Full Frame AF Macro Zoom for Nikon - Do These Exist? I am looking for a lens for my wife that does not seem to exist in any manufacturer’s line-up these days, but I would love to learn...

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

I am looking for a lens for my wife that does not seem to exist in any manufacturer’s line-up these days, but I would love to learn of any out there. Recommendations for older models would also be appreciated. My wife would like a lens for flower photography, but hates prime lenses. She is using a Z-mount body, but using an FTZ is acceptable. So, what we are looking for also needs to have a built-in AF motor. And we need full frame macro. Any suggestions or words of wisdom from this brain trust will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I don't know of any true macro zoom lenses other than super macro lenses that only work at hi mag and are fully manual.
But if you have a regular shorter focal length zoom lens, it will be able to convert to a close-up lens, near 1:1 macro, if you attach a good diopter onto it. Now the super cheap diopter lenses are not worth it, but a good line of such lenses are the Raynox 150 and Raynox 250. The 250 will get you much closer to 1:1, but it may be too close at times. Between just the lens itself, a 150, and a 250, she might be covered. Here is the Raynox 250: https://www.amazon.com/Raynox-DCR-250-Super-Macro-Snap/dp/B000A1SZ2Y/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2F3885BTQFVH6&keywords=raynox+250&qid=1679310850&sprefix=Raynox+250%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&psc=1&smid=AFAGM2K2OIRAD&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzUFpZVzZON0RNRVMzJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjk4NjgxM1NYQjNIQUIzNEFHRyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTkwNTYwQldOV0hFMzJNTTRLJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== The way this works is it has a spring-loaded clamp that grips the lens filter threads. You should note the range of diameters of filter thread sizes this one can go onto. You can adapt it to other sizes. I think its best to remove the lens filter, if you have one.
And here is what a 250 can do. The 150 would be lower mag. I would say a lot of these were done with zoom lenses and regular prime lenses: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/Raynox%20250/

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

Mark Sturtevant wrote:

I don't know of any true macro zoom lenses other t... (show quote)

Thank, Mark. Will check these out.

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Clark you may want to research extension tubes I used them successfully back in the 1970's for flowers. I found info on the web

agillot

I get good result in using a 20mm extension tube [ out of the set of 3 , MIKE ] and a old nikon 70 / 210 [ film era ]. I also got a modern tamron 90mm macro , but do not enjoy using it .

ssymeono Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

Actually, there is a unique lens: AF MICRO NIKKOR 70-180mm 1:4.5-5.6 D
Made in Japan. A favorite for photographing orchids.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

If you can't find one (like the AF Micro Nikkor mentioned) reasonable the extension tubes suggestion is spot on, I've even used them as a booster for bird photography, within the limitations of of the zoom's focal length range. No "degradation" and full AF, just closer..... (edit) I meant to say AF Auto Extension tubes, which is what I use, way better than the simple metal extension tubes, although a bit more money.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

ClarkJohnson wrote:

Thank, Mark. Will check these out.

I have a set of Nikon diopters I believe they are 55mm in size if you want them. Basically like new in the boxes. A set of 3. Pm me if you are interested.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

The 70-180 nikon zoom micro comes close to meeting your needs. HOWEVER, it is one of the earlier screw drive autofocus lenses. When used on a Z mount via adapter it loses the autofocus. I know of no zoom lense that natively will meet all her criteria. As suggested above an extension tube on an af-s zoom might get you there but would involve 2 mechanical joints inserted, which is never desirable. At some point z tubes should start appearing.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Rockwell on the 70-180 - https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70180.htm

Good 70-200 f4 zooms do well with a +1 diopter on the front and a small extension tube on the rear.......the diopter on the front keeps you from loosing too much light from the tube on the rear.

The Canon 500D (+2diopter lens) on the front also works well .....
.

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

Be careful if seeking diopters for the hood end. Most of the truly good ones are no longer produced. There’s cheap junk on the market now. That was my experience when hunting down what I needed a couple years ago.

Personal opinion, fwiw, but auto focus for macro work seems an oxymoron. DOF is so limited that feature may not produce the desired outcome.

Learning to use true macros of which I use three Nikons is not that difficult but patience and attention to detail are required along with a proper tripod and head.

Good luck, hope she finds something she likes.

SunBeach1962 Loc: Syrscuse, NY

ClarkJohnson wrote:

I am looking for a lens for my wife that does not ... (show quote)

tamron sp 90mm f/2.8 di macro 1:1 specs VC USD
I have this lens and have used it with both my Nikon D500 and D780, with great results.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

ClarkJohnson wrote:

I am looking for a lens for my wife that does not ... (show quote)

The 28-300 Nikon AF will close focus (12") from all focal lengths. Shooting flowers etc. at 300 mm from 12 inches will give a macro view. If used on a crop sensor body, you will be shooting up to 450 mm at 12". Unless she is after something really small like aphids, this lens should work. The other thing is with a conventional lens she will not get edge to edge sharpness which is what the real value is of owning a macro lens. With the zoom though, she could shoot a little wider and crop the edges.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Clark. Turns out z tubes are avaiable. BH lists 6 options. You could slap one of these on a z mount zoom she already has.

pendennis

Orphoto wrote:

The 70-180 nikon zoom micro comes close to meeting your needs. HOWEVER, it is one of the earlier screw drive autofocus lenses. When used on a Z mount via adapter it loses the autofocus. I know of no zoom lense that natively will meet all her criteria. As suggested above an extension tube on an af-s zoom might get you there but would involve 2 mechanical joints inserted, which is never desirable. At some point z tubes should start appearing.

I'm using the 70-180 with my D810, D850, and my Z7's. Even though I have to manually focus on the Z7's, I get great results. A lot of the time I'm on a tripod, so the focus is very easy to nail. I don't think the 70-180 will win any Lightweight Lens of The Year awards, but it works well for me. I also have a the 105 f/2.8 in Z and AF-S mounts, and they all seem to complement each other.

PS - Bought a BGN grade from KEH last year. The only mark was a slight scuff on the lens hood.