Looks like the AF-D version is essentially just as good - and keeps diffraction at bay a little better at small apertures. The only caveat here is that the tests at Photozone are at near infinity focus.
Without stirring the pot as I don't know the answer, how good are photozone MTF tests? Generally considered reliable? Interesting that my 28-70mm f/2.8 holds up in resolving power to a 60mm f/2.8 prime. I looked at the 105mm f/2.8 VR MTF charts and the bars peak at the testing limits. That's sharp!
One thing to remember is that photozone only tests one lens. If they get a dud, or a particularly good/bad one you end up with non-realistic results. Plus they cannot do any macro distance tests either, which is kind of useless for macro lenses.
panos.v wrote:
One thing to remember is that photozone only tests one lens. If they get a dud, or a particularly good/bad one you end up with non-realistic results.
Not quite true. They test off the shelf lenses loaned by people. On common lenses, they can get more than one copy. They tested two copies on the Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Micro VR, for example.
panos.v wrote:
Plus they cannot do any macro distance tests either, which is kind of useless for macro lenses.
That's true. However, what I consider more of a drawback is that they do the test on crop cameras....
Jack White wrote:
Without stirring the pot as I don't know the answer, how good are photozone MTF tests? Generally considered reliable? Interesting that my 28-70mm f/2.8 holds up in resolving power to a 60mm f/2.8 prime. I looked at the 105mm f/2.8 VR MTF charts and the bars peak at the testing limits. That's sharp!
The photozone tests are very reliable, but as someone else pointed out, they usually only test one lens, so you may not see what type of variability there might be. They usually do comment on decentering, and sometimes test a second lens if they got a bad one (like with the 70-200 VR, for example).
To summarize what I see, I think there's no compelling reason to "upgrade" a 60 AF-D to the 60 AF-S. That's what I see here - just a weight and cost gain, for most practical purposes. (My wife is the main user, but the 60 AF-D is one of the sharpest lenses that we own).
I bought a well-used but good-condition AF 60mm macro here on FM to test the waters, and loved it so much I sold it and bought the new AF-S. I do like the focus improvement, which is waaaaay faster than the AF lens, and also snappier and quieter. Images are sharp as hell on both lenses, although for some reason I can't describe I do like the results from the new one a little better. I also hated the limit switch
No real reason to give up an AF or AF-D for the new AF-S if you're happy. But I'm still glad Nikon updated this one, so that new buyers (which included me in this case) get the best of Nikon's technology in more lenses. And boy, the AF-S focus speed made a difference too.
I was hoping that the new 60mm, which is 90mm on DX format bodies, would render excellent bokeh for headshots outdoors. It seems, using aspherical elements, that it does not offer the very best bokeh possible if you were to get out of focus highligts in the pic. The lens seems to appear much like a 50mm F1.4 bokeh in that regard. I am keeping my 85mm F1.8 for now.
I used it all. 60 F-D, 105 Af-d, 105 VR but I am very happy with the 60 2.8 AF-S. Nothing so far has pleased me like the 60 AF-S G version at 2.8 (or 3.3) when I get really close.
Rodolfo Paiz wrote:
I bought a well-used but good-condition AF 60mm macro here on FM to test the waters, and loved it so much I sold it and bought the new AF-S. I do like the focus improvement, which is waaaaay faster than the AF lens, and also snappier and quieter. Images are sharp as hell on both lenses, although for some reason I can't describe I do like the results from the new one a little better. I also hated the limit switch
No real reason to give up an AF or AF-D for the new AF-S if you're happy. But I'm still glad Nikon updated this one, so that new buyers (which included me in this case) get the best of Nikon's technology in more lenses. And boy, the AF-S focus speed made a difference too....Show more →
Now you're tempting me to pick up the AF-S. I really did regret selling the 60 AF to you as I thoroughly enjoyed that lens. Now that I need a micro for wedding work I'm considering picking up another one.
I bought this lens for the first time and replaced my Tamron 90 with it. I really like it and I posted some sample shots before. I don't think I will ever find the link again but it was surely sharp as a tack. I use it half of the time I am out. Macro is starting to get to me and sparking interest.
williamkazak wrote:
I was hoping that the new 60mm, which is 90mm on DX format bodies, would render excellent bokeh for headshots outdoors. It seems, using aspherical elements, that it does not offer the very best bokeh possible if you were to get out of focus highligts in the pic. The lens seems to appear much like a 50mm F1.4 bokeh in that regard. I am keeping my 85mm F1.8 for now.
I LOVE my 85 f/1.8. I feel it's an even better bargain than the 50 f/1.8. Better image quality as well.
I have the old 60 AFD and the new one is on the way. The resolution looks great but the CA is really dissapointing. What's up with that? The old lens is bad enough and the new one is.....worse?
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