Orange Lilies with the 70-180mm Micro Nikkor lens

[CrystallP]

Orange lilies from the resident garden, overcast day with intermittent sunshine. 62mm circular polarizing filter on order.

70-180mm f/4.5-5.6 AF ED Micro Nikkor lens

1/640s f/8 at 135mm

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1/800s f/8 at 180mm
View attachment 10656

1/800s f/8 at 180mm
View attachment 10657

1/800s f/8 at 140mm
View attachment 10658

Comments are appreciated.

 

[cincyMAT]

CrystallP,

Very nice exposures. Organge is a hard color to hold the detail you did a good job with these.

I've been thinking about the 70-180 lens, what do you think of yours?

 

[CrystallP]

reply to Mark

CrystallP,

Very nice exposures. Organge is a hard color to hold the detail you did a good job with these.

I've been thinking about the 70-180 lens, what do you think of yours?

Mark,

I really like this lens. I had difficulty finding a copy since it is out of production. The members of the Cafe were very helpful in pointing me to KEH, found at http://www.keh.com. I purchased a used lens in 9+ condition. Dave, (dkapp) mentioned that they often underrate their lenses, and he was correct, the lens was in immaculate condition.

I have a set of close-up filters (5T and 6T). I tried to use them with the lens yesterday to document a hornet's nest found on my deck...unfortunately that was a littel too close. :shock: I used the 70-200VR + 500D close up filter instead.

I have a few more images taken with the 70-180mm under the Columbine heading in this forum.

 

[cincyMAT]

I noticed that B&H list an imported version of the 70-180 for just over $1000.00. I'll take a look at KEH.com, thanks for the information.

Approx. how close did the 5T and 6T get you to that hornet's nest? I use them on my 70-200 with a reducing ring. It's a good combination and a little easier on the pocketbook than the 500D.

 

[CrystallP]

Hornets, 70-180 micro and 6T, too close

Approx. how close did the 5T and 6T get you to that hornet's nest? I use them on my 70-200 with a reducing ring. It's a good combination and a little easier on the pocketbook than the 500D.

Let's just say that it was tooooo close. I thought that I had thoroughly saturated the nest and the occupants were all dead. Well, hornets really are scavengers, because I tried to sweep it off the porch and 20 hornets flew out of it!

 

[misupix]

Wow that looks great! You even captured a bee in flight on the 3.

How does this lens compare to the 70-200+500D combo?

It might be lighter :wink:

Damn, LLD strikes again!

 

[CrystallP]

Wow that looks great! You even captured a bee in flight on the 3.

How does this lens compare to the 70-200+500D combo?

It might be lighter :wink:

Damn, LLD strikes again!

Yep LLD strikes again without warning. :twisted:

The 70-180 is significantly lighter than the 70-200+500D combination. I hefted that combo around yesterday trying to capture my hornet's nest images. I originally wanted a 200mm micro (LLD again) but so far I am satisfied with this lens. I used a compact Manfrotto 680 monopod with a 3D magnesium head for these images.

 

[Gilles]

#3 and 4 i like, that blue bee going for the flower in #3.

 

[CrystallP]

I like the little bee too. I didn't notice it until the images were downloaded.

 

[Nikam]

Crystall,

Love the contrasting colors! I too like #3 and # 4 the best. The bee in #3 is a bonus! I always like it when you find something interesting like that which you did't notice when you took the shot. . That 70-180 does a nice job. I have also put the 200 micro on my wish list - but not this year - spent too much already. I'll probably have to settle for a 500D (unless I get overpowered by a severe case of LLD) .

 

[CrystallP]

Reply to Nikam

Hi,

Thank you for the feedback. I really like the last two images too. I took them at a weird angle and my friendly little bee popped in for a quick second.

I tried to purchase the 70-180 at a few websites, (even eBay) for less than $900.00. No luck. I finally purchased mine at KEH for about $910.00. This lens holds its value, even though it is discontinued. If you can get one for less, you are getting a bargain.

The 200mm micro is on my wish list along with the 28-70. :lol:

I purchased the 500D locally. It works well with the 70-200, but it is a bit cumbersome. It makes a nice macro substitute because the bokeh is excellent. You can see examples of this combination at http://pbase.com/cympearson/yellowjackets.

 

[greyflash]

Nice images Crystall. It's interesting that Michael mentioned the little bee flying in from the right side on #3. I had not noticed that until I read his post and sure enough, there it is. Good eye Michael.

 

[CrystallP]

Thank you for your kind feedback Gordon. Hopefully I will get a chance to photograph a few more lilies before the end of the season.