[f/32] Nikon AI-S lenses are usually built really well, and the smooth manual focus ring is always pleasant to use. The focusing helicoid on this lens seems to have been dialled to have a much firmer response, which is perfect for the precise focusing required for macro work.
Much better than the ratchety quality of the focus rings found on modern M/A lenses.

To each their own, but I am not a professional photographer and I do not need the convenience of auto-focus. I find manually focusing to be an enjoyable part of the photographic process. The camera(s) on my phone are more than good enough when I just need a quick convenient shot of something.

As a bonus, I also do not have to contend with the off-putting high pitched whines of auto-focus motors, especially in quieter settings.
It's also one less thing to worry about when it comes to maintenance or equipment lifespan.

Get these lenses new while you still can!

[Full-Frame] I have owned at least three of this model over the years and just recently purchased a brand new one from B&H. I am so glad this lens is still available new from B&H. It is nice to own one in pristine condition. Mechanically it has all the attributes of the classic AI-S Nikkor, solid all metal construction, beautiful finish, and smooth focusing action. This particular lens is not all that heavy and the front element is deeply recessed so a hood isn't always a necessity. Used with PK-13 extension tube it gives you 1:1 magnification which is helpful for slide or negative film duplication/scanning. Optically it is tack sharp wide open and produces pleasing bokeh for tight still life work and even portraits, the slightly longer that 50mm focal length being helpful for the latter. Obviously it is a manual focus lens but for its primary purpose this is not as issue and is part of its appeal.

[Manual Focus] It is clean crystal

[Nikon F] I confess to being a great fan of Nikon's Manual Focus Lenses and in terms of build-quality and its quality-feel the Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Ai-S Micro Lens is perhaps as good as it gets.


The lens is of course constructed using the best traditional materials and is beautifully finished too, and is a delight to use. Built to last a lifetime, the Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro lens is also very compact and lightweight and offers great versatility for a wide range of subjects - not only for close-up shots of course, but also for a great deal of general photography. And although the Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro comes with a relatively 'slow' f/2.8 maximum aperture, in practice, it's fine for all but the dimmest of photographic situations.


I bought my first one of these lenses several years ago as a 'used' lens and I soon discovered that it's both an incredibly sharp Normal Lens and remarkably free from any discernible distortion (particularly in contrast to most other faster f/1.4 Normal Lenses for example). I sold that used lens a while ago, and employed a Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Micro lens for dedicated close-up work, however, having just purchased a brand new Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Ai-S Micro Lens, I am of the opinion that for the vast majority of the photos taken within close-range - the Nikkor 55mm is one of the best lenses to have at hand.

[52 mm (Front)] Pin sharp yet budget lens

[1:2] I wanted to toss in this review before Nikon discontinued this great lens. If you're thinking about this lens and manual focus doesn't frighten, this is a great overall workhorse of a prime lens. The two Nikon micro 60mm AF lenses seem poised to replace this lens. I haven't used either of these AF lens, but they would have to be spectacular indeed to match the 55mm AI-s lens. I've used this lens for around 30 years on an FE2, F3, F5, D300, and D700. Perhaps thousands of images from the lens, film or digital, used either as a micro or basic prime have been excellent in terms of edge to edge sharpness and clarity. At present, I prefer using the D300 for micro with this lens primarily for the camera's crop factor. Stopping down to f/11 has given me optimum DOF results overall and minimal diffraction with this lens; however the micro bokeh at f/2.8, foreground and background, is milky smooth, very pleasing to the eye, and really pops up the focus point. I also purchased a PK-13 extender with this lens which is required to shoot micro at 1:1. However, it is difficult to impossible to obtain satisfactory 1:1 images without using a focusing rail and some very careful setup with the PK-13 even when stopped down to the lens minimum f/32. Stopped down this tight does lead to diffraction issues and some necessary tradeoffs when shooting without focusing rails. These is to be expected for any exposures requiring precise distances for predefined subject to image ratios combined with the very shallow DOF of micro photography. Focusing is easy even though I always have used matte screens. Viewfinder brightness has become an important issue for me as I've gotten older and my vision has kept pace with that circumstance. It's been noted that many older photographers' careers have been kept alive by AF lenses. But, at f/2.8, the viewfinder image with this lens is sufficiently bright for focusing even under relatively low light conditions.

[43°] I bought this lens for macro photography and was extremely pleased with the crispness at all f stops. Increasingly I've been using it for general purpose and travel photography and have not been disappointed. It's now my favourite lens.

[55mm] I just bought a second 55 mm Micro Nikkor after having used my first for over 30 years. This lens is small but very sturdy with very smooth focusing. Most important, it is the sharpest edge-to-edge lens I've ever used. Resolution, saturation, lack of aberration and sharpness are all tops. I have used this lens extensively for medical, macro- and scientific/technical photography in a wide variety of settings and under some pretty adverse conditions with flawless performance . I have also used this lens for copy and reproduction work in the old days where it also excelled. I eventually started using it as a general lens. Looking back at the great many images taken using both transparency and print films, the images taken with this manual focus (AiS) 55 mm Micro Nikkor are still among the best I have taken, even when compared to those taken with wide variety of the most modern autofocus, vibration reduction lenses with many more elements in multiple groups. My older lens eventually developed marked resistance to focusing because of the helicoid and lubrication, a known issue with this lens, especially the earliest ones made. But it took 30 years for this to happen. I still have my first lens and will continue to use it, but wanted a second while they are still made.

[52 mm (Front)] I bought this lens used one week ago and I'm already very pleased with my purchase. The lens is super sharp at any aperture. My D200 recognizes the aperture so on camera metering is very easy. This is a stellar portrait lens and would be very good for macro photography as well.

[43°] Paired with my D750, the 55mm f2.8 produces phenomenally sharp photos. I use it largely for copying slides combined with pk-13 and es-1 slide copier, but it produces great everyday photos as well. This lens was an excellent choice— manual focus and all.