Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 45mm f/2.8D ED Manual Focus Lens

In this review, Gary Wolstenholme takes a look at a highly specialised macro lens with tilt and shift movements, making it ideal for architecture and product photography.

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  Outstanding optical performance, Very precise controls, Excellent build quality

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  Almost useless hyperfocal scale, Maybe a touch pricey, but you get what you pay for.

This is one of those cases where if you think you need this lens, you probably know almost everything about it and the only real consideration is the sticker price. For getting shots with a unique perspective, or a depth of field impossible with conventional lenses, there is no substitute - the only...

A specialised manual focus standard lens allowing 1:2 magnification and tilt and shift lens movements.

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  Outstanding optical performance, Very precise controls, Excellent build quality

• -

  Almost useless hyperfocal scale, Maybe a touch pricey, but you get what you pay for.

Nikon PC-E Micro Nikkor 45mm f/2.8D ED: Specification: Focal length: 45mm Maximum aperture: f/2.8 Minimum aperture: f/32 Lens construction: 9 elements in 8 groups (with one ED glass element) Picture angle: 51° (maximum 66° when fully shifted) Closest focus distance: 0.253 m Maximum reproduction...

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  Easier to use than previous models, Good range of adjustments, Excellent image and edge performance, even on full frame sensors

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  Limited usefulness, although it is a specialist optic, Costly for occasional use

I have used this lens primarily for copy/archiving artwork. The tilt and shift function on the lens, along with its 'normal' focal length make this absolutely ideal for this type of work. I will not go on and on about the well documented aspects of this lens' sharpness build quality etc.

This lens is an excellent complement to my D800E. Although I specialize in both architectural and landscape photography, I primarily use it for landscape photography because its focal length is longer than I normally use for architectural work.

I use this lens for panoramas & time lapse also for general use

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  Rugged, Sharp Focus, Strong Construction

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  Heavy

If you are a present or former View Camera photographer, you will not be even close to what you are accustomed to. Most importantly, you can not swing and tilt in the same photo.Secondly, you can not do tilt and rise/fall in the same photo.

not only is this a tilt-shift lens it is also a macro lens, this makes it a perfect lens of architecture and landscape. This lens is manual and very sharp.

This is just an amazing lens. Being a micro as well as a TS lens, it does much more than you would think. I also have the 24 PC-E, which is great for interiors, but a bit wide outside for me. The 45 really fills a gap in my bag.

Have been using this lens for landscapes since I got it, but intend to make some portraits with it soon. Very sharp, very versatile, very bright and easy to focus.Would be great if I could tilt/shift in both directions at the same time, like the Zeiss lens for Nikon, but this lens was much less...

Landscape, portraits, weddings. Very versatile

Mirror up live view is a must, and time must not be a consideration. Will suit the considered photographer who is prepared to work manually exploring all of avenues the lens can take you down. The more you look the more you find and resulting images can be stunning, would certainly recommend.