Happy shopper

I am happy to say that I am now the proud owner of a Nikon 105mm VR macro lens. The old 105mm was my second most productive lens (after the 10.5mm Fisheye) and it is great to have some new improved glass as a replacement for this spot in my arsenal.

When the zoom gear is retracted properly - a la Dave B (thanks, Dave) - and with my new custom port the lens fits easily and doesn't touch the housing or the port at any point.

A few of you have asked me about the custom port - and I emailed the guy who made it - but he isn't interested in making any more (despite me telling him there was a demand) - so it is a one off for the moment. Sorry. I guess that Subal users will be waiting for Subal to come through with one.

Alex

On a related matter - Nikon UK told me today that the 5T and 6T close-up dioptres that fit this lens have been discontinued. Which I was very surprised about. Anyone have any they want to sell to me!

Alex

Oh and while I was there I also picked up a new secret weapon - which I am sure will also see some service in Bali... That one is a secret until I have the pix...

Alex

congrats Alex

but your second post doesn't make a lot of sense does it? ON nikon's part, not yours..

strange

Oh and while I was there I also picked up a new secret weapon - which I am sure will also see some service in Bali... That one is a secret until I have the pix...

 

Alex

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I AM the camera store in Yap.... :glare:

I agree, but this was direct from Nikon UK. Not through a rep or anything.

This is just a guess, but I think that the 5T and 6T were originally made for the 60mm macro lens (which has a 62mm front filter). And possibily have been discontinued because of lack of demand over the last few years. Fitting a dioptre onto a 60mm lens gives you awkwardly short working distances.

The new 105mm VR also has a 62mm front filter - and these lenses would be ideal. In fact they are even mentioned in the instructions with the lens...

If these filters have been discontinued my only guess is that it is various branches of Nikon not talking to each other!!

Furthermore Canon's equivalent to the T series double element close-up dioptres is the 500D. But annoyingly they don't make one in a 62mm fit.

Alex

This is my port, buy the way. 95mm internal diameter, as you can see the lens fits very easily:

Oh and I haven't actually adjusted the zoom gear yet - although i have inserted my © Alex Mustard two pence temporary fix. Although this solution is only available to users in the UK

This solution makes sure that the zoom gear is clear of the lens.

Alex,

I don't understand, if you need a diopter why don't you take a B+W or other brand?

The Canon D500 and the Nikon 4T, 5T & 6T are all double element dioptres - which offer improved optics over the single element diopters. I am not sure that B+W or other brands offer these double element dioptres.

I sometimes see fringing and other CA in the corners of high magification shots with strong diopters - and therefore want to invest in the best ones I can get.

Alex

Aha, there isn't a day going by without learning here on WP.

On a related matter - Nikon UK told me today that the 5T and 6T close-up dioptres that fit this lens have been discontinued. Which I was very surprised about. Anyone have any they want to sell to me!

 

Alex

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Alex,

I checked that lens out at PMA and it looks like a great piece of glass. I have a 5T I could sell you, any chance you will be at DEMA in Orlando, Fl? Let me know if you don't find one before then.

Phil Rudin

Thanks for that Phil. I would be keen to take you up on it. Are you not able to fit it onto one of your Oly lenses?

I would say I am about 90% sure I am not going to be at DEMA, unfortunately. Actually I am not sure that I can go anyway - not being a diving pro or industry type.

Alex

I have been experimenting with the VR on this lens and I am impressed. It works very nicely indeed, both at long camera to subject distances and at macro settings. I am very much looking forward to trying it for long exposure macro underwater.

Here is a sample shot - sorry for the subject matter - taken at 9pm UK time in the ambient light (not much) coming in through my window.

Exposure time 1/3 sec - equivalent focal length 150mm.

Alex

I hope the folks at DEMA don't see that... you def won't be invited..

hahahaha

Alex-

You know that Bonaire is THE place for macro shots and unless you show up the only AF105VR shots displayed will be MINE!

Now you could hop down to Amsterdam and fly over and give me some pointers. We'll be there for 2 weeks starting a week from Saturday. WE could probably find room on the couch for you.

Tom

You could use the Canon 500D in 72 mm size with an adapter if it will fit in the port. Although probably the 105 would break seeing Canon on the front.

Bill

Yeah, I have ordered a Canon 500D in 72mm - since I have the 72mm filter taking Sigma 150mm. But Canon UK can't give me a delivery time on that either, because they don't have one in stock, and my dealer, a major Canon Pro dealer says if Canon UK don't have it in stock it will probably be a couple of months...

I also ordered a 62-72mm step-up ring (so I can use the Canon filter on the Nikon), which is the only thing that was in stock and should have that in a couple of days.

Alex

Ever heard of this lens?

http://usa.zoerk.com/pages/p_mcs.htm

is a 2 element aspherical 12 diopter lens...

Alex,

There are some 72mm 500D filters on ebay at the moment (coming from Hong Kong):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Canon-72mm-72-mm...1QQcmdZViewItem

they usually arrive within a few days. I've bought from this guy before & seems reliable.

Fergus