Nikon 24-85 f2.8 with D100

Just got my 24-85 f2.8 Nikon and tried it with my D100. Don't have any trouble with autofocus while in macro mode. Macro restricts you to 35-85mm zoom range and the 1.6 foot minimum focus restriction is only at the 85mm end. Not sure what causes James's different results with his S2.

I'm going to do some testing with diopters (air only) and see what kind of results I can get.

I have the older 28-85 lens, not the newer 24-85G

How do you "turn macro on" on the lens? Is there a button you have to push or a switch? Can you switch between 24-85 and macro during a dive?

Cheers

James Wiseman

I wasn't dreaming then... I couldn't understand the comments either, I shall be getting a glass equivelent for my 1Ds's whilst in Singapore.

Post some pics (Dry & Wet) with diopters - Snails are good subjects!!!

I have the lens but no port for it, so I can't answer the "during the dive" part.

The macro mode is controlled via a switch, not a button. The switch does two things. First, it locks out zoom between 24-35mm. Secondly it enables the close focusing range (of course). Everything else seems the same.

The 1.6 foot minimum focus distance applies to non-macro mode, for macro I get a minimum focus distance of about 8 inches. Since the lens is 6 inches long, the working distance is only about 2" (essentially on the port glass). I am unable to get much improvement in magnification with diopters since the working distance is already so small.

I get a horizontal field width (through the viewfinder) of about 41-42mm. That's less than 1:1.2 film equivalent and a little better than website says it will do. It is clearly not a high power macro lens but could be quite useful with the D100/S2.

Bob, I thought you were going to buy a Sigma SD-9. You change your mind? Or did you get both.

Cheers

James

The 1Ds has the ability to shoot top qualty image format without any significant delay - almost as fast as a slow film on a high aperture setting.

I will probably still get a SD9 as they are cheap enough through my sponsors here in Singapore or even UK. I am still convinced the foveon X3 is the way to go.

Incidentally the price of the S2 in UK now is the same as a D100! So it looks as though the ficticious pricing of these units is finally dropping into its proper perspective. It's just a pity housing manufactureres are not willing to do the same

Here is a pic without diopter...

I added a +4 single element diopter for the next two...

The last one was pretty well in focus. The bees are within 2" of the lens.

The diopter has some positive effect but not too much.

Looks good...

The diopter helps blur the background significantly to produce an attractive backdrop. Should work well U/W as it does with a 85 0r 105.