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The AF-S micro nikkor 40mm f2.8G is moderately fast or bright, contrasty and extremely sharp lens,just like all its siblings in the Nikkor Micro (Macro for other brands) interchangeable lenses. It appears that Nikon has consistently improve and exceeded expectations in this "special purpose lenses" category. Historically, every Nikkor (brand name for Nikon lenses) which are stamped with "Micro-Nikkor" are stellar performers and tops its class versus the competition, this new AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 40mm f2.8G is no exception.
This lens is the latest of the lineage dating from the Micro Nikkor 55mm f2.8 AIS mount manual focus lens of early 1980s, its FX-format (35mm film) equivalent is the higher specs current model Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f2.8G ED N which works as a 90mm on the smaller DX-format DSLR. This is an interchangeable bayonet Nikon "G" mount single focal length (prime) DX lens designed for Nikon DX-format APS-C sensor based Digital SLR cameras. It has a "standard" angle of view that is close to "human eye perspective" as proclaimed by SLR camera manufacturers.
Officially it is not designed for and recommended for use with older Nikon 35mm film (FX) cameras without a body aperture control dial. However, when mounted on my compatible film Nikon F5,this lens retains full function and it works like a 40mm f2.8 micro lens at closest distance only,the edges darkens further from the subject. Though seems workable using "DX crop function" it is not recommended for the professional Nikon FX series digital SLRs (Nikon D700, D3 series)which the AF-S micro Nikkor 60mm f2.8 is designed for FX-format sensor.
I have been waiting for a lens like this AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 40mm f2.8G ever since Nikon released its older brother, the AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f3.5G VR. I did not find the earlier release suitable because I am not into close-up macrophotography shooting bugs and butterflies which the Micro Nikkor DX 85mm f3.5G VR is the most suitable specialist's tool for "bug jobs".
My purchase is made-in-China and the lens came supplied with both front and rear lens caps,the HB61 bayonet lens shade (hood) and a black lens pouch together with a user manual and warranty card in a golden box.
The lens mount is metallic and the feel is typical and standard high Nikon quality although the package is made of metal and plastic. According to Nikon, this is a new design and it really handles well and balanced with my Nikon D5000. However, owner should have the supplied HB61 lens shade mounted to protect the lens as the front lens element extends out of the barrel at nearer to closest focusing distances typical of micro lenses.
Auto Focusing with Nikon's AF-S technology is silent, smooth and accurate, while the manual focus ring is tactile but responsive for manual override focus at close range. There is also a distance and reproduction scale window plus a focusing distance limiting switch.
Being a moderately bright lens, this lens when partnered with the higher ISO Nikon DSLR like the D7000 will perform respectfully under available or low light at the maximum aperture of f2.8 from ISO 1600 to 6400. Recommended body match for this lens is of course, the current D7000/D5100/D3100 or at least D90/D5000/D3000.
This is a great compact and light weight lens to bring on a walk-about when paired with the light weight Nikon D3100 and a great affordable upgrade for D3000/D60/D40x/D40 series of Nikon DSLR camera bodies.
This lens lacks a VR (vibration reduction) mode unlike its 85mm f3.5G VR sibling, but it does not seems to be a handicap as owners would soon find out as it performs excellently at f2.8 maximum aperture which more than compensated for the lack of VR. If your dSLR has low noise ISO 1600-3200 sensitivity, close up photos could be taken at moderate handheld speed of 1/20s 1/60s without flash and under natural existing indoor light condition with some practice.
Noted that at close distances my Nikon D5000 appears to select program aperture at f3.2 to f4.2, on auto ISO 1600-3200, to optimize depth of field, which seasoned users of micro lenses would know is critical at close range, awesome! It seems that Nikon has built-in some "fuzzy" logic into its firmware. I noted that it is not possible to manually set the aperture to maximum aperture of f2.8 at minimum focusing distance when the lens is fully extended at 0.163m, it could also be due to the optimum design of the lens that this is the case, otherwise, my copy could be defective.
In the DX single "prime" focal length lenses line-up this special purpose "prime" lens does not pair up with Nikon's other offerings, the lens which comes close as competition is the excellent and cheaper AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F1.8G which should be the better choice if you need the f1.8 aperture to do low light/existing light photography most of the time and do not need close focusing micro/macro function.
In terms of practicality of use and value, the Micro Nikkor 40mm f2.8G is an affordable and excellent multi-purpose lens and would be a special and exciting addition to your DX format Nikon DSLR system as a second lens with added versatility for close-up macrophotography and some low light photography at high ISO.
Image quality and resolution is superb although no special "Nano" lens coating or ED (Extra Low Dispersion) glass element in its design. Samples of first shots with this lens is impressive and would meet all expectations because all of Nikon's proven technology like Close Range Correction (CRC) and Super-Integrated-Coating (SIC) went into this new lens design.
For "bokeh" lovers,this lens produces a pleasing out-offocus "pastel" background effect at maximum aperture of f2.8 which is quite nice to my subjective liking.
Please also see the unretouched natural lighting pictures taken by myself and uploaded into the image gallery with my TIMEX watch as the main close-up subject. I hope it could give you an indication of what this lens could do for you and your photography, together with all the other images I have uploaded.
I rate this five stars for a highly recommended purchase for Nikon DSLR DX series users who needs one and its excellent performance. Personally, I am very satisfied with this item purchased from a reputable retailer in Singapore, therefore I cannot comment on experience of purchasing photographic equipment from Amazon.com.
Thank you for reading my non-technical end-user review and hopefully it is useful and of help to you.
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