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Anyone have hands on experience with this lens or are there any reviews that you can direct me to?

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html

Can't link direct to the page but look under lenses, they have a review of this lens. This link is also available as a sticky at the top of the equipment section under "lens review sites"

Grev wrote:Anyone have hands on experience with this lens or are there any reviews that you can direct me to?

I had one for many years until I sold it in a fit of insanity. I mostly used it on a copy stand, for its very flat field in the close-up range. I don't think any of the current Micro-Nikkors are equally suited to copy-stand work. On the downside, the 55 f/3.5 had quite some field curvature at infinity focus.

The 55 f/3.5 goes to 1:2, or 1:1 on the PK-13 tube. It is an excellent macro lens, period. The f/2.8 variant is slightly better wide open and at infinity focus, but used to cost quite a bit more. It was also notorious for oily diaphragm blades.

For nature close-ups you have to keep in mind that at 1:1 ratio your subject will only be about 5cm in front of the filter threads, so proper lighting (among other things) might become a challenge.

I recently picked up a very nice 55 f/2.8 on eBay, for just $225 delivered. If you look for them, they're out there...

Anyway, I don't think you can go wrong with a 55 f/3.5. If you can get the PK-13 as well - get it!

Cheers
Steffen.

Glen, which version is it? There are two, one is rated 4, the other is 5... hmmm...

Thanks Steffen, thanks for your comments about it, and I asked because I have heard good things about it and I just saw a second hand one at a shop that cost $150, so I was excited to ask about it.

The people at dpreview showed me some photos taken with it, and it's quite sharp.

Grev wrote:Thanks Steffen, thanks for your comments about it, and I asked because I have heard good things about it and I just saw a second hand one at a shop that cost $150, so I was excited to ask about it.

For $150 I'd say get it if it's in good nick. Make sure it is the Ai version (Ai coupling ring and s/n of 940001 or higher). If the PK-13 tube is included that would be a mega-bargain.

Cheers
Steffen.