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Nikokn 105mm vs 200mm micro lenses
Mar 22, 2012 14:04:47   #
aammatj Loc: Zebulon, NC / Roscoe, Ill
 
I'm torn between Nikon's 105mm and 200mm micro lenses. I like the ability to be farther away with the 200mm but wonder about DOF issues. Is it worth twice the price of the 105mm?

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Mar 22, 2012 17:14:30   #
Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA
 
To capture 1:1 (life-size) with my Nikkor 105-mm macro lens, my WD is approximately 6-inches.

A 150-mm macro lens requires approx. 9-inches WD, and
a 200-mm macro lens requires approx. 12-inches WD.

I normally shoot macro between 9-inches to 12-inches WD for better DOF, then crop final image to desired magnification.

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Mar 22, 2012 17:33:53   #
aammatj Loc: Zebulon, NC / Roscoe, Ill
 
Nikonian72 wrote:
To capture 1:1 (life-size) with my Nikkor 105-mm macro lens, my WD is approximately 6-inches.

A 150-mm macro lens requires approx. 9-inches WD, and
a 200-mm macro lens requires approx. 12-inches WD.

I normally shoot macro between 9-inches to 12-inches WD for better DOF, then crop final image to desired magnification.
Sounds like the extra cost doesn't buy much - at least in terms of WD. Thanks for the prompt response.

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Mar 23, 2012 10:18:56   #
docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado
 
aammatj wrote:
I'm torn between Nikon's 105mm and 200mm micro lenses. I like the ability to be farther away with the 200mm but wonder about DOF issues. Is it worth twice the price of the 105mm?
yep the 200 is worth it - and WD is not or should not be the only criteria you have and if it is then get yourself a 300mm lens and slap an extension tube on it.....softer but more WD

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Mar 23, 2012 10:46:16   #
aammatj Loc: Zebulon, NC / Roscoe, Ill
 
docrob wrote:
aammatj wrote:
I'm torn between Nikon's 105mm and 200mm micro lenses. I like the ability to be farther away with the 200mm but wonder about DOF issues. Is it worth twice the price of the 105mm?
yep the 200 is worth it - and WD is not or should not be the only criteria you have and if it is then get yourself a 300mm lens and slap an extension tube on it.....softer but more WD
Please help me understand what makes it worth the extra $

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Mar 25, 2012 21:03:47   #
Viceroy
 
aammatj wrote:
docrob wrote:
aammatj wrote:
I'm torn between Nikon's 105mm and 200mm micro lenses. I like the ability to be farther away with the 200mm but wonder about DOF issues. Is it worth twice the price of the 105mm?
yep the 200 is worth it - and WD is not or should not be the only criteria you have and if it is then get yourself a 300mm lens and slap an extension tube on it.....softer but more WD
Please help me understand what makes it worth the extra $
I have used both of these lenses. The Nikkor 200-mm is f/4, and the Nikkor 105-mm is f/2.8. The 200-mm is quite heavy, and not the best lens for chasing insects and shooting handheld. The 105-mm is more suited to this, IMO, and is what I use most of the time. As far as cost, the longer focal length will be the biggest factor in added cost. Not sure if that makes it worth the additional $700-$900.

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Mar 26, 2012 10:29:28   #
aammatj Loc: Zebulon, NC / Roscoe, Ill
 
Viceroy wrote:
aammatj wrote:
docrob wrote:
aammatj wrote:
I'm torn between Nikon's 105mm and 200mm micro lenses. I like the ability to be farther away with the 200mm but wonder about DOF issues. Is it worth twice the price of the 105mm?
yep the 200 is worth it - and WD is not or should not be the only criteria you have and if it is then get yourself a 300mm lens and slap an extension tube on it.....softer but more WD
Please help me understand what makes it worth the extra $
I have used both of these lenses. The Nikkor 200-mm is f/4, and the Nikkor 105-mm is f/2.8. The 200-mm is quite heavy, and not the best lens for chasing insects and shooting handheld. The 105-mm is more suited to this, IMO, and is what I use most of the time. As far as cost, the longer focal length will be the biggest factor in added cost. Not sure if that makes it worth the additional $700-$900.
quote=aammatj quote=docrob quote=aammatj I'm to... (show quote)
I appreciate the opinion of a person who owns both. Thanks for responding.

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Mar 31, 2012 07:53:54   #
RICHARD46 Loc: New Jersey
 
What do you think off the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro? I was leaning towards that.

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Mar 31, 2012 12:20:21   #
Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA
 
Easyrider wrote:
What do you think off the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro? I was leaning towards that.
I have no personal experience with Sigma lenses. Your best bet is to GOOGLE or Ask.com your question.

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Mar 31, 2012 12:53:46   #
ngc1514 Loc: Atlanta, Ga., Lancaster, Oh. and Stuart, Fl.
 
docrob wrote:
yep the 200 is worth it - and WD is not or should not be the only criteria you have and if it is then get yourself a 300mm lens and slap an extension tube on it.....softer but more WD

While it doesn't get me to 1:1, I find the 300mm f/4 with tubes to be an interesting approach to shooting close-ups. Here is the full frame and a section of that frame at 100%. Skinny DOF, but sharpness doesn't seem to play into it. I was using all 3 Kenko tubes for a total of 68mm extension. The african violet flower was about 28mm in diameter. Working distance about 27 inches or about 650mm. Lighting provided by the pop-up flash on the D300.

It's a great combination for large insects like dragons and small flowers.


Full frame:
http://ericpix.net/Online/Hog/F/stem_full.jpg

100% crop:
http://ericpix.net/Online/Hog/F/stem_crop.jpg

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