Nikon Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Close-up Review
For Nikon DX shooters curious about macro, this sharp, lightweight 40mm f/2.8G is a no-brainer. Just don't ask it to do anything else.
Overview
If you shoot Nikon DX and want a dedicated macro lens that won't break your back or your bank, this 40mm f/2.8G is your best friend. It's a one-trick pony, but it does that trick—true 1:1 life-size macro photography—incredibly well. Forget about using it for anything else, though. The angle of view is tight, and f/2.8 isn't exactly a light-gathering monster for general use.
Performance
The biggest surprise is just how sharp this thing is, even wide open. Nikon's Close-Range Correction system really works, delivering crisp detail from infinity all the way down to that 0.53-foot minimum focus distance. The stabilization is also shockingly good for a lens this old and this price, landing in the 85th percentile. It lets you handhold macro shots you'd normally need a tripod for.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- True 1:1 macro capability on a budget. 91th
- Sharp as a tack across the entire focus range. 87th
- In-body stabilization works brilliantly for handheld macro. 69th
- Compact and light at 380g, a joy to carry. 67th
Cons
- Focal length is awkward for anything but macro on APS-C.
- Autofocus is slow and hunts in low light (45th percentile).
- Not weather-sealed, so keep it away from dust and drizzle.
- f/2.8 max aperture limits background separation and low-light use.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 40 |
| Focal Length Max | 40 |
| Elements | 9 |
| Groups | 7 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.8 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | SWM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 40 |
Value & Pricing
At $240, it's a steal for a genuine Nikon macro lens with stabilization. You're paying for one specific, excellent function, and it delivers. If macro is your goal, it's worth every penny.
vs Competition
Don't confuse this with the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 or Meike 55mm f/1.8. Those are faster, more versatile primes for portraits and street, but they can't touch the 1:1 macro performance here. The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is a far superior all-around lens, but it's also three times the price and for a different mount. This 40mm f/2.8G exists in its own niche: affordable, dedicated DX macro.
| Spec | Nikon Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Close-up | Meike Meike 55mm F1.8 Pro Full Frame AF STM Lens High | Viltrox VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount, | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 40mm | 55mm | 25mm | 24mm | 24-70mm | 17-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Sony E Mount |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 380 | 201 | 400 | 269 | 676 | 544 |
| AF Type | SWM | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | - | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
Verdict
Buy this lens if you own a Nikon DX camera and want to explore macro photography without a huge investment. It's the easiest, most cost-effective way to get stunning close-up shots. Just don't expect it to be your everyday walk-around lens.