Step-up Rings: Save Money on Filters

22. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Best Cheap Nikon Accessories, Do It Yourself · Tags: , ,
Step-up-rings-photomiser.com

Step up rings photomiser.com Step up Rings: Save Money on Filters

Good filters are expensive. Having a filter for every size lens multiplies the expense–and fills up the camera bag. I buy one large filter and have a step-up rings for every lens filter diameter that I have. This makes spending $150 on a pro filter much less painful. With a step-up ring system, I buy one high-quality filter to last a lifetime to be used on every lens. The trade-off is that this extends the total depth of the filter by the depth of the threads on the filter. This is less than the depth of two complete filters. However, it can lead to vignetting at the extremes on some lenses, particularly ultra-wides. If you normally keep a UV filter on all the time, you may need to remove it before adding a filter with a step-up ring.

What size filter is best for a step-up ring system?

I buy 77mm camera filters. This size will cover most common lenses. It is also a standard filter size that is easily found at reasonable prices for most kinds of commonly-used filters. 72mm covers almost as many lenses. Anything smaller is going to present problems. Naturally, you’ll want to check your stable of lenses–as well as any on your wish list–to make sure the filter size you choose will be adequate.

Square filter systems

An option to round, screw-on filters is a square filter system, like the Cokin system. This is a fairly inexpensive way to have universal-sized filters. However, I found that the square equivalents to the good-quality screw-in filters I would likely use most of the time were the same cost. Also, I’d have to fuss with a big plastic frame on the end of my lenses and potential vignetting on wide angle shots. I have heard of complaints of light leaks, too. However, were I to explore lots of different filters, a square system would have advantages of easy stacking and quick changes.

Best Cheap Nikon Macro Lens: 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor

09. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Best Cheap Nikon Lenses · Tags: , , , ,
Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm f:2.8 Lens

AF Micro Nikkor 60mm f2.8 photomiser.com Best Cheap Nikon Macro Lens: 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor
The Nikon 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor is not only my Nikon macro lens, it’s my favorite lens in general. In Nikon lenses, only Micro Nikkors offer true macro. The 18-55 and 70-300 zooms do not focus close enough for macro. Zooms sometimes label their closest-focus as “macro” but nothing beats true 1:1 macro. The 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor has the best price and quality combination of Nikon macro lens options. It’s an older AF, so a pin drive camera is required. It is not cheap. It is still made, and available new at $469. But it’s main advantage to the Nikon bargain hunter is that it has been around forever so that the 60mm f/2.8D has a good used market where it can be $350. Mine happens to not have the “D” designation, which will save you a few more dollars, but the “D” is a minor improvement. You are more likely to find an AF-D anyway. It has an AF-S upgrade which will focus on any Nikon DSLR. But this old version is a jewel. It’s a little heavy, but that’s the construction.

jumping spider scottdetwiler.com 300x200 Best Cheap Nikon Macro Lens: 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor

The trade-off in Nikon macro lenses for the get-the-most-out-of-every-lens crowd is the working distance vs. general utility. The closest competitor for a Nikon macro lens is the similar-vintage Nikon 105mm f/2.8 AF Micro-Nikkor. The 60mm means the macro working distance is pretty close, 8.75″, which can be a disadvantage, particularly for live subjects. Conventional wisdom says the best minimum macro focal length (i.e., has the best minimum working distance) is 105mm, at 12″. The 60mm is poo-pooed as suitable only for copy stands. As a result, the 60mm is often overlooked by people seeking the similar-vintage Nikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor Lens. However, the 105mm AF is another $100 or more. If you can afford the 105mm, go for it. But frankly, I have found the 60mm to work just fine. Flowers don’t spook, and many insects that spook at 8″ will also spook at the 12″ working distance of the 105mm. The 60mm AF is another “sleeper” lens that is very capable but overshadowed by more popular lenses.

60mm with its f/2.8 makes a good portrait lens as well. The 105mm is, too, but 105mm is 150mm with the DX crop. Longer focal lengths for portraits are often favored because you don’t have to stand so close to your subject, which helps them relax. On the other hand, in a decent portrait studio or outside the 150mm equivalent is workable, but in tighter quarters, such as inside houses for family shots, you’ll have your back to the walls. And, as we discuss in the telephoto section, anything less than a 200mm telephoto is not very compelling as telephoto.

The 60mm is also more compact than the 105mm, making it easier for a SB-600 in the hotshoe to clear the lens in macro, one less reason to buy an expensive macro flash. For me, the 60mm AF remains the sweet spot.

Affordable Nikon Macro Lens Alternatives

The similar-vintage Nikon 105mm f/2.8 AF Micro-Nikkor Lens Best Cheap Nikon Macro Lens: 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor, with or without the “D”, is $500 used. The longer focal length gives a longer working distance over the 60mm. See the above discussion. Like the 60mm AF-D, it requires a pin AF drive.

The least expensive Nikon macro lens option for DX is the Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR, $300 new, released summer 2011. However, that focal length means the macro working distance is half that on the already-short 60mm. If you want macro for only for occasional use, then this may be a good choice. It makes an excellent all-purpose lens. On the other hand, the 18-55mm focuses pretty close, as well. Not macro, but not bad. I wanted a little more out of my macro, so I spent less than $75 more for a used 60mm AF-D.

The newest iteration of the 60mm Micro Nikkor is the Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras for under $500. It will focus on any camera.

The Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro is available for under $500 new, $430 used. Vibration Reduction is not really a big deal with macro work. The 85mm is cheap, and has a slightly better working distance than the 60mm, but is darker with maximum aperture of f/3.5. Reviews suggest it does not have the quality of other Micro-Nikkors, though it’s still pretty good. The old 60mm is f/2.8 for more flashless utility, and is better-built for less. On the other hand, a longer lens like the 85mm is preferred by portrait photograhers.

A well-regarded third-party lens for macro is the Tokina 100/2.8 ATX Digital Ready 1:1 AF-D Macro Lens for Nikon USA, $450 new. You’ll need a pin-drive camera, but you’ll get a much better working distance. The 100mm is nice for portraits, but with the DX crop factor it starts to get unwieldy in close quarters for casual people shots. No VR, either. If I were more serious about macro, and ready to leave some walk-around usefulness behind, I would look at this lens.

Affordable Non-macro General Purpose Fixed Lenses.

The 60mm also a good portrait and general-purpose lens. Sharp, and f/2.8 means it’s pretty bright, too. However, if you want to save a few hundred dollars and macro is not as important to you, but you would rather have more low-light utility, consider one of Nikon’s excellent 50mm F1.8s. The several versions of the f/1.8 50mm over the years are all excellent lenses in the $100-200 range. All are very sharp and economical. If you have a pin drive camera, consider the old 50mm F/1.8 AF, only available used, or theNikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor The D is available new for $125; you might save $25 buying used for either. If do not have a camera with a pin drive, look for the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR; also excellent, but $225 new. Many people also like the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras. On a DX with its crop factor, it acts like the standard 50mm lens on a film or FX camera, where what you see in the viewfinder matches matches the unaided eye, i.e., no magnification of zoom or reducton of wideangle. $200 new.

Best Cheap Nikon Telephoto Zoom Lens

05. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Best Cheap Nikon Lenses · Tags: , , , , ,
Nikon 70-300mm AF f:5.5-5.6D ED Lens

AF Nikkor 70 300mm f4 5.6D ED photomiser.com Best Cheap Nikon Telephoto Zoom Lens

For a while I owned the 18-135mm Nikon telephoto zoom, then the Nikon 18-200mm VR. The most interesting pictures with any zoom, are usually used either full wide or full telephoto. But 135mm or even 200mm is just too short to be exciting for telephoto. It’s too short to bring wildlife up close, even too short to get good sporting event shots. So, I sold these, and for the same price as one 18-135mm, I got both the 18-55mm above and the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF Nikkor. Indeed, for the price of the 18-200mm, I could get all three of the lenses I have in my kit now, with another 100mm in reach and full macro. You can never have enough reach though, so even the 300mm is not as good as it may sound…but anything longer is another $800.

Song sparrow crop scottdetwiler.com Best Cheap Nikon Telephoto Zoom LensSong Sparrow
Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED AF Nikkor at 300mm (cropped)

Unfortunately, the 70-300mm G was a disappointment, being very soft at worst and mediocre even stopped down. (Read the full review of the 70-300mm G in our Cheap Nikon 300mm Zoom Lens Comparison). I have since replaced it with the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED AF Nikkor. The Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED AF was the last “prosumer” 300mm zoom before the AF-S and VR era. Like most zooms in this category, best results with the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED AF past 200mm are achieved stop down a stop or two, but my copy seems pretty good even wide open. Certainly much better than the 70-300mm G. Optically, it’s on par with the newest 70-300mm VR, but lacks the VR and AF-S…and the price tag. It’s discontinued; a few new ones are still floating around at absurd prices, but’s readily available used for $200. It needs an on-camera focus motor.

Affordable Telephoto Alternatives

Nikon has a lot of options for telephoto zooms that reach to 300mm. Unfortunately, according to reviews, all of them do well up to 200mm but begin to weaken to varying degrees when wide open. This mostly mitigated by stopping down to f/8 or f/11. Since we have this focal length in the kit because we want that 300mm, this is less than ideal, but it takes $1000+ pro lenses for anything better. Note that only lenses designated “AF-S” will focus on cameras like the D40, D60, D3000 and D5000 series.

  • I cannot recommend Nikon’s cheapest 300mm zoom, Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF Nikkor. My copy was unacceptably soft. The price is tempting, though. You might be luckier in quality than me. This lens refurbished is $100, new less that $150. Note that you will need pin-drive focus on the camera.
  • Nikon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 AF. This classic from the before the digital era is a good quality lens, but available for under $200 used. It’s the old style “push-pull” zoom. It requires a pin drive. It has a very solid feel, and is overall very sharp. Stop down to f/8 when you can, but even wide open it’s acceptable. I owned this one briefly, as an initial replacement for my poor 70-300mm G. I swapped it when I got a good price on the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED AF Nikkor, which is a little lighter, a little shorter when not zoomed, and to my eye very similar in image quality. Optically, there’s nothing wrong with the 75-300mm, and if you’ve got access to one for a good price, use it with confidence.
  • Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor $350 new. Focuses on any camera; the only DX in the group. At these longer focal lengths vibration reduction really shines. If telephoto is your passion, this is the least expensive 300mm zoom with VR.
  • Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Nikkor $600 new, $450 refurbished, $375 used. Top of the line in the sub-$500 price range. Focuses on any camera. In these long focal lengths the VR really becomes useful.

If you can do without the extra reach, the Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR has vibration reduction and is less than $200 new, or about $150 used. It’s another high-quality sleeper that is included in retail kits, so they are inexpensive new and easily obtained used. On the other hand, while the various 300mm can be uncertain past 200mm unless stopped down, at least you have the 200mm to 300mm to work with. The first time you photograph any wild animal you’ll have the 55-200mm cranked out to 200mm and be crying for more. I certainly was with the 18-200mm I owned for a year. I’m inclined to upgrade to a better 70-300mm than move to the 55-200mm.

Of course, there is the almost-everything Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S Nikkor. But then we’d have $900 in one lens, still need something for macro, and would be unimpressed by the mere 28mm wide angle, especially on a DX camera.

Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom Lenses

03. May 2012 · 2 comments · Categories: Best Cheap Nikon Lenses · Tags: , ,
AF Nikkor 75-300mm f:4.5-5.6 photomiser.com

This review compares two genuine 300mm Nikon zoom lenses that are available for less that $200.

70 300mmG Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom LensesProblems with the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G AF

For two years I have used the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G Nikon zoom lens. While it was a bargain, I have not been satisfied with its performance optically. For example, see this shot of a male Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) at f/5.6 at 300mm in strong light on a Nikon D90:

dragonfly 70 300mm G at 5.6 Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom Lenses

I did not expect it to be perfect at this price–but nor did I expect it to be this bad. Granted, all the reviews say to keep it stopped down. That helps, but not as much as I’d like. I was miffed to have to give up two or three stops just to get something reasonable, and even stopped down it was not performing well.

75 300mmD Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom Lenses

I decided to go shopping. A discontinued 70-300mm Nikon zoom, the Nikon Zoom 70-300mm f/4-5.6 AF, starts at $200 used, but I wasn’t confident the differences would be that much of an improvement. [Note: After completing this review, I did obtain the 70-300mm ED Nikon zoom lens. It was on par with the 75-300mm in picture quality. It has the aperture ring.] In my research another oldie but goodie caught my eye: the 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6D ED. It’s $200 used, and has good reviews. Finally I purchased 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6D ED for a head-to-head comparison at 300mm, where the flaws would be most pronounced. This is the result. This comparison uses my single copies of each lens. Your mileage may vary.

Physical Comparison

The older D Nikon zoom lens is longer and heavier than the G. It uses the outmoded “push-pull” action for zooming, rather than the twisting barrel favored now. It works fine, though it’s harder to make precise zoom adjustments. It has a metal mount and includes an integrated tripod collar. It has the aperture collar, which only matters on older film models. It was Nikon’s consumer-priced zoom of the 1990s, but in those days that meant more. The last element rotates when focusing, so polarizing filters are unfortunately not practical. With care, this lens will outlive you.

The G Nikon zoom lens is strictly a consumer grade lens. It is shorter and lighter than the D. All plastic, including the mount. Being a “G,” it has no aperture collar. It’s not heirloom-quality.

75 300 v 70 300G Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom Lenses

The 70-300mm G is shorter in rest mode; fully extended both are about the same length. Neither as VR vibration reduction. Both lenses require an on-camera focus pin. They will not focus on D40, D60, D3000, D5000 or similar cameras. The D90, D7000 family and Nikon’s full-format DSLRs will focus these.

The Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF Nikkor is still in production, and is available new for $175, $125 used. The discontinued Nikon zoom 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6D ED AF is readily available used in excellent condition for as low as $200.

Performance Comparison

The Nikon D90 camera was set on a tripod, kept low for stability. Neither the subject nor the camera were moved during testing. The lenses were switched while the camera was on the tripod. Both Nikon zoom lenses were fully zoomed to 300mm. Camera was set on auto-focus, aperture-priority. I selected the aperture and set the ISO to 320. The camera chose the shutter. I used the timer to activate the shutter for hands-off operation. Conditions were mostly cloudy, but the lighting changed a little between some shots. I began with the 75-300, completed the series, then mounted the 70-300G. For the final f/40 I replaced the 75-300, having forgotten that aperture earlier.

The results here are not just a one-time thing. I have been noticing the poor quality of the G under a variety of conditions. In addition to the softness of the subject, the bokeh, if you can call it that, is bizarrely smeared.

Image on left is the 75-300mm, image on right is the 70-300mm G. The crops are 500×500 px crops out of jpeg images that were originally 3126×2136 px. The crops show actual pixels. NOTE: The 75-300 AF image watermarks are wrong…there is no such thing as a 75-300D ED. It’s supposed to be 75-300mm AF. Corrections are pending.

Full frame at f/5.6

Note the overall softness and the smearing effect in the background of the 70-300mm G (on bottom)

Nikon 75 300mm f 4 5.6D ED AF at f 5.6 Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom Lenses
Nikon 70 300mm f 4 5.6G AF at f 5.6 Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom Lenses

Crop at f/5.6

D at f 5.6 Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom Lenses
G at f 5.6 Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom Lenses

Crop at f/11

D at f 11 Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom Lenses
G at f 11 Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom Lenses

The background smear is gone in the 75-300mm. The 75-300mm is also sharper, seen especially in the dark flecks.

Crop at f/22

D at f 22 Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom Lenses
G at f 22 Comparing Two Inexpensive 300mm Nikon Zoom Lenses
The differences are not as significant here.

Conclusion

Bottom Line: The 75-300 AF is considerably better optically than the G at 300mm. The 70-300G is really soft wide open, vaseline-on-the-lens soft. The 75-300 AF  is much better wide open. The differences are reduced as lenses progress as they reduce in aperture, but the 75-300 AF is more sharp in all comparisons. Sure, you could keep the G stopped down, or avoid using the lens past 200mm extended, but why bother having it in your kit if you can’t use your Nikon zoom as advertised? For a few bucks more, get the older but better 75-300 AF.

Best Cheap Nikon Wide Angle Lens Value: 18-55mm AF-S DX VR

03. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Best Cheap Nikon Lenses · Tags: , , , ,
Nikon 18-55mm Wide Angle Zoom Lens

BEST CHEAP NIKON WIDE ANGLE LENS: Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR

Here’s the thing about zoom lenses. I have owned the Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX and the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II. Both were fine lenses. But many times I found myself using them full wide or full telephoto. The 18-200mm in particular is an expensive lens. Why carry that kind of cash around my neck when I was only using the 18mm and the 200mm settings 90% of the time anyway? My search for the best cheap Nikon wide angle lens led me to get two less-expensive lenses–with money left over–instead.

For wide angle, I now use the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR. The 18mm is not dramatically wide on a DX camera, but it still does nice landscapes and the like. Anything wider is over $500 or more anyway. The 55mm means it also works well as a general walk-around lens and for people shots. But it’s a steal. It’s a kit lens often sold with the body, which means it’s the first to be sold off, making it easy to find lightly used or refurbished models on the market. This lens goes for as little as $100 factory refurbished to $150 brand new–or “free” if it came with your body in a retail kit. And it is excellent. An added feature is that it focuses closer than many larger-range zooms, increasing its utility. It’s a common retail kit lens, so you may already have it! If you are buying new, look for this “free” in a camera and lens bundle.

Affordable Wide Angle Alternatives

There is an older non-VR version of the 18-55, but you’ll only save $10 or $20 buying a used non-VR over a used VR. VR is not as much of an advantage at these short focal lengths, but for a few dollars more you might as well have it.

The Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR Nikkor Wide-Angle Telephoto Zoom is the only Nikon lens that is shorter that is anywhere close to our price range, and it’s $650 new, $575 used. That said, many people like it. Anything shorter than 18mm from Nikon, like Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX Nikkor at $800, is well out of our price range. I haven’t even heard of any reasonably priced vintage wide Nikon lenses.

The best alternative shorter than 18mm and under $500 is the Tokina 12-24MM F4 Pro II Zoom Lens for Digital Nikon SLR Cameras. It is $55O new, $375 used, but needs a pin-drive camera to focus.

Tokina’s 11-16mm, the super wide that may even be better than Nikon 10-24mm but it’s often out of stock at over $700 and still won’t focus without the pin drive. After that, you need to look at Sigma or Tamron to go under $500, with mixed reviews.

If you want more on the upper end, the Nikon 18-70, 18-105 and 18-135 are very economical lenses. To save money I avoid overlap. Even the 135mm tele really doesn’t do that much except give you framing options you can get with your feet or cropping. It’s too short for interesting zoom close-ups in the field. Either lens is at least another $100 over the 18-55; I cover their upper ranges with another lens. There’s always the 18-200, but it starts at $600 used.

If fisheye is what you want, the very affordable Rokinon FE8M-N 8mm F3.5 Fisheye Lens for Nikon (Black) has a surprisingly good reputation, and is under $300. But it is fully manual…no auto-focus, no metering–though a newly announced model has added metering.

Bryce 640x424 Best Cheap Nikon Wide Angle Lens Value: 18 55mm AF S DX VR

Bryce Canyon, taken with Nikon 18-55mm AF-S

Best Cheap Nikon Wide Angle Lens Value: 18 55mm AF S DX VR