Macro Lens for Nikon

[wasabi8888]

Hey all

Currently I have the 105mm VR for macro. Usually I shoot mostly butterflies and insects but need something with a longer focal length. I have heard of the 200mm F4 Micro but it is no longer in production. recently, I had to buy the Tamron 180mm. Still I do not think it's long enough. Want to find out what my choices are. I am tempted to buy TC but I understand there is a degrade of image quality. I have both D3 and D80. Moreover, I usually shoot handheld.

1. Buy Kenko Teleconverter 1.4 and use with Tamron 180 and
2. Wait for Nikon to launch a new 200mm F4 hopefull AFS or AFI version as I want to buy the TC 14EII.
3. Go back to D80, use the T180 (abandon idea of buying TC) and make use of the crop factor.

I have some friends who have given me some advice but I do want to here from others as well.

Any advice? Does anyone know whether Nikon is coming out with new Micro lenses?

[Dennis]

If you wait a little while Nikon might intro the 200mm f4 Micro VR II

Originally Posted by wasabi8888 Hey all Currently I have the 105mm VR for macro. Usually I shoot mostly butterflies and insects but need something with a longer focal length. I have heard of the 200mm F4 Micro but it is no longer in production. recently, I had to buy the Tamron 180mm. Still I do not think it's long enough. Want to find out what my choices are. I am tempted to buy TC but I understand there is a degrade of image quality. I have both D3 and D80. Moreover, I usually shoot handheld. 1. Buy Kenko Teleconverter 1.4 and use with Tamron 180 and 2. Wait for Nikon to launch a new 200mm F4 hopefull AFS or AFI version as I want to buy the TC 14EII. 3. Go back to D80, use the T180 (abandon idea of buying TC) and make use of the crop factor. I have some friends who have given me some advice but I do want to here from others as well. Any advice? Does anyone know whether Nikon is coming out with new Micro lenses?

[deadpixel]

Originally Posted by Dennis If you wait a little while Nikon might intro the 200mm f4 Micro VR II

That would be nice

But I would much rather they come up with a super macro lens like the

Canon Macro Photo MP-E 65mm f/2.8

_

[wasabi8888]

Originally Posted by Dennis If you wait a little while Nikon might intro the 200mm f4 Micro VR II

I cant wait for that to help.. just wondering how much will that weigh since the non VR version is already 1.2 kg

[Dennis]

Oh yeh that would be NICE.

Originally Posted by deadpixel That would be nice But I would much rather they come up with a super macro lens like the Canon Macro Photo MP-E 65mm f/2.8 _

[gooseberry]

Actually the current Nikon AF-D 200mm f/4 micro is still being produced - though in very small quantities I guess and so it is really hard to get and takes a while for the shops to order one in - heard a shop here in Sg sold one a few weeks ago and another shop has one on the shelf - still contemplating whether I will get one.

Yeah, a macro like the mp-e would be cool... hehe.

[wasabi8888]

Originally Posted by gooseberry Actually the current Nikon AF-D 200mm f/4 micro is still being produced - though in very small quantities I guess and so it is really hard to get and takes a while for the shops to order one in - heard a shop here in Sg sold one a few weeks ago and another shop has one on the shelf - still contemplating whether I will get one. Yeah, a macro like the mp-e would be cool... hehe.

really? that's not what I heard.. if you are not getting it, let me know... else, I will wait for the new one to arrive

[doodah]

Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR + extension tubes

[TMC]

thought I saw TK having one the last time. You can check with them.

[Nik-enduser]

Try this setup for a longer reach:
AFS 300mm f4 + Canon 500D magnifier

I have used this and got decent macro and using 300mm to boot.

[wasabi8888]

Originally Posted by TMC thought I saw TK having one the last time. You can check with them.

Checked with them, but they dun have.

Anyway I bought the Kenko 1.4 TC today... so far OK..

[Leong23]

#1 for me.

The reason is as follow:
I using D80 and 200mmf4 and 99% of the time i still feel that it is too short, in natural photography, we always have not enough reach.

TC will degrade your IQ, use it only for high magnification beyond 1:1 or isolation of bg, not for longer working distance.
TC is a good buy because most of the subject is still too small to fill the frame even it's 1:1.
I actually have kenko 1.4x, 2x, 3x & Nikon 1.7TCII. Don't forget ET too.

New 200mmf4, to me, at least 1 year later as the PMA had just over. The waiting time might let you miss out lots of nice subject and left you frustrated.
Get the Tamron 180 and start shooting first while wait for the rumour 200mmf4.

300mmf4 + Cannon 500D is a very good combo for butterfly shooting, for those tiny subject, it might have problem.

Agreed that DX have the advantage of 1.5crop factor, but D3 have the advantage high usable ISO to freeze movement.

You need reach, use back your D80 (unless you think D80 is low in quality ), you need speed (in term of AF & ISO), D3 is the choice.

MPE-65, don't understand why nikon or any 3rd party brand don't produce it? If there is, i'll be too first on the quene waiting.

[wasabi8888]

Originally Posted by Leong23 #1 for me. The reason is as follow: I using D80 and 200mmf4 and 99% of the time i still feel that it is too short, in natural photography, we always have not enough reach. TC will degrade your IQ, use it only for high magnification beyond 1:1 or isolation of bg, not for longer working distance. TC is a good buy because most of the subject is still too small to fill the frame even it's 1:1. I actually have kenko 1.4x, 2x, 3x & Nikon 1.7TCII. Don't forget ET too. New 200mmf4, to me, at least 1 year later as the PMA had just over. The waiting time might let you miss out lots of nice subject and left you frustrated. Get the Tamron 180 and start shooting first while wait for the rumour 200mmf4. 300mmf4 + Cannon 500D is a very good combo for butterfly shooting, for those tiny subject, it might have problem. Agreed that DX have the advantage of 1.5crop factor, but D3 have the advantage high usable ISO to freeze movement. You need reach, use back your D80 (unless you think D80 is low in quality ), you need speed (in term of AF & ISO), D3 is the choice. MPE-65, don't understand why nikon or any 3rd party brand don't produce it? If there is, i'll be too first on the quene waiting.

that's a great reply...i just bought the Kenko 1.4 and using it now with the T180...
Trying not to go back to D80, not that it's a bad camera, but i would have wasted my D3. Anyways, I am quite new at this, i just need to practise more on approaching and handholding techniques..

[2.8photography]

Originally Posted by wasabi8888 that's a great reply...i just bought the Kenko 1.4 and using it now with the T180... Trying not to go back to D80, not that it's a bad camera, but i would have wasted my D3. Anyways, I am quite new at this, i just need to practise more on approaching and handholding techniques..

u shld go back to ur d80, at least for now

no pt regreting not using the d3 while u r missing so many opportunities. nikon prob will launch another 200 micro lens, but prob not in the next few months (cos of the new AF-S micro 60)

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by wasabi8888 Hey all Currently I have the 105mm VR for macro. Usually I shoot mostly butterflies and insects but need something with a longer focal length. I have heard of the 200mm F4 Micro but it is no longer in production. recently, I had to buy the Tamron 180mm. Still I do not think it's long enough. Want to find out what my choices are. I am tempted to buy TC but I understand there is a degrade of image quality. I have both D3 and D80. Moreover, I usually shoot handheld. 1. Buy Kenko Teleconverter 1.4 and use with Tamron 180 and 2. Wait for Nikon to launch a new 200mm F4 hopefull AFS or AFI version as I want to buy the TC 14EII. 3. Go back to D80, use the T180 (abandon idea of buying TC) and make use of the crop factor. I have some friends who have given me some advice but I do want to here from others as well. Any advice? Does anyone know whether Nikon is coming out with new Micro lenses?

It really depends on whether you need the reach or the magnification.

Using a TC and extension tube on the 180mm may help. You can try extension between the lens ans TC or between the TC and the body. Both will give you different magnifications.

Another option you can try is a shorter lens like, say, Micro 105 with 3x TC. Like that you can get the reach as well as magnification when needed. However, this will compromise quality.

[woolman]

looks like money is no issue for you then

go for the 200mm with TC 2X and dun forget to add a good tripod with ball head or flash or both...

handheld very hard to get good sharp images...

why spend so much money on heavy equipment but not on a pro tripod with ball head

i read somewhere a quote which goes something like this...

"Shooting without a tripod is making a snapshot. Shooting with a tripod is making a photograph" - certainly food for thought...

[benny]

If you dump your existing 180 for a new 200, there won't be much increment gain in the focal length.

Putting a Canon 500D on the 300 is a very good idea and gives you very respectable results. Something to consider perhaps.

As for the D80, if it gives you enough crop factor on the 180 to get a good picture vs a crap picture from your current setup, why not use the D80? Different horses for different courses.

Cheers,

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by woolman looks like money is no issue for you then go for the 200mm with TC 2X and dun forget to add a good tripod with ball head or flash or both... handheld very hard to get good sharp images... why spend so much money on heavy equipment but not on a pro tripod with ball head i read somewhere a quote which goes something like this... "Shooting without a tripod is making a snapshot. Shooting with a tripod is making a photograph" - certainly food for thought...

What about shooting handheld with VR?

[Boring]

Sorry to jump in your thread.

If I get the TC, what additional advantages I'm getting by using the ET?
Can anyone please kindly share some pics taken, so that we can see the differences.
Sorry for noob questions and thanks in advance guys.

[Leong23]

Originally Posted by woolman looks like money is no issue for you then go for the 200mm with TC 2X and dun forget to add a good tripod with ball head or flash or both... handheld very hard to get good sharp images... why spend so much money on heavy equipment but not on a pro tripod with ball head i read somewhere a quote which goes something like this... "Shooting without a tripod is making a snapshot. Shooting with a tripod is making a photograph" - certainly food for thought...

The TS own a Gitzo Tripod with Markin Ballhead already.
Most of the butterflies shots is by shoot by handheld, due to the nature of the subject. I totally disagreed with the quote above although almost all my macro shots is on tripod.

Originally Posted by benny If you dump your existing 180 for a new 200, there won't be much increment gain in the focal length. Putting a Canon 500D on the 300 is a very good idea and gives you very respectable results. Something to consider perhaps. Cheers,

Agreed that the reach of 180 & 200 is not much, but better than not, the quality of the Nikon 200 is better than the Tamron 180, may not be much, but still better.
300mmf/4 with Canon 500D, most of the butterflies shooter starts off with this combo, but evenually they opt for Tamron 180 or Nikon 200. Not sure why, maybe close-up filter will have problem in edge to edge sharpness. The TS is now wanting to explore more into other insect not restricting to butterflies only, T180 or N200 is a much better choice.