Longer Focal Length Macros; Get Up Close From Far Away
Stan Trzoniec, August, 2006
My first macro lens was the popular Nikon 60mm Micro-Nikkor. Good move, I thought,
as the 60mm focal length could double as an all-purpose lens for a variety of
assignments. Trouble is, when I started to get into more and more 1:1 (life-size)
work, I only had 21/2” of working space between the front of the lens
and my subject. The 105mm was next, sharp as a tack but again, at 1:1, I was
limited to only 5” of practical working distance. For outside work where
the 1:1 ratio was not that important or the need for lights was not imperative,
that resolved the issue and I kept the lens.
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From left to right we have the Nikon 70-180mm Zoom Micro-Nikkor,
the Canon EOS-1V with the 180mm Canon macro lens, and the Nikon
F5 with the 200mm Micro-Nikkor lens. |
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However, the real revelation came with the Nikon 200mm Micro-Nikkor lens.
Often hailed as being one of the sharpest 35mm lenses in existence, working
distance increased twofold to 91/2”, which gave me plenty of room for
supplementary lighting on either side of the camera, useful for working with
flash outdoors and especially for commercial work in the studio.
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From any angle, the Canon EOS-1V looks good with the 180mm lens
attached and is handy to work with in the field. |
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Another benefit of longer focal length macro lenses is that they offer a narrow
angle of view that helps isolate the subject. Pitted against a 60mm macro lens,
the 200mm offers almost four times the magnification and a longer working distance
when taking a photograph, which helps to simplify the surroundings behind the
subject and get rid of busy backgrounds or unwanted clutter.
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Nikon’s 200mm Micro-Nikkor is the near perfect long macro
lens for outside use. With this particular lens, you will get outstanding
images with an excellent working distance between subject and lens. |
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Macro lenses are specialty glass. For example, Nikon offers its famed ED glass
on their 200mm macro, which helps correct chromatic aberrations and delivers
sharpness, contrast, and clarity even at maximum aperture. It also features
a close-range correction system, where lens groups actually float within the
lens barrel to help ensure the ultimate in sharpness even at very close distances.
For handling in the field, the lens has a rotating tripod collar for not only
a secure and stable mounting platform, but also as a balance point away from
the camera, useful for time exposures on the tripod and the ease of going from
horizontal to vertical without the need for special camera adapters.
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The Nikon F100 is equipped with the Sigma 180mm f/3.5 Macro lens.
As an after-market lens, this product is very sharp and has a price
point most of us can handle. |
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Macro Lens Specs
For true life-size close-ups you’ll want to purchase a lens that will
focus down to a 1:1 range with no additional attachments or add-on lenses. You
will also want the close-up ratios marked on the lens barrel for later reference
or field notes. For example, the Canon 180mm macro lens goes from 1:10 (moderate
close-ups at about 7 ft) to a full 1:1 ratio at 91/2” to the front element.
In between all this the lens is marked from 1:10 in increments of 1:5 (4 ft),
1:3 (33”), 1:2 (30”), 1:1.8 (28”), 1:1.4 (22”), 1:1.2
(20”), and 1:1 (18”). Please keep in mind that these measurements
are not to the front element of the lens but to the film or sensor (9”
working distance plus the length of the lens and depth of the camera body equals
18”) plane of your camera.
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Do not sell your macro lens short when it comes to scenic or landscape
photographs. With its highly corrected lens arrangement, they make
wonderful all-purpose lenses. (Nikon 200mm f/4, Provia 100F film,
an 81A filter, and a polarizer.)
All Photos © 2006, Stan Trzoniec, All Rights Reserved |
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Autofocus is a nice feature to have when not using the lens in a Macro mode,
but for accurate focusing on your subject, especially if it’s out of range
of a focusing sensor, I prefer to use the lens on Manual. Depth of field plays
a big part in all of
your close-up photography. For instance, using the Nikon 200mm Micro-Nikkor
at a 1:1.3 ratio with the lens stopped down to f/16 yields a range of sharpness
from 227/16 to 229/16”!
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This baby robin had just fallen from its nest. Not to frighten it,
the 200mm lens was used to capture the robin’s concern while
it waited for the return of its mother. Right after this photo the
robin was returned to its nest. |
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This is a perfect example of why it’s good to have a tripod
that will collapse right down to the ground. I used the Nikon F5,
200mm f/4 lens, DR-4 right angle attachment, and Velvia ISO 50 film.
Notice the new grass coming through this pile of moss and shallow
depth of field. |
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Long Macro Lens Choices
Most manufacturers offer a long macro choice in their lines. The Canon 180mm
f/3.5 checks in at a hefty 3 lbs with an overall length (without the lens hood)
of 7”. With a minimum aperture of f/32 and a filter size of 72mm, a step-up
ring will accommodate 77mm filters as well.
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Tamron’s 180mm f/3.5 is digitally integrated for newer digital
SLRs. |
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Nikon has a nice pair of Micro-Nikkors with my all-time favorite being the
200mm f/4 lens. Expensive at best, sharp as all get out, sporting an overall
length of 8”, and weighing around 43.0 oz (2.68 lbs), you’ll find
the lens goes down to a true 1:1 ratio with a working distance of 9” as
measured to the front element. A standout feature is the smooth operating tripod
collar complete with a locking knob that is large enough to operate with or
without winter gloves.
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