Macro

[buddy 7]

Hello,

 

I am seeking information from somebody who has experience with the Nikon 70-180 mm zoom micro lens for UW macro shooting. I am thinking to buy the special Subal port FP-FC70180.

Thanks for any reply on the subject.

[yahsemtough 0]

Craig and James both shoot it and sleep with it. Contact them if they don't contact you first.

[james 0]

What would you like to know?

 

Cheers

James

[craig 0]

The disadvantages are:

 

1) hard to find and somewhat expensive

2) have to remove the tripod mount

3) big and heavy

4) only 1:4/3 rather than 1:1 (not a problem with digital)

 

The upside is that you have a lens that can do everything nearly as well as a 60, 105, and 200 all in one plus the optical quality is superb. It is somewhat slower that the prime macros so you'll need a focusing light sooner but that's rarely an issue. AF with the slower lens can also be less effective than with, say, a 105.

 

Basically, I only use the 70-180 unless I know I'm shooting something really small. Then I switch to the 105 + teleconverter or the 200mm.

 

I use the Nexus housing and typically use the lens with the +1.5 Nikon diopter. The apparent power of the lens is effected quite a bit by the diopter you use--much more so that a prime macro lens.

 

Make sure you understand the manual focus options with the Subal port before committing.

[Craig Ruaux 0]

Somewhat offtopic, I saw the other day on dpreview (which is 404'd at the time of writing this), some off-the-wall predictions by Thom Hogan as to what would be announced at PMA. One of his predictions is a new 70-180 Micro ED AFS f4-5.6. It'll be interesting to see if this transpires...

[scorpio_fish 5]

Off the wall is right! I was surprised by this one. I think he picked that one because he wants one. He loves that lens and is the only macro he generally carries.

[craig 0]

Another reason to like Thom.

[Craig Ruaux 0]

He loves that lens....

I'm very fond of it too, it took the second most viewed image in my galleries:

 

 

I borrow it on occasion from my pet photo-pro and film processor.

[craig 0]

Very nice, DrCraig. The beauty of the 70-180 underwater is that it lets you adjust composition without moving. Often times you will have limited flexibility in where you set up for a shot, so with a prime lens you have to live with it. I always say that the 70-180 is 90% as wide as a 60, 90% as powerful as the 105, and has 90% of the reach of the 200. Don't take that literally, please! It is a great thing to be able to set up on a critter, then adjust the composition with the zoom, then adjust critical focus. When you combine the lens with a modest diopter plus a wetmount diopter, it offers incredible power and range for a APS-sensor camera. It is a little long for reef fish shots, though.

[tshepherd 0]

Stop it, you're making me want a Nikon! :angryfire:

 

Seriously though, I wish Canon had an equivalent. I picked up a 100mm macro, which is sweet, but I can already see that I'm going to wish I had a zoom in certain situations.

[davephdv 0]

For some reason I had the idea the 70 - 180 only goes to 1/2 macro. True??

I read Thom's predictions as well. I would give that lens a look.

 

What I really want is a DX 16 - 60 with 1:1 macro at the long end and focusing to 8" at the wide end. It might never come out of my housing.

 

Oh, and no macro button that you cannot reach while UW.

[buddy 7]

Thanks to everybody! I think I'll try to get that lens and also that special Subal port which obviously lets you change underwater from manual to autofocus. Does anybody have experience with this port? Is it woth the cost (around 1'000 Euro) ?

[craig 0]

For some reason I had the idea the 70 - 180 only goes to 1/2 macro. True??

It does 1:1.333. When you add a +3 diopter it will do about 1:1. These are full frame numbers as well and are at the 180mm end.

 

A lens with 60 at the long end is a little difficult to get 1:1 out of.

[scorpio_fish 5]

I keep forgetting to ask. How did you like shooting the 70-180mm from a handling standpoint?

 

I've shot the 200mm. The port extension is nice and long and heavy. Then I shoved my two Ikelite SS200's to the end of the port.

 

1) My arms got tired

 

2) I did several forward rolls until I adjusted my tank and weights.

 

It wasn't all that fun an experience. I liked it best when I could lay in the sand and shoot.

[craig 0]

The Nexus setup houses the 70-180 and the 200 in the identical port buildup. The handling is very similar as well. With the Nexus N90 housings it can be a real bear to handle since the N90 is quite negative, but the D100 is much better balanced. I built a foam donut that slips over the modular port assembly and provides some welcome bouyancy for the lens and enables me to shot the rig one-handed when necessary. With two hands it's very easy except shooting down. Overall my rig is about 1.5 pounds negative ready to dive. I am not currently using bouyancy arms although I have in the past.

[james 0]

Hi George,

 

I use the 70-180 with my Aquatica S2 housing. The port extension traps a bit more air than the Nexus, so that helps offset the weight. I haven't used it with my SS200's yet, I have used it with DS125's and SS50's.

 

Here's how I hold it for manual focus. Notice that it takes two hands - so nothing left to brace yourself or steady the housing:

 

 

I've shot this lens in both manual focus and auto. The auto doesn't work that badly (about the same as a consumer camera) especially if you have a mod light or it's a reasonable bright day.

 

Cheers

James

[wetpixel 0]

I superimposed my arm into your photo, James.

 

I wonder if our family lines would be able to breed successfully.

[Alex_Mustard 0]

Some photographers like to add a short support to the underside of long ports to help steady them while shooting.

[yahsemtough 0]

Eric, I was going to point out the natural warmth James seems to spot to keep his arms warm also.

 

We could start a fund to get him waxed.

[james 0]

If you'd like to see my arms from another angle, see my Seacam S2 housing review.

 

Cheers

James

 

You think that's bad - try getting your chest hair stuck in your wet-suit zipper! Now there's too much information...:-)

[tshepherd 0]

try getting your chest hair stuck in your wet-suit zipper

 

Could be worse, could be a back-zip wetsuit.

[yahsemtough 0]

Or be Giles and get your...well manlyhood caught. As per another thread.

[Giles 1]

how did this topic veer over to that JOKE i made in the other topic ... man I need to just keep quiet for a bit !

[Cybergoldfish 1]

If you'd like to see my arms from another angle, see my Seacam S2 housing review.

I saw them on TV three nights ago fitted to a Chimpanze

[yahsemtough 0]

 

Reminds me of that new Bare Naked Ladies song. (Another Postcard)