Steve'sDigicams

checklg · Aug 11, 2003, 6:36 AM

Saturday was very warm and calm in Edinburgh, so this was my first good chance to try out my new AF200 Micro lens. As well as minor heat exhaustion on Arthur's Seat I also got this.

Klaus DK · Aug 12, 2003, 10:06 AM

Another great shot from you Graham.

Question: what's your impression so far of your 200mm micro ?

checklg · Aug 12, 2003, 10:38 AM

Thank-you Klaus , I'm realy glad you like it. The Small Coppers have just started to appear on Arthur's Seat, and last night was a real treat with more of them, plus Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Grayling, Peacock and a single Comma (my first !

).

You asked for my thoughts on the 200 Micro.

I really like the quality of the focus, it has a real solidity about it that I always associate with good engineering. I also like the image quality and the colour rendition, but I've probably not used it enough to compare it with my 28-105.

The 200mm reach is very useful for the less co-operative subjects (Meadow Brown Butterflies and Small Coppers on a hot day), but doesn't give you a guaranteed result with something like a Dragonfly. In hot conditions I can't get any closer than 5ft from a Common Darter, and I've not found 200mm enough at that range.

It's quite a heavy lens, and I've only been able to get decent results with it on a tripod. As a result I tend to take the 28-105 with me for an evening walk (using the shoulder pod as a support) and use the 200mm for the rare, still, weekend days.

Overall I like it for my small insect work, but as always it's a case of using the appropriate tools for the job. It's not a general purpose lens....

eric s · Aug 12, 2003, 3:38 PM

Would an extention tube reduce the close focus and allow for closer, larger pictures?

Eric

Ward Larson · Aug 12, 2003, 6:45 PM

Beautiful shot, Graham!

checklg · Aug 13, 2003, 2:58 AM

Ward, thank you very much. There's so much delightfull detail and colour in these beasties, it's a real pleasure to get a chance to see it.

Eric, There are a couple of close-up options. Nikon refer to a close-up tube for the 200 Micro, but there's also their 6T type close-up filters. Something I'll definitely have a look at.

p.s. Bjorn Rorslett recommends the 6T approach on http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2_PC.html

selvin · Aug 13, 2003, 3:37 AM

Graham,

I think the moth is caught in the classic dilemna - the flower always looks better on the other branch.
Good work..loved it.

Aloha

checklg · Aug 13, 2003, 6:22 AM

Thank you Selvin. You're quite right, by the way, it kept on moving back and forwards between the two !

Some other insects are a lot more methodical, and will work on a flower of that type for ages.

Aug 11, 2003, 6:36 AM	#1
checklg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 659	Small Copper Saturday was very warm and calm in Edinburgh, so this was my first good chance to try out my new AF200 Micro lens. As well as minor heat exhaustion on Arthur's Seat I also got this.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Steve'sDigicams

Recent Camera Reviews

Most Active Forums

Most Popular Deals

Latest Feature Articles

Aug 12, 2003, 10:06 AM	#2
Klaus DK Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 2,216	Another great shot from you Graham. Question: what's your impression so far of your 200mm micro ?

Aug 12, 2003, 10:38 AM	#3
checklg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 659	Thank-you Klaus , I'm realy glad you like it. The Small Coppers have just started to appear on Arthur's Seat, and last night was a real treat with more of them, plus Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Grayling, Peacock and a single Comma (my first ! ). You asked for my thoughts on the 200 Micro. I really like the quality of the focus, it has a real solidity about it that I always associate with good engineering. I also like the image quality and the colour rendition, but I've probably not used it enough to compare it with my 28-105. The 200mm reach is very useful for the less co-operative subjects (Meadow Brown Butterflies and Small Coppers on a hot day), but doesn't give you a guaranteed result with something like a Dragonfly. In hot conditions I can't get any closer than 5ft from a Common Darter, and I've not found 200mm enough at that range. It's quite a heavy lens, and I've only been able to get decent results with it on a tripod. As a result I tend to take the 28-105 with me for an evening walk (using the shoulder pod as a support) and use the 200mm for the rare, still, weekend days. Overall I like it for my small insect work, but as always it's a case of using the appropriate tools for the job. It's not a general purpose lens....

Aug 12, 2003, 3:38 PM	#4
eric s Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 5,803	Would an extention tube reduce the close focus and allow for closer, larger pictures? Eric

Aug 12, 2003, 6:45 PM	#5
Ward Larson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 132	Beautiful shot, Graham!

Aug 13, 2003, 2:58 AM	#6
checklg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 659	Ward, thank you very much. There's so much delightfull detail and colour in these beasties, it's a real pleasure to get a chance to see it. Eric, There are a couple of close-up options. Nikon refer to a close-up tube for the 200 Micro, but there's also their 6T type close-up filters. Something I'll definitely have a look at. p.s. Bjorn Rorslett recommends the 6T approach on http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2_PC.html

Aug 13, 2003, 3:37 AM	#7
selvin Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 7,204	Graham, I think the moth is caught in the classic dilemna - the flower always looks better on the other branch. Good work..loved it. Aloha

Aug 13, 2003, 6:22 AM	#8
checklg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 659	Thank you Selvin. You're quite right, by the way, it kept on moving back and forwards between the two ! Some other insects are a lot more methodical, and will work on a flower of that type for ages.