On the trail 200mm f/4 Macro Lens
The Bug Catcher
I love taking my Nikkor 200mm F/4 out of the bag for some serious macro. I call this lens my bug catcher because it lets you keep a few feet back and sill obtains super close-ups. This lens is the definition of pro-grade glass and build. - I wrote a review on this lens and you can find it in the more links.
Best Uses: Outdoors in good light chasing insects. I enjoy the late spring for macro, many small flowers are still around and the insects are beginning to make themselves available to my lens.
Example: Today was like most other days when I came across this small plant that looked like a great candidate for a macro shot and as I got down to obtain a good angle - this bug just landed right on the lower portion. - Fantastic.
Since I was already basically set up to take the shot, this was really simple - or at least less likely I would scare off the insect since he did not mind me being this close when he landed. My camera was in manual mode, which I normally leave it in for Macro and I had two small Nikon SB-R200 flashes attached to the lens with a SU-800 commander running the lighting show. I normally set the flash as to be about 60% apart with one 3/4 and the other about 1/2. I enjoy using the flash to fill in not overpower, or at least that is what I strive to do. This Macro combination works well, but there are a few downsides - check out my review.
I was able to snap off about 15 shots using various shutter and aperture combinations but as we all know focus is a macro killer, so I was very careful on several shots to get the correct focus and depth of field. At least I would have one shot. As it was things turned out well I think the sun was out casting indirect light and I had fill light all taken care of - and as they say, the rest is history.
The Good: Arguably the best Macro on the market. A bit dated in focus and VR but optically superior. Strap this to a good camera and you have a winner.
Comparable: Similar to a Sigma 180mm; optically similar with great images from both, and yes both have good focus acquisition. The Nikon is slow but sure, the Sigma is slow and less sure - more hunting. This Sigma Image to the right shows good contrast and detail (windy day). I find the Nikon edges out the Sigma optically but we can argue this based on dx marks for both lens on the Macro end - why we buy these lenses in the first place. As a standard lens, the Nikkor is superior but not as fast as the Sigma so, I have both for a reason!
I hope you enjoy the many macro photos on the site, don't forget to visit the galleries for many more.
More links
- Nikkor 200mm F4 Micro Macro Lens ReviewBest Nikkor Micro
- Nikon R1C1 Wireless Close-up System ReviewBest Macro Flash System
- Macro Up CloseClose-up Photography
- Sigma 150mm F2.8 Macro Review150 Macro