After osciallating with many nikkors (9), I have settled down to these 4. - Tokina 12-24 - Nikkor 70-200 VR - Nikkor 18-70 DX - Micro nikkor 105mm AF D This kit worked very very well for my recent trip to Alaska as well. Only issue, I left the 105mm behind to save weight and used the 70-200 VR instead for some flower photos and did not do any macro photos at all. Now I am thinking of selling the 105mm as well and getting a Canon 500D closeup filter on the 70-200 VR. I love the working distance given by the 200mm and VR helps (even though I try to use a tripod all the time). Is this dumb? What am I missing?
https://www.nikoncafe.com//forums/viewtopic.php?t=7433 You should see what some people thought about the combo.
Re: Reverse LLD: Thinking of 70-200 VR + 500D over 105mm mic I was all set to buy the sigma 150 macro last month and I had the same thought to get the 500D instead - with the TC 14 II E, 1:1 is possible + VR. I think it is an adequate work around for me at least, but I have never had a dedicated macro lens, so maybe my acceptable standards for sharpness are less. Handholding without tripod at 280mm, despite VR, with acceptable DOF promises to be challenging with such a stacked setup, though.
I just got the 500D and used it at the weekend on my 70-200VR. Nice combo, sharp images, but a pretty narrow range of working distances. I will continue to have it available, but if macro is the plan for the day's shoot, I will definitely not use it in place of my 105 mm Micro-Nikkor.
Thanks all. This has been a very useful post. Chong - the post from Flew pretty much nailed it. But I am going to look at 200 MF lenses.
What's the intent of this combination? I ask only because 70-200VR + close-up lens seems inconsistent with what I was told by folks about shooting Macro. My understanding was that: a) you really need to use a tripod if you're serious about macro, and b) when using a tripod, disable VR. Given that, why would I spend so much on a 70-200 VR to shoot macro, when I can get a much cheaper 80-200, or a much much cheaper 105mm micro? Or do folks mostly just use this as a convenient travelling combo, extending the use of the 70-200 anyway?
Last reason. I already own a 70-200 which is my swiss-army knife lens, I would love to use it for as many purposes I can. fwiw, John Shaw seems to use this combo whenever he has to avoid taking more weight.
I sold my 105 Mirco AF (nice lens), and now own a 70-180 Micro but I often use my 80-400 VR with 500D for macro on a monopod. Use the zoom for size/enlargement and move the lens for focusing. 500D is a bit expensive but worth every penny.
For macro, many times I use my 180 f2.8 EDIF mounted on 2 old 52mm M extension tubes. A tripod is a must and the combo is totally manual, but it really makes you think about photography. Working distance is good as well.
