AF-S Micro Nikkor 105 1:2.8 G ED as general purpose lens

[MEPER]

Almost 100% without CA then my experience are the Scanner Nikkors (those sitting in 4000ED, 5000ED scanners and 8000ED, 9000ED scanners).
You need the specialized Nikkors to get lenses that are almost 100% corrected.
Birna and others in here own some of the very specialized Nikkors where some are made for industrial use.
There is also an 105mm UV-Nikkor and som APO-Nikkors but those I have never used. Ultra Micro Nikkors also that where for producing electronic chips back in time.
I have the old 58/1.2 Noct Nikkor but have not tried to "push" it to test it for CA. I could try that.
Then for Z-mount one of the best corrected lenses are the 105/2.8 Micro as mentioned here several times (I don't have it). Lab test reviews exist for this lens with image examples.
I will assume that the Z-mount 58/0.95 Noct is very well corrected and also the Plena 135 mm. The Z 50/1.2 probably also.
When I get a Z 35 mm auto extension tube I will check my Z-lenses for macro performance like 50/1.8 S and 24-70/4 S.

I tested the Z DX zoom 12-28 at 28mm setting (was updating it with the latest firmware). It can focus very close (0.19m from focus plane in all settings) and can do 0.21x (not a macro but still close focus).
I got surprised how well corrected this zoom is. Normally those are best in the mid zoom range. A couple of crops added here.

[Birna Rørslett]

The general problems with adding extension to zoom lenses is that they become very awkward in handling and focusing. This is because they will *not* be parfocal across the zoom range. Thus any change of zoom setting throws the image completely out of focus and/or change magnification and image framing. Plus for most zoom lenses in particular those with shorter focal lengths, their working distance can shrink significantly -- even becoming negative, i.e. the focus plane is inside the lens assembly. Usually adding a good achromatic close-up lens will be better for zoom lenses such as 70/80-200 or similar. For shorter lenses, adding the close-up lens may not give any really useful increase in magnification.

[KarlMera]

I have the old 58/1.2 Noct Nikkor but have not tried to "push" it to test it for CA. I could try that.

this could be very surprising..

[MEPER]

For very close focus I switch off the AF if possible and just set the lens to closets focus distance.
For super macro the AF is just disturbing and will use up the battery faster :-)

Some lenses show better CA-performance when stopped down a bit but not the AFS 105/2.8 Micro as attached image shows.

There is Z-version review here:
https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-z-mc-105mm-f-2-8-vr-s-macro/2
It shows low CA and this is also mentioned by the reviewer.
When Nikon develop a general purpose lens they need to balance price and performance.

Will try to push the AIS 58/1.2 and see what it can do but I guess no exotic glass in this lens. It was famous for the hand polished front element.

[KarlMera]

Some lenses show better CA-performance when stopped down a bit but not the AFS 105/2.8 Micro as attached image shows.

In my eyes this image is symbolic for Nikon lenses

[Birna Rørslett]

In my eyes this image is symbolic for Nikon lenses

Would be for nearly all lenses.

[KarlMera]

Zeiss, Voigtländer, Leica have apo consumer lenses, or not?

[MEPER]

The 58/1.2 Noct was quite bad regarding LO-CA at 1.2. I expected that.
But the old AFS 17-35/2.8 set to 24mm and then with a 8mm extension tube did quite well.
If a high quality zoom is made so it is good at both ends then it is often very good in the mid zoom range.
The 17-35 could still be one of the best 24mm Nikkors :-)
It was my best 24mm lens for a long time. It was better then the old 24mm Nikkor primes (AI/AF). 

It confirms that a zoom like this does not like much extension. Had to set it to infinity to be able to focus and lens was very close to object.
The attached example is at 2.8. Not bad.

[MEPER]

Zeiss and Leica APO's are another price level.
Voigtländer seems to have some very nice lenses in same price range as Nikon lenses.
The Z 105/2.8 Micro is cheap compared to its performance it seems. If you can call it an APO I don't know. No lens is 100% corrected.
The new Z 58/0.95 and 135/1.8 Plena are expensive and I would expect them to be very well corrected.
The examples I show are 100% crops from a 21MP DX sensor (high pixel density). Not much to do with real world image examples.
I just find it fun to test to extremes. Sometimes you find a lens that is exceptional good for its price.

[Birna Rørslett]

Zeiss, Voigtländer, Leica have apo consumer lenses, or not?

'APO' is not equal to, nor implies, total lack of CA. The usual implication is the optics are optimised for three colour reference points. Plenty of 'wiggle space' for colur transmission remains. I own at least three different Voigtländer lenses designated 'APO' and vestiges of CA can be found for each if the output is scrutinised at the nit-picking level. The practical importance of this is close to zero, as their colour rendition in general is excellent. The Leica APO-Telyt 180mm f/3.4 appears less well corrected than the CV 180mm f/4, which in turn is less well corrected than the APO-Lanthar 125mm f/2.5. The APO 65mm f/2 Lanthar is not as well corrected as the Coastal APO 60mm f/4, but the former is free of the hot spot tendency of the latter.

It would be helpful in further discussion if a distinction is made between lateral and axial CA. The former almost has lost significance in the digital era simply because the correction largely can be made in-camera (jpgs) or in post processing.

Axial CA is less easy to get rid of *completely*, but stopping the lens down usually helps to some extent.

Finally, lenses are not binary performers -- either entire bad or sublimely excellent -- but encompass a wide range of performance levels.

[KarlMera]

All Sigma 105mm macro lenses are better corrected than Nikon micros

[KarlMera]

The 58/1.2 Noct was quite bad regarding LO-CA at 1.2. I expected that.

do you have a result?

[MEPER]

The AIS 58/1.2 Noct Nikkor with Extension at f/1.2 has very bad LO CA. It makes no sense to use it that way after thinking a bit what I was doing as it was designed for reducing coma at infinity (e.g. images of stars and general low light images) so you don't get the arrow like distortion of point light sources (even in the corners). It is a specialized lens and it takes some time to learn to use it to get the best out of it.

I have no experience with Sigma macros as I have a long time relationship with Nikkors and also vintage Voigtländer lenses and a few others.

I did make a random search for a Sigma 105mm macro review and found this one:
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-sigma-105mm-12-8-dg-os-macro-hsm/

If you scroll down to where CA is validated you will notice strong LO-CA.
Here the Nikkor-Z version should do better but then Sigma may have made a newer version of the lens which is on par with the Nikkor.
There are many parameters for a lens. I can probably find at least one parameter where the older AFS 105 is better than the new Z-version.
E.g. built quality and if I did use it a lot for portraits I might find out that I like it better for that purpose. You never know :-)

The most important is to come out and makes some real images.

[KarlMera]

If you scroll down to where CA is validated you will notice strong LO-CA.

He writes better than Nikon?

[MEPER]

Yes, better than the AFS 105/2.8 that started this thread. The AFS 105 Micro is known to have quite strong LO CA. Many sold it because of that. I feel I can get more out of the AFS as a general purpose lens than the money I can get for it if I sell it. With Nikon Z-version LO-CA almost disappeared.

A LO-CA test for the Z-version can be found here:
https://www.cameralabs.com/nikon-z-mc-105mm-f2-8-vr-s-review/2/

Almost no LO-CA but then again a Sigma lens is mentioned. An Art version. I don't know it but probably very good.
At least its MTF curves looks good but not possible to see a lens performance just looking at MTF curves.
You may find the review and see if it fits your needs?