Questions about 70-180 micro

Are there many users of that lens?

Are you happy with it?

I remained breathless when I saw Craig Jones's pics.

I was thinking it was pretty hard to focus with that slow lens, especially in dark situations.

I think that it's important to be really stable with that lens, much more than with the 105, isn't it?

Could that lens replace both 60 and 105 in a kit?

Michel

Thanks Michel.

You need to consider the lens as primarily manual focus. AF will work at times when you need it but you would want to have a focusing light to be sure.

It's a big lens and will make your rig nose heavy. Being stable with it is really no different than any other provided you master the handling. Mine handles beautifully.

I think the lens easily replaces the 60 and the 105. Not quite as good as either at their strengths (wide for the 60, powerful for the 105). It would never replace the 200 though when that's what you need. I like to use mine primarily with the 5T diopter. Provides much better power while only sacrificing focus beyond about 30 inches.

The real strength of this lens comes from being able to set up on a subject and use the zoom to assist with composition. You just can't do that with any other macro lens. Being able to have essentially a 60 and a 105 (and partly a 200) on the same dive is huge, too. I only switch from it when I know I need really high power (like 2:1). I don't even travel with a 60.

Craig -

I was considering a 105 with 1.4 or 2 TC.. Would this lens provide for the same magnification but also zoom capability?

Does anyone know if Nexus makes a port to house this monster for a D70?

M.

Hi guys,

I too have used the 70-180, primarily at Craig's urging. It's a wonderful lens, versatile and very sharp.

Starbuck, yes, Nexus makes something called the Multiport for the 70-180 which lets you switch between manual and autofocus - it's cool. I used my lens in an Aquatica housing, which has a larger diameter port than the Nexus, but no A-M shift. The larger diameter results in more buoyance making the lens much easier to shoot as it's not nose heavy.

I wouldn't say that you can get the same magnification as a 105 w 2TC but you can get close to a 105 +1.4 using the 70-180 with a diopter.

Here are some sample shots which are a little different than Craig's:

I'll bet you can find one of these lenses for sale from a Wetpixel member - just ask around.

Cheers

James

Nexus offers a Multiport for the 70-180. It's a combindation of parts, which also can be configured as ports for the Nikon 60mm and 105mm lenses. The 70-180 port permits swtiching from manual to autofocus underwater and has a manual focus knob. The zoom control is on the housing body. It's a pretty flexible setup for u/w macro photography. The port works on the Nexus D100 and D70 housings, plus several Nexus housings for Nikon film cameras. Check out Nexus USA or Marine Camera, both sponsors on this site.

Thank you for all the info!

Nice pics James!

I understand that the 70-180 could be a good first macro lens, coudn't it?

One more question to Craig, you told about filters on your flashes. It's new for me. Could you tell us a little more about that or let us know where to find something written on the subject? Which filters, some basics...?

By the way, which filter(s) did you use on your lens(es) as well?

Thank you for your help!

Michel

Check the Wetpixel library - there is an article there written by Craig.

I think a better beginner lens is the 105mm Micro Nikkor, but that's just my opinion. It's a lot easier to shoot because it works more consistently in AF.

Cheers

James

Buy it! It's the most lens I've work with during a month in lembeh strait !!

you can shooting pygmy seahorse , rhinopias or even mimic octopus with this lens

focus is quite slow but not too bad I always use modelling light and lock focus before shooting in some situation

The Nexus multiport is a thing of beauty, and is the only option available that offers AF, MF, and A/M Switching underwater with this lens.

I used the 70-180, courtesy of Craig, in Dominica and was impressed with its versatility. He was right on about zooming to enhance composition, furthering your discipline as a "crop in the camera" photographer. I always used the lens with a 5T on the lens, and for closeup stuff added a Nexus wet lens. With the 5T, the only shots I missed were of some finicky reef squid that hovered right at 31" away, and wouldn't let me get closer .

The 105 w/ a 2x Teleconverter is a specialized tool that is NOT AT ALL versatile, but can accomplish some amazing magnifications for a super macro style of shooting.

In my book, these are two very different lens combos for two very different types of shooting.

Yes, the 105 with either converter is a very specific setup. The 70-180 will not provide nearly the magnification of either of those but it is much, much more flexible. Housing a 105 with teleconverters is easy with the Nexus multiport.

I would not use any filters for macro photography. For wide angle, filters offer some interesting and creative possiblities and one day I'll write about how to do that. As James said, there's already a filter basics article.

Thanks to everyone for their input on this. I am waiting on a 105 setup with 2x TC and was looking for a combo that would duplicate my old Nikonos setup that would do 2:1 and 3:1 magnification.

M.