60mm micro, 1.4 T/C and the 105mm micro

Hi Guys,

I have got myself really confused about using macro lenses and teleconverters. I am after the pros and cons of using the 60mm micro Nikkor with the Kenko 1.4 teleconverter attached, verses to 105mm micro Nikkor. The things that I am unsure about are working distances, focal lengths, auto focus speeds and just about every other variable between the two set-ups.

Could you all jump in and give me your opinions of the pros and cons of these two working combinations?

BTW, I have a custom 60mm port that allows the 1.4 converter to be fitted and it fits perfectly without having to add any other extensions. My intended targets at this stage are just your normal run of the mill macro subjects, so I don't need super magnification.

Thanks for taking the time,

Bruce

60mm + 1.4= reduces AF speed but increase magnification, not enough to give you 2:1 but close.

105mm= maginification stays 1:1, more working distance, more versatility to go beyond 1:1 when required than the 60mm. and you have VR option.

Another point of consideration will be the 105mm + 6T diopter (or 4T depends of the version you get), or sigma 150mm with canon 500D diopter.

Personal opinion: 60mm is slightly sharper than 105mm.

Second personal opinion: If you have the money get both, eventually you end using boths if you have them.

Hi Bruce,

You don't say whether you are using a full or cropped (APS-C) frame. In general with a full frame camera, I prefer the 105 mm for the greater working distance which facilitates strobe positioning. The field of view (FoV) of 60 mm in APS-C becomes like that of a 90mm (39:40 to 26:30) with minimum focus (1:1) at 8-3/4 “ (~22 cm). Recently I switched from a F4 to a D80 and I am more comfortable with the 60 mm on the D80. The 105 mm FoV is now like a 158 mm! So, I will have to man up and learn how to shoot the 105.

Both lenses are excellent and I think you may want both for your arsenal.

Hi Guys,

I'm sorry, I should have told you that I already have both lenses and the teleconverter. I use a Nexus housed D70S.

I am trying to work out all the focusing distances, whether the T/C slows down the A/F, and how many stops of light I lose buy using it, etc.

I actually got the T/C for the 60mm micro because, on paper with the 1.5 cropping effect, the 105mm becomes a fairly big lens and almost a 'specialty' lens that is nearly unuseable, accept for really small stuff. I was wondering if the 60mm/tele combo might be a better general purpose macro lens?

Thanks again for taking the time,

Bruce

Yo Bruce,

The 1.4x tele-convertor will add one f-stop; e.g. from f 2.8 to f 4.0. The FoV will change from 60 mm to 126 mm. It will slow down the AF. I have not used the Kenko. From my experience with a Sigma T/C on the Nikor 60 mm, the AF was considerably slower. The close focus distance should be the same. Let’s see: 60 mm x 1.4 (T/C) x 1.5 (APS-C crop) = 126 mm and consider the flat port NaCl_water/air interface (~1.33), you get ~ 189 mm. Now my head hurts! No worries! You will likely want to shoot in manual focus mode with that set-up. On the up side, you wil be near 2:1 macro and can add the Nexus wet diopter even greater magnification and closer focus. Are you using the Nexus 110 mm diameter flat port for the 60 mm?

For me, I need to lean to walk before I would run with such a long focal length under water.

Regards