Does the 70-200mm with TC-17 work as a Macro?

For close-up, you need a extension tube (3 - 4 cm) between the body and the lens.
Macro needs more space between the body and lens.
 
Add a Canon 500D diopter, and you get about 1:1 macro ...

D700 + 70-200mm VR + 1.7x TC + Canon 500D =

 
Sorry about this, I recently posted asking what this TC was like and got really good feedback. I want to ask owners of the above, does it work as a Macro?

If so, have you got some close up examples?

Thanks

http://www.iweddingz.co.uk/
No, it will work as a ~119-~340mm lens with the same minimum working distance of the lens without 1.7x TC.

You do get a bigger "magnification" because of the added focal length, but to get it to approach macro levels you do need to use extension tubes. You can of course combine both.
 
So It's probably better to look at the sigma 150 or 180 on the fx?
Easier and sharper, yes. If it is better, that is for you to decide.

By the way, I would look at the Tamron 180mm f3.5 instead of the Sigma 180mm f3.5, because i seem to remember that the Sigma had some flaw (was it CA?).

So for me I would choose between the 150mm f2.8 from Sigma and the 180mm f3.5 from Tamron. Well, maybe not really, since I have a Canon and I would probably also look at the Canon 180mm f3.5 L USM.
 
It doesn't work very well because you can't focus at a close enough distance.

What you need is a 500D. I just so happen to have one that I'm about to put on eBay. I bought the 105mm macro and don't use the 500D anymore. Email me if you want to catch it before it goes on eBay.
Sorry about this, I recently posted asking what this TC was like and got really good feedback. I want to ask owners of the above, does it work as a Macro?

If so, have you got some close up examples?

Thanks

http://www.iweddingz.co.uk/
 
The Canon 500D is (very good / achromatic) close-up lens. Nikon doesn't offer a close-up lens with 77mm thread, so you have to look "on the other side". ;)

I have one myself. This shot was also made with 70-200 + TC17EII + Canon 500D:



http://www.flickr.com/photos/iphotograph/2580272646/

Beware: Close-up lenses only offer a sharp picture in a limited distance range, so they are less flexible than a dedicated macro lens. But paired with a good lens, you can get great results when the subject is in the right distance. And it's smaller than another lens to carry with you (although the 500D is much thicker and more heavy than a filter!)

--
  • Volker
Gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iphotograph/
 
Sorry to be such a bell end, so you have the extension tube, the 70-200mm and the 500d goes on the end of the 70-200mm?
One or the other. They both basically do the same thing (in different ways).

This is a slightly heretical view, but I'd recommend the Kenko extension tubes rather than the Nikon ones. The Nikon ones are beatifully made, but they're mechanical only.The Kenko ones are, well, good enough, but pass through the electrical connections which is particularly useful on lenses without an aperture stop down ring...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kenko-automatic-extension-tube-set-DG-for-Nikon_W0QQitemZ270454042079QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_CameraLenses_Lens_caps_hoods_adaptors_ET?hash=item3ef8512ddf&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

--

Guy Swarbrick
Editor, trackcycling
http://www.trackcycling.me.uk



My 'work' photos are at http://swarbrick.com/photos and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trackcycling
The 'fun' stuff is at http://www.flickr.com/photos/swarbrick
I'm gswarbrick and trackcycling on twitter and the sporadically updated blog
is at http://swarbrick.blogs.com
 
Canon 500D is the model # of a high quality, screw on front of lens (like a filter), 2 layer piece of glass. It is designed (primarily) for lenses 70mm and higher. It works very well, but has very shallow depth of field. They are used by themselves.

Extension tubes go between the body and the lens, and are hollow inside. They move the focal point a little further away from the sensor, allowing the lens to focus closer. They can be 'stacked' for different magnification factors. They provide NO increase in zoom.

TC-14, TC-17, TC-20 and others are Zoom multipliers. They go between the body and the lens and they have lenses inside them. They change the ZOOM factor, but NOT the focusing distance.

Extension tube and zoom multiplier could be used be used together.

Hope this clears the muddy water! :)

--
Dave
 

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