Please help me decide

kdotaylor

Help! Am looking at this lens:
Nikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor Lens

But is it worth it to get the VR in this lens for twice the price?
Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens

ziggy53

How do you intend to use the lens?

As a macro/close focus only lens?

As a portrait lens?

Will you be looking to use the lens for income?

Anything else regarding the use/application of the lens?

kdotaylor

I would most likely use it primarily as a macro lens, as I have some other portrait lenses already. I've never done macro, but am interested in experimenting with that as something new. I wouldn't expect to gain income from this unless I took some really cool photos. I'm just wondering if I could hold the less expensive lens steady enough for detailed close up or would I just be frustrated by blur and should invest in the one with VR.

zoomer

If you aren't going to use a tripod for macro then VR will probably be worth it.

puzzledpaul

Do you intend using flash for macro ... or ambient?

pp

ziggy53

Most folks agree that image stabilization (VR) has little effect at true macro distances. Some sort of physical stabilization is greatly preferred, either a tripod (for non-moving and planned subjects) or a pole/stabilizer for hand-held tasks.

You don't mention if you shoot FX or DX bodies, but on DX bodies the older Micro-Nikkor AF-D 105mm, f2.8 holds its own pretty well in image quality, excellent really. The newer Micro-Nikkor AF-S 105mm, f2.8G IF-ED VR is a little sharper, but not too much better.

Reviews:

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/223-micro-nikkor-af-105mm-f28-d-review--lab-test-report
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/224-micro-nikkor-af-s-105mm-f28g-if-ed-vr-review--test-report

In your situation I would recommend the older AF-D model just because you probably won't notice the difference in image quality and I doubt that the VR will help as much as physical support.

For some very useful information on macro technique:

http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=143373

kdotaylor

Okay, thank you so much for your input, everyone. I'm leaning towards getting the older lens and saving some $$. Thank you, ziggy53, for the links to the techniques!