Nikkor Micro lenses
Jun 5, 2019 13:10:16 #
davesit
Loc: Lansing, New York
I have the Nikon 200mm, 105mm, 60mm micros and the Tamron 90mm macro (1:1 true macro).
From what I hear and my own experience:
200mm: gives you farther distance, great to shoot insects who might get spooked if too close; but bad if you don't have the distance to the subject (e.g. an indoor flower show with lots of people)
105mm: terrific all-around macro lens
60mm: I don't use it that much as I often find myself too close to the subject
90mm: even sharper than the 105mm, and a good portrait lens to boot, but heavy
70-180mm: never shot with it, but I heard that product shooters like this lens because of the easy zoom framing
From what I hear and my own experience:
200mm: gives you farther distance, great to shoot insects who might get spooked if too close; but bad if you don't have the distance to the subject (e.g. an indoor flower show with lots of people)
105mm: terrific all-around macro lens
60mm: I don't use it that much as I often find myself too close to the subject
90mm: even sharper than the 105mm, and a good portrait lens to boot, but heavy
70-180mm: never shot with it, but I heard that product shooters like this lens because of the easy zoom framing
Jun 5, 2019 13:49:43 #
I have used the 105 for all of my close up and macro photos and I think it's fine. If shot on a tripod, 20x30s are pretty sharp.
Jun 6, 2019 09:36:48 #
Consider the 105 and a 2x extender. All you lose is a stop. Weight and cost are probably about the same as the 200. And, you can get a larger image. My 105 covers 35mm, with a 2x extender it covers 17mm. Maybe some day I will buy a close up resolution chart and compare sharpness.
As far as I know, all zooms lose focal length when they focus closer.
As far as I know, all zooms lose focal length when they focus closer.
Jun 6, 2019 09:44:37 #
kkayser wrote:
Consider the 105 and a 2x extender. All you lose is a stop. Weight and cost are probably about the same as the 200
No, and no!
Jun 6, 2019 09:51:39 #
MT Shooter wrote:
No, and no!
Why and Why? If you have tested the combination, PLEASE give is the results.
Jun 6, 2019 10:03:42 #
kkayser wrote:
Why and Why? If you have tested the combination, PLEASE give is the results.
Because everyone l knows a 2X TC costs TWO stops of light and the 200mm micro can be bought for the cost of the 2x TC alone. Thats why.
Jun 6, 2019 10:19:36 #
19104 since you are a "Police Photographer" interested in old caddilacs, fountain pens and cigars I would suggest you consider the AF 60mm f/2.8D owing to it's superb acuity and flat field and the fact it can be hand held... the 200mm micro is a workhorse of commercial photographers and requires a tripod and focusing rail for high end work... I have the 60mm, 105mm and 200mm (all "D" versions) they are pro-quality glass provided you have the technical skills to deploy them effectively...
Best advice? purchase a quality set of extension tubes for use on what optics you already have... you'll know when you actually need to move up to a more expensive scenario...
In the end it's not the glass it's knowing the most appropriate way to deal with a client's request... the only clients I have that demand the high level of acuity afforded by micro Nikkors are fashion designers who need to have all the fine details of their textile creations rendered accurately... albeit I use the 200mm for beauty narratives for makeup artist's books also...
Hope this helps or is at least food for thought...
I wish you well on your journey 19104
Best advice? purchase a quality set of extension tubes for use on what optics you already have... you'll know when you actually need to move up to a more expensive scenario...
In the end it's not the glass it's knowing the most appropriate way to deal with a client's request... the only clients I have that demand the high level of acuity afforded by micro Nikkors are fashion designers who need to have all the fine details of their textile creations rendered accurately... albeit I use the 200mm for beauty narratives for makeup artist's books also...
Hope this helps or is at least food for thought...
I wish you well on your journey 19104
Jun 6, 2019 10:21:38 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Because everyone l knows a 2X TC costs TWO stops of light and the 200mm micro can be bought for the cost of the 2x TC alone. Thats why.
105 f/2.8 goes to 210 f/5.6. One stop slower than 200 f/4.0.
Jun 6, 2019 11:23:08 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Because everyone l knows a 2X TC costs TWO stops of light and the 200mm micro can be bought for the cost of the 2x TC alone. Thats why.
On eBay a 200 f/ 4.0 micro AF can be bought right now for about $1150. A tc20 eII can be bought for under $200, and a 105 f/2.8 micro AF can be bought for around $200.00. A 105 2.8 VR will cost about $650 on eBay. I believe the 200 f4.0 is not made with VR.
Where in the world do you shop for your equipment? I would love to get a 200 f4 AF micro for under $400.
Jun 6, 2019 11:47:53 #
A TC on a macro sort of defeats the purpose of a macro...loss in IQ and loss of aperture and DoF. Yes, the TC is a inexpensive way to get reach, but today this can often be done easily in post processing cropping. While the reach of a 200mm macro is often very distinct advantageous in stayed further away, but it's a compromise in the weight when chasing butterflies around after an hour. I love using a 100 or 105mm macro on a FF or crop sensor.
Jun 8, 2019 12:20:51 #
Jun 8, 2019 12:34:49 #
19104
Loc: Philadelphia
[quote=Manglesphoto]I have had the 200mm f4 since 2008, the only other I considered was the Nikkor 105mm macro/micro.
I chose the 200mm because it had more reach.
I have never heard of a Nikkor 70-180 micro, just checked NikonUSA web site nothing like that listed
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/about-nikon/search.page?q=70-180%20micro¤tPage=1&facet=Overview
They do not list lenses no longer made. Just do a google search.
I chose the 200mm because it had more reach.
I have never heard of a Nikkor 70-180 micro, just checked NikonUSA web site nothing like that listed
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/about-nikon/search.page?q=70-180%20micro¤tPage=1&facet=Overview
They do not list lenses no longer made. Just do a google search.
Jun 8, 2019 12:36:56 #
Jun 8, 2019 12:45:48 #
Jun 8, 2019 12:48:55 #
19104
Loc: Philadelphia
I already own the 60 and 105 micros. Also the 120 and 200 medical Nikkor. And the bellows and a number of bellows lenses.
While your advice was intended to be kind it did not address my question.
While your advice was intended to be kind it did not address my question.
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