of Photography |first=Joseph D. |last=Cooper |date=1974 |publisher=Amphoto |location=Garden City, New York |isbn=0-8174-0566-6 |lccn=63-92419 |url-access=registration}}{{rp|6-67}}

|

|

|23°–15°Based on OpticalBenchHub data found at {{Cite web |title=Optical Bench |url=https://www.photonstophotos.net/GeneralTopics/Lenses/OpticalBench/OpticalBench.htm#Data/US004392724_Example01P.txt,figureOpacity=0.25,AxisO,OffAxis}}

| colspan="2" |25°–14°Based on OpticalBenchHub data found at {{Cite web |title=Optical Bench |url=https://www.photonstophotos.net/GeneralTopics/Lenses/OpticalBench/OpticalBench.htm#Data/US004986643_Example05_Tale72.txt,figureOpacity=0.25,AxisO,OffAxis}}

|24°–7.3°Based on OpticalBenchHub data found at {{Cite web |title=Optical Bench |url=https://www.photonstophotos.net/GeneralTopics/Lenses/OpticalBench/OpticalBench.htm#Data/US007218457_Example03P.txt,figureOpacity=0.25,AxisO,OffAxis}}

|24°–9°Based on OpticalBenchHub data found at {{Cite web |title=Optical Bench |url=https://www.photonstophotos.net/GeneralTopics/Lenses/OpticalBench/OpticalBench.htm#Data/WO2022-097401_Example01P.txt,figureOpacity=0.25,AxisO,OffAxis}}

style="text-align: left" | Magnification
(without macro rings)

|Short mount

| colspan="3" |1:2

| colspan="4" |1:1

style="text-align: left" | Working distance{{Efn-lr|name=wd}}

| -

|28cm{{Cite web |last=Rockwell |first=Ken |date=2022-08-17 |title=Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro-NIKKOR |url=https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/105mm-f28.htm |access-date=2024-12-01}}

|27cm{{Cite web |title=PF10545MF-UV |url=https://www.daitron.com/documents/UV-105mmF4.5_Ver3.2.pdf |website=Nikon Tochigi}}

|24cm

| colspan="2" |13.3cm{{Cite web |last=Rockwell |first=Ken |date=2022-07-26 |title=Nikon 105mm f/2.8 FX AF MICRO-NIKKOR |url=https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/105af.htm |access-date=2024-12-01}}

|15.4cm{{Cite web |last=Rockwell |first=Ken |date=2022-07-26 |title=Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR G |url=https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/105vr.htm |access-date=2024-12-01}}

|13.4cm{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Spencer |date=2023-01-26 |title=Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Review |url=https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-z-mc-105mm-f-2-8-vr-s-macro |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=PhotographyLife.com}}

style="text-align: left" | Aperture

|Preset

| colspan="7" |Auto

style="text-align: left" | Compensating diaphragm{{Efn-lr|name=compensating}}

| colspan="4" {{No}}

| colspan="4" {{Yes}}

style="text-align: left" | Diaphragm blades

|12

|7

|7

|7

| colspan="2" |7

|9 rounded

|9 rounded

style="text-align: left" | Aperture at magnification{{Efn-lr|name=apmag|The effective aperture diminishes with all lenses as magnification is increased. A simple unit focus design will loose two stops when set for life-size reproduction (1:1). Designs with CRC can counteract this to some degree.}}

| -

|{{f/|6|48}}

|{{f/|6|48}}

|{{f/|4|45}}Based on OpticalBenchHub data found at {{Cite web |title=Optical Bench |url=https://www.photonstophotos.net/GeneralTopics/Lenses/OpticalBench/OpticalBench.htm#Data/US004392724_Example01P.txt,figureOpacity=0.25,AxisO,OffAxis}}

| colspan="2" |{{f/|5|57}}

|{{f/|4.8|57}}

|{{f/|4.5|51}}

style="text-align: left" | Aperture at infinity

|{{f/|4|32}}

|{{f/|4|32}}

|{{f/|4|32}}

|{{f/|2.8|32}}

| colspan="2" |{{f/|2.8|32}}

|{{f/|2.8|32}}

|{{f/|2.8|32}}

style="text-align: left" | Elements/groups

| colspan="2" |5/3

|6/6 (quartz)

|10/9

| colspan="2" |9/8

|{{abbr|14/12|Including one ED element}}

|{{abbr|16/11|Including one aspherical and three ED elements}}

style="text-align: left" | Filter size

| colspan="6" |52mm

|62mm

|62mm

style="text-align: left" | Diameter

|64mm

|75mm

|69mm

|67mm

| colspan="2" |75mm

|83mm

|85mm

style="text-align: left" | Length

|44mm

|96mm

|108mm

|84mm

| colspan="2" |105mm

|116mm

|140mm

style="text-align: left" | Weight

|230g

|500g

|515g

|515g

| colspan="2" |560g

|750g

|630g

200mm Micro-Nikkor <span class="anchor" id="200"></span>

class="wikitable floatright" style="font-size:100%;text-align:left;"

|+Comparison of 200mm Micro-Nikkor lenses{{Cite web |last=Vink |first=Roland |title=Nikon Lenses |url=http://photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#200Micro |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=photosynthesis.co.nz}}

! style="width: 15em" |

!200mm {{f/|4}} IF{{cite web |url=https://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/archive/Micro-Nikkor%20200mm%20f-4%20IF.pdf |title=Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4s IF (instruction manual) |publisher=Nikon Corporation |access-date=3 April 2025}}{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/lenseslenssystem0000coop/ |title=Lenses and Lens systems |series=Nikon Handbook |first1=Joseph D. |last1=Cooper |first2=Joseph C. |last2=Abbott |date=1979 |publisher=American Photographic Book Publishing Co., Inc. |location=Garden City, New York |isbn=0-8174-2160-2 |url-access=registration}}{{rp|186}}

!200mm {{f/|4}} AF‑D{{cite web |url=https://download.nikonimglib.com/archive2/wAT2E00Oqtex02HxRcw062gfYl53/AFMicroED200_4DIF_(27_DL)02.pdf |title=AF Micro-Nikkor ED 200mm f/4D IF (instruction manual) |publisher=NIkon Corporation |access-date=3 April 2025}}

style="text-align: left" | Mount

|F

|F (AF‑D)

style="text-align: left" | Introduced

|1978

|1993

style="text-align: left" | Focus method

| colspan=2 {{yes|Internal}}

style="text-align: left" | Focus motor

|{{N/A}}

|Camera motor

style="text-align: left" | Close range correction (CRC){{Efn-lr|name=crc}}

|{{dunno}}

|{{yes}}

style="text-align: left" | Angle of view (diagonal)

|12°20'

|12°–2°Based on OpticalBenchHub data found at {{Cite web |title=Optical Bench |url=https://www.photonstophotos.net/GeneralTopics/Lenses/OpticalBench/OpticalBench.htm#Data/US005751485_Example09P.txt,figureOpacity=0.25,AxisO,OffAxis}}

style="text-align: left" | Magnification
(without macro rings)

|1:2

|1:1

style="text-align: left" | Working distance{{Efn-lr|name=wd}}

|{{cvt|{{#expr:71-17.2-4.65 round 1}}|cm|in}}

|{{cvt|{{#expr:50-19.3-4.65 round 1}}|cm|in}}

style="text-align: left" | Aperture

| colspan="2" |Auto

style="text-align: left" | Compensating diaphragm{{Efn-lr|name=compensating}}

|{{no}}

|{{yes}}

style="text-align: left" | Diaphragm blades

|9

|9

style="text-align: left" | Aperture at magnification{{Efn-lr|name=apmag|The effective aperture diminishes with all lenses as magnification is increased. A simple unit focus design will loose two stops when set for life-size reproduction (1:1). Designs with CRC can counteract this to some degree.}}

|{{f/|4|32}}{{efn-lr|Exposure factors apply when extension is used to achieve a magnification ratio greater than 1:10. If the lens itself is used without extension, the effective aperture does not change at higher magnification ratios.{{rp|11}}{{Cite web |title=Nikon 200mm f/4 Micro Exposure Factors. |url=https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/images1/200mm-f4/repro-table.gif |access-date=2024-12-01}}}}

|{{f/|5.3|45}}

style="text-align: left" | Aperture at infinity

|{{f/|4|32}}

|{{f/|4|32}}

style="text-align: left" | Elements/groups

|9/6

|{{abbr|13/8|Including two ED elements}}

style="text-align: left" | Filter size

|52mm

|62mm

style="text-align: left" | Diameter

|{{cvt|67|mm|in|1}}

|{{cvt|76|mm|in|1}}

style="text-align: left" | Length

|{{cvt|180|mm|in|1}}

|{{cvt|202|mm|in|1}}

style="text-align: left" | Weight

|{{cvt|800|g}}

|{{cvt|1190|g}}

The 200mm Micro-Nikkor was introduced in 1978 as a manual focus lens for the F-mount, featuring internal focusing, so the physical length of the lens does not change as it is focused closer; it has a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2, similar to other manual focus Micro-Nikkor lenses, but the long focal length gives it a longer working distance, with a closest focus distance of {{cvt|0.71|m|in}}. Instead of a macro extension tube, Nikon recommends using a teleconverter (TC-300/301), providing continuous focus from infinity to a reproduction ratio of 1:1.{{rp|186}}

It was replaced in 1993 with a completely redesigned autofocus lens, which also incorporates internal focusing and focuses from infinity to a reproduction ratio of 1:1 at a marked distance of {{cvt|0.5|m|in}}. The 200mm {{f/|4}} AF-D uses a mechanical autofocus linkage to the AF motor in the camera, which makes it slow and noisy, as well as unable to autofocus on low-end DSLRs and Nikon mirroless cameras using the FTZ adapter. Unlike the 50-60mm and 105mm Micro-Nikkor, the 200mm Micro-Nikkor was never updated to incorporate an in-lens ultrasonic motor (AF-S). Instead, it was discontinued in the early 2020s, with no replacement announced.{{Cite web |title=Nikon Has Discontinued 35 DSLR Lenses Over the Past 3 Years: Report |url=https://petapixel.com/2022/08/04/nikon-has-discontinued-35-dslr-lenses-over-the-past-3-years-report/ |last=Schneider |first=Jaron |date=2022-08-04 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Petapixel}}

The apparent discontinuation of the 200mm line is likely due to relatively poor sales numbers, as the 200mm AF-D only sold approx. 30'000 units in its 30 year cycle, while the 105mm AF lenses sold well over 300'000 units in a much shorter time span, and the 105mm AF-S lens sold over 750'000 units.{{Cite web |title=Nikon Lens Versions and Serial Nos |url=http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#200Micro |last=Vink |first=Roland}}{{speculation inline|date=December 2024}}

{{clear}}

70-180mm Zoom Micro-Nikkor

class="wikitable floatright" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"

|+70–180mm Zoom-Micro-Nikkor lens{{Cite web |title=AF Zoom-Micro Nikkor ED 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6D |url=https://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/lenses/AF/AF70-180_4.5-5.6ED_(80)05.pdf |access-date=January 21, 2025|website=Nikon Imaging}}{{cite web |url=https://imaging.nikon.com/imaging/information/story/0018/ |title=NIKKOR - The Thousand and One Nights No.18: AF Zoom-Micro Nikkor ED 70-180mm F4.5-5.6D |first=Kouichi |last=Ohshita |website=Nikon Imaging |access-date=21 January 2025}}

! style="width: 15em" |

!70–180mm {{f/|4.5-5.6}}

style="text-align: left" | Mount

|F (AF‑D)

style="text-align: left" | Introduced

|1997

style="text-align: left" | Focus method

| {{no|Helicoid}}

style="text-align: left" | Focus motor

|Camera motor

style="text-align: left" | Close range correction (CRC){{Efn-lr|name=crc}}

|{{yes}}

style="text-align: left" | Angle of view (diagonal)

|34°20'–13°40'

style="text-align: left" | Magnification
(without macro rings)

|1:3.21 (70mm) to 1:1.33 (180mm)

style="text-align: left" | Working distance{{Efn-lr|name=wd}}

|{{cvt|11.24|cm}}

style="text-align: left" | Aperture

| Auto

style="text-align: left" | Compensating diaphragm{{Efn-lr|name=compensating}}

|{{yes}}

style="text-align: left" | Diaphragm blades

|9

style="text-align: left" | Aperture at magnification{{Efn-lr|name=apmag}}

|{{f/|4.5-5.6|32}}

style="text-align: left" | Aperture at infinity

|{{f/|4.5-5.6|32}}

style="text-align: left" | Elements/groups

|{{abbr|18/14|With one ED element}}

style="text-align: left" | Filter size

|62mm

style="text-align: left" | Diameter

|{{cvt|75|mm}}

style="text-align: left" | Length

|{{cvt|175|mm}}

style="text-align: left" | Weight

|{{cvt|1010|g}}

The 70-180mm {{f/|4.5|5.6}} AF-D Micro-Nikkor was introduced in 1997 and discontinued in 2005. It reached a magnification of 1:1.3 and 1:1 with a 6T close-up lens. The aperture is fully compensated for zoom and focus, and does not change at the minimum focusing distance. It has an additional working distance scale besides the usual focus distance and magnification scales found on other Micro-Nikkors. The main advantage of a macro zoom lens is the ability to change magnification without changing the subject-camera distance, i.e. without moving the camera.{{Cite web |title=Nikon 70-180mm Micro-NIKKOR (1997-2004) |url=https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/70180.htm |last=Rockwell |first=Ken |date=2023-06-23}}

The lens is fitted with a focus range-limiting switch with two positions: Full and Limit, restricting focus to greater than or less than {{cvt|80|cm}}, depending on the current focusing distance. Zooming is completely internal and does not change the length of the lens. The front of the lens extends approximately {{cvt|2|in}} but does not rotate at its minimum focusing distance of {{cvt|0.37|m|in}},{{cite web |url=http://www.bythom.com/70180Macrolens.htm |title=Micro-Nikkor 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Review |first=Thom |last=Hogan |date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207105325/www.bythom.com/70180Macrolens.htm |archive-date=February 7, 2003 |url-status=dead}} giving it a working distance of {{cvt|112.4|mm}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&productNr=1983NAS |title=70-180mm f/4.5-5/6D AF ED Micro Zoom Nikkor [product number: 1983NAS] |website=Nikon USA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040322045338/http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&productNr=1983NAS |archive-date=March 22, 2004 |url-status=dead}}

This lens should not be confused with the 70-180mm lens announced by Nikon in 2023, which is a general-purpose {{f/|2.8}} zoom for Nikon Z and not a macro zoom.{{cite web |url=https://www.zsystemuser.com/z-mount-lenses/nikkor-lenses/nikon-z-mount-lens-reviews/nikon-70-180mm-f28-lens.html |title=Nikon 70-180mm f/2.8 Lens Review |first=Thom |last=Hogan |website=Z System User |access-date=21 January 2025}}

{{clear}}

Specialty lenses

File:United States Navy SEALs 599.jpg

The perspective control PC-E lenses 85mm {{f/|2.8}} and 45mm {{f/|2.8}} ED are designated Micro-Nikkor as well, since they reach a magnification of 1:2.

A Micro-Nikkor lens was also offered for the Nikonos RS underwater camera system, the Nikon R-UW AF 50mm {{f/|2.8}} Micro-Nikkor. It reaches 1:1 magnification.

class="wikitable floatright" style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;width:25em;"

|+Medical-Nikkor lenses

! style="width: 15em" |

!120mm {{f/|4IF}}

!200mm {{f/|5.6}}

style="text-align: left" | Mount

|F

|F

style="text-align: left" | Introduced

|{{dts|1981|01|abbr=on}}

|{{dts|1962|12|abbr=on}}

style="text-align: left" | Focus method

| {{yes|Internal}}

| {{maybe|External}} (fixed)

style="text-align: left" | Focus motor

| colspan=2 {{N/A}}

style="text-align: left" | Close range correction (CRC){{Efn-lr|name=crc}}

|colspan=2 {{no}}

style="text-align: left" | Angle of view (diagonal)

|18°50'{{cite web |url=https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/special/120medical.htm |title=Medical Nikkor 120mm f/4.0 IF |website=Photography in Malaysia |access-date=28 January 2025}}

|12°20'{{rp|6-65}}

style="text-align: left" | Magnification
(without macro rings)

|1:1; 2:1 with supplemental lens

|1:15; 1:8 to 3:1 with supplemental lenses

style="text-align: left" | Working distance{{Efn-lr|name=wd}}

|

|

style="text-align: left" | Aperture

| colspan="2" |Auto, linked to magnification

style="text-align: left" | Compensating diaphragm{{Efn-lr|name=compensating}}

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

style="text-align: left" | Diaphragm blades

|

|

style="text-align: left" | Aperture at magnification{{Efn-lr|name=apmag}}

|

|

style="text-align: left" | Aperture at infinity

|{{f/|4|32}}

|{{f/|5.6|45}}

style="text-align: left" | Elements/groups

|9/6 (+2/1)

|4/4 (+2)

style="text-align: left" | Filter size

|49mm

|38mm

style="text-align: left" | Diameter

|{{cvt|98|mm}}

|{{cvt|80|mm}}

style="text-align: left" | Length

|{{cvt|150|mm}}

|{{cvt|176|mm}}

style="text-align: left" | Weight

|{{cvt|890|g}}

|{{cvt|670|g}}

Nikon also produced several special-purpose lenses which are grouped with close-up equipment alongside the Micro-Nikkor family of lenses.{{cite web |url=http://www.360icon.com/PDF/Nikon/CloseUpNikkor.pdf |title=Close-Up Equipment Sales Manual |date=December 1978 |publisher=Nippon Kogaku K.K. |access-date=2 April 2025}} These include the 105mm {{f/|4.5}} UV lens mentioned above, as well as 120mm {{f/|4}} and 200mm {{f/|5.6}} Medical-Nikkor lenses for medical applications.

File:Medical Nikkor BL-(1).jpg

The Medical-Nikkor lenses have built-in ring flashes and are designed with a fixed focus distance; as the name suggests, these are specialized lenses designed for medical and dental applications. They are meant to be set to a desired reproduction ratio, then focused by moving the camera to the appropriate distance. Both Medical-Nikkor lenses have optional data imprinting, which projects the reproduction ratio onto the recorded image.{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/manuallib-id-2602147 |title=Medical-Nikkor 120mm f/4 IF (instruction manual) |publisher=Nippon Kogaku K.K. |access-date=2 April 2025}}{{rp|16}}

The older 200mm Medical-Nikkor was introduced in 1962 and is supplied as a kit with six supplemental close-up lenses to change the reproduction ratio in discrete steps, which is accomplished by mounting one or two of the accessory lenses. When two accessory lenses are stacked, the weaker of the two lenses is mounted closer to the parent lens.{{rp|6-65}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"

|+Medical-Nikkor reproduction ratios

! colspan=3 | 200 mm {{f/|5.6}}{{rp|6-65}}

! rowspan=2 | Repro.
ratio

! colspan=2 | 120 mm {{f/|4}} IF{{rp|15}}

colspan=2 | Acc. lensFocus dist.

! Focus dist.
(lens only)

Focus dist.
(w/ 2×)
colspan=2 | (none)

| {{cvt|3.350|m|in}}

! 1:15

| colspan=2 {{N/A}}

colspan=3 {{N/A}}

! 1:11

| {{cvt|1.60|m|in}}

rowspan=10 {{N/A}}
colspan=2 style="background:#f00;" | {{frac|8}}×

| {{cvt|1.880|m|in}}

! 1:8

| {{cvt|1.20|m|in}}

colspan=2 style="background:#f80;" | {{frac|6}}×

| {{cvt|1.336|m|in}}

! 1:6

| {{cvt|0.95|m|in}}

colspan=3 {{N/A}}

! 1:5

| {{cvt|0.83|m|in}}

colspan=2 style="background:#ff0;" | {{frac|4}}×

| {{cvt|0.890|m|in}}

! 1:4

| {{cvt|0.70|m|in}}

style="background:#f80;" | {{frac|6}}×style="background:#ff0;" | {{frac|4}}×

| {{cvt|0.635|m|in}}

! 1:3

| {{cvt|0.60|m|in}}

colspan=3 {{N/A}}

! 1:2.5

| {{cvt|0.53|m|in}}

colspan=2 style="background:#0f0;" | {{frac|2}}×

| {{cvt|0.446|m|in}}

! 1:2

| {{cvt|0.47|m|in}}

style="background:#ff0;" | {{frac|4}}×style="background:#0f0;" | {{frac|2}}×

| {{cvt|0.326|m|in}}

! 1:1.5

| {{cvt|0.40|m|in}}

colspan=3 rowspan=5 {{N/A}}

! 1:1.2

| {{cvt|0.37|m|in}}

1:1.25
(0.8×)

| rowspan=4 {{N/A}} || {{cvt|0.330|m|in}}

1:1.17
(0.85×)

| {{cvt|0.325|m|in}}

1:1.11
(0.9×)

| {{cvt|0.320|m|in}}

1:1.05
(0.95×)

| {{cvt|0.315|m|in}}

colspan=2 style="background:#0ff;" | 1×

| {{cvt|0.221|m|in}}

! 1:1

| {{cvt|0.35|m|in}}

{{cvt|0.310|m|in}}
colspan=3 rowspan=3 {{N/A}}

! 1.1:1

| rowspan=6 {{N/A}}

{{cvt|0.300|m|in}}
1.2:1

| {{cvt|0.290|m|in}}

1.3:1

| {{cvt|0.285|m|in}}

style="background:#0f0;" | {{frac|2}}×style="background:#0ff;" | 1×

| {{cvt|0.154|m|in}}

! 1.5:1

| {{cvt|0.275|m|in}}

colspan=3 {{N/A}}

! 1.8:1

| {{cvt|0.270|m|in}}

colspan=2 style="background:#f0f;" | 2×

| {{cvt|0.108|m|in}}

! 2:1

| {{cvt|0.260|m|in}}

style="background:#0ff;" | 1×style="background:#f0f;" | 2×

| {{cvt|0.072|m|in}}

! 3:1

| colspan=2 {{N/A}}

Its successor, the Medical-Nikkor 120 mm {{f/|4}}IF, was released in late 1981 with an internal focusing mechanism that moves internal elements to adjust the focus distance, resulting in a continuously variable reproduction ratio range from 1:11 to 1:1. It was supplied with a two-element cemented achromat close-up lens; when it was mounted, the reproduction ratio is variable from 0.8:1 to 2:1.{{cite web |url=https://imaging.nikon.com/imaging/information/story/0069/ |title=Nikkor - The Thousand and One Nights No.69: Medical-Nikkor 120mm f/4 IF |first=Haruo |last=Sato |website=Nikon Imaging |access-date=1 April 2025}} Compared to the older 200 mm lens, the 120 mm lens has a longer working distance when capturing equivalent reproduction ratios of 1:2 and greater, despite the ostensibly shorter focal length, due to the internal focusing design. However, the older lens has a greater range of available magnifications.

DX Micro-Nikkor <span class="anchor" id="dx"></span>

class="wikitable floatright" style="font-size:100%;text-align:left;"

|+Comparison of DX Micro-Nikkor lenses

! style="width: 15em" |

!AF-S 40mm {{f/|2.8}}G{{cite web |url=https://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/lenses/DX/AFSDXMicro40f28G.pdf |title=AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G (instruction manual) |publisher=Nikon Corporation |access-date=3 April 2025}}

!AF-S 85mm {{f/|3.5}}G ED{{cite web |url=https://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/lenses/DX/AFSDXMICRO85_3.5GEDVR.pdf |title=AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/3.5D ED VR (instruction manual) |publisher=NIkon Corporation |access-date=3 April 2025}}

style="text-align: left" | Mount

|F (AF-S)

|F (AF‑S)

style="text-align: left" | Introduced

|2011

|2009

style="text-align: left" | Focus method

| {{no|External}}

| {{yes|Internal}}

style="text-align: left" | Focus motor

|colspan=2 | Silent Wave, in-lens

style="text-align: left" | Close range correction (CRC){{Efn-lr|name=crc}}

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

style="text-align: left" | Angle of view (diagonal)

|38°50'

|18°50'

style="text-align: left" | Magnification
(without macro rings)

|1:1

|1:1

style="text-align: left" | Working distance{{Efn-lr|name=wd}}

|{{cvt|{{#expr:16.3-6.45-4.65 round 1}}|cm|in}}

|{{cvt|{{#expr:28.6-9.85-4.65 round 1}}|cm|in}}

style="text-align: left" | Aperture

| colspan="2" |Auto

style="text-align: left" | Compensating diaphragm{{Efn-lr|name=compensating}}

|{{no}}

|{{no}}

style="text-align: left" | Diaphragm blades

|7

|9

style="text-align: left" | Aperture at magnification{{Efn-lr|name=apmag}}

|{{f/|4.2|36}}

|{{f/|5|45}}

style="text-align: left" | Aperture at infinity

|{{f/|2.8|22}}

|{{f/|3.5|32}}

style="text-align: left" | Elements/groups

|9/7

|{{abbr|14/10|Including one ED element}}

style="text-align: left" | Filter size

|52mm

|52mm

style="text-align: left" | Diameter

|{{cvt|68.5|mm|in|1}}

|{{cvt|73|mm|in|1}}

style="text-align: left" | Length

|{{cvt|64.5|mm|in|1}}

|{{cvt|98.5|mm|in|1}}

style="text-align: left" | Weight

|{{cvt|235|g}}

|{{cvt|355|g}}

Nikon released the AF-S Micro-Nikkor 85mm {{f/|3.5G}} VR in 2009 for their DX (APS-C) line of DSLRs. The 85mm is an internal-focus lens with VR image stabilization. In 2011, the AF-S Micro-Nikkor 40mm {{f/|2.8G}} was released, which has an extending focus mechanism. These lenses achieve a 1:1 magnification, which is equivalent to 1.5:1 magnification on 35mm film or a full-frame camera.

See also

Notes

{{Notelist-lr}}

{{clear}}

References

{{reflist}}

{{Nikon Nikkor lenses}}

Category:Nikon F-mount lenses

Category:Nikon lenses