cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

What is so special about this lens? KEH has one in excellent condition for $829.00 while they also have a 70-200 F2.8 (also in excellent condition) for $899.00. I would think a 2.8 lens would be worth considerably more than an F4.5-5.6 lens with less zoom range, or am I missing something here?

therwol Loc: USA

The 70-180 F/4.5-5.6 D is a macro (Micro per Nikon) lens. It allows you to use the zoom function to frame a close shot without moving the camera. It can function well enough at normal distances, but that isn't its purpose. It has retained considerable value over the years and is generally hard to find in the US because people hold onto it. When Ken Rockwell did this review in 2013, he was using it for his product shots. I don't know what he's using now. Keep in mind that this is a "D" lens and requires a motor in the body of the camera to autofocus, though you would likely use manual focus in the macro range.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70180.htm

PS. Nikon's Micro lenses that use the motor in the camera body will not work with the in-camera focus stacking feature of any of its cameras, including DSLRs that do have the motor, such as the D850.

pendennis

This is the Nikkor Micro that only sold around 20k copies while in production. However, it's one of those lenses that has attained status far above its advertised capabilities. It's a fairly lightweight zoom-macro, that has superb resolution, and does macro and close-up work with ease. It's also a very nice "walk-around" lens for everyday use.

I first read about the lens in Moose Peterson's "Nikon System Handbook". At the time, I really didn't shoot much macro, but had a Nikkor 24-80 f/2.8-4 that seemed to work fine for my limited purposes. I took Peterson's review to heart, along with that of Ken Rockwell. While both seemed to gush a bit, they gave it stellar remarks, and Rockwell's examples, although over saturated by a mile, bore out the sharpness of the lens. Earlier this year, I found a copy at KEH, and bought it for use with my D810 and D850 models. I don't use it on my Z cameras much since the A-F requires a body motor (D type). It's all metal, and even though the A-F is a bit slow, it works fine for my needs. I'm just now starting to use a 6T enlarging filter, and results using the D850 are very pleasing. It doesn't have any VR, so close ups @ 1:1 require high shutter speeds or a tripod.

I believe the lens just didn't take off, because Nikon already had pro lenses in the 80-200 and then 70-200 f/2.8 range. I would have thought that those lenses would spell doom for any used market value, but evidently it was well-liked enough to give it cult status. I usually use the lens in the 70-105mm range and shoot at @ f/11-ish. I've compared it to my 105 f/2.8 Micro and at f/11 both are very difficult to distinguish.

I also have a Nikkor 70-200G f/2.8 VR II, but I consider it a lens in a different class from the 70-180. I paid $680 for mine from KEH, last October, and the only thing extra I bought was the 6T filter (62mm). The lens was "BGN", and the only flaw I've been able to find is a small scuff on the lens hood, and it rubbed out with a bit of alcohol.

Here's a review of the lens on MIR.COM - http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/AFNikkor/AFDMicroZoom70180mmED/index.htm

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

Thanks for the info, do you know if it is a true 1:1 macro, or just close focusing like a lot of "zoom macro" lenses

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

Thanks for the reply.

therwol Loc: USA

You need the 6T close up lens for 1:1. (Already mentioned in another post.) When I considered buying a copy of this lens, I didn't find it too hard to find one of those online. (Not sure about now.) This lens will probably give much better performance up close than zoom lenses that happen to focus close. It was designed for that.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

Thanks again

therwol Loc: USA

Last thing. If this is a lens you think you can use, don't spend a lot of time thinking about it. As mentioned, it has cult status, and you rarely see it advertised. I believe that it will sell rather quickly. By the way, I've seen it on eBay coming out of Japan, so that may also be an option if this one gets away.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

I've had a Tokina 100mm macro for a couple years now, and just bought a nikkor 200mm f4 macro, so... not sure if I would find enough use for it to justify the expense, although I AM tempted.

User ID

Theres nothing "true macro" about built-in focusing to 1:1. Some non macro lenses can do that and OTOH some of the very best macro lenses cannot close focus at all without accessories.

Any lens is or is not a "true macro" by its optical formula, not by the range of its built-in focusing mechanism.

I have a 15mm FF ultrawide that focuses down to 1:1 without accessories. At 1:1 you can image the dust particles on the front glass.

Fun with dumbass ultrawide 1:1 macro:

Point camera straight up and sprinkle misc dumbass little things on the front glass.


Artfully arrange dumbass little things on front glass.

(Download)

Focus lens to 1:1 to image artfully arranged dumbass little things on front glass. Use of shutter button is optional.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"Nikon 70-180mm F/4.5-5.6 D ED... What is so special about this lens? ...am I missing something here?"

Yes, obviously you don't shoot much product commercially to pay the bills, otherwise you wouldn't be broaching your query. i.e. time is money... especially for those who shoot high end product... enough said.

And thank you cmc4214 for your thoughts about the southern range of (endangered) Trillium...
I deeply appreciate your taking the time for this reply on same in a recent thread...
"They seem fairly common around here (SW Pa.)" rural area." That's wonderful to know

User ID

Dont you worry too much about Thomass typically weird remarks. Once you get yourself a 1:1 focusing ultrawide lens you will be shooting all the high end product work you can handle !

The lens is pretty cheap and you can get all the studio stuff you need at Lowes, Home Despot, and Walmart. Enjoy the trillium ... but beware of any dueterium as thaz a serious health hazzard.

therwol Loc: USA

Like any zoom lens, this lens allows you to recompose without moving your camera and refocusing. The difference with this lens is that it's optimized for the macro range. Apparently some Nikon users are crazy about this feature in a macro lens. It is difficult to find on the used market because people hold onto it, and it has retained its value for a long time.

Although it has a reputation for being a sharp lens, I think it would make a borderline choice for taking portraits when you want to throw the background out of focus. The maximum aperture is too small.

therwol Loc: USA

I'm not worried about Thomas' remarks. I'm not worried about deuterium either. I suppose some maniac in Moscow might send some flying our way, but I'm not going to worry about that either.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

He was replying to a post I made in another thread about the trillium flower