Diffraction on Nikkor 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6

To the Nikon Lens experts:

What is the smallest usable aperture on this lens before diffraction comes considerably into play? This is for macro photography.

A widely available formula using a circle of confusion (cc) of 1/40mm and at the maximum magnification (m) of 1:1.32

f = 1500 x cc / (m +1) equals about 16.

And the same formula will yield an aperture of 9 for the magnification at 70mm focal lenght (which is 1:3.2)

Is that your experience ?

Thanks (going to Lembeh soon...)

It doesn't matter who makes the lens! as a rule of thumb on full frame cameras I would suggest that the trade off between depth of field and diffraction effects means that f/16 is the minimum aprture you should use by preference. Although f/11 may provide 'theoretically sharper' images, in practice using a 5DMkII and 100 macro I'm hard pushed to tell the difference between f/11 and f/16 in terms of sharpness so I'd say the difference is marginal. Wider apertures, such as f/8, have very limited depth of field which suits fewer subjects in my experience. But using apertures smaller than f/16 does show softening of all image details from my own testing. All that said, its easy enough to try it all out for yourself, on land, in the dry...... that way you will be able to decide just what apertures suit your own photography and what you find acceptable and what you don't.

thank you Paul for your considerations. I also believe that the optimal aperture is between f/11 and f/16. I will check that when I have time as you suggested on land....

I'm wondering why the thread is based on such a weird lens, one that really isn't anything like the best choice underwater?

I'm wondering why the thread is based on such a weird lens, one that really isn't anything like the best choice underwater?

Have you tried it? Those of us that have might disagree with your opinion, but it is an interesting one if based on some actual experience.

I'm wondering why the thread is based on such a weird lens, one that really isn't anything like the best choice underwater?

make a search and you will be astonished...

I too like this lens, it is quite flexible being a 70mm to 180 mm zoom and quite sharp. It is a great critter lens for places like Lembeh Straits and Anilao.

For example at 160 mm, 1/60 sec, F 22, Nikon D2Xs