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how to macro with 70-200vr

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aus2h

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i have noticed so many of the forum users taking such great macro shots with the 70 - 200 vr lens and d2h setup

and i would love to know how every time i think ive nailed it it just wont allow me to take the shot as im to close to subject
if i get far enough away i cant get the same details ive seen here
please help me to get more from this lens

--
d2h
70-200 2.8 vr
60mm 2.8 micro
2 x sb800
17-35
 
The 70-200VR is not in and of itself, a macro lens, although I've seen some pretty good bug and flower shots using this lens. To really get the close up 'macro' like affect, you need a diopter lens like the Canon 500D.

This lens can be ordered from most of the common web stores (I got mine at Adorama), and converts the 70-200VR to a decent macro lens.

I don't have any really good shots with mine yet (I just got it), but you should be able to search this forum for 500D and find some excellent examples.

Regards,

Frank
aus2h said:
i have noticed so many of the forum users taking such great macro
shots with the 70 - 200 vr lens and d2h setup
and i would love to know how every time i think ive nailed it it
just wont allow me to take the shot as im to close to subject
if i get far enough away i cant get the same details ive seen here
please help me to get more from this lens

--
d2h
70-200 2.8 vr
60mm 2.8 micro
2 x sb800
17-35
Click to expand...
--
Frank Wilson
Huntsville, AL
http://flew.smugmug.com
Looking, listening, learning....
 
aus2h said:
i have noticed so many of the forum users taking such great macro
Click to expand...
I used manual focus for the shot below, way before I had the Canon 500d, which is the WAY to go. The 500d allows for much more dynamic shooting than say an extension tube. Also, a TC also works to get you closer to your subjects, but again, not at dynamic, and loss of image quality. I LOVE shooting with the 500d because you cna just pop it on and off, well, for the most part. It is heavy, and you want to make sure it is on your lens, so it does take a few moments to get it on and off.

Anyway, as far as the manual focus procedure, try this. Put in manual focus, put the lens on the minimum focus (manually turn the ring)...this is shorter than you will get with the AF system engaged. Move in close to the subject, and then back up until it gets into focus, like this shot:



( http://www.pbase.com/lokerd/image/20995358 )

--
Drew

http://www.pbase.com/lokerd (Equip list in Profile)
 
aus2h,

The 70-200 plus Canon 500D works surprisingly well for closeup shots. I've taken a fair number of them. You can't get full 1:1 magnification, but you can get decent closeups.

DOF is so narrow at close focus distances that getting the focus lined up can be quite tricky, even at f/22.

The AFS focusing on the 70-200 makes auto-focus quick enough that auto-focus is an option. I still tend to use manual focus for most of my shots.

I have a gallery of 500D closeups on pbase. Here's the link:

http://www.pbase.com/duncanc/nikkor_70200vr_macros&page=all

Duncan C
----
Drew Loker said:
aus2h said:
i have noticed so many of the forum users taking such great macro
Click to expand...
I used manual focus for the shot below, way before I had the Canon
500d, which is the WAY to go. The 500d allows for much more dynamic
shooting than say an extension tube. Also, a TC also works to get
you closer to your subjects, but again, not at dynamic, and loss of
image quality. I LOVE shooting with the 500d because you cna just
pop it on and off, well, for the most part. It is heavy, and you
want to make sure it is on your lens, so it does take a few moments
to get it on and off.

Anyway, as far as the manual focus procedure, try this. Put in
manual focus, put the lens on the minimum focus (manually turn the
ring)...this is shorter than you will get with the AF system
engaged. Move in close to the subject, and then back up until it
gets into focus, like this shot:



( http://www.pbase.com/lokerd/image/20995358 )

--
Drew

http://www.pbase.com/lokerd (Equip list in Profile)
Click to expand...
--
dpreview and PBase supporter.



http://www.pbase.com/duncanc
 
Apaprently a 70-200mm VR plus nikon 6T will do as well as the 500d.

Hardly ever use large apertures since ure striving for DOF anyway, so i guess no vignetting visible.

Can anyone comfirm that.
Duncan C said:
The 70-200 plus Canon 500D works surprisingly well for closeup
shots. I've taken a fair number of them. You can't get full 1:1
magnification, but you can get decent closeups.

DOF is so narrow at close focus distances that getting the focus
lined up can be quite tricky, even at f/22.

The AFS focusing on the 70-200 makes auto-focus quick enough that
auto-focus is an option. I still tend to use manual focus for most
of my shots.

I have a gallery of 500D closeups on pbase. Here's the link:

http://www.pbase.com/duncanc/nikkor_70200vr_macros&page=all

Duncan C
----
Drew Loker said:
aus2h said:
i have noticed so many of the forum users taking such great macro
Click to expand...
I used manual focus for the shot below, way before I had the Canon
500d, which is the WAY to go. The 500d allows for much more dynamic
shooting than say an extension tube. Also, a TC also works to get
you closer to your subjects, but again, not at dynamic, and loss of
image quality. I LOVE shooting with the 500d because you cna just
pop it on and off, well, for the most part. It is heavy, and you
want to make sure it is on your lens, so it does take a few moments
to get it on and off.

Anyway, as far as the manual focus procedure, try this. Put in
manual focus, put the lens on the minimum focus (manually turn the
ring)...this is shorter than you will get with the AF system
engaged. Move in close to the subject, and then back up until it
gets into focus, like this shot:



( http://www.pbase.com/lokerd/image/20995358 )

--
Drew

http://www.pbase.com/lokerd (Equip list in Profile)
Click to expand...
--
dpreview and PBase supporter.



http://www.pbase.com/duncanc
Click to expand...
 
first drew, you didn't mention that your picture of the spider with just the 70-200 was taken on a forgotten island where the spiders grow to three feet long. just kiddin'. nice shot.

now the question for the two of you, with the 500d attached to the 70-200 how far away can you be to get the shots you're getting. i ask because i have the 60mm and you almost have to be on top of the subject to achieve that definition. that's all right if it's a flower. any kind of creature and you need some distance so you don't scare them away. i just ordered the 500d and from the looks of what you're getting, i may not need it anymore. what do you think???? i'll wait for your answers and until the thing arrives when i can get my own test shots. if they are as good as what you have posted, i'll sell the 60mm and make a little in the process. whoo, whoo.
 
Ron Gallegos said:
first drew, you didn't mention that your picture of the spider with
just the 70-200 was taken on a forgotten island where the spiders
grow to three feet long. just kiddin'. nice shot.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Actually, that was in my front yard. A rare opportunity shot...only a two day window of opportunity. I had been allowing the spiders to stay, growing, expanding over three webs, regardless of considerable urging from the wife to "remove" the spiders. Then the 70-200 arrived on Friday and this shot was the next day, then all of the spiders were gone a few days later.
ron gallegos said:
70-200 how far away can you be to get the shots you're getting. i
ask because i have the 60mm and you almost have to be on top of the
subject to achieve that definition. that's all right if it's a
Click to expand...
Well, the spider shot was not "flower shot"...I was quite concerned it might jump on me even though I was 6' away. 8~

I don't have any specific data, nor do I have any experience with the 60mm, but I think your working distance will be significantly greater with the 70-200. I have worked with the 105mm macro, a friends, on a flower shot, and I had to get a LOT closer than with 70-200 and 500d.

Here is a shot with the 500d AND a 12mm extension tube...and I had PLENTY of working distance, maybe 2'??



http://www.pbase.com/lokerd/image/31128575&exif=Y )
--
Drew

http://www.pbase.com/lokerd (Equip list in Profile)
 
As I mentioned above, I have this combo also, but I've seen such good shots with the 105 macro, that I was seriously thinking about ordering one of these lenses. After seeing your shots, I think I'll give the 70-200VR + 500D a little more in-depth look.

You have a really nice gallery.

Thanks,

Frank
Duncan C said:
The 70-200 plus Canon 500D works surprisingly well for closeup
shots. I've taken a fair number of them. You can't get full 1:1
magnification, but you can get decent closeups.

DOF is so narrow at close focus distances that getting the focus
lined up can be quite tricky, even at f/22.

The AFS focusing on the 70-200 makes auto-focus quick enough that
auto-focus is an option. I still tend to use manual focus for most
of my shots.

I have a gallery of 500D closeups on pbase. Here's the link:

http://www.pbase.com/duncanc/nikkor_70200vr_macros&page=all

Duncan C
----
Drew Loker said:
aus2h said:
i have noticed so many of the forum users taking such great macro
Click to expand...
I used manual focus for the shot below, way before I had the Canon
500d, which is the WAY to go. The 500d allows for much more dynamic
shooting than say an extension tube. Also, a TC also works to get
you closer to your subjects, but again, not at dynamic, and loss of
image quality. I LOVE shooting with the 500d because you cna just
pop it on and off, well, for the most part. It is heavy, and you
want to make sure it is on your lens, so it does take a few moments
to get it on and off.

Anyway, as far as the manual focus procedure, try this. Put in
manual focus, put the lens on the minimum focus (manually turn the
ring)...this is shorter than you will get with the AF system
engaged. Move in close to the subject, and then back up until it
gets into focus, like this shot:



( http://www.pbase.com/lokerd/image/20995358 )

--
Drew

http://www.pbase.com/lokerd (Equip list in Profile)
Click to expand...
--
dpreview and PBase supporter.



http://www.pbase.com/duncanc
Click to expand...
--
Frank Wilson
Huntsville, AL
http://flew.smugmug.com
Looking, listening, learning....
 
Drew

That pic is ooouuuutttsssttaannnnddiiiiinnnggg !

Thierry
 
You use the 6T with a step-down ring, then?

Duncan C
----
Joseph S. Wisniewski said:
J.Tech said:
Apaprently a 70-200mm VR plus nikon 6T will do as well as the 500d.

Hardly ever use large apertures since ure striving for DOF anyway,
so i guess no vignetting visible.

Can anyone comfirm that.
Click to expand...
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1030&message=10661930

You can't shoot wide open, but 5.6 and down you're fine...

--
A cyberstalker told me not to post anymore...
So I'm posting even more!

Ciao!

Joe

http://www.swissarmyfork.com
Click to expand...
--
dpreview and PBase supporter.



http://www.pbase.com/duncanc
 
TOF guy said:
That pic is ooouuuutttsssttaannnnddiiiiinnnggg !
Click to expand...
Thanks a bunch for the positive feedback! I have never seen anything like it. I have photographed that type of spider plenty of times. But the combination of the lighting, and the bokeh of the 70-200 and focusing at it's min distance really made for one of my favorite shots. I entered it into a local camera club monthly contest but it only did so-so. Eventually, I will enter it into another contest to see how it does.

--
Drew

http://www.pbase.com/lokerd (Equip list in Profile)
 
I used the 70-200 + a 1.7 Nikon Converter + the 500D for this one! Also used the onboard flash of the D100 for some fill. Wish I used a better fstop, only had it on f16, should have been 2 or more;



This next one used the same combo as above but with a little better DOF;



It's a GREAT combo and I have both the 60mm & 105mm Micro lenses...but nice and easy to carry the 500D in my vest.
aus2h said:
i have noticed so many of the forum users taking such great macro
shots with the 70 - 200 vr lens and d2h setup
and i would love to know how every time i think ive nailed it it
just wont allow me to take the shot as im to close to subject
if i get far enough away i cant get the same details ive seen here
please help me to get more from this lens

--
d2h
70-200 2.8 vr
60mm 2.8 micro
2 x sb800
17-35
Click to expand...
--
George
http://www.decamp.net
 
I measured this a while back with my 500D and 70-200. I found that there was very little difference in focus range between 70 and 200 mm focal lengths. I measured the focus distance from the front of the lens, and got a range of 13 to 20 inches. That's what matters to me, since the front of the lens is what is going to scare away critters. Subtract a couple more inches for the lens hood if you use it (I always do.)

The lens with attachment is about 10 1/2 inches long, so the focus distance as measured from the film plane (which is the conventional way to measure this) is about 23 1/2 to 30 1/2 inches.

By comparison, with my Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 macro, with the lens hood on, the front of the lens hood is less than an inch from my subject at closest focus (full 1:1 macro)

Note that with a step-up ring you can mount the 500 D on a dedicated macro lens and focus even closer than 1:1. I did that with my Tamron 90 mm macro as a test, and estimate I got about 1.5:1 maginification. Here' that picture. It's a large image, posted as a link:

http://www.pbase.com/duncanc/image/29153445/original

By the way, this is a scaled-down image, not a 100% crop.

Duncan C
-------
Ron Gallegos said:
first drew, you didn't mention that your picture of the spider with
just the 70-200 was taken on a forgotten island where the spiders
grow to three feet long. just kiddin'. nice shot.

now the question for the two of you, with the 500d attached to the
70-200 how far away can you be to get the shots you're getting. i
ask because i have the 60mm and you almost have to be on top of the
subject to achieve that definition. that's all right if it's a
flower. any kind of creature and you need some distance so you
don't scare them away. i just ordered the 500d and from the looks
of what you're getting, i may not need it anymore. what do you
think???? i'll wait for your answers and until the thing arrives
when i can get my own test shots. if they are as good as what you
have posted, i'll sell the 60mm and make a little in the process.
whoo, whoo.
Click to expand...
--
dpreview and PBase supporter.



http://www.pbase.com/duncanc
 
thanks to everyone for there help i will keep looking at the 500d on this forum and hopefully grab one next week
DiverX said:


This next one used the same combo as above but with a little better
DOF;



It's a GREAT combo and I have both the 60mm & 105mm Micro
lenses...but nice and easy to carry the 500D in my vest.
aus2h said:
i have noticed so many of the forum users taking such great macro
shots with the 70 - 200 vr lens and d2h setup
and i would love to know how every time i think ive nailed it it
just wont allow me to take the shot as im to close to subject
if i get far enough away i cant get the same details ive seen here
please help me to get more from this lens

--
d2h
70-200 2.8 vr
60mm 2.8 micro
2 x sb800
17-35
Click to expand...
--
George
http://www.decamp.net
Click to expand...
--
d2h
70-200 2.8 vr
60mm 2.8 micro
2 x sb800
17-35
 
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