Longer Focal Length Macros; Get Up Close From Far Away Page 2

For my studio work, the nod goes to the Nikon 70-180mm Micro-Nikkor ED lens. Measuring just over 6" in length, this lens will sometimes replace my trusted 70-200mm AF-S lens when I go on extended hiking trips. In the field, its uncanny ability to allow the photographer to stay in one place while employing a host of focal lengths from 70-180mm is a very practical feature, especially on rough terrain.

(Top) Cross lighting brings out the details in this web and the Nikon 70-180mm lens was there to capture it. With the help of Provia 100F film, it was a done deal!
(Above) Walking along the lakefront, I came upon this still life. The Nikon 200mm f/4 lens and Provia 100F film turned out to be the right combination.

Sigma offers a 150mm macro. For starters, this lens includes a whopping f/2.8 maximum aperture and 1:1 ratio without adapters. Their other long macro is the 180mm f/3.5 lens, which uses 72mm filters, has a rotating tripod mount, and is available for Sigma, Canon, and Nikon mounts with Sigma's Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), and Minolta and Pentax mounts without this special silent motor drive. It has a Floating Inner Focus System that moves a pair of lens groups without changing the physical overall length of the lens itself.

Tamron has a 180mm f/3.5 macro lens that employs an internal focusing system, uses low dispersion glass, and is designated as a Digitally Integrated Design (Di), which is an optical system designed for the newer digital SLRs.

If you have a hobby in model railroading as I do, the macro lens comes in handy for real-life dioramas. Here this woman is waiting for her train while on the other side of the platform another one is ready to depart. Taken with the Sigma 180mm lens, and the Nikon D1X camera, it gave some additional working distance afforded by the 1.5x factor on the digital camera.

This menacing bee sure looks like it has me zeroed in as its next target. Taken with the Nikon Zoom macro at 180mm, extra lighting was with the courtesy of the Nikon SB-29 Macro Speedlight.

Popular Macro Lenses At A Glance
Name
Elements/Group
Picture Angle (Degree)
Minimum f/stop
Filter Size
Street Price
Canon 180mm f/3.5
14/12
13º-40'
f/32
72mm
$1220
Nikon 105mm f/2.8
9/8
23º-20'
f/32
52mm
$540
Nikon 200mm f/4
13/8
12º-20'
f/32
62mm
$1350
Nikon 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6
18/14
rom 32º-20' to 13º-40'
f/32
62mm
$1020*
Sigma 150mm f/2.8
16/12
16º-4'
f/22
72mm
$599
Sigma 180mm f/3.5
13/10
13º-7'
f/32
72mm
$659
Tamron 180mm f/3.5
14/11
14º-0'
f/32
72mm
$699
* Recently discontinued and subject to stock on hand at any retail outlet.

Magnification Ratio And Subject Size
Magnification
Ratio
Subject In Inches
Subject In Millimeters
0.25
1:4
3-3/4x5-5/8"
96x144
0.5
1:2
1-7/8x2-13/16"
48x71
1x
1:1
15/16x1-7/16"
24x36
2x
2:1
7/16x11/16"
12x18
4x
4:1
1/4x3/8"
6x9
5x
5:1
3/16x9/32"
4.8x7.2
6x
6:1
5/32x1/4"
4x6
7x
7:1
1/8x7/32"
3.4x5

Stan Trzoniec is a frequent "Shutterbug" contributor and a widely published writer/photographer. His new photography book, "Images of the Present," is now available directly. He can be reached via e-mail at: fotoclass@aol.com.

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