Lens: Nikon micro-Nikkor 55/2.8 AIS
Vintage: 1979 - present
Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount
Needed Adapters: None
Preferred Mounting: Normal (not reversed)
Filter Thread: 52 mm
Controls: This lens has a focus ring and an aperture ring. The aperture is set manually, but closed
automatically by the camera body during shooting. Having an aperture ring is good for macro as you
can use this lens manually when you need to (i.e. using on a bellows or reversing the lens).
automatically by the camera body during shooting. Having an aperture ring is good for macro as you
can use this lens manually when you need to (i.e. using on a bellows or reversing the lens).
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Resolution vs Aperture: This lens has its
sharpest and most resolving aperture at f/4. This
is a very good number, as most lenses that I see
are sharpest around f/5.6 and above. As
mentioned before, a larger aperture allows for
higher resolution although it also limits the depth
of field. Even at f/2.8 this lens performs extremely
well. Most lenses are a mess at f/2.8
sharpest and most resolving aperture at f/4. This
is a very good number, as most lenses that I see
are sharpest around f/5.6 and above. As
mentioned before, a larger aperture allows for
higher resolution although it also limits the depth
of field. Even at f/2.8 this lens performs extremely
well. Most lenses are a mess at f/2.8
Corner Sharpness vs. Aperture:
This lens has a very flat field across all
apertures. Corner sharpness isn't an issues with
this lens unless you are using it on an extension
tube to allow it to get to 1:1.
On a 25 mm extension tube the corner
sharpness suffers a bit and becomes somewhat
visible (see next section graph).
This lens has a very flat field across all
apertures. Corner sharpness isn't an issues with
this lens unless you are using it on an extension
tube to allow it to get to 1:1.
On a 25 mm extension tube the corner
sharpness suffers a bit and becomes somewhat
visible (see next section graph).
Sharpness and Resolution vs Magnification:
This lens show some of the highest sharpness
and resolution numbers in the 1:4 to 1:1
magnification range that I have ever measured.
Nothing more need be said, this lens is very
sharp in the center of the field and generally
extremely sharp on the periphery also.
The price that you will pay for this sharpness is a
significant decrease in the working distance
compared to its longer focal length siblings.
The corner sharpness does suffer when a 25 mm
extension tube is added to bring the
magnification to near 1:1.
This lens show some of the highest sharpness
and resolution numbers in the 1:4 to 1:1
magnification range that I have ever measured.
Nothing more need be said, this lens is very
sharp in the center of the field and generally
extremely sharp on the periphery also.
The price that you will pay for this sharpness is a
significant decrease in the working distance
compared to its longer focal length siblings.
The corner sharpness does suffer when a 25 mm
extension tube is added to bring the
magnification to near 1:1.
Street Price: ~$100 - $250
Chromatic Aberration: This lens show minimal color fringing in the center of
the field (around 0.10 pixels) and mild fringing (0.40 - 0.80 pixels) on the
periphery. This fringing will only be minimally visible.
the field (around 0.10 pixels) and mild fringing (0.40 - 0.80 pixels) on the
periphery. This fringing will only be minimally visible.
Image Contrast: Image contrast is very good, typical for a modern macro
lens.
lens.
Flare: No significant flare is evident during lens testing.
Conclusion: This macro lens performs extremely well across the macro magnification range with some of
the highest sharpness and resolution measurements that I have come across. The field is very flat and there
is minimal color fringing.
This lens has very few drawbacks. The working distance is limited as you would expect with a 55 mm focal
length. The other drawback for me is that it only focuses to 1:2 without assistance. It is easy to get to 1:1
magnification by adding a 25 mm extension tube ( or 27.5 mm Nikon PK-13). Adding the extension does
cause the lens to lose some of its corner sharpness, but the resolution and sharpness in the center of the
field remains outstanding.
the highest sharpness and resolution measurements that I have come across. The field is very flat and there
is minimal color fringing.
This lens has very few drawbacks. The working distance is limited as you would expect with a 55 mm focal
length. The other drawback for me is that it only focuses to 1:2 without assistance. It is easy to get to 1:1
magnification by adding a 25 mm extension tube ( or 27.5 mm Nikon PK-13). Adding the extension does
cause the lens to lose some of its corner sharpness, but the resolution and sharpness in the center of the
field remains outstanding.
Basic Function: manual macro lens, changes in length with focusing. Focuses to 1:2 without
assistance. Will go to about 1:1 with a 25 mm extension tube.
assistance. Will go to about 1:1 with a 25 mm extension tube.
Appearance:
Aperture: 7 blades, reasonably circular across all aperture settings.
Image Samples:
About 1:3 magnification, f/4, cropped horizontally and resized
About 1:1 magnification, f/5.6, 1 to 1 crop:
I shot this one at f/5.6 because when cropped down
it really shows the limitation of depth of field at
magnification. It also shows that depth of field is
dependent upon viewing conditions. The above
picture looks sharp across the entire relief of the
coin and was shot at f/4. But when magnified, the
viewing conditions change and the depth of field is
lessened. Even at f/5.6, the depth of field is
significantly less than the depth of the relief.
I shot this one at f/5.6 because when cropped down
it really shows the limitation of depth of field at
magnification. It also shows that depth of field is
dependent upon viewing conditions. The above
picture looks sharp across the entire relief of the
coin and was shot at f/4. But when magnified, the
viewing conditions change and the depth of field is
lessened. Even at f/5.6, the depth of field is
significantly less than the depth of the relief.
About 1:3 magnification, f/4, 1 to 1 crop:
Good detail.
Good detail.
About 1:1 magnification, f/5.6, resized:
Performance: Sharpness vs Magnification:
This is a new graph that I recently constructed. I
have 4 lines that represent levels of performance
from outstanding (top) to fair (bottom). This
shows where this lens fit into the hierarchy that I
have created.
The Nikon 55/2.8 AIS shows outstanding
sharpness performance across the macro
magnification range of 1:4 to 1:1.
This is a new graph that I recently constructed. I
have 4 lines that represent levels of performance
from outstanding (top) to fair (bottom). This
shows where this lens fit into the hierarchy that I
have created.
The Nikon 55/2.8 AIS shows outstanding
sharpness performance across the macro
magnification range of 1:4 to 1:1.
Performance: Resolution vs Magnification:
This is a new graph that I recently constructed. I
have 4 lines that represent levels of performance
from outstanding (top) to fair (bottom). This
shows where this lens fit into the hierarchy that I
have created.
The Nikon 55/2.8 AIS shows outstanding
resolution performance across the macro
magnification range of 1:4 to 1:1.
This is a new graph that I recently constructed. I
have 4 lines that represent levels of performance
from outstanding (top) to fair (bottom). This
shows where this lens fit into the hierarchy that I
have created.
The Nikon 55/2.8 AIS shows outstanding
resolution performance across the macro
magnification range of 1:4 to 1:1.
