Nikon 70-210mm Macro?

[RBBailey]

Ken Rockwell and others have said that this lens does not have Macro, but that it does focus very close for a non-macro lens.

However, all of the lenses I can find for sale, on eBay, in stores, or anyplace else online all have Macro. They all have a switch with an orange colored mark to line up to the 70-210mm setting. There is even one on eBay that has the original box that says, "macro".

So, what is it? Am I actually seeing a whole bunch of Nikon 70-210mm f~4 - 5.6 AF or AF-D lenses that LOOK the same as the one Ken reviews, but are not the same? In fact, I just looked at two today, and about 10 on different web sites and they all had macro, none did not!

http://www.mrbaileyshistory.net/photography

 

[teddyfingers]

I have the 70-210 f-5.6 D I picked it up for about $170. I like it a lot. Their is no Macro on it. The switch I think you are talking about is the aperture lock. The Aperture needs to be at the highest setting for the auto focus to work.

Teddy

 

[Orky]

I think the "macro" that people are talking about is the orange line on the focusring, It only has numbers between Infinite and 5 feet, the orange line give a minimum focus distance of 4 feet. It is no real 1:1 macro by any means but it gives decent results.

 

[teddyfingers]

I pulled this off one of the ebay listings.

Nikon Nikkor Auto Focus Zoom 70-210mm f/4-5.6 D Macro Zoom lens, LN- (Like New -) condition This is the "D" version of the lens required for matrix metering with late model Nikon bodies ! This lens has a Macro Zoom ability and will focus as close as 3.9 ft.(1.2m) at any focal length. see Ken Rockwell's test on this lens which he describes as: "Best inexpensive telephoto zoom"

f:/ Stop Range: f/4-32
Filter Size: 62mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 4.9/3.9 ft. (1.5/1.2m)
Macro magnification: 1:8.3/1:4.5
Angle Of View: 34°20'- 12°50'
Groups/Elements: 9/12
Length , Diameter: 4.25" (10.8cm.), 2.9" (7.35cm.)
Weight: 1.3Lb. ( 600gr.)

It is a 1:4.5 macro at best. not my idea of macro if you ask me. You also have to be about 4 to 5 ft away from your subject. You can get some good close ups but nothing like a true Macro.

I like how he quotes Ken Rockwell "best inexpensive telephoto zoom" I don't see a by now price of $425 inexpensive.

It is a great lens, and I am very happy with it. Buy it, but you should be able to find one for under $200. Don't pay more than that or you are getting ripped off.

For macro I was thinking of close up converter for this lens like Nikons t5. From what I see it gives some good result. Not as good as some of the primes, but the converter would only cost me $46. It would hold me over till I could get a real macro.

Hope this helps.

Teddy

 

[miso kaco]

although it is a fine lens, it is not a macro lens. not even close. i guess the 'macro' they refer to is just pure marketing - buy 1 (70-210 lens) get 1 (macro lens) free - trying to answer the call for an ideal all-in-one lens.

Ken Rockwell and others have said that this lens does not have
Macro, but that it does focus very close for a non-macro lens.

However, all of the lenses I can find for sale, on eBay, in stores,
or anyplace else online all have Macro. They all have a switch
with an orange colored mark to line up to the 70-210mm setting.
There is even one on eBay that has the original box that says,
"macro".

So, what is it? Am I actually seeing a whole bunch of Nikon
70-210mm f~4 - 5.6 AF or AF-D lenses that LOOK the same as the one
Ken reviews, but are not the same? In fact, I just looked at two
today, and about 10 on different web sites and they all had macro,
none did not!

http://www.mrbaileyshistory.net/photography

 

[jaf_74]

That little orange tab is purely just to lock the aperture so that when you mount it on a camera body you can control the aperture from the camera itself (that is all it does). This lense is not a macro lense (it does focus up to only 4ft away, which is apparently close for a zoom telephoto lense). However it is very sharp and if you stack on a nikon 5t and 6t closeup lense to the 70-210 (at full zoom) you get slightly bigger than lifesize on the sensor (with some loss of sharpest). Definitely a nice lense, just don't pay outrageous amounts for it. I got mine for $280 Cdn. And I have seen one in mint (with original box) at the same store for around $340 Cdn. I think that would be the most I would pay for this lense. But you have to decide for yourself what you are willing to pay for this lense.

Jordan

Ken Rockwell and others have said that this lens does not have
Macro, but that it does focus very close for a non-macro lens.

However, all of the lenses I can find for sale, on eBay, in stores,
or anyplace else online all have Macro. They all have a switch
with an orange colored mark to line up to the 70-210mm setting.
There is even one on eBay that has the original box that says,
"macro".

So, what is it? Am I actually seeing a whole bunch of Nikon
70-210mm f~4 - 5.6 AF or AF-D lenses that LOOK the same as the one
Ken reviews, but are not the same? In fact, I just looked at two
today, and about 10 on different web sites and they all had macro,
none did not!

http://www.mrbaileyshistory.net/photography

 

[GTakacs]

The 70-210 is not a macro lens, it will focus down to 1.4m, about 4ft which is not too bad.

I have the non-D version which is every bit as good as the D as far as the optics go. The D version seems to cost and arm and a leg nowadays, I paid $190 for my non-D and I felt it was a bit too much, but it was worth it.

I bought a Canon 500D close-up lens to go with this and my other Nikon lenses and I am very happy with the results. The close-up lens I bought is a 52mm thread, but thanks to the 1.5 FOV crop, it experiences no vignetting on the 62mm thread of the 70-210.

Here is a couple of samples of what the 70-210 is capable of when coupled with the Canon 500D close-up lens:





And here is one without the D500:



--
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

 

[RBBailey]

Well, I just struck luck on eBay. Got a 70-210mm f4-5.6 (non D) for $91.00 including shipping! I had simply decided to bid on each one that came up, up to $100.00, I lost out on 3 before this one ended with me as the high bidder.

Of course, it remains to be seen if the good looks are equal to it's performance. However, the seller has good reviews and they stated that they would allow for returns -- so hey! I am really looking forward to trying it out.

I will post photos when I get it.

Thanks for the info everyone.

http://www.mrbaileyshistory.net/photography

 

[miso kaco]

good choice. i have the non-d version too. it focuses more slowly than the d version (which is way overpriced - som believe that ken r's review caused the hype), but optics are the same. a fine lens, you will enjoy it!

Well, I just struck luck on eBay. Got a 70-210mm f4-5.6 (non D)
for $91.00 including shipping! I had simply decided to bid on each
one that came up, up to $100.00, I lost out on 3 before this one
ended with me as the high bidder.

Of course, it remains to be seen if the good looks are equal to
it's performance. However, the seller has good reviews and they
stated that they would allow for returns -- so hey! I am really
looking forward to trying it out.

I will post photos when I get it.

Thanks for the info everyone.

http://www.mrbaileyshistory.net/photography

 

[teddyfingers]

Good find. The non d is the better choice price wise. The d versions have gotten way out of hand. Ken's review is probibly part to blame. Not that he ment for this to happen. It is more of a reflection of the stupidity of people willing to spend $500 used for something that cost $250 new. I was blessed to get mine for a fair price. $91 is an awesome deal. I am tempted to get a non d and sell the d version I have if people are willing to buy it for that much. I could buy a nice macro lens with what I make off it. Anyways have fun with the new glass.

Teddy