Nikon Releases AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G Lens

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dpreview.com/news/1107/11071115nikkor40mmmacro.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.dpreview.com/news/1107/1...or40mmmacro.asp</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1310477884.usr15670.jpg" /></p><p>Talk about an absolute surprise: After releasing the Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5, I thought that would be it for DX Micro Nikkors. Today Nikon proves me wrong by releasing a 40mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor. Does Nikon think that DX users lack options for macro lenses? (Hint: They probably don't.) The lens offfers a 1:1 reproduction ratio (meaning it can capture an area equal to that of the sensor, which translates to 24mm by 16mm on a DX camera), but the cost of having such a short focal length results in a 5cm working distance from the front of the lens. The lens will be available from the 25th of August&nbsp;at a fairly low price of US$280, but I wonder if Nikon should concentrate on other lenses. Is anyone interested in this lens at all?</p>

[Jason Dunn]

This lens piqued my interest - I have the 35mm DX lens on my D3100, which is the "upstairs camera". I normally have the old 50mm f/1.8 lens on my D300, but the 1.5 foot minimum focusing distance sometimes irks me when I'm trying to take product photos. I'm confused though because I just looked at the tech specs for this lens and it has a minimum focusing distance of 6.4 feet...!? I thought macro lenses allowed you to be much closer to the subject, hence the name...

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

That's probably an error? It should be a lot closer. The working distance is already so short...